2012 Chevrolet Cruze: jerking or lurching

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 Mar 29, 2022 · IL

Hi my name is [XXX] I am calling about the Cruze ,everytime I come to a complete stop and go my car do a jerk. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Apr 8, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · 104,033 miles · CA

While driving at speed the traction control light would come on engine would start to jerk and then lost power

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Engine · 120,000 miles · OH

My engine is leaking oil and my transmission is slipping. After I filled up the gas tank one day the car jerked and the engine light never went off. I'm not sure why there isn't a recall on it when apparently these cars are notorious for these issues. Jack maxton told me some gear broke inside my transmission.

Filed May 13, 2020 · Engine · AR

This car has give me way more trouble than it is worth. It kept overheating even with antifreeze in it. The AC would blow hot and the car jerks terribly bad! Engine light stays on. I was told it was the battery got that fixed. Still overheated. Then told there was a crack in the reservoir and got that fixed. It blew hot a week later and had smoke coming out couldn't even go across memphis bridge. Mechanic says it's the head gasket which is like a 2k labor tag!

Filed Mar 4, 2020 · Engine · 134,397 miles · OH

My car started jerking, fan running constant, and over heating. I have brought it to the same dealership dave gill chevrolet for service 5 times and every time they fix an issue comes back and the engine light comes on and I have to bring it back.

Filed Nov 9, 2019 · Engine · 95,000 miles · IN

It has been numerous times where I have been driving, whether it be on the highway or a city street, and my car gears have switched all the way down to the lowest gear and it causes my vehicle to jerk and slow all the way down. This is very dangerous especially when there is other vehicles behind me.

Filed Aug 12, 2019 · WI

When at stop light or stop sign car jerks.

Filed May 29, 2019 · 8,334 miles · KY

My car jerked while driving it down the road then the service stablizer light come on then the check engine light. When I had it looked at it came back that the crankshaft position sensor was bad and needed to be replaced. After researching I noticed that several people had the same issue. If so many are having the issue why hasnt there been a recall done on this yet.

Filed Apr 26, 2019 · Engine · 97,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet cruze. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk violently. The contact stated that the failure only occurred when the engine was warm. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air intake failed and affected the valve cover and all the components. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2019 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · KY

Transmission module control bad. Car jerks when put in gear and takes off very slow or not at all. Very dangerous.