2012 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2012 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Chevrolet Cruze | 2012 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 864 | 483 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 11 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,814 | 1,568 |
| Investigations | 3 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 62 | 14 |
| Fire reports | 17 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–30 | 23–34 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 56,283 mi | 60,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cruze | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 34 | 295 |
| Engine | 267 | 40 |
| Electrical System | 196 | 95 |
| Service Brakes | 142 | 11 |
| Power Train | 137 | 15 |
| Steering | 103 | 46 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 108 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 48 | 32 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 88 | 16 |
| Loss of power | 57 | 15 |
| Stalling | 56 | 23 |
| Overheating | 47 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 31 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 30 | 9 |
| Vibration / shaking | 20 | 5 |
| Steering problems | 14 | 0 |
2012 Chevrolet Cruze
2012 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Chevrolet Cruze vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.