PROBLEM GUIDE
Here's what owners are experiencing, based on our research of real owner reports and repair data.
Last updated July 2026
249
complaints filed for the 2016 model year
2016–2019
Model years affected
$3,500 – $7,500+
Typical repair cost, by problem
Click a problem for the full write-up — symptoms, what we found, and typical repair costs where we have them.
Tell us what's happening and get a preliminary diagnosis, typical cost range, and trusted shops near you.
Answer a few questions and get a preliminary read plus shops near you.
Start my diagnosis →One owner reports 4 replacements in a single month
Check engine light: On
One owner reports '4 thermostat housings put on in the last month' with continued failures — not a single recurrence but four consecutive replacement attempts failing within one month.
Between 60,000-150,000 miles
Check engine light: On
Head gasket failures require complete engine replacement, in the same general cost range as other coolant-intrusion engine failures documented elsewhere (e.g., Ford Fusion).
Recurring just 40,000 miles after manufacturer repair
Check engine light: On
A turbocharger failed again 'just 40,000 miles after official manufacturer repair' — well within a normal service interval after an official repair.
Described as dangerous specifically in multi-lane traffic
Check engine light: On
Spontaneous engine shutdown while driving or at traffic lights, without warning, described as creating dangerous situations specifically in multi-lane traffic.
Sometimes irreversible by dealers
Check engine light: On
'Service StabiliTrak' warnings accompany a limp-mode restriction so severe (5 mph) that it is functionally undrivable, with some owners reporting dealers unable to clear the condition.
Some owners add coolant weekly or monthly despite repairs
Check engine light: On
An ongoing, never-fully-resolved coolant/antifreeze leak, distinct from the thermostat housing problem above — some owners report adding coolant weekly or monthly despite repairs.
The automatic transmission shifts too hard
Check engine light: Off
The automatic transmission shifts too hard. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 46 owner reports on file.
No recall specific to this generation has been identified covering the problems below. Enter your VIN to get the confirmed, current recall picture for your specific car.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not a diagnosis. It is compiled from aggregated owner-reported data and publicly available sources, not from an inspection of your vehicle. Symptoms described here can have multiple causes, and the presence of a commonly reported problem does not mean your vehicle has it. Repair cost ranges are estimates that vary by region, shop, vehicle condition, and parts availability. Recall and service campaign information may be incomplete or out of date — verify current recall status with NHTSA or your manufacturer. MyGearGuru is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any vehicle manufacturer; manufacturer and model names are used for identification only. Always consult a qualified technician before making repair decisions.
This is the redesigned second-generation Cruze (2016-2019), distinct from the first-generation Cruze (2011-2015). A thermostat housing repeatedly failing despite replacement — one owner reports '4 thermostat housings put on in the last month' — is one of the clearest examples of a repair that does not hold, alongside head gasket failures requiring complete engine replacement at $3,500-$7,500+.