2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited Safety Report
2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (240) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 25 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
41 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyAir Bags
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyFuel/Propulsion System
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited
Reliability Score
The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Smoke Reports indicate engine smoke, which can be a sign of overheating or internal engine issues. This is a moderate concern, especially at lower mileage. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Wheel Pull And Shutdown Several reports mention the steering wheel pulling to the left and the vehicle shutting off without warning, suggesting potential electrical or power train issues. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Turbocharger Issues Multiple reports of turbocharger failures, including two replacements under warranty and another out of warranty, indicating a high severity issue. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Deployment Reports of airbags deploying during minor incidents, suggesting potential airbag system malfunctions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited:
Engine smoke and issues are the most frequently reported problems.
Turbocharger failures are a common issue, with multiple reports of replacements.
Steering wheel pull and vehicle shutdown without warning are reported.
Airbags deploying during minor incidents are reported.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 4 reported injuries or fatalities.
My husband was driving and noticed smoke coming from the engine so we pulled over and he lifted the hood and when he did we clearly saw a part of the Bosch manifold absolute pressure map sensor had come off and appeared to have melted off. I have taken it to a mechanic and have photos to show the exact parts.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal burning odor was coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot(H). The contact pulled over, added water to the coolant reservoir, and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or ...
My tire pressure sensor keeps coming on even after I had it worked on. 3 of them shows the pressure level but one shows 2 lines but no pressure level but there’s air in the tire. The other problem I’m having is the check engine light is on. Please advise if any issues are recalls or do I need to take my car to a service center. Thank you
The turbo has gone out twice, it was replaced under an extended warranty policy and it has gone out again and is out of warranty, also the plastic intake manifold has gone bad again. also there is a plastic piece that comes off the engine and distributes coolant to the heater core etc...it has gone bad as well and is common on all 1.4 turbos..
I was driving the car, stopped at a light took my foot off the brake started to move and the car completely shut off. No warning lights went on. I had to start the car again. I took the car to a local dealership to be looked at. They pulled the codes, nothing showed up. I did an internet search for a possible cause, sent my search results to the dealership and I asked them to check the fuel system...
Purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze on [XXX]. [XXX]. As of July 26th I paid $862 on repairs for the car to be smoking this morning on my way to work [XXX]. In total I’ve spent Almost or close to $2,000 in car repairs. This purchase was for my 17 year old daughter as a graduation present and for college. She was driving and car started to run hot and cut off in a busy intersection. She was unable to ...
I HAVE A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE AND THE TURBOCHARGER INTERCOOLER HOSE BASICALLY BROKE FROM WHERE THE END OF THE HOSE STARTS AND A LITTLE BIT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE AREA OF THE END PART OF THE HOSE. AND THIS CAUSED MY ENGINE'S POWER TO BE REDUCED INMENSLY. TO THE POINT THAT I HAD MY FOOT PRESSING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT COULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER DOWN, AND MY CAR WAS MOVING SLOWER THAN A...
Defouw Chevrolet was negligent in performing the proper repairs per a GM service bulletin and special coverage. They refused to provide service, falsely claimed that I refused diagnostic, misdiagnosed the vehicle, replaced the wrong part, and were extremely rude and misogynistic. Additionally, they claim the issues were pre-existing while lacking any evidence. As a result, the vehicle now needs $6...
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel pulled to the left forcibly. The contact also stated that the vehicle was oversteered, and the wheel made the vehicle move in a straight line. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the inner tie rod had separated from the steeri...
Component or System Failed/Malfunctioned: The turbocharger has been identified by a GM service center as the component that failed or malfunctioned. It is available for inspection upon request at the service center where the diagnosis was made. Safety Risk: The safety of myself and others was compromised due to the vehicle stalling unexpectedly while driving. This resulted in potential rear-end c...
