GREEN CHOICE
2016
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
GREEN CHOICE

Chevrolet Cruze

Unlock Ratings
Big car virtues in a small package. The Cruze takes the best attributes of Chevrolet's accomplished Malibu and Impala, as well as the brand's familiar styling, and tucks them into a more maneuverable and fuel-efficient package. Boasting a comfortable ride, relatively roomy interior, and effortless power, it's a fully competitive entry that stands out in a class dominated by imported cars.
Alerts
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
GREEN CHOICE
2016
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Chevrolet Cruze

Reliability
See All
Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver NA
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.
Fuel Economy & Emissions
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Gas The Greenhouse Gas Rating represents the amount of carbon dioxide the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
Smog Rating Smog Rating The Smog Rating represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
NA
2020
2021
Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
Transmission Minor Transmission Minor Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.
Drive System Drive System Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and ESC standard. Front side and head protection air bags standard.
Road Test

Big car virtues in a small package. The Cruze takes the best attributes of Chevrolet's accomplished Malibu and Impala, as well as the brand's familiar styling, and tucks them into a more maneuverable and fuel-efficient package. Boasting a comfortable ride, relatively roomy interior, and effortless power, it's a fully competitive entry that stands out in a class dominated by imported cars.

For years, GM struggled to build a competitive small car. Introduced in 2011, the original Cruze was a hopeful sign that Chevrolet could put its history of mediocre small cars, embodied by the inferior Cavalier and Cobalt, in the rearview mirror. While that Cruze was able to finally compete with the popular Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, it never ranked among the best compact sedans in our road test scores. This time, it beats them.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
Front
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
sedan
Transmissions Available
  • 6-speed Automatic
  • 6-speed Manual
Engines Available
  • 1.4-liter 4 turbo (153 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2016 Chevrolet Cruze owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"coolant leak at the water pump. caused the engine to overheat. water pump had to be replaced"

Anonymous, MI (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Recall , Brake light on back of car was leaking and dripping into the battery compartment which is in the trunk of the car. . we also had a recall on a problem with the front passenger seat , but not sure what they had to do with it"

Lance H., MO (2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Leak in water pump"

William S., CA (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Seals and/or weather-stripping

"The seal around the brake light on the back of the car was leaking and when it did so the water would fall down on the battery in the trunk of the car and short the battery out. , it was a factory recall and we had to take it in to be repaired at no cost to us."

Lance H., MO (2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Squeaks or rattles

"Noise in rear of vehicle, dealer and GM Technician Support unable to diagnose. Two new shocks and a new rear axle didn't fix the problem"

Anonymous, PA (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Wind noise

"When driving 100kph noise behind drivers head very anoying dealer says it can’t find the problem"

Dave K., ON (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Load more

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Automatic climate control

"Blown Fuse twice"

Anonymous, GA (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Blower (fan) motor

"You can just barely feel any air - hot or cold - coming out of the vents."

Anonymous, ME (2016 Chevrolet Cruze Unsure 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Heater system

"Same - cannot feel any air coming out of vents - both heat and a/c."

Anonymous, ME (2016 Chevrolet Cruze Unsure 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Refrigerant leaks

"The sweet smell had been present from the drive off the lost but diminished over time. Upon having the car inspected before the warranty expired, the dealer found the problem."

Anonymous, ON (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Leaking of refrigerant. Unable to locate"

Alan T., OH (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Load more

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

What Owners Say

Antifreeze leaks

"In the last 9 months/11000 miles, the cooling system failed 3 times, putting the car out of service. At 46718 mi. water pump leaked causing overheat. At 51,240 mi. thermostat failed, setting SES light, at 53,004 mi. cooling system water outlet cracked, causing overheat. Fixed under 5/60000 warranty. When will the twice overheated engine blow a headgasket?"

Anonymous, (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Overheating

"bad thermostat caused car to overheat"

Anonymous, MI (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Thermostat

"car overheated while driving, towed to dealer said was bad thermostat"

Anonymous, MI (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

What Owners Say

Engine rebuild or replacement

"burnt or cracked a piston .had to replace all four pistons"

Peter H., NY (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Head gasket

"Oil leak that turned out to be the engine gasket - had to be replaced but covered in warranty."

Anonymous, (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Turbo or supercharger

"It kept causing an intermittent hesitation that the dealer couldn't find with repeated visits. No indications in the computer. Once the engine light came on (after 20k miles living with it. It got fixed immediately under warranty."

Anonymous, CT (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

What Owners Say

Clutch adjustment

"clutch pedal does not fully return, must be manually pulled back up...still working with dealer for resolution"

R C., NY (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Hydraulics (clutch master or slave cylinder)

"clutch pedal inconsistently does not fully return to fully released position......has to be manually pulled back up....still working with dealer for reesolution"

R C., NY (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Transmission leaks

"There was a seal leaking somewhere on the transmission and I had lost a fair amount of fluid until the mechanic found the problem during routine service and they had me bring it in the next day for immediate repair. I was given a loaner. I also had to have a front seat frame replaced"

John D., MI (2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Radio

"Time rest to 12 ever time shut off, radio stations lost"

Anonymous, TX (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Sirius XM radio constantly drops signals of stations even in strong signal areas. Problem is ongoing. Dealer has not satisfactorily addressed the issue"

Anonymous, CT (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Voice control commands

"about 30% of the time, my button that activates the voice command does not work. It will still pull up the phone operation, but if I hold it down, 30 percent of the time, the voice dialing does not work"

Joe E., NC (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"this should not have happened for such a new car"

Anonymous, (2016 Chevrolet Cruze L 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"Started grinding and making noise going into 3rd gear"

Michael B., NS (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Oil leaks

"leak from the oil pan, fixed and no problems since."

Anonymous, ON (2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"The oil leaked periodically. Discovered it was a warped oil pan and it was replaced by the dealership"

Anonymous, IL (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Normal routine brake wear

"new brakes"

Anonymous, (2016 Chevrolet Cruze L 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Squeaking

"When I made a left turn there was a squeaking (grinding) noise"

Susan B., OH (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Keyless entry

"The keyless entry stopped working on the rear driver's side door"

Anonymous, IN (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Remote engine starter

"The keyless, push button start, has failed to work 3 different times, even after a battery change. It says "transmitter not found". Worried it's going to leave me stranded"

Joe E., NC (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Shocks or struts

"Rear shocks replaced to diagnose rear end noise. Shock was bad both times"

Anonymous, PA (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"Gas cap cover fell off"

Anonymous, AL (2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT 1.4-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Change Vehicle