2012 Chevrolet Cruze: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2012 Chevrolet Cruze: AVOID — 0 owner complaints.
The Chevrolet Cruze isn't scored by the verdict engine yet, so the 2012 is ranked on volume — owner complaints plus a quarter weight for service bulletins. It ranks 3rd of 11 model years from 2009 to 2019, above the model median and among the three heaviest records.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2009–2019 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
0
NHTSA complaints
11
Model years compared
1,815
Service bulletins
0
Recall campaigns
2012 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
No recall campaigns are on federal record for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 1,815 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2012 — more than the 1,329 of the median Cruze year from 2009 to 2019. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (372), engine & cooling (224), powertrain / transmission (173). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2012 vs. the year before and after
From the 2011 to the 2012, owner complaints stayed at zero. The 2013 that followed stayed at zero.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Cruze | — | 0 | 1,657 | 0 | — |
| 2012 (this page) | AVOID | 0 | 1,815 | 0 | — |
| 2013 Cruze | AVOID | 0 | 1,880 | 0 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid.
Nearby Cruze years with a better rating: 2010.
Know what to pay for the right 2012 Chevrolet Cruze — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
2012 Chevrolet Cruze: AVOID — 0 owner complaints. The Chevrolet Cruze isn't scored by the verdict engine yet, so the 2012 is ranked on volume — owner complaints plus a quarter weight for service bulletins. It ranks 3rd of 11 model years from 2009 to 2019, above the model median and among the three heaviest records.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
Owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze aren't concentrated in one component; 1,815 manufacturer service bulletins are on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have?
No recall campaigns are on federal record for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Recall status is VIN-specific, so still check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2012 Chevrolet Cruze before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the model is ranked on complaint and bulletin volume until the verdict engine scores it. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.