On [XXX], the right front passenger side control arm/ball joint broke as my daughters were driving home. The car was in motion on a major street in Kansas City, KS when the control arm/ball joint broke. My daughter was in the right-hand lane when it broke as the car was in motion. The front of the car forcefully propelled in the air, landed, and jerked my daughter into the side walk. Afterwards, s...
Water leak in trunk. Took car in 3 time to have it fixed after them doing the recall( 84279073 f-lamp kit). Every time it went in they found a leak in a different spot. 15Feb17 they found water leaking from right side of the spoiler retainer holes. Dealer removed spoiler applied double back tape and sealer. Reinstalled spoiler 02Mar17 found pin hole leak in weather strip. Dealer replaced weather...
Power train system (po299) A turbocharger harnesses the flow of exhaust gases that spins an internal turbine. This turbine then forces or packs air into the engine faster than normal .This action increases the horsepower of the engine. When it doesn’t work!!!!A failed turbo charger will cause a decrease in engine performance which isn’t for family . (Manufacturer recall number:A212338300 recall d...
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shut off without warning. The contact stated that soon after the failure, the vehicle independently restarted, and the vehicle resumed normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed and recommended that the fuel system be cleaned....
Hit a buck on highway. When airbags went off I felt sudden sharp pain in my left arm. I was later advised that it most likely was shrapnel from the airbag. It was obvious from the injury something hit my arm with a lot of force. The car was a total loss and in possession of insurance company. Concerned that it could have been my eye.
I was driving down the road when my son said he smelled something and made pull over. There were what I thought were small flames on the floor so i dumped my water on them, then i realized the seat itself was melting and dripping stuff on the floor. then the seat went up. Very shortly after that the car was completely engulfed and is now a total loss.
My vehicle gives the message "shift to park" even when it placed in park, making it impossible to lock and possibly causing the battery to run down. Continuing to restart the vehicle and placing in park until the message goes away has been my only resolution. The issue has been reproduced by an independent service center. They were unable to ascertain what was causing the issue. I am aware a ...
At first, and only on cold/rainy/snowy weather, while driving the radio would randomly turn off and turn itself back on (i have videos of this). Sometimes it would last a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. While this was happening, the blinker sounds wouldn't work. I brought it to Chevy in Geneva, NY for diagnostics. No check engine codes ever. They told me that the radio computer needed to be ...
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the front air bag warning light illuminated, and the message "Service Air Bags" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer that stated that the front passenger side air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage...
I have a 2016 cheavy cruise. It keeps overheating I have replaced the thermostat and thermostat housing and still have had issues with it overheating. I have done research and several cruises with this year have had the same issues.
Showing 20 of 240 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited
Has the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED been recalled?
No, the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED have?
The 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED has 240 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 19 involved crashes. 14 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
The 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED involve engine (41 complaints), unknown or other (18 complaints), air bags (15 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, power train, fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED have?
There are 19 crash reports associated with the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED out of 240 total complaints (7.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED have?
There are 6 fire reports for the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED out of 240 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
14 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 240 complaints, 0 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED are: 1. ENGINE (41 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (15 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (13 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (12 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 41 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
Be cautious of engine smoke and steering issues, as these are the most common problems reported. Consider a thorough inspection before purchase. The 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED has 240 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
The 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 240 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 25 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Smoke and Steering Wheel Pull and Shutdown.
What are the known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED?
Known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE LIMITED include: Engine Smoke, Steering Wheel Pull and Shutdown, Turbocharger Issues, Airbag Deployment. These are based on patterns found across 240 NHTSA complaints.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
Engine smoke and steering wheel pull are the most common issues.
Are there any reports of airbag malfunctions?
Yes, some reports mention airbags deploying during minor incidents.
How often do turbocharger issues occur?
Turbocharger failures are reported multiple times, with some needing replacement under warranty.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine smoke and steering issues, as these are the most common problems reported. Consider a thorough inspection before purchase.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited. The data includes 240 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 19 reported crashes, 6 fire incidents, 14 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14