2012 Chevrolet Cruze: Not shifting
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Cruze report: not shifting. CarComplaints.com lists 4 owner complaints, average mileage 44,250 miles.
NHTSA has 137 owner complaints for the 2012 Cruze in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11734134 (filed 04/27/2026): “Have called about this starting 2020. had 137000. also previous owner since 99000mi. drive train & turbo. brake assist. oil leaks, shutting off while driving. now as of saturday april 25 2026 car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. car dee…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11733293 (filed 04/23/2026): “The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet cruze. the contact stated that while driving at 40 mph and accelerating over a speed bump, the key slid out of the ignition switch. an independent mechanic was contacted. the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, and …”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmission (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $3,700 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .