2012 Chevrolet Cruze: engine stalls while driving

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · VA

Have called about this starting 2020. Had 137000. Also previous owner since 99000mi. Drive train & Turbo. Brake assist. Oil leaks, shutting off while driving. Now as of Saturday April 25 2026 Car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. Car deemed lemon by GM. In 2020 car to have been replaced I have all service contact numbers as well as my receipts. Car is a death trap. Do better Chevrolet & GM

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Engine · 144,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started overheating, and a coolant leak was discovered. During the failure, the check engine warning light was displayed, and the message "A/C Off Due to High Engine Temp" was displayed even though the A/C was not activated. The temperature gauge was elevated, creating a risk that the engine might stall or catch on fire. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V288000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2024 · Engine · 200,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH the vehicle started running rough and then stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and the stabili-trak symbol were illuminated. The contact stated that an engine over heating warning had flashed. The contact pulled off the highway and attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the residence. The contact stated that he had observed that the vehicle was leaking coolant, and that the vehicle had previously stalled prior to the failure on the highway; however, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was also leaking oil. The contact had researched online and related the oil leak to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V288000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to the local transmission service center and the transmission was rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed May 15, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · MI

Started the purchase June 2022 when dealer said everything is good, Carfax no accidents, good car, nothing wrong. Dealers had me drive MI to CT to get the car, had 5-y.o. kid w/me. Brought car to mechanic when finally delivered July 6, ebrake almost gone; dealers had me drive w/my kiddo CT to MI with no ebrake on 6 speed turbo manual, wonderful. In writing said they would fix & some extras for all the issues they caused such as selling a vehicle w/o having title. Made it home in one peice. Next few weeks, car started shaking and stalling out losing complete power while driving, stopping at lights/signs, it hasn't stopped. Different smells of fluids coming inside ever since. Clouds of smoke coming from exhaust. Fuel seems to slip like sputtering/jolting, more smells coming in car. Check engine light on, went to Advanced Auto, showed me code has to do w/fuel/fuel tank & it showed dealer cleared out check engine without repairing. More research, they fraudulently passed the car for inspections/emissions & said it was good & passed, never received copies. They passed brakes when in writing they were to repair at no cost due to deceptive practices. No, nothing has been fixed; no, they never transferred title/registered vehicle. Now May 2023. Drove it now/then keep it going; MI awful winters. This winter heater went out for 3 days, no blower, no noise, magically started working. Roughly a dozen times when I shut it off, theres noises from front by grille like a ticking, no clue. I've drivien car 5,000 mostly from trip to get it. Dealers never provided the 3 special 10 yr warranties that car had. I found out, they were all expired, nothing I could do. They didn't disclose issues & 3 wks after purchase, accident on Carfax. So much fraud, it is sickening. One of the dealers violated their FTC Orders. Lies & lies, also @3 times stabilization/traction both need repairs then disappears 2 days. Loses power, definitely does not feel turbolike. Issues 7.6.22 & continue

Filed Jun 10, 2022 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle started overheating while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the knock control system, the knock sensor, the camshaft, the positive crankcase ventilation system, and the engine intake manifold gasket had failed. The contact received an unknown recall notification from the manufacturer associated with the failure at the beginning of the pandemic. The contact contacted several unknown dealers to schedule an appointment however, the dealers informed the contact that there was no availability to complete the recall repair on the vehicle. The manufacturer was later notified of the failure and assisted the contact in scheduling an appointment with the dealer for repair. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the unknown recall as the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's residence. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · 56,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, several unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle intermittently stalled. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road; then drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not determine the cause of the failure since the unknown warning lights were no longer illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis once the warning lights were again illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

Let me list all that is wrong with my car: stabillitrack traction control purge valve tire sensor transmission lights flicker when I come to a stop and use my turn signal intake manifold brake booster car stalls and sometimes doesn't even want to start. All of these things are part of the recall for my 2012 chevy cruze but for some reason it says my VIN # isn't part of the recall. How is that??

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Engine · 150,000 miles · VA

The car does a lot of stalling when you're driving it. Also the engin light will come on and stay on maybe a day, then go off. Just on and off anytime. Automobile losses power when this happens..

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · 111,200 miles · CO

Just stalls whenever it feels like. Could be reversing from a parking spot and it just stalled and when pressed gas there was nothing. Just replaced the transmission in janurary. In a parking lot,

Filed May 17, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 150,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet cruze. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unintentionally decelerated. When the failure occurred, the vehicle took time to accelerate and the check engine indicator illuminated. Also, while the vehicle was at a stop light, it violently vibrated and stalled, but was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to feldman chevrolet of lansing (2801 e michigan ave, lansing, mi 48912, (517) 507-4948) where the contact was informed that the turbo in the engine needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the part was previously repaired. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 60 miles · WI

I just want to start off by saying we purchased this car brand new from kocourek chevrolet in wausau, wi. Dec 2012 or jan 2013 bumper fell off within 3 months of purchase while driving. Yes, fell off. The dealership where we purchased the car hesitantly replaced it as the clips were broke off. Dec 2012 trunk button does not work properly - has been replaced multiple times (by kocourek). And not it has recently once it opens, it will not close despite being slammed shut 8 to 10 times. Oct 2012 had an antifreeze leak from day one - dealership tells us they can't find anything even when pointed out. I go though a gallon of dexos antifreeze every 2 weeks. But as the dealership says, that's fine and normal.... Um... Not to me!!!! Jan 2018 - the car stalls out constantly - reduced engine power, while driving on the highway, in the city or even just parked in the driveway. I have been very nearly rear ended multiple times because of this. We have yet to find the source of this. Jan 2018 codes for throttle position sensor issues even though it has been replaced multiple times. Still can't find the source of this. Dec 2018 after being started, the car will shut itself off or die off. Still cant find the source. Aug 2018 recently, the car has dash warnings that state "AC off due to high engine temp" even when it is 30 degrees out. The temp gauge will also drop to cold. We have also changed the thermostat multiple times as well. This car is beyond a lemon. We have had issues with this car from day 1. And what is more ridiculous is that the dealership will not stand behind it. I have service records documenting the complaints of the issues and the dealership "not finding anything wrong" or "unable to duplicate issues". We have given up with chevy and also with kocourek chevrolet in wausau. These issues have been ongoing since we purchased the car september 2012.