Need help with Chevy cruze

240

Asked by GuruY3ZPD Apr 05, 2018 at 02:00 PM about the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT Turbo Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2012 Chevy Cruze 1.4L that is coming up service
stabilitrak and traction control with check engine light.
I’ve had o2 sensors, valve cover, spark plugs and purge
valve replacement and turbo replaced. Nothing seems to
work, I can smell oil through the vents and it is missing
and not accelerating well. Any suggestions?

36 Answers

25,530

Friend had this problem with 2010 GMC Terrain, she received recall letter about the Stabilitrak and traction control, took it to dealer and problem was solved, not cost. That was in January 2015, last month problem returned, this time dealer said there was no recall and charged her $750.00 for replacing the sensor. It has been almost four weeks and the vehicle is running fine.

19 people found this helpful.
240

What kind of sensor? I don’t really know too much about cars, thanks for the help.

12 people found this helpful.
25,530

Frankly, I don't know. I will have to go and read the dealer's invoice for the description, she is like you, no knowledge about cars.

6 people found this helpful.
25,530

She was able to read it to me over the phone, it says that StabiLitrak wheel speed sensors were replaced in both front wheels.

8 people found this helpful.
240

Thanks for the help. Would changing those sensors help with the blinking check engine light and smell of oil though?

8 people found this helpful.
25,530

If, in fact, those sensors are your problem, changing them would help. If the work already done on the car was performed by mechanic shop, you should consult with them before spending any more money. Remember, there are cases where we can only make suggestions, it is difficult to ascertain the reason for a problem not having the vehicle to check.

2 people found this helpful.
240

I understand, I will get with them and change those sensors. Really appreciate the help.

4 people found this helpful.
25,530

O.K. but don't just go and tell them to replace the sensors, first let them know the problem you are having and let them tell you what is wrong. If they go ahead and replace the sensors because you request it, they will charge you for the job. And what if it turns out to be something else? Remember, the Devil knows better because he is old, not because he is the Devil. Have a good day.

14 people found this helpful.
200

I just had the same problem with my 2015 cruze LT 1.4 turbo. Only by chance I took of the engine cover which covers the coil and plugs and seen spark arcing from cylinder 4. This was also verified by a code that said a misfire in cylinder 4. I changed the ignition coil. Problem solved. Only by chance I seen the arcing spark.

20 people found this helpful.
400

I have a 2013 chevy cruze and just recently my service traction control light came on along with the check engine light. I just had an oil change done along with tire rotation back in August 2018, so I'm not sure why these lights came on. Could it be due to the weather, construction, or having to brake all of a sudden to avoid an accident? I'm a college student and don't have thousands of dollars for repairs. Any advice would be super helpful!

40 people found this helpful.
480

Wife has a 2013 Cruze & she experienced the lack of power, the stabili-trac light & Traction control, along with the engine light. I researched & found a post that pinpointed the ignition coil. I replaced the spark plugs & ignition coil & that fixed everything. No more stuttering, no warning lights, no engine light. All fixed.

44 people found this helpful.
170

I’m not sure if this being what seems like a common problem with the Cruze makes me feel better or worse...anyways, I have a 2012 and this just happened to me this morning as soon as I started my car. Service StabiliTrac/Traction control messgaes and flashing engine light. Car also sounded like it wanted to stall out. I turned it off for about 20 seconds then fired it back up and everything was back to normal no alerts or shaking when parked and drove home from work just fine. It was our first really cold morning today and the parking lot was a bit icy so before looking into it more online, I just assumed that’s all it was. Seems like there could be quite a few different causes from reading on here and on other forums. Guess I’ll just keep my fingers crossed and hope it’s nothing serious for now.

17 people found this helpful.
255

my 13 Cruze has had this traction Cntrl/Stabil track /service engine issue frequently off and on over the last 2 years , we had numerous sensors replaced at various times & it was good for the past year , then 2 weeks ago the problem was back , this time they replaced the coil , I started the car up yesterday & the problem was back .... I can't trust this car anymore & hate to sink more money into it , everytime I take it to the dealer they find something different. It has 100k on it.

25 people found this helpful.
290

My Car chevy 2014 1.4 litre cruze is doing all these problems above...sure seems weird to me they won't take it back on these recalls.. why did they expire and this all should be reported to the television people and the attorney general I am getting so angry with chevy my next car will definitely be a FORD!

29 people found this helpful.
160

Check recalls. I believe this is a big recall. Just read it.

16 people found this helpful.
60

Dear sir I have Chevrolet Cruze with engine warning light on and it loosed a lot of power!!! Does any one can help me regarding this issue?? My car is Chevrolet Cruze LT 20 Diesel manual engine..

3 people found this helpful.
60

I have another problem with my Chevrolet Cruze LT (20 Diesel engine) the clutch pedal sometimes its stucked half way up...... and sometimes while I am driving it stops. When I try to start, don't start only that I hear is only click and after few minutes starts again and no problem records on it computer!!!!!!!! No body can understand this car. I bought it for Euro18700 from Malta. Now the agent stops selling these cars and what about his costumers???????? I tried to buy a new car for less problems and you face these things. Unbelievable car. Very upset.....

3 people found this helpful.
130

My car has a lot of the same issues. 2014 Chevy Cruze, 50,000 miles. It was really cold a couple weeks back and my car was making a weird squealing/chirping noise. After about 10 minutes of being on, it stopped. But would then only make the noise when putting my foot on the gas pedal. I took it to the shop and they changed my oil and said everything else seemed fine, but the car had lost a lot of power. About 2 days ago, the noise started (but quieter this time) when I put my foot on the gas pedal. This went away the next day. This morning, the check engine light, traction control and StabiliTrak lights all came on and the car had a burning/oil smell to it. This is crazy for a car with 50,000 miles in it.

13 people found this helpful.
100

Seems like the Cruze has a lot of problems with the check engine light and service stabilitrack flashing. Mine did it. Took it to the dealership and they found a bad water pump, cracked housing for thermostat, blown head gasket, and bad purge solenoid valve. All within 4 months.

9 people found this helpful.
90

This is an brief overview of my experience with my Chevrolet and with General Motors in the last year. Back in early 2018, I chose to trust GM and factory ordered a new Cruze ... and since the day following delivery, I started facing malfunctions with that vehicle, which accumulated and escalated ever since, despite dealership service departments’ best efforts and multiple part replacements. - basics : 2018 Chevrolet Cruze LT 6M Diesel, delivered 15 Feb 2018. - malfunctions : since delivery ... blank dashboard, misfiring engine (for several months), diesel particulate filter regeneration failures (occurrences seem to happen randomly, and are still unexplained by GM), multiple vehicle “alerts” (over 25 check engine light / OnStar error code occurences). Initial delivery was delayed by weeks since vehicle inspection had revealed malfunctions that needed to be fixed. - remediation : all these malfunctions resulted in at least eight specific trips (often multi- day) to my dealership service department (obviously not including standard maintenance), and multiple part replacements (including EGR valve and fuel injectors - some taking well over a month to reach the dealership). Pointing out my vehicle does not live up to the most basic expectations one could reasonably have with a new car, I have given GM ample time and opportunities (through their standard “Customer Care” and escalation processes) to offer a reasonable resolution. Their response is there is no “lemon law” in Canada, and they have been diligent in dealing with these issues according to the warranty terms. As a conclusion, the accumulation and escalation of technical issues with my vehicle would have led me to recommend against similar engine (1.6 diesel) vehicles (current generation Cruze, Equinox and Terrain). General Motors blatant refusal to stand by their product and reputation now leads me to recommend against any of their products.

9 people found this helpful.
90

I have been having the same issues with my 2012 Cruze. My stabilitracker light flashes and check engine light along with the oil smell. It seems to come on when idling. Yesterday I was waiting at a stop light and had like a weird vibration and then the lights came on, flashing. It also was making a can clanking noise. I just had it in the shop and they replaced the water pump, thermostat housing, valve cover gasket and cabin air filter along with air couple hoses leaking antifreeze. This is very frustrating to see others having the same problem and apparently no resolution. My son will be driving soon aired would rather him not get stranded. Help!!

