Recall 12V289 affects 53,239 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles with missing fuel-tank strap bracket welds. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 53,239 2011-2012 Cruze vehicles because attachment welds for the fuel tank strap secondary brackets were omitted. In a crash, the fuel tank can come loose and leak fuel, which creates a fire risk if an ignition source is present; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fuel tank straps on 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles are metal supports that hold the gasoline tank against the underside of the car. Those straps keep the tank positioned as the body moves over bumps, turns, and normal road vibration. The secondary brackets give the strap mounts added support where they attach to the vehicle structure.
On affected Cruze vehicles, GM reported that the attachment welds for those fuel tank strap secondary brackets were omitted. A weld is the fixed metal joint that ties the bracket to the body. Without that joint, the bracket does not have the support GM designed into the fuel tank mounting system. Over time, road vibration and tank weight place load on the remaining attachments instead.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a dashboard light, noise, or visible symptom that reliably shows the missing weld before the mounting support fails.
Who's affected?
The 2011 and 2012 Cruze scopes point to the same fuel-system tank mounting component.
| 2011 Chevrolet Cruze | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Cruze | fuel system |
| Units affected | 53,239 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the fuel tank can come loose and leak fuel. If leaking fuel reaches an ignition source, a fire can result. Check your VIN and schedule the dealer inspection so missing welds are found and bracket attachments are secured. 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 a franchised Chevrolet dealer to confirm the free fuel-tank-strap bracket inspection and repair path for your VIN.
- Schedule the inspection; Chevrolet dealers add fasteners if welds are missing so the fuel tank strap brackets stay secured in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V289 when you call.
- Call Chevrolet Owner Center at 1-866-694-6546 with questions about this recall.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician inspects the vehicle for omitted welds at the fuel tank strap secondary bracket attachments. When welds are missing, the technician secures the bracket attachments with fasteners. GM began this safety recall on July 9, 2012, and the inspection and related bracket repair are performed free of charge. The filing does not give a separate reimbursement plan, so this section does not list a reimbursement process.
Timeline
| June 22, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 9, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V289?
Recall 12V289 covers 53,239 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles with fuel tank strap secondary bracket welds that were omitted. In a crash, the fuel tank can come loose, allow fuel to leak, and create a fire risk near an ignition source.
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 12V289. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer for the inspection. The dealer will check for missing welds and secure the bracket attachments with fasteners when needed. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Chevrolet dealers will perform the inspection and needed bracket fastener repair free of charge. Reference recall 12V289 when you call the dealer.
Is it safe to drive my Chevrolet Cruze before this recall repair?
This is not listed as a do-not-drive recall. The safety concern is crash-related: the fuel tank can come loose, fuel can leak, and fuel near an ignition source can cause a fire. Check your VIN and schedule the free dealer inspection if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my Chevrolet Cruze used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze is included, then contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and reference recall 12V289.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V289000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-866-694-6546 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V289 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V289000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →