CarOutlay

2011 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Same-model NHTSA complaint comparison: raw complaints, recalls, top component families, and reported harm mentions.

Pending review: this curated compare page is generated from two real NHTSA rows and excluded from the sitemap until sampled. Data through 2026; reviewed June 2026.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Full vehicle record
NHTSA source
Complaints
1,112
rank #324 of 4,194
Recalls
7
campaigns on record
Top component
Engine
256 complaints (23%)
Reported harm
67 crashes / 64 injuries
4 deaths; 30 fires

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Full vehicle record
NHTSA source
Complaints
1,353
rank #221 of 4,194
Recalls
7
campaigns on record
Top component
Engine
267 complaints (20%)
Reported harm
104 crashes / 36 injuries
0 deaths; 25 fires

Largest differences in this pair

Complaint gap

241

2011 Chevrolet Cruze has the lower raw complaint count

Recall gap

0

2011 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Top component overlap

Same family

Engine vs Engine

2011 Chevrolet Cruze problem mix

  • ENGINE 256
  • POWER TRAIN 172
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 89
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 75
  • ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 75

2012 Chevrolet Cruze problem mix

  • ENGINE 267
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 196
  • SERVICE BRAKES 142
  • POWER TRAIN 135
  • ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 108

Frequently asked questions

Which has fewer NHTSA complaints, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze or 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?

2011 Chevrolet Cruze has fewer raw NHTSA consumer complaints in this dataset (1,112 vs 1,353). This is not a defect rate and is not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Does this mean the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is more reliable?

No. These are unverified consumer reports and recall campaigns, not production-normalized reliability scores. Use the comparison as one research signal and check a specific vehicle's history before buying.

These are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle, and not financial, safety, or purchasing advice. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).