2016 Chevrolet Cruze
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 108 of 249 complaints (43%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 251 in 2015 to 249 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,800 | 1,950–2,800 | 1,850–2,400 | 1,850–2,400 | 1,900–2,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–32 | 26–32 | 26–34 | 31–37 | 31–37 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–28 / 34–44 | 22–28 / 34–44 | 22–30 / 34–40 | 28–31 / 37–52 | 27–31 / 37–52 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 273–336 | 272–336 | 261–336 | 265–287 | 267–291 | |
| Complaints filed | 702 | 251 | 249 | 201 | 109 | |
| Recalls issued | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 70 | 20 | 19 | 8 | 17 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 17 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 57 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
Engine: 108 of 249 NHTSA complaints (43%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze get?
EPA rates it 26–34 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
EPA estimates $1,850–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 309 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg | 40 mpg (high) | 33 mpg | $1,900 | 274 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 295 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 36 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 300 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 37 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 298 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 34 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 336 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 30 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 261 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg | 39 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 274 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 30 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 265 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 108 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 37 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 58 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 35 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 22 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 13 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 43 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 18V304000 · May 14, 2018
Defect: 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."
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · Campaign 17V057000 · Jan 31, 2017
Defect: 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."
Consequence: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Remedy: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 16V502000 · Jul 5, 2016
Defect: 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."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 16V498000 · Jul 1, 2016
Defect: 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."
Consequence: Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.