2012 Chevrolet Cruze

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze marked the vehicle’s second year of production and brought a fresh offering to the compact car market. It was available with two engine options: a 1.8L naturally aspirated inline-4 producing 138 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.4L turbocharged inline-4 producing 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Both engines could be paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Owners often praised the Cruze for its fuel efficiency, comfortable ride, and stylish interior, while common complaints centered around reliability issues, particularly with the 1.4L turbo engine, and some perceived cheapness of certain interior materials.

Engine

1.4L Turbocharged Inline-4 (LUJ/A14NET)

• Turbocharger Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Reduced engine power, whistling or whining noise from the engine bay, check engine light illuminated. Turbocharger may fail prematurely.
  • Solution: Replacement of the turbocharger.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) System Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough idle, engine misfires, vacuum leaks, check engine light illuminated with codes related to lean conditions or PCV system malfunction. Often caused by a cracked intake manifold or a failed PCV valve/diaphragm integrated into the valve cover.
  • Solution: Replacement of the valve cover assembly (if the PCV diaphragm is integrated) or intake manifold.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Coolant Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Low coolant level, overheating, coolant smell, visible leaks around the water pump, thermostat housing, or coolant hoses.
  • Solution: Replacement of the leaking component (water pump, thermostat housing, hoses, etc.).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Check Valve Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Extended cranking, possible misfire after cranking, possible starting issues. Check engine light illuminated.
  • Solution: Replacement of the check valve.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $150
  • Recalls: None Found

1.8L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 (2H0/LUW)

• Intake Manifold Cracks
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough idle, engine misfires, vacuum leaks, check engine light illuminated with codes related to lean conditions.
  • Solution: Replacement of the intake manifold.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

6-Speed Automatic (6T40/MH8)

• Harsh Shifting/Slipping
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough or delayed shifts between gears, slipping during acceleration, erratic shifting behavior, check engine light illuminated with transmission-related codes.
  • Solution: In some cases, a software update can address the issue. More severe cases may require valve body replacement or a full transmission rebuild/replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 (software update) - $3000+ (transmission replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Torque Converter Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering at highway speeds, especially when torque converter is locking, check engine light
  • Solution: Transmission replacement
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $3000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Premature Wear of Struts/Shocks
  • Description/Symptoms: Bouncy ride, poor handling, excessive body roll, noises over bumps.
  • Solution: Replacement of the worn struts/shocks.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ (depending on whether you replace them in pairs or individually)
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Faulty Ignition Coil
  • Description/Symptoms: Engine misfires, rough idle, reduced engine power, check engine light illuminated.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty ignition coil.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $200+ per coil
  • Recalls: None Found
• Radio Display Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Radio display flickering, going blank, or becoming unresponsive.
  • Solution: Replacement of the radio unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• No Issues Found

Interior

• Headliner Sagging
  • Description/Symptoms: The headliner material begins to detach from the roof and sag down.
  • Solution: Replacement or re-gluing of the headliner.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, particularly those equipped with the 1.4L turbo engine, exhibit several common issues that prospective buyers should be aware of. The most prevalent problems revolve around the engine and transmission, with potential turbocharger failures, PCV system issues, coolant leaks, and transmission problems such as harsh shifting and slipping being the most concerning. While some of these issues may be relatively inexpensive to address, others can be quite costly, potentially requiring significant repairs or even replacement of major components. It’s important to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic before purchase and to budget for potential repairs.