CarBrief

Owners filed 250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cruze, and engine problems are named most often[1][2]. Four recalls are on file, and each one has a free remedy that has begun[3][4][5][6].

250owner complaints[1]
4recalls[7]
26–34MPG combined (EPA)[8]
4★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 250 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 19 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 14 an injury, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports. One complaint can name more than one part of the car, so the group counts below do not add up to 250[1].

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Engine[2] 108 3 3 1
Electrical system[10] 59 2 4 1
Unknown or other[11] 43 2 2 1
Fuel/propulsion system[12] 35 1 0 1
Power train[13] 31 0 1 0
Air bags[14] 21 12 0 8

We read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups: engine, power train, fuel/propulsion and electrical. This is what owners describe, and it is not a measure of how common anything is.

The air bag group is smaller, but 12 of its 21 complaints mention a crash and 8 an injury[14]. The median mileage at failure in the engine group is 66,445[2]. In the electrical group it is 40,500[10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year, newest first. Each one describes a free remedy that has begun.

You can call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 about these recalls[3]. Optional: remove, or keep as general advice.

Fuel economy

EPA lists several versions of the 2016 Cruze. Combined ratings run from 26 MPG to 34 MPG[15][8]. All listed versions use regular fuel and front-wheel drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Cruze, 1.4L turbo, Automatic (S6)[8] 30 / 40 / 34 $1,950
Cruze Premier, 1.4L turbo, Automatic (S6)[16] 30 / 40 / 34 $1,950
Cruze, 1.4L turbo, Manual 6-spd[17] 28 / 39 / 32 $2,100
Cruze Limited Eco, 1.4L turbo, Manual 6-spd[18] 28 / 40 / 33 $2,050
Cruze Limited Eco, 1.4L turbo, Automatic 6-spd[19] 26 / 37 / 30 $2,250
Cruze Limited, 1.4L turbo, Automatic (S6)[20] 26 / 36 / 30 $2,250
Cruze Limited, 1.4L turbo, Manual 6-spd[21] 26 / 37 / 30 $2,250
Cruze Limited, 1.8L, Manual 6-spd[22] 25 / 35 / 29 $2,300
Cruze Limited, 1.8L, Automatic (S6)[15] 22 / 34 / 26 $2,600

The Cruze Limited with the 1.8L engine and automatic is the thirstiest listed version at 26 MPG combined[15]. The Cruze and Cruze Premier with the 1.4L turbo and automatic are the best at 34 MPG combined[8][16].

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 4 DR FWD version at 4 stars overall[9]. Frontal crash is 5 stars, side crash is 4 stars and rollover is 4 stars[9]. The rollover risk is listed as 10.7%[9].

Engine and size

EPA lists 138 to 148 hp for the 1.4L 4-cylinder, depending on version[23]. The 1.8L 4-cylinder is rated 138 to 140 hp[24].

Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Cruze 4DR Sedan New Generation[25] 184 in 71 in 57 in 106 in 2,756 lb
Cruze Limited 4DR Sedan LS/LT/LTZ/ECO[26] 181 in 71 in 58 in 106 in 3,084 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2011: 732 complaints, 7 recalls20112012: 865 complaints, 7 recalls20122013: 587 complaints, 5 recalls20132014: 702 complaints, 10 recalls20142015: 252 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 250 complaints, 4 recalls25020162017: 201 complaints, 2 recalls20172018: 109 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 23 complaints, 2 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cruze model year. The 2016 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20117327
20128657
20135875
201470210
20152524
20162504
20172012
20181093
2019232

NHTSA counts 250 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2016 Cruze[7]. Other model years of the Cruze look like this.

Model year Complaints Recalls
2011[7] 732 7
2012[7] 865 7
2013[7] 587 5
2014[7] 702 10
2015[7] 252 4
2016[7] 250 4
2017[7] 201 2
2018[7] 109 3
2019[7] 23 2

2015 has 252 complaints, only 2 more than 2016, and 2011 to 2014 all have far more[7]. Only 2017 to 2019 have fewer[7]. The 2016 recall count ties 2015 and is below 2011 to 2014[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 Cruze?

The complaint count of 250 is far lower than the 2011 to 2014 model years, though close to 2015[1][7]. Engine complaints are the biggest group, and the complaint texts we read include stalling and fire reports, so ask about any history of either[2]. All four recalls have a free remedy that has begun, so confirm with a dealer that each one was done on the car you are considering[3][4][5][6]. Fuel economy depends a lot on the version, from 26 to 34 MPG combined, so check which engine and gearbox the car has[15][8].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
Engine is the most named group with 108 of 250 complaints[1][2]. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe stalling or power loss and some describe fire[2].
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
Yes, four are on file: 18V304, 17V057, 16V502 and 16V498[3][4][5][6]. Each describes a free remedy that has begun.
What MPG does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze get?
EPA combined ratings run from 26 to 34 MPG depending on version[15][8]. The 1.4L turbo automatic Cruze and Cruze Premier are rated 30 city and 40 highway[8][16].
How does the 2016 Cruze compare with other years?
It has 250 complaints[7]. Among all listed years, only 2015 (252) and 2011 to 2014 have more, and 2017 to 2019 have fewer[7].
What is the NHTSA safety rating of the 2016 Cruze?
The 4 DR FWD earns 4 stars overall and 5 stars in the frontal test[9].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 250 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze (19 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 14 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 108 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,445). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 18V304, filed May 10, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 17V057, filed January 26, 2017: Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 16V498, filed July 1, 2016: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cruze model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 59 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 43 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 35 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 31 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 21 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Cruze Limited, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 34 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Cruze Premier, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Cruze Limited Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 40 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Cruze Limited Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Cruze Limited, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Cruze Limited, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Cruze Limited, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 138 to 148 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 138 to 140 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CRUZE 4DR SEDAN NEW GENERATION: length 184 in, width 71 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,756 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CRUZE LIMITED 4DR SEDAN LS/LT/LTZ/ECO: length 181 in, width 71 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,084 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.