Coolant leaks and recalls
The 2012 Cruze has about 365 complaints per 100,000 sold, twice the model average. Engine coolant leaks, power steering loss and brake booster faults lead the list.
Updated November 2026 · based on 865 owner complaints and 7 recalls
364 2.2x the Cruze average
7 free to fix at a dealer
Every Cruze year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2012 Cruze
Top problems and what they cost
Water pump and coolant leaks
Coolant loss and overheating from the water pump and housing.
Fix: Water pump $500 to $900
Engine
Loss of power steering
Steering assist cuts out, sometimes with the engine shutting off.
Fix: Diagnosis $100 to $200
Electrical
Hard brake pedal
Brake booster or vacuum faults.
Fix: Free under recall 13V360 on some cars
Brakes
Recalls
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not dep...
THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK.
EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deplo...
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, that air bag will not dep...
Show all 7 recalls
A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
- Confirm recalls 12V288, 13V360, 14V300 and 16V502 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2012 Cruze has 7 recalls on record, listed below.
- Look for coolant residue on the engine.Coolant keeps the engine from overheating. A dropping level, drips, white smoke or residue can mean leaks or a failing head gasket, which can ruin the engine.Owners filed 104 complaints about coolant leaks and overheating on the 2012 Cruze, one of the worst years for it.
- Check the brake pedal feels normal with the engine running.The brake booster makes the pedal easy to press. A pedal that goes hard, sinks or a hissing sound means the assist is failing, so stopping takes much more effort.258 of the 865 owner complaints about the 2012 Cruze involve the brakes (30%).
Questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
Coolant leaks and recalls. The 2012 Cruze has about 365 complaints per 100,000 sold, twice the model average. Engine coolant leaks, power steering loss and brake booster faults lead the list.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have?
7 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems?
Water pump and coolant leaks; Loss of power steering; Hard brake pedal.
Crash rating shown for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.