Every 2016 Chevrolet Cruze recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V304000
Oct 5, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
- Risk
- A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.
Full recall details for 18V304000 →Seats · NHTSA 17V057000
Jan 26, 2017Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
- Risk
- In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.
Full recall details for 17V057000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 16V502000
May 7, 2016Electrical System:Ignition
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Full recall details for 16V502000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 16V498000
Jan 7, 2016Exterior Lighting:Headlights
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
- Risk
- Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet Customer Service Department at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 50190.
Full recall details for 16V498000 →
2016 Chevrolet Cruze complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, reporting 19 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries. Chevrolet has issued at least 1,332 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine102
- Electrical System59
- Unknown Or Other43
- Fuel/Propulsion System35
- Power Train31
- Air Bags21
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (532)
- Electrical System (276)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (184)
- Engine (146)
- Power Train (101)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (85)
Read Chevrolet Cruze owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reported
“On [XXX], the right front passenger side control arm/ball joint broke as my daughters were driving home. The car was in motion on a major street in Kansas City, KS when the control arm/ball joint broke. My daughter was in the right-hand lane when it broke as the car was in motion.”
2016 CHEVROLET CRUZEJul 8, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11600176
Injury reportedCrash
“Hit a buck on highway. When airbags went off I felt sudden sharp pain in my left arm. I was later advised that it most likely was shrapnel from the airbag. It was obvious from the injury something hit my arm with a lot of force. The car was a total loss and in possession of insurance company.”
2016 CHEVROLET CRUZENov 5, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11553696
Fire
“I was driving down the road when my son said he smelled something and made pull over. There were what I thought were small flames on the floor so i dumped my water on them, then i realized the seat itself was melting and dripping stuff on the floor. then the seat went up.”
2016 CHEVROLET CRUZEOct 9, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11549008
Crash
“At first, and only on cold/rainy/snowy weather, while driving the radio would randomly turn off and turn itself back on (i have videos of this). Sometimes it would last a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. While this was happening, the blinker sounds wouldn't work.”
2016 CHEVROLET CRUZESep 13, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11544286
Crash
“When I start my car it will sputter then die, also cuts off while driving. It cuts off but will crank up and die again after so many tries it will drive a while and do it again.”
2016 CHEVROLET CRUZEJul 23, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11533949
Check your Cruze by VIN
Not every 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Chevrolet dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →