2012 Chevrolet Cruze: loss of power steering

Filed Jun 24, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · WA

Service Bulletin Number: 14311B, Date: June 2015, Service Bulletin: SB-10057574-8899 CONDITION On certain 2011–2015 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles, the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have an insufficient crimp at the battery negative terminal. Over time, the internal resistance increases and vehicle electrical systems do not receive adequate power. With this condition, the following effects are possible: the Radio/HVAC Display may turn off and on; the Antilock Brake System, Service Traction System, Service Stabilitrac and Steering vehicle messages may come on and off; the turn signal sound may not be heard; “Battery Saver Active” and “Service Steering” may display in the Driver Information Center (DIC); and the interior and exterior lighting may flicker. Power steering assist may also be lost, and greater effort may be needed to turn the steering wheel at low speeds or while the vehicle is stopped. It's in the Service Bulletin Provided below. I am not sure if my 2012 Chevy Cruze Eco is included in this Service Bulletin (Below), but this Service Bulletin is the closest thing I could find that describes what is going on with my Vehicle. Lights blinking, steering hard to turn, steering warning light coming on (Stabilitrac), and other things as well described in the Service Bulletin. Again, I am not sure if my car's VIN Number, is included in the Service Bulletin, I would like to know if it is? or not?, before taking it in to the Dealer Ship, for repairs/service, because it is unsafe to drive at this point forward.

Filed Sep 3, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 109,000 miles · GA

While driving in the city at night, the vehicle completely shut off, including the engine and all electrical systems without any warnings. This caused all lights to turn off, loss of power steering, power to brakes, and little to control to the vehicle. Luckily, the vehicle behind me noticed and tailed me to a stop with their warning lights. I then proceeded to open the engine with a flashlight to discover that the battery was still properly connected (6 months old) with no frays or corrosion to the connectors or wiring. After about 5 minutes attempting to find a tow truck company the vehicle electrical system came back on with no intervention. I turned the ignition switch and the vehicle started with no issues and no engine lights on. I drove it the rest of the way home with no issues. When I got home I checked all the fuses and all were operable. The obd scanner found no codes. I am mid 30s 190ibs and fairly strong, I could only imagine if this happened in an intersection or during busy hours on the highway, I wouldn't be sitting here reporting this issue. I found numerous similar complaints on blogs concerning this model. I assume not many have reported properly since there is no recall issued for the electrical system.

Filed Sep 7, 2016 · Steering · 70,000 miles · MI

Power steering failed while in motion. The cost of the repair is $1,900.00 on a $16,000 vehicle that is less than 5 years old

Filed May 12, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 70,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet cruze. While driving 10 MPH, the stabilitrac warning light illuminated, the power steering failed, and the instrument panel and radio lost power. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 70,000 miles · TX

On several occasions my vehicle has lost power steering service. I have almost crashed into a metro rail and into another vehicle because I am unable to turn my wheel. On another occasion, I was about to park and the car turned off on me; the key was locked into the ignition and I couldn't turn it, the doors locked and nothing worked. I was stuck inside until after about 5 minutes, the car unlocked everything and the ecu turned back on. I've had to take it to the dealership twice for this problem and they have told me it's covered under a "special service" but these incidents happened almost a year apart. I do not believe the car is fixed. Also, the service stabilitrak and other lights flash on and off and so do my radio.

Filed Feb 10, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 69,265 miles · OH

Around sunrise on a highway with an adult passenger the car lost all power instantly. The steering was heavy and the brakes had very little power. We was able to drift over to a safe area. The way this car performs with little braking effort it can cause some bad accidents in other enviroments such as mountains. The safety of the chevrolet cruze models needs to be improve.

Filed Aug 22, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 41,000 miles · NY

Driving down highway and the dic starts flashing and then the power steering failed and the car then lost power and the engine cut out. I was able to pull the car over to the shoulder and stop the car. I was able to restart the vehicle. I took to dealer and they replaced the negative battery cable. I soon received an extended warranty for the cable from gm for 10 yrs or 120000 miles. So they are aware of the issue and cars cutting out and losing power on the highway is not considered dangerous to the drivers or their passengers.

Filed Mar 24, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 56,788 miles · MD

I was driving, and the radio dash began to flash on and off. Then the steering became very difficult, and the power steering light came on, the words "service power steering" came on, then the car began to pulse, and then "service traction" came on, then the car shut off completely.

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 84,000 miles · CA

This is the second incident (march 2014 & february 3, 2015 resulting in the loss of the power/control while operating the vehicle, both incidents were terrifying. I purchased my certified used chevy cruze in february 2014. In march/april 2014 immediately after startup (traveling under 10 MPH / approx. 60,000 miles) the car began experiencing electrical issue; the displays on the dash would flash intermittently followed by warning lights (power steering, brakes, traction control etc.) and a complete loss of power to my car while driving, no steering, no brakes etc. I filed a complaint in 2014 (the federal safety agency - no. 10574169 #14311:special coverage adjustment negative battery cable loose. I immediately brought my car into the dealership for servicing. Ultimately, the positive and negative battery terminals were replaced and the service was covered under warranty. Yesterday, february 3, 2015, I experienced a similar incident. Shortly after starting my car (traveling 5mph / approx. 84,000 miles) the car began to shake violently, the check engine light turned on and again the car began experiencing similar power loss to my car while driving. My car was towed to the dealership and the cause was again identified as a negative battery terminal, a bad intake/gasket leaking and a small engine oil seep. These are some of the same issues identified with the initial incident in 2014 when these parts were replaced. This is a terrifying scenario and to have the same issues occur in such a short time period after the parts were replaced is not comforting and leaves me with fear that this could occur again, I do not want to continue to take chances with the safety of this vehicle. I hope this is taken seriously and resolved to avoid this from continuing to happen to myself and others in the same situation and to hopefully avoid this from turning into a serious and/or deadly situation.

Filed Oct 31, 2014 · Electrical · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the radio would shut off and on independently, and the instrument panel gauges would flicker. Also, the contact mentioned that the warning lights on the instrument panel would randomly illuminate and the power steering failed causing her to use extreme force to control the steering wheel. The vehicle would resume normal operation. In addition, the key failed to release from the ignition and the contact had to have the vehicle jump started. The dealer diagnosed that all the electrical cords were corroded. However, the parts to the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 45,000 miles · MS

I bought this car for my daughter, the second or third week after she got it she started to notice the radio flickering on and off while driving for no reason, which eventually LED to the radio flickering continuously after using blinkers &windows. "service stabilitrak" flashes on the display often but very quickly and goes off. Doesn't occur every time I drive, but it does it more times than not. Now the radio will flicker and I will occasionally lose cruise control and power steering. I also have no blinkers/radio when this happens. It usually only happens briefly and will return to normal soon after, but it continues to do it off and on until I park. I have also noticed this occurring when I shift gears to park. Most recently I went to start my car and it just clicked and wouldn't start. I got it to start and it said "service anti theft deterrent," then changed to "service power steering" just as I lost power steering while driving. "service stabilitrak quickly flashed next all while I lost blinkers, power steering, and radio. I parked, turned my car off and restarted it and it was just fine. It has been to the chevy dealer once but they could not get a code to read because they can't get the radio to flicker, etc because it only happens every so often but when it does happen it is scary! So there is nothing they can do to fix it. Please look into it as I do not feel it is safe for her to drive. This has been going on for 3 months now and I do not feel like this car is reliable which is the reason I bought it! There has to be something that can be done as I have read several complaints that are extremely similar to mine! I also have come to the conclusion that the problems are going to continue to worsen after reading the other complaints.it is a major problem. Please don't wait until something tragic happens before something is done about this! Please!

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 30,000 miles · NE

I got my car in march & absolutely loved it! For the first few months I had no problems. Then I started to notice the radio flickering on and off while driving for no reason, which eventually LED to the radio flickering continuously after using blinkers &windows. "service stabilitrak" flashes on the display often but very quickly and goes off. Doesn't occur every time I drive, but it does it more times than not. Now the radio will flicker and I will occasionally lose cruise control and power steering. I also have no blinkers/radio when this happens. It usually only happens briefly and will return to normal soon after, but it continues to do it off and on until I park. I have also noticed this occurring when I shift gears to park. Most recently I went to start my car and it just clicked and wouldn't start. I got it to start and it said "service anti theft deterrent," then changed to "service power steering" just as I lost power steering while driving. "service stabilitrak quickly flashed next all while I lost blinkers, power steering, and radio. I parked, turned my car off and restarted it and it was just fine. It has been to the chevy dealer multiple times but they cannot get a code to read because they can't get the radio to flicker, etc because it only happens every so often but when it does happen it is scary! So there is nothing they can do to fix it. Please look into it as I do not feel safe driving. This has been going on for 2 months now and I do not feel like this car is reliable which is the reason I bought it! There has to be something that can be done as I have read several complaints that are extremely similar to mine! I also have come to the conclusion that the problems are going to continue to worsen after reading the other complaints.it is a major problem. Please don't wait until something tragic happens before something is done about this! Please![xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).