2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 732 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 10 Cruze model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 38 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 39 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assistAug 15, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.
A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.
Campaign 13V360000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingJun 22, 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Campaign 12V289000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingJun 22, 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.
EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Campaign 12V288000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)May 6, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 6, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 27, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, 'TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT,' AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE LINKAGE IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO PARK AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN PARK.
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE FOR CORRECT INSTALLATION AND ADJUST THE SHIFT LINKAGE SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 11V273000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, gear box, shaft sectorMay 6, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011. THE BOLT ATTACHING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED.
THIS COULD ALLOW THE SHAFTS TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF REQUIRED, REPAIR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT/STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO ASSURE THE BOLT IS FULLY SEATED AND THE SHAFT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 11V270000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringApr 6, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES. DURING MANUFACTURING THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FASTENED AND MAY DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.
SHOULD THE STEERING WHEEL DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS ASSEMBLED PROPERLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 11V221000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
295 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Feb 22, 2014
ON 12/12/13 MY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE BEGAN. THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A HUMMING NOISE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, IT BEGAN TO RANDOMLY LOSE POWER AND OVERHEAT. ON 12/20/13 3-WAY CHEVROLET REPLACED THE CAM PHASE AND WATER PUMP. ON 01/01/14, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING THE SAME HUMMING NOISE BUT LOUDER AND HAD A CONSISTENT LOSS OF POWER. ON 01/08/14, 3-WAY REPLACED THE TURBO CHARGER. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 01/09/14 AND WITHIN 1 HOUR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO 3-WAY ON 01/10/2014 AND DID NOT GET THE VEHICLE BACK UNTIL 02/20/2014. DURING THAT TIME, THE CYLINDER HEAD AND VALVES WERE REPLACED, PISTONS AND RINGS WERE REPLACED, INJECTORS AND COILS WERE SWAPPED FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE CAR STILL HAD MISFIRE. A GM ENGINEER WAS BROUGHT IN AND THE TURBO CHARGER WAS REPLACED AGAIN AND THE OIL FEED LINE WAS PLUGGED. ON 02/21/14, I NOTICED FLUID IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR IS LEAKING SOMETHING AND THE POWER IS STILL NOT CONSISTENT. I CONTACTED 3-WAY LATE FRIDAY AND AM WAITING FOR A CALL BACK. I HAVE BE INCONVENIENCED BEYOND WORDS, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND I WANT GM TO PURCHASE THE CAR BACK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 15, 2014
HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES STARTING ABOUT A MONTH AGO, EITHER WHEN IDLE AT A LIGHT, DRIVING AROUND TOWN OR ON THE FREEWAY (I HAVE NOT BEEN AT FULL HWY SPEED WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED) THE STABILITRAK WARNING COMES ON AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED TO PRACTICALLY NOTHING, I CAN'T TRAVEL OTHER THAN AT A SNAIL'S SPACE, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION TO HELP GET OUT OF THE WAY. DRIVE TRAIN SHAKES A LITTLE. VERY DANGEROUS POSITION TO BE IN. I TRIED TO SHUT OFF THE STABILITRAK AND THAT SEEMED TO WORK UNTIL THE LAST INCIDENCE WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURRED WITH STABILITRAK TURNED OFF. THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET THE CAR TO RESET IS TO SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND TURN IT BACK ON. MIGHT GO A FEW DAYS WITHOUT ANY CONCERNS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT STARTS UP AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR A FEW ON/OFF CYCLES THEN GOES AWAY. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 12, 2014
TURNED ON CAR IN THE MORNING AND RECEIVED 2 MESSAGES OF "ENGINE POWER REDUCED", "SERVICE STABILI-TRAC", SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" AS WELL AS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ENGINE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 1500 RPM'S. TOOK IT INTO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME THEY WANTED ME TO RESCHEDULE FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK. PROBLEM CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AND ON MY WAY IN TO WORK ON 02/11/14 THE PROBLEM HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THE MORNING AND WAS FORCED TO PUT CAR IN PARK TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. THEN HAPPENS 3 TIMES ONCE ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY INTO DOWNTOWN DENVER AND TWICE IN DOWNTOWN. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING IT IN. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE "THROTTLE BODY" WHICH IS A $450.00 FIX NOT COVERED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY . WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND ALMOST BEING HIT EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS DUE TO IT HAPPENING ABRUPTLY WHEN COLD IT IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I SENSE THAT IF THEY DON'T THERE WILL BE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE IN THEIR FUTURE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 12, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY "ENGINE POWER REDUCED","SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL", AND "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WARNING NOTICES APPEARED. FRANTICALLY I PULLED OVER ON THE UP COMING EXIT RAMP, EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH WITH MY GAS PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO BE HIT WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH , I TURNED OFF THE CAR LET IT REST AND CONTINUED DRIVING ONLY FOR IT TO HAPPEN 4 MORE TIMES WITH IN 25 MINUTES. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED 3 OTHER TIMES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK! THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP EVEN THOUGH I TOOK PICTURES OF THE WARNING LIGHTS AND PROVIDED MANY OTHER EXACTLY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY! I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND ESPECIALLY NOT WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT I HAVE JUST WASTED 16K OF MY MONEY ! WHY IS THERE NOT A SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE YET AND IF THERE IS WHY DOES IT TAKE SUCH EXTREME REMEDIES TO FIND THE SOLUTION. THIS IS A RECALL MATERIAL SITUATION! I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO CALL ME IN REGARDS TO THIS SITUATION, I FEEL THERE IS NO EXCUSE MY CHILDREN AND I COULD HAVE DIED TONIGHT ! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 10, 2014
WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WAITING FOR THE SNOWY CONDITIONS TO SLOW DOWN, I WAITED ABOUT 15 MINUTES WITH MY CAR ON IDLE. I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT TO GO TO MY DESTINATION. AS I WAS ON DRIVE, MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 5 MPH AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE, MESSAGE PULLED UP ON MY SCREEN SAYING "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED". TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND QUOTED ME $500 TO FIX THE VALVE BODY SYSTEM. I'VE READ ON A FORUM THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2014
2011 CHEVY CRUZE LOSING ANTIFREEZE, HAD TO KEEP ADDING ANTIFREEZE ONCE IT GOT LOW THE HEATER WOULD BLOW COLD AIR WHILE STOPPED AT STOP SIGN/STOP LIGHT. FOUND OUT ITS THE HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY UNDER 24000 MILES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 6, 2014
MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE LTZ WENT IN TO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE AND SAID TO SERVICE STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES WITH FROZEN PRECIPITATION ON THE GROUND. RESEARCH ONLINE INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY CRUZE VEHICLES. THE CAR WAS DRIVE ABLE AFTER POWERING DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT WOULD GO INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST WEEK. LIKELY THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 24, 2014
MY CHILDREN & I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME! WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE HEAT NOT HEATING UP THE CAR ON TUESDAY AND ON YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON THE 394 EXPRESSWAY AND RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD OF "A/C SHUT OFF DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES" SO I TURNED THE HEAT OFF AND THE GAUGE SLOWED MOVED BACK DOWN. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE FURTHER THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD MOVED ALL THE WAY TO THE "RED" LINE AND I RECEIVE THE ERROR MESSAGE TO "SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN" BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED AND SLOWLY THE GAUGE MOVED BACK TO THE NORMAL POSITION. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT WORKED ON MY CAR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT IT MAY BE ANOTHER GLITCH BUT HE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF MY FLUIDS WERE FINE AND SINCE I WASN'T VERY FAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO BRING THE CAR IN (EVEN THOUGH THEIR SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSING IN ABOUT 20 MINS). AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED THAT JUST ABOUT ALL OF THE COOLANT RAN OUT AND THERE WAS PROBABLY AN ISSUE WITH THE WATER PUMP. I WAS SHOCKED, BOTHERED & FRUSTRATED BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN LESS THAN A MONTH THAT I JUST HAD TO HAVE THIS CAR WORKED ON. FORTUNATELY, THE WATER PUMP DIDN'T COST ME ANYTHING DUE TO IT STILL BEING UNDER WARRANTY BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT I'M A VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 20, 2014
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON BUSY TOLLWAY,AFTER IT SNOWED ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SERVICE STABILITRAK-REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR CUT TO 20 MILES PER HOUR.I COULDN'T GO ANY FASTER AND NOWHERE TO PULL OVER SINCE THE TOLLWAY WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.GOT OFF THE TOLLWAY CALLED THE DEALER TO TAKE IT IN.THE CHEVY DEALER TOLD ME TO SHUT THE CAR OFF WAIT 5 MIN. IT WILL RESET. OK IT DID,TOOK IT THE NEXT DAY TO CHEVY, THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, TOOK IT HOME. WENT TO WORK 3 DAYS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO CHEVY STILL CANT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG.THIS CAR HAS CONTINUED TO DO THIS 15 MORE TIMES.THE REASON WHY I AM TELLING YOU THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS THERE HAVE BEEN MORE CHEVY CRUZES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR I HAVE BORROWED A CAR TO GET TO WORK,THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE TOLLWAY I THOUGHT MY LIFE WAS OVER IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IM GLAD IM HERE TO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT MY PROBLEM AND HOPE SOMEONE TAKES SOME ACTION WITH IT. *TR
Engine, Jan 15, 2014
THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN IT SAID POWER REDUCED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. IF I LET THE CAR SET FOR A BIT, IT WILL START AND RUN OK. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ONLY IN THE WINTER WHEN IT'S DAMP OR FOGGY AND THE TEMPERATURE IS AT FREEZING. IN THE WINTER OF 2013, IT HAPPENED TWICE. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 01/07/14. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THE CAR'S COMPUTER TOLD HIM WHEN IT HAPPENED, IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHY IT HAPPENED. WHEN IT IS WARMER OUTSIDE, IT RAN FINE AND PROBABLY WILL UNTIL IT GETS COLDER AGAIN! I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM ANYONE ELSE WAS EXPERIENCING AND WAS TOLD NO. BASED ON WHAT I SEE FROM POSTINGS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES, I AM NOT ALONE! THE THROTTLE BODY APPEARS TO BE AN OBVIOUS A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT GM WON'T OFFER A RECALL. I COMMUTE ABOUT 60 MILES TO WORK EACH WAY, SO THE CAR IS WELL BEYOND ITS WARRANTY. IT WOULD BE NICE TO NOT HAVE TO WATCH THE WEATHER REPORT TO DECIDE IF I THINK THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT MIGHT COLD ENOUGH TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS CONTACTED BY CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CHECK INTO THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. ALL THEY DID WAS REFER ME TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WOULD BE FIXED AT MY EXPENSE, AND DID NOT RECOGNIZE OR ADMIT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE (FACTORY DEFECT). GM WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2011 CRUZE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH. THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE CAR LOSES POWER (COLD WEATHER) CANNOT BE SIMULATED BY THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS BECAUSE THEIR DIAGNOSTICS IN A HEATED GARAGE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT AND WILL NOT SHOW UP WHEN THEY TEST IT. WHEN THE CAR LOSES POWER IT HAPPENS ABRUPTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE CAR CANNOT MAINTAIN ITS SPEED, AND DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC FLOW IT IS LIKELY THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO END UP IN A CRASH AS A RESULT. IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE CAR! *TR
Engine, Dec 26, 2013
SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED EXITING A FAST MOVING EXPRESSWAY. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED POWER AND THE CAR WAS REDUCED TO LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR. THE CAR WAS PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF. EVENTUALLY AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL POWER AND THE CAR REACHED ITS DESTINATION. THERE WAS SOME LUCK INVOLVED AS TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. SINCE, THE LOSS OF POWER HAS HAPPENED FIVE MORE TIMES. AT LEAST ONE OCCURRENCE WAS VERY DANGEROUS - PULLING FROM A STOP SIGN ONTO A BUSY ROAD. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE MAKES THE CRUZE ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CARS ON THE ROAD. THE ISSUE HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND CAN HAPPEN AT 65 MILES AN HOUR OR FROM A STOP. I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE AND I AM UPSET THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY CHEVROLET. THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE MY CONCERN AND HOPEFULLY HELP OTHERS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 8, 2013
1.4 LITER 2011 CRUZE HEATER BLOWING COOL AIR. GM INSPECTION DONE ON 10/17/13 AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE INTERMITTENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT KEEPS COMING ON. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. WE ADDED A ALMOST A QUART OF COOLANT FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. NOW A MONTH LATER IT IS A QUART LOW AGAIN BLOWING COOL AIR FROM THE HEATER AND A STRONG SWEET SMELL PERMEATES THE CAR. THE CAR ALSO FAILS TO PROPERLY BRAKE AT TIMES AND GAIN SPEED AT TIMES. IT HAS STALLED WHILE IDLING AT STOPLIGHTS. THERE IS A OILY RESIDUE ON THE PLASTIC SHIELD LOCATED NEAR THE OIL PAN. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 25, 2013
2011 4DR ECO.VEHICLE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, STRONG SMELL OF COOLANT AND RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN 12V288 GM 12081 OIL ON ENGINE SHIELD, REPAIR DONE 11/7/2013 WHILE VISITING COLORADO SPRINGS, CO... DEALER INVO CLAIMS THERMOSTAT HOUSING LEAKING, REPLACED PART...CRUISE CONTROL NOT HOLDING. ..NOT ADDRESS...11-12-2013 2ND FAILURE COOLANT LEAK AND OIL MILEAGE AT FAILURE 93513 DEALER FOUND LEAK AT THE CORNER OF WATER OUTLET ON REAR CYLINDER HEAD, AND REPLACED OUTLET TUBE..11-23-13 WENT TO START MY CAR FOUND ANTIFREEZE AND OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND....CALLING DEALER IN COLORADO SPRINGS AGAIN...THIS IS [XXX]...SOMETHING WHEN ITS COLD IS CAUSING COOLANT AND OIL TO LEAK...FOUND MANY SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THESE ITEMS AND 2 RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Nov 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED THE COOLING FLUID AND OIL TO MIX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,263.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 28, 2013
EVERY TIME I USE MY HEATER I GET A STRONG BURNING SMELL OF COOLANT/ ANTIFREEZE AND LOSS OF COOLANT. MOSTLY WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT/STOP SIGN AND IT'S INTERMITTENT BETWEEN SLIGHT OR REALLY STRONG. I DID A LOT OF ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS, EVEN FOUND LOCAL NEWS STORIES FROM OTHER STATES ON YOUTUBE. ALL FINGERS SEEM TO POINT TO THE HEATER CORE AND OR THE GREASE USED IN THE HVAC SYSTEM.THE SMELL IS SO BAD SOMETIMES THAT I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN AT LEAST TWO WINDOWS AND TURN OFF THE INTERIOR FAN UNTIL I START DRIVING AGAIN. I BOUGHT THE CAR CERTIFIED USED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND THEY SHOULD HAVE CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION 2 YEARS AGO WHEN THE PROBLEM AND COMPLAINTS STARTED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ALREADY. THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE! I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO ENJOY MY FIRST NICE CAR AND NOT WORRY ABOUT GETTING SICK OR DYING FROM THIS! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 28, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FOR IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THE RPM'S GO SO HIGH THE CAR ACCELERATES AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW UP... AT THE SAME TIME THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS AND I LOOSE ALL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE ALSO TRY TO LOCK. MAKING THE CAR FEEL LIKE I RAN SOMETHING OVER AND IT STUCK UNDER THE CAR.... PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL HELP BRING IT TO A STOP- *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 16, 2013
MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE HAS AN ACCELERATION HESITATION. STARTING ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2010 THE ISSUE BEGAN. WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS SUCH AS PULLING OUT ON A ROAD, PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, ACCELERATING AFTER REDUCING SPEED, ETC. ETC. THE CAR LOSES POWER WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS FOR THREE-FIVE SECONDS BEFORE SLOWLY RESPONDING AND ACCELERATING TO WHERE I NEED IT TO BE. IT'S AS IF THE CAR DIES FOR A FEW SECONDS. THOSE FEW SECONDS ARE ALWAYS IN SITUATIONS WHEN I NEED TO BE MOVING. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL.THE ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE SO I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG.MY CAR WAS IN FOR OTHER RECALLS AND THEY GAVE ME A LOANER 2013 CRUZE TO DRIVE. THE NEWER CRUZE DID NOT HAVE THE HESITATION PROBLEM AT ALL, IT DROVE BEAUTIFULLY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. IT IS DANGEROUS!! JUST BECAUSE NO ONE THAT WE KNOW OF HASN'T DIED YET THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE. THE 2011 CRUZE IS UNSAFE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 11, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN EDEN PRAIRIE, MN. AFTER ONLY 2 MTHS, IT BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY HESITATING, LURCHING FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE (WHILE SOMETIMES BLOWING HOT AIR FROM THE AC) & REFUSING TO ACCELERATE. MULTIPLE TIMES IT HAS COMPLETELY STALLED OUT (WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH ON A HIGHWAY & WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP ON A HILL RESULTING IN ROLLING BACKWARD). IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 4TH TIME FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, BUT DOES NOT SHOW ANY CODES (NO SES LIGHT). THEY HAVE MADE MANY REPAIRS IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS ISSUE (LEAKING WATER PUMP, REPROGRAMS, WASTEGATE SOLENOID REPLACEMENT, ETC), BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR WILL STALL WHILE ON A HIGHWAY OR PASSING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, WHICH WOULD POSE A HUGE SAFETY THREAT. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS & WOULD LIKE GM TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY & REPLACE/RECALL THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Engine, Aug 14, 2013
VEHICLE IS GRADUALLY LOSING(NOT LEAKING) ANTIFREEZE AND DEALERS NOT COMING CLEAN WITH THE TRUTH THEY KNOW. OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC(25YRS) HAS GONE OVER THE ENGINE/CAR AND NO VISIBLE OR VIA TESTING ,SHOWS A LEAK. LATEST ANTIFREEZE FILL NEEDED APPROX 1/2 TO 3/4GAL OF ANTIFREEZE. FAILED ON INSPECTION FOR LOW COOLANT *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 3, 2013
AFTER ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE CAR HESITATES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED. AROUND 20 TO 30 MPH WHEN NEEDING TO SPEED UP THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE WILL STALL THE TRANSMISSION WILL THEN KICK IN WITH NOISE. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC IN CITIES. I HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC WITH MULTIPLE LANES AND WANTING TO PASS SOMEONE. WHEN PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR TO PASS THE CAR JUST SITS THERE! THEN AFTER A HESITATION THE CAR WILL POP THEN FINALLY MOVE. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY STATE NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I EVEN HAD ONE OF THE MECHANICS TELL ME THAT FOR THESE TYPES OF TRANSMISSIONS IT IS NORMAL! HOW CAN THIS BE SAFE! IF I WASN'T AWARE OF MY DRIVING AND A VERY GOOD DRIVER I WOULD HAVE HAD MULTIPLE WRECKS WITH THIS ISSUE. LUCKILY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVER CORRECT WHEN THE SITUATION OCCURS. AT ONE POINT I HAD TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE DUE TO THE FACT I WAS PUSHING THE GAS PETAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND MY CAR JUST STALLED AT 23 MPH FOR OVER 15 SECONDS UNTIL I PULLED OVER, RELEASED THE PETAL AND ENGAGED AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 24, 2013
VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OFF OF THE ON RAMP ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE COULD BE HEARD REVVING UP, BUT DID NOT INCREASE IN SPEED. WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY, I PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THEN BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. EVEN IN MANUAL MODE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO A FORWARD MOVING DRIVER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 24, 2013
AFTER OIL CHANGE AND LEFT THE DEALERSHIP A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING ANTIFREEZE FILLED THE INSIDE OF THE CAR, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO BREATH. I TURN THE CAR AROUND BACK TO THE DEALER THEY CHECKED (OR SO THEY SAID) COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR IT WAS COVERED WITH AIR FRESHENER THEY PUT SO MUCH OF IT TO COVER UP THE BURNING SMELL THAT IT TOOK ABOUT 3 WEEKS TO WEAR OFF AND THE SMELL STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. BUT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THEM THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE TRUNK BUTTON DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE THOUGH AT THE DEALER THEY CONFIRM IS AN ISSUE THEY HAVE WITH THE CRUZES THEY WON'T COVER UNDER WARRANTY AND HAVE TO PAY $200.00 FOR SOMETHING THEY KNOW IS A FAULTY PART ON THIS CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 18, 2013
THIS CAR EXHIBITS A HESITATION FROM A STOP AND ALSO CRUISING UPON ACCELERATION, A SYMPTOM I HAVE ALSO READ ABOUT IN SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS ALREADY FILED ON THE SITE. AS WITH MOST COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED TO THE DEALER THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT. AFTER TALKING TO A FEW CRUZE OWNERS ONE OF THEM SAID HE WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO " TURBO LAG ". THIS IS A PERIOD IN TIME THAT THE TURBO MOTOR MUST CATCH UP TO THE RPM'S OF THE ENGINE WHICH RESULTS IN THE HESITATION. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO ENTER A HIGHWAY OR MANEUVER OUT OF A CRITICAL SITUATION. GM MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THIS MALFUNCTION AND RECALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AND REPAIR THEM WHICH CAN BE DONE BY TWEEKING THE TURBO TO SYNC WITH THE ENGINE.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 13, 2013
WHEN MY CAR IS IN PARK, AND I TAKE IT OUT OF PARK TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE REVS UP AND IT "JUMPS" OUT OF GEAR. IF I AM SITTING IDLY AT A STOP LIGHT, IT DOES THE SAME THING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME; AFTER PERFORMING ALL THE REQUIRED TEST, NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. IF I AM TURNING AND ONCE I ACCELERATE AFTER THE TURN, IT LOOSES POWER.
Engine, Jun 13, 2013
ON 10/11/2012, AND 10/18/2012, AND 11/20/2012 I EXPERIENCED "DRAGGING" WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT DIDN'T WANT TO GO INTO THE NEXT GEAR. EVENTUALLY IT DID, BUT NOT BEFORE STRUGGLING TO DO SO. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ALL 3 TIMES AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT IT HASN'T BEEN COMPLETELY RESOLVED. 90% OF THE TIME THERE IS STILL SOME HESITATION SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 13 TO 45 MPH. SO MUCH SO THAT EVEN A PASSENGER HAS FELT IT UPON OCCASION. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES AND I'M WORRIED THAT I'LL EVENTUALLY BE STRANDED AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES I STILL HAVE NO PEACE ABOUT THE SITUATION BECAUSE THE CAR IS STILL MALFUNCTIONING. *TR