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2012 Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems

137 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 58,000. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints
137
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
58,000
crashes
5
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Manual transmission
    1
  • Clutch assembly
    1
  • Automatic transmission
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems in other years

2010201120122013201420152016201720182019

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 53Transmission failure 25Hesitation 17Won't shift 11

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2012 Chevrolet Cruze owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

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 Apr 23, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · 74,522 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and accelerating over a speed bump, the key slid out of the ignition switch. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, and it was determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 74,522.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Transmission · AR

Had a 3-5-R wave plate failure. Symptoms started at around 87,000 miles. Bouncing/jerking when put into reverse. 5th gear slams hard into gear when upshifting and downshifting, making it feel like I have been rear ended. Now 3rd gear is starting to shift hard like 5th. Soon I'll have no gears. Car has been both regular and preventative maintained so should not have such a massive failure at under 100k miles. Other vehicles with the same transmission (6t40) have been recalled due to similar issues, like the 1.4 turbocharged Cruze, but not the 1.8l Cruze for whatever reason. Now I have to pay $4k for a rebuild on something that Chevrolet should be liable to pay.

Filed Mar 18, 2025 · Transmission · AR

Car started jerking when put in reverse and slams hard into 5th gear only. Taken to transmission shop and they have no idea what's causing it. They said they've never seen something like this before, and said it doesn't feel like a major transmission failure. Car only had 98,000 miles on it when hard shifting started. Regularly maintained. Motor and trans mounts were checked and fine. More than normal amounts of metal in trans fluid when drain and fill was performed.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · KY

My car keeps telling me my trunk is open then it dings constantly going back and forth from tire monitor system to the trunk open. Then Everytime I turn the car off I have to wiggle the battery cable to get my car to start and my power steering keeps going out. I'm aware there are recalls.for my car but beings my check engine light is on they r refusing to fix my car. I don't understand. I thought recalls were mandatory and had to be fixed. This car barely has 85,000 miles on it. I shouldn't be having all these issues. It's all electrical it seems like. I need help.

Filed Mar 31, 2024 · Transmission · TN

Internal transmission failure Just started with the transmission coolant line coming off on the interstate and the car wouldn't go this can cause a major wreck an now the transmission is going out has been verified by jd byrider and has several coolant leaks

Filed Dec 30, 2023 · Transmission · AL

feel like it downshift first really fast before going in 5 th gear. Feel like you’re going to fly out the windshield. If seatbelt wasn’t on you would get whiplash. When driving in automatic it go in limp mode. burning oil. Now

Filed Aug 30, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · 90,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power after 45 minutes. The RPM increased, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The driver was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that after driving for 45 minutes, the vehicle lost power and went into LIMP Mode. The transmission had seized in fifth gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the speed control sensor had failed. The contact was informed that the speed valve and transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Transmission · OR

Car started blowing out white smoke and tranny fluide out tailpipe and then loosing power as inside of car filled with burnt plastic smell and smoke. On 08-03-2023 I test drove car. Upon entering car I commented a out smell of car. Left lot with car at approx 6:30pm, on 08-06-2023 at approx 4pm incident occurred and now that smell is even stronger inside car. So leaves me to believe it was already an issue and a possible life threatning one at that. Possiblity of igniting a fire . Transmission fluid is very flammable when heat source of engine and fluide trapped by shield. So engine was shut down immediately and we got out of car till we knew it didnt ignite.

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.

Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze transmission

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 137 complaints about the transmission of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 58,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Cruze have bad transmission?

The Chevrolet Cruze model years with the most transmission complaints are 2011 (193 complaints), 2012 (137 complaints) and 2013 (113 complaints).

Other 2012 Chevrolet Cruze problems

Engine 308Electrical 196Brakes 150Driver assistance 109Steering 103Fuel system 52Acceleration 51Visibility 43Airbags 34Body 21Lights 16Tires 9Wheels 7Seat belts 5Suspension 5Seats 3Locks 2

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