Considering a pre-owned 2012 Chevy Cruze? We review its history of reliability versus recalls to assess the pros & cons of a used model.
The Chevy Cruze was an incredibly important model for Chevrolet at the time of its launch. Aiming to prove that America could build a small car that could draw sales away from its Japanese rivals in the compact segment, and offer a safer alternative as well.
The results spoke for themselves with more than 1.2 million sales across the first-generation model’s run according to Good Car Bad Car, and globally it ranked as GM’s best-selling model during 2010. The model year 2014 saw its strongest single sales year in the U.S., although the 2012 model of the Chevrolet Cruze was the second strongest with 258,185 units shifted during those 12 months. The Cruze became a highly-decorated model as well with numerous awards under its belt.
However, while the Cruze clearly showed a lot of promise, the model did suffer from reliability problems and safety recalls. Here, we’ll investigate the history of the Cruze nameplate and lineage, before focusing in on the 2012 model in particular and any relevant issues.
Chevy Cruze Model Launch
The history of the Chevy Cruze is a bit of a muddled one, as the global Cruze model launched in 2008 has nothing in common with its namesake. The Cruze name was conceived in 2001 by Holden, General Motors’ Australian arm, who applied it to a badge-engineered version of the Suzuki Ignis subcompact hatchback of the time, with the model sold in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
As such, the first-generation global Cruze model — produced from 2008 to 2016 — serves more as a successor to the Chevrolet Cobalt sold in North America from 2005 to 2010, itself a successor to the longstanding Cavalier launched in 1981, with it simply adopting the Holden-derived nameplate worldwide.
The Chevy Cruze was introduced to the North American market in 2010 as a compact four-door sedan and later a five-door hatchback for the 2012 model year. The Cruze was an important model for GM and credited as playing a significant role in the automaker’s Chapter 11 reorganization in 2009.
At the launch of the Cruze’s production, G.M.’s N.A. president of operations, Mark Reuss, told the New York Times, “The rebirth of the American economy starts…with a world-class, high-volume car built in the heartland of America.” The article refers to the Cruze as “[General Motors’] most earnest attempt at building a compact car that Americans might buy because they like it, not simply because it is cheap.”
Development of the Cruze occurred under a global team of engineers and designers, with leading roles taken by GM Daewoo in South Korea and Opel in Germany. Based on the GM Delta II transaxle platform, which also underpinned the Chevy Volt, both U.S. and Canadian versions of the Cruze–produced in Lordstown, Ohio–differ from overseas versions by featuring a more sophisticated Watts Z-link rear suspension setup taken from the German Opel Astra, rather than a torsion beam axle.
At launch, a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder was offered as the base engine option, while a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine was available as an upgrade. Both were offered with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.
A number of trim levels were offered at launch, starting with the LS priced from $16,800, then moving up to the 1LT, Eco, 2LT, and range-topping LTZ. Additionally, a base L model (which was manual-only to cut costs) was introduced towards the end of the model’s run in 2015, and a Diesel model rated for use on B20 bio-diesel was offered briefly in 2014-15.
A newer second-generation Cruze based on the newer German-engineered D2XX platform was later introduced in 2016 for the North American market, although it was retired in 2019. However, it continues to be offered today in other parts of the world.
2012 Chevy Cruze: Critical Reception
When the Chevy Cruze debuted, praise for it from critics was high. In neighboring Canada, which sourced its identically-spec’d Cruze models from Ohio, it earned the top honor of being named Canadian Car of the Year in 2011 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, along with also gaining the title of Best Small Car over $21K.
Safety was something the Cruze and its impressive brace of 10 airbags drew a considerable amount of praise for also, with it earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick award in 2011 – an impressive feat for a compact car.
American critics weren’t as complimentary of the Cruze, with Car and Driver claiming the entry-level 1.8-liter engine “turns in a performance that can charitably be described as mediocre.”
Response to versions powered by the 1.4-liter turbo engine were much better, with Motor Trend praising the driveline in the lightened Eco model that featured a bespoke six-speed manual gearbox with taller gearing. The auto publication called the Cruze “exceptional at momentum conservation,” which was important in it delivering its 33 mpg combined fuel consumption rating.
