2012 Chevrolet Cruze: Transmission failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Cruze report: transmission failure. CarComplaints.com lists 25 owner complaints, average mileage 82,850 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 (21 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 $3,440 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: transmission replacement (automatic or CVT, remanufactured unit)
Average shop cost
$835
Range $400–$1,390 (labor)
4.0–10.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,255
Range $600–$2,085 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2015 Dodge Durango: Transmission failure · 2015 Jeep Cherokee: Transmission failure check engine light on · 2015 Nissan Murano: Transmission failure · 2016 Subaru Forester: Transmission failure · 2018 Nissan Sentra: CVT failure · 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Transmission failure
Page last updated .