The 2016 Cruze (second-generation) is a substantial improvement over the prior model, but the 1.4L turbo still carries concerns around cooling system failures, PCV/valve cover issues, and early transmission cooler leaks. The diesel is more robust but rarer in the wild.
Symptoms: Coolant leak at front of engine, passenger side, Low coolant warning light, Overheating if driven after leak begins, White residue around plastic housing
Fix: Replace integrated coolant outlet/thermostat housing assembly. Plastic housing cracks at seams. 2-3 hours labor, requires coolant drain and refill. OEM part recommended over aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $350-600
PCV System / Valve Cover Membrane Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle or stalling at stops, Check engine light with P0171 lean codes, Oil consumption increase, Whistling noise from engine bay, Oil in intake tube/throttle body
Fix: Replace valve cover assembly (PCV is integrated into the cover on this engine). Diaphragm inside fails, causing vacuum leaks. 3-4 hours labor due to tight packaging. Must use OEM valve cover, aftermarket versions fail quickly.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Transmission Oil Cooler Lines Leaking
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leak at radiator area, Pink or red fluid on ground, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement if fluid level drops, Burnt transmission fluid smell
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler lines (they run to radiator-mounted cooler). Lines corrode or crack at fittings. 2-3 hours labor, requires ATF refill and sometimes full fluid exchange. If driven low on fluid, internal transmission damage can occur requiring full rebuild or replacement.
Estimated cost: $400-700 for lines; $2,500-4,500 if internal damage occurred
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle / Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold start that disappears when warm, Loss of power under acceleration, Check engine light with P0299 (underboost), Excessive smoke from exhaust
Fix: Wastegate actuator arm or bushing wears, causing rattle and boost control issues. Turbo replacement required (repair not cost-effective). 4-5 hours labor including coolant and oil lines. Aftermarket turbos available but OEM preferred for longevity.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (1.4L Turbo)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle when engine is warm, Hesitation or stumble on acceleration, Misfires under load, Reduced fuel economy
Fix: Direct-injection engines build carbon on intake valve backs with no fuel wash. Walnut blasting service required (media blasting through intake manifold). 4-6 hours labor. Preventive: Italian tune-up occasionally, quality fuel, oil changes on time.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Front Engine Mount (Torque Strut) Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive vibration at idle in Drive, Engine rocks visibly when revved in Park, Transmission shifter vibration
Fix: Upper engine mount (torque strut) bushing degrades. 1.5-2 hours labor, straightforward replacement. OEM part lasts longer than cheap aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Ignition Coil Failure (Recall-Related Design)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Misfires on one or more cylinders, Check engine light with P030X codes, Rough running, especially when cold, Reduced power and fuel economy
Fix: Coil packs fail due to heat and vibration, exacerbated by early design flaw (recall 16V-656). Replace failed coil(s) and update with revised parts. 1 hour labor per coil, but best practice is replace all four at once if one fails over 80k mi.
Estimated cost: $150-250 per coil; $500-700 for all four
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 mi with full-synthetic (turbos are hard on oil, extended intervals kill PCV and turbo)
Check coolant level monthly — small leaks turn into big overheats fast on this platform
Use Top Tier fuel to minimize carbon buildup on direct-injection valves
If buying used, verify transmission cooler lines have been replaced or are dry — wet lines mean walk away or budget for transmission work
PCV valve cover is $600-800 job, so if it hasn't been done by 80k, budget for it
Decent commuter if maintained religiously, but the 1.4L turbo is maintenance-sensitive and cooling/PCV issues can cascade into expensive repairs if ignored — buy under 60k miles with full records or budget $1,500-2,000 for deferred maintenance catch-up.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required; located in trunk on driver side; European-style H6 group may also fit depending on production date
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Control Modules — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze
Every control module on the 2016-2019 Chevrolet Cruze — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Behind instrument cluster lens in driver side of instrument panel
🔧 GM SPS2 via GDS2/MDI
⚠️ Mileage programming required. VIN and option configuration must be written to replacement cluster.
Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM)0.8 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Under vehicle, mounted to fuel tank or frame rail near tank
⚠️ Controls fuel pump speed via PWM. No programming required, plug-and-play replacement.
Rear Vision Camera Module (RVCM)0.5 hr R&Rno coding▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with rear camera assembly in trunk lid or hatchback
⚠️ Standard equipment 2016+. Analog or digital video signal to infotainment. No programming required.
Headlamp Control Module (HCM)0.5 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.1 hrwith automatic headlamps▸ programming details
📍 Behind left headlamp assembly in engine compartment
🔧 GDS2 for DRL/auto headlamp setup
⚠️ Controls daytime running lamps and automatic headlamp function. Basic setup may auto-configure.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Consequence: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18159.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · 17V057000
2017-01-26
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash, the head-restraints may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
Consequence: In a crash, the seat-backs for the front seats may break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seats, replacing any with seat-back frames that are incorrectly welded, free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17035.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · 16V502000
2016-07-05
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 16V498000
2016-07-01
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Consequence: Without the identification code, the headlights may be improperly aimed during service, reducing nighttime visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will mail owners instructions and adhesive labels, with the correct code, to install on their headlight assemblies. Owners may also bring the vehicle to a GM dealership for any assistance with applying the label, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet Customer Service Department at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 50190.
Vehicle Info — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze
Performance
Horsepower
153hp
Torque
177lb-ft
0–60 mph
8.0sec
Quarter mile
16.2sec
Top speed
125mph
Capability & size
Towing capacity
1,000lb
Payload
905lb
Curb weight
3,100lb
Wiper blades
Second generation Cruze (2016-2019). Sedan body style has no rear wiper. Hatchback variant has 14-inch rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L I4 Turbo and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.