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2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Turbocharger failure and reduced engine power.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited.

Reported to NHTSA

Turbocharger failure and reduced engine power

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2024-11

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11626888
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608482
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER, THE TURBO BOOSTER FAILED TO OPERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11184840

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal hard to press due to vacuum pump failure

SERVICE BRAKES

10 NHTSA complaints · 2018-11 → 2022-12

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WHEN I HEARD A POP. I WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND PICKING UP SPEED AND THE SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11340881
“Vacume pump failure causing brakes to become very difficult to apply. Pump also brakes inside the valve cover”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11477252
“WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE THE HOUSE TO GO TO THE STORE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11266865

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine overheating and coolant system leaks

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

29 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2025-03

“There is currently a recall for Chevrolet Cruzes because of overheating, that is caused by the cooling system and the antifreeze leaking out at the thermostat housing”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11538069
“THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 07-03-19, 05-06-19, 11-21-18 & 09-25-18”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11252099
“CAR HAS 66062 MILES SITTING TURNED ON THE CAR HOSES STARTED LEAKING AND THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11297456

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

ENGINE

37 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2024-10

“WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES INTO AUTO SHUT OFF AT A STOP SIGN OR DURING TRAFFIC JAMS WHERE I AM JUST STOPPED BY MY BRAKE BUT NOT IN PARK IT FAILS TO RESTART AND SHUTS THE ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11268400
“THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE AUTO STOP/START FEATURE ON MY CAR. WHEN MY CAR IS IN DRIVE, THE BRAKE PETAL IS DEPRESSED, AND COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, SAID FEATURE WILL ENGAGE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11254830
“MY ENGINE WILL JUST SHUT OFF RANDOMLY, WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. I HAVE TOOK IT INTO DEALER BECASE IT WAS STILL COVERED UNTIL POWERTRAIN, OF COURSE THEY FOUND NOTHING AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 4 DAYS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11222136

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment or unexpected deployment

AIR BAGS

17 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2023-11

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze D2. The contact stated that while driving 20-25 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11494862
“IN SEPTEMBER, MY DAUGHTERS 4 SIDE AIRBAGS BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. SHE WASN'T IN ANY COLLISION OR ACCIDENT, THEY JUST BLEW OUT AND THE PIECE THAT BLEW OUT ON HER SIDE, HIT HER IN THE HEAD TOO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11376491
“RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS REAR ENDED. WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LIGHT HAD JUST CHANGED, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11090457

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss while driving

STEERING

11 NHTSA complaints · 2018-02 → 2024-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11602979
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A GRINDING TYPE NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11075251

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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