Model year guide

2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 39 on record.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2016 Chevrolet Cruze at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints246
Combined33 mpg
Typical price$11,623

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze recalls 4

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #18V304000 · 10/05/2018

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."

Fix: 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 th…

Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint NHTSA Campaign #17V057000 · 26/01/2017

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 …

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #16V498000 · 01/07/2016

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."

Fix: 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 Chevrole…

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #16V502000 · 05/07/2016

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…

Fix: 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…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 246 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze MPG & running costs

Combined33 mpg
City29 mpg
Highway40 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,850

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze worth?

Low
$8,995
Typical price
$11,623
High
$15,676

From 34 comparable 2016 Chevrolet Cruze listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$9,250
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,600
Total$12,850
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($11,623) with the same model 5 model-years older ($8,044), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze trims & engines on record

Trims
LT · LS · 1LT · Premier · LTZ
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl · 1.8L 4-cyl

2016 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles on record

2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier1G1BG5SM5G7250863 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM5G7253008 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS1G1BC5SM6G7300200 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM3G7323590 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS1G1BC5SM0G7238941 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS1G1BC5SM5G7237817 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM1G7298205 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT1G1PE5SB6G7136607 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT1G1PE5SBXG7132219 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM4G7257969 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM5G7303650 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS1G1PC5SH6G7216841 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT1G1PE5SB2G7163884 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT1G1PE5SB6G7197245 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT1G1PE5SB4G7131292 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS1G1BC5SM9G7271713 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM1G7267679 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier1G1BG5SM9G7293070 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS1G1BC5SM5G7275693 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM6G7250585 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM6G7309196 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT1G1BE5SM9G7322136 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS1G1BC5SMXG7276273 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LS1G1BC5SM1G7247115

Other Chevrolet Cruze model years

2019 2018 2017 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

2016 Chevrolet Cruze — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

Based on 246 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, fuel/propulsion system, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze at about 33 mpg combined (29 city / 40 highway).

How much is a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze worth?

Comparable 2016 Chevrolet Cruze listings run roughly $8,995–$15,676, typically around $11,623 (from 34 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.