Curiously, it also proved to be the fastest Cruze variant the publication had tested against the stopwatch. In particular, the six-speed manual was praised for its “short and direct” shifter throws, although the automatic was noted by U.S. News as only being “okay” and “hesitant to downshift when needed.”
However, as time has gone on the Cruze has had reliability issues detract from the initial praise it did garner.
In recent years, the Cruze has even been named by Chevrolet Problems (utilizing data accrued from Car Complaints) as being the least reliable model overall, with this first-generation model even being highlighted as the least reliable generation of any Chevy vehicle. There’s merit to these claims as well, as the Cruze’s issues have been well documented by the way of numerous recalls.
2012 Chevy Cruze: Recalls
The 2012 Chevy Cruze has been subject to seven NHTSA recalls, the earliest of which date back to June 22, 2012 – certainly quite early on in the picture for this particular model year. Two recalls were issued on this same day, both of which were rather serious ones pertaining to fire risks.
The first related to potentially faulty fuel tank welds, which could allow the fuel tank to potentially come loose in the event of an accident, leading to fuel leaks and the potential risk of a fire. 53,239 cars from across the 2011 and 2012 model years were involved in the recall.
Another potential fire issue also saw 413,148 Cruze models produced between 2009-12 recalled on the same day, this time due to the fact that oil drips or spills (such as after adding engine oil) could collect in the engine’s bellypan and be ignited due to heat from the hot engine and exhaust system surfaces.
The next recall was issued in October 2012, this time concerning the driver’s side airbag potentially not deploying in the event of an accident if the bar and terminals are contacting each other. Just under 3,000 cars were recalled in this initial recall (although this included some other Chevy and Buick models), while subsequent recalls for the same potentially fatal problem were issued in January 2013 for another 4,167 cars, and June 2014 for 31,520 cars.
In August 2013, one of the largest recalls for the Cruze was issued, this one concerning a possible loss of brake assistance, which would require extra pedal force and a longer stopping distance to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A total of 292,879 cars were involved in the recall, with it specifically pertaining to 2011 and 2012 models powered by the 1.4-liter turbo engine with an automatic transmission.
The most recent recall issued for the Cruze was in July 2016, concerning the fact that the key could potentially be removed from the ignition without the car in Park. Around 8,000 cars were included in the recall, including 2010-16 Cruze models.
2012 Chevy Cruze: Reliability Issues
Beyond the issues that the 2012 Cruze has been recalled for, numerous other reliability issues have been reported, particularly with the 1.4-liter turbo models.
As Motor Biscuit notes, leaking water pumps on these engines could lead to multiple issues – initially causing the air conditioning to fail, and eventually causing the car to overheat. GM ended up extending its warranty coverage for the part to 10 years/150,000 miles as the part would require replacing.
Faulty PCV diaphragms were also reported on these engines which would lead to excessive oil consumption and the triggering of a check engine light, and solving the issue could require the intake manifold or valve cover being replaced which would cost hundreds of dollars.
Oil leaks from the engine and transmission, coolant leaks from the thermostat housing, and faulty ignition coils are other engine issues that have also been reported. The Cruze isn’t without its electrical issues either, with loose battery cables and issues with the trunk release switch all being reported as well.
2012 Chevy Cruze: A Questionable Purchase?
With a reputation marred by numerous recalls and known engine issues, the 2012 Cruze is a vehicle you will want to be careful when considering. Although many of the issues appear to pertain primarily to the 1.4-liter turbo models, the atmo 1.8-liter version’s mediocre performance may put some off of it as well.
As the model is subject to so many recalls, you’ll want to make sure that you perform a free VIN check to ensure that this necessary work has been completed for your peace of mind. Checking to see whether warrantable items like the water pump issues have been fixed will be important to ensure as well.
Despite its questionable reliability, its impressive safety and sturdiness (in terms of build quality) for a cheap compact car will still see many buyers attracted to it, but all of these problems mentioned in this article are all worth keeping in mind if you’re shopping for one.
Photos: Chevrolet
