Recall 12V288 affects 413,148 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles for oil collecting near hot engine surfaces and fire risk. Repair is free at Chevrolet dealers.
Chevrolet is recalling 413,148 2011-2012 Cruze vehicles because spilled or dripping oil can collect in the engine shield near hot engine or exhaust surfaces. The oil and shield can ignite and burn, creating engine compartment fire risk with injury or death; the Chevrolet dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The engine shield, often called a bellypan, sits under the engine area on 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. It helps manage airflow and shields the underside of the engine compartment from road splash and debris. It is not supposed to hold oil near hot engine or exhaust surfaces.
In this recall, spilled or dripping oil can collect in that shield after service work such as an oil change. Once oil pools in the bellypan, it sits close to hot engine or exhaust parts. That heat can ignite the oil and the shield itself, leading to a fire in the engine area.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall record does not identify a reliable advance symptom, so an owner would not have a dashboard light or predictable sound to depend on before the oil and shield ignite.
Who's affected?
Both model years are tied to the same engine and cooling component.
| 2011 Chevrolet Cruze | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Cruze | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 413,148 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
An engine compartment fire can occur from either defect condition and can cause injury or death. No warning sign is listed, so act on the recall instead of waiting for a dashboard light or symptom. Use the vehicle cautiously and confirm your VIN so the dealer can handle the recall. Repair will be free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free engine-shield modification that keeps spilled or dripping oil away from hot engine and exhaust surfaces.
- Ask the dealer whether your Cruze also needs protective tape on the electronic power steering wire harness if it has a manual transmission.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V288 when you call.
- Avoid parking over dry grass or other flammable material until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician modifies the engine shield so spilled or dripping oil cannot collect against hot engine or exhaust surfaces. On Cruze vehicles with a manual transmission, the technician also applies protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the Chevrolet service desk to confirm that campaign 12V288 is open for your VIN before you bring the vehicle in.
Timeline
| June 22, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 10, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V288?
Recall 12V288 covers 413,148 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles where spilled or dripping oil can collect in the engine shield near hot engine or exhaust surfaces. That oil and shield can ignite. Chevrolet dealers modify the engine shield for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Cruze is included in recall 12V288. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask for the free engine-shield modification. Reference recall number 12V288 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Chevrolet dealers perform this recall repair free of charge. On manual-transmission vehicles, the dealer also applies protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an engine compartment fire. Oil left after service or dripping oil can collect in the engine shield near hot surfaces, then ignite and burn. The official consequence includes risk of injury or death.
When did Chevrolet start notifying owners?
Chevrolet began the safety recall on July 10, 2012. If you bought the Cruze used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the free repair applies. You can also contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V288000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-866-694-6546 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V288 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V288000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →