2016 Chevrolet Cruze: engine overheating

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NC

car has been overheating run while i take the keys out doors will lock with keys in the ignition lots of lights will come on car will slow way down constantly adding antifreeze in it heat and air will stop working i have had trouble ever since i bought this a year ago

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Fuel system · GA

After 3 years of having this car it’s overheating each summer requiring the coolant system, hoses, thermostat, and water pump to be replaced each summer. As well as major oil leaking after full tune ups.

Filed Sep 2, 2023 · OH

I have a 2016 cheavy cruise. It keeps overheating I have replaced the thermostat and thermostat housing and still have had issues with it overheating. I have done research and several cruises with this year have had the same issues.

Filed Aug 12, 2023 · Engine · TX

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. This is exactly what happened to my 2016 Cruze as we drove down the highway and warning lights and sounds started going off that required it to be put in the shop (Local Chevy Dealer) and have these parts replaced. If you read the safety recall for this issue on the Chevy Cruze and look at my receipt it is almost the same wording. However, the dealer told me that my Chevy Cruze was NOT covered by the recall. I believe the recall should be expanded to include all Cruzes.

Filed Jun 4, 2023 · Engine · NC

It suddenly come up with ac off to keep engine feom overheating on message .I have had 4 theromstat housings put on in the last month and it is still leaking around housing and leaking coolant out onto ground and thit has only 73000 miles .Yes it will be available to inspect if in local area afraid to drive to far and i still owe a year on this car.

Filed Sep 8, 2022 · Engine · 106,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving over 50 MPH, the A/C unit turned off independently and the instrument panel displayed a message that the engine was overheating. Additionally, the engine power reduced message was displayed. The contact stated that after receiving message alerts on the instrument panel, the vehicle decelerated to 15-20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred on several occasions and the instrument panel displayed message alerts for the engine overheating and the engine power being reduced. The contact attempted to call local dealers but was not successful. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2022 · Engine · TN

As of January of 2022 my Chevy Cruz Limited LTZ engine was starting to over heat. I would pull the car over and turn off the engine and allow it to cool down before starting it up again, the last of February 2022 my engine had threw a head gasket, the machanic that I took it to confirmed that it was a head gasket and had told me that the motor had done this before due to the fact that the head gasket had already been replaced by a previous owner at one point in time, it had kept getting hot while I was trying to get it to the shop so I was having to pull over every few mins causing a safety risk for myself due to the fact I was having to constantly find a place to pull over, I reported the problem to my insurance company but they unfortunately did not cover what they considered wear and tear of the vehicle, there were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the engine overheating, I took the car to the dealership for it's routine oil change and fixed the oil leak they found but did not fix. I also kept check on the oil level and made sure it wasn't low. I kept antifreeze in it as well and made sure that it didn't run low on that either considering both fluids could cause engine problems. It is now July of 2022 and I still do not have my Cruz running due to the fact I'm having to replace the head gasket or get a new motor if the engine that is in it already over heats again...

Filed Mar 1, 2022 · AZ

There was a recall on leaking antifreeze for previous Chevy Cruze years but that is also happening with my 2016 Cruze in the same way. My car would not warm up in the cold and would not clear the sight of my windshield over the ice, I waited about an hour for the sun due to lack of heat. While on my way my car then overheated while on the highway which created an even bigger safety issue. The problem has been recalled before on different Cruze year types, my mom had a 2013 Cruze with the same issue I am experiencing. It has not been inspected yet by those listed but when I add more coolant it is empty within an hour of just sitting there. The only light is when it was overheating, but I’ve been having to refill my antifreeze repeatedly and unsure as to why until I discovered the previous recall information and it sounded like my exact issue.

Filed Aug 13, 2021 · Engine · PA

My car and 2 other Chevrolet Cruzes that I know of have had overheating problems with the engines.

Filed Jul 28, 2021 · Engine · KS

Coolant system. I had to pull over on a major I-70 coming into Kansas City. A major extremely dangerous and busy area. I had to get off on exit 69South. It was 100 degrees outside. was not able to let the car cool down all of the way. I would wait for 45 mins, drive two miles and have to pull over again. Check engine light came on. Overheating alarm came on with turn off ac. Which I did and turned on the heater. AGAIN, it was 100 degrees outside. I was without a vehicle in a dangerous part of town.

Filed Jun 4, 2021 · Engine · MA

I was driving my 2016 Chevy Cruze and a light appears om my dashboard saying the my engine was overheating. My mechanic was booked, and recommended a shop down the road. I brought my car in on 4/8/21. The Coolant housing and hose. Then on May 27th I was driving to the store and I received the same message that my car was overheating. I brought it to my mechanic after the long holiday weekend. He says it needs another coolant hose. My research shows that this is not uncommon in these cars. Isn't there something that can be done? I bought the car used in 2018. I have 97k miles on it, and I am still making payments.

Filed Oct 22, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 72,000 miles · FL

New 2016 cruze limited, 2 years after the purchase of the car, water pump and thermostat housing replacement(covered by the drive-train warranty),2 years later, car overheats again, I am apparently losing water but not evident in the engine compartment, I take it back to the dealer, told them what I thought was happening again and they conducted an analysis for which I had to pay $96.00, (car has 72,000 miles, out of warranty) telling me the same thing I had already figured out, that I need a new water pump and thermostat housing. They tell me it will cost me about $870.00. To replace the water pump and thermostat. Now understand, my wife and I bought this car on good faith that it was going to be something that we could rely on. I am retired and she is disabled. I needed a dependable mode of transportation. When we first bought it, it was great. But back to our dilemma, after I was given the estimate, I told them I did not have that kind of money for the repair, and they made sure the coolant was full and I limped it back to my house. I purchased a new water pump, thermostat housing, and a water outlet assembly and replaced it myself. I am an experienced mechanic. After replacement, while on our way to an appointment the next day, the car over heated again. Got it back to the house, found no leaks, bled the system to make sure there was no air in the lines. Drove it the next day and the engine stopped on me on the road while I was driving, it would not re-start. Checked the oil dipstick and found water in engine! Some analysis I was given. Had it towed to my house. Here we are with a 4 year old car, 72,000 mile engine and it is done. We live on social security and I still owe payments. Why weren't these cars recalled if they knew so many people were having this cooling problem on the cars? Now what do we do? I don't want to make payments on a broken car!