9 people found this helpful.
80

My car is having every single one of these problems. I can’t even get it inspected due to it being nuts. I’ve replaced everything including new engine and turbo TWICE! This is ridiculous there hasn’t been a recall on this car!

8 people found this helpful.
20

Having the same problem. Dealership is going to make me pay due to being a used car. But idiots put the wrong oil in when I got it. Thought that was making the right idle but nope. Oil at 18% in a month.

2 people found this helpful.
40

Hi I have a 2011 Cruze lt 1.4 liter and this sucks i replaced my motor to it and the motor wont turn over i have done all i can do need help bad

4 people found this helpful.
170

You have to replace the coil pack to begin with. Here is what happens: coil pack fails -> one of the cylinders misfire -> detonation sensor registers it and throws a check engine light. Stabilitrack warning is somewhat indirectly related to this issue. It seems to pop up every time when engine misfires.

17 people found this helpful.
20

we are having all of the same problems on our 2013 chevy cruze It just start acting up shakes and the engine light blinks, service Traction control and service stabilitrak light on. took it to autozone and they said it was fuel injection pump try adding a bottle of fuel cleaner. plus has a coolant leak and transmission needs cleaning off. so much going on. these kinda cars are trash you ask me. They just threw them together when they built them and made money off of them so sad. I hate I bought the car. now its fixing some of the problems so sad.

2 people found this helpful.
40

After reading all that I have the same problems with my cruze. I have taken it in every month since i bought, in dec it will be a year. I have had it if I had the money I would get me another car. I will never buy another chevy cruze. It seems like I am paying for something that I am not able to drive. I am so upset

4 people found this helpful.
80

My 2011 turbo Cruze was doing the same thing (traction light and engine light blinking) and I replaced the ignition coil and all 4 spark plugs. Problem solved and Cruze runs perfectly.

8 people found this helpful.
30

My fiancé’s 2011 Chevy Cruze turbo has had all these same issues engine light flashing stabilitrac traction control won’t shut off loss of engine power jumping from a start when lightly tapping gas at green lights. I feel it is getting dangerous and would like to fix this problem. Has anyone successfully fixed these issues

3 people found this helpful.
20

It needs to be a recall on these Chevy Cruze for sure having same problems with a 2017 cruze all my lights are on I replaced spark plugs coil packs ,turbo and all still the same thing it even died but crunk right back up my car still missing and shaking I will not be buying a Chevy again

2 people found this helpful.
50

I have a 2012 Chevy Cruze with similar problems: stability warning and engine warning. Car shakes and jumps like it's going to die. Sometimes it wont accelerate well. Today I had to put my emergency blinkers on because I was afraid a large truck was going to hit me from behind. It is smoking ever so slightly under the hood and it has a weird smell. Battery and alternator checked out ok. It's at the shop now.

5 people found this helpful.
80

My 2011 Chevy Cruze has been fine for the past 2 years, but now all of a sudden something is continuously wrong with it. I had a coolant leak, had to get the pipe fixed. Engine overheating, had to replace the water pump and the A/C cooling fans. Now my Stabilitrak Service is on my dashboard. This car jumps so much when you accelerate it's bad. I'm also a college student, and I thought this car would be a great starter/get-around college car. But now, it's nothing but problems!

8 people found this helpful.
480

blashka answered about a year ago Wife has a 2013 Cruze & she experienced the lack of power, the stabili-trac light & Traction control, along with the engine light. I researched & found a post that pinpointed the ignition coil. I replaced the spark plugs & ignition coil & that fixed everything. No more stuttering, no warning lights, no engine light. All fixed.

4 people found this helpful.
10

2016 chevy cruze LT stability track came on had the spark plugs and the fuel ignitor fixed because that was the codes that came up and the problem was not fixed anyone with a 2016 having this problem obviously the codes are coming up wrong also had 4 new tires installed and the wheel sensors replaced and now they won't sync to the car computer.

1 people found this helpful.

had new head gasket and water pump installed for free, also had the coil boot with crack that caused the stalib trak messages

Thanks to everyone.My 2015 cruze is doing what everyone else is stating on here.I took it to the dealer today and was told the cylinder was misfiring and the motor was about to blow I'm getting another mechanic to check it tomorrow. -Did this car have recalls ??

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