2016 Chevrolet Cruze · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 37owner reports
- 71,600median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
160 of the 250 complaints on this car are about the engine. 37 of those describe misfire. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 37 reports
Misfire on other Cruze years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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."
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
All 4 recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Cruze
Chapman chevrolet / cruze engine recall. Closed oct 20, 2014.
Engine compartment fire. Closed jul 19, 2012, led to recall 12V-288.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
9 of the 37 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,000 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 59,000 and 90,000 miles, from the 29 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 35 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This service bulletin provides procedures to correct customer concerns of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely Cold Weather Conditions, Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Icing - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with DTCs P0299, P0234, P0236, P2227, P00C7 ...
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce ...
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
31 more on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze page.
What owners wrote
“My tire pressure sensor keeps coming on even after I had it worked on. 3 of them shows the pressure level but one shows 2 lines but no pressure level but thereâs air in the tire. The other problem Iâm having is the check engine light is on. Please advise if any issues are recalls or do I need to take my car to a service center. Thank you”
Filed Dec 26, 2024
“Keep having the engine light on. First time it was my Catalyst and now my engine light is on again with code P0420 and keeps leaving from the coolant”
Filed Feb 10, 2023
“When slowing down car just dies out. Not check engine light on and no codes are being thrown. Itâs very dangerous when your on the freeway In stop and go traffic and your car just dies with out warning. Everything freezes up the steering and brakes. Thankful car starts back up after a few minutes”
Filed Jul 28, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 37 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 41 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 34 reports