2016 Chevrolet Cruze: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
Known weak spot on this generation: 1.4L turbo — coolant leaks, PCV, valve cover. 4 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 43% about engine & cooling.
Low coolant, a sweet smell, a vacuum whistle at idle that changes when you open the oil cap. A new valve cover / cooling parts on record is a plus.
Known problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze
1.4L turbo — coolant leaks, PCV, valve cover $400–$1,600 to fix
The 1.4T leaks coolant from thermostat housings, the water-outlet, and the reservoir, and its integrated PCV diaphragm in the valve cover fails (a whistle, rough idle, high oil consumption). Common enough to expect on a neglected one.
Check for: Low coolant, a sweet smell, a vacuum whistle at idle that changes when you open the oil cap. A new valve cover / cooling parts on record is a plus.
Basis: NHTSA complaints; GM TSBs; widely-documented on Gen1 1.4T
Known patterns for this year and model, not findings about one car. A well-kept example may already have had the fix. Costs are rough US shop prices.
2016 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Fuel systemFire risk
A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Details 18V304000
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."
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.
- Seats
In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Details 17V057000
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."
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.
- Lights
Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 16V498000
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."
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.
- Electrical
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Details 16V502000
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."
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.
2016 Chevrolet Cruze safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Battery: Certain 2016 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles may have a loose connection at the battery negative terminal to ground stud.
- Exhaust and emissions: Certain vehicles shown above, may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge valve to not fully close.
- Engine: - Some 2015-2016 Chevrolet Cruze and 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine may have a condition where cracks can develop in the diaphragm of the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) pressure regulator valve.
- Screen and audio: Certain vehicles may have a condition where the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) modules may fail or malfunction due to water intrusion.
- Transmission: The accelerator pedal can break at the stalk just below the housing due to the driver entering or exiting the vehicle with their foot resting on the accelerator pedal.
3 more in the full VIN report.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2016 Chevrolet Cruze safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
250 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Chevrolet Cruze years
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator