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, Nov 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLING OUTLET PIPE WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 17, 2016
I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL ISSUES LATELY THAT ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WITH MY CAR. POWER TRAIN ISSUES, STABILITY ISSUES, SENSOR ISSUES. THESE ISSUES HAVE HAPPENED ON AND OFF AND SOME HAVE BEEN FIXED BEFORE AND THEY KEEP GETTING WORSE. THE CAR STARTS SHAKING REALLY BAD WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 16, 2016
SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HESITATION IN THE ACCELERATION AND "ENGINE JERKING". I ORIGINALLY REPORTED WITHIN THE FIRST APPROX 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE CENTER HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD "THAT IS JUST HOW IT DRIVES. I TOLD THEM ON A SECOND TIME ABOUT THE ONGOING ISSUES AND WAS DISMISSED. LAST YEAR I STARTED GETTING THE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" ERROR AND THE JERKING AND LACK OF ACCELERATION AND HESITATION HAS GOTTEN INCREASINGLY WORSE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS TRYING TO GO FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION IT WILL LAG AND CAN CAUSE A DELAY ALSO DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL JERK AND ALMOST FEEL LIKE I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. I OFTEN ALSO GET A SMELL OF THE COOLANT THAT GOES THROUGH MY CAR. I HAVE HAD ALL RECALLS IN THE PAST TAKEN CARE OF, BUT THE STABILITRAK IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT IS VERY CONCERNING FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER AS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE 05/2011 ONLY INCREASING IN SEVERITY. *TR
Engine, Oct 13, 2016, fire
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON OCT 10, 2016, A BIT BEFORE 3:30 PM ON THE BELT PARKWAY IN BROOKLYN NY. I WAS GOING SLOWLY AS THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 90 MINUTES WHEN I TURNED ON THE AC AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A STRONG BURNING SMELL, SO I TURNED THE AC OFF. A FEW MOMENTS LATER I NOTICED WISPS OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER (LESS THAN 2 MINUTES) HEAVIER WHITE THEN GRAY SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASHBOARD. I GOT OUT, GRABBED MY BELONGINGS AND CALLED 911 WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF PULLING OVER. AN OFF DUTY FIREMAN ATTEMPTED TO ASSIST WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT IN MINUTES THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ABLAZE. FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED QUICKLY BUT THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND IT IS A TOTAL LOSS AT 67,000 MILES. IN 4 YEARS OF OWNING THIS CAR I HAD 3 RECALLS (ONE FOR ENGINE FIRE) AND MULTIPLE LETTERS FROM CHEVY OF OTHER ISSUES THAT MIGHT ARISE (THE LAST WAS FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSSIBLY COMING OFF). I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH THIS MANY ISSUES.
Service brakes, Engine, Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL'' A WHOLE BURN INTO MY AIR CONDENSOR CAUSING MY FLUIDS TO LEAK OUT AND CAUSING A BAD SMELL
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 4, 2016
TRANSMISSION JERKS EXTREMELY HARD. WHEN AIR IS ON CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. IDLES ON ITS OWN, JUMPS GEARS ALWAYS. FUEL SYSTEM IS BAD, IT CHOKES CONSTANTLY AND WONT START SOME DAYS. IT VIBRATES EXTREMELY HARD AND I HAD IT SERVICED 1 MONTH AGO FOR SHAFT CASE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR EVER!!!!!!! ITS A DANGER TO DRIVE IT WONT PICK UP SPEED AND WHEN THE AIR IS ON IT WONT MOVE AT ALL. IF STILL AT A LIGHT, IT WILL JERK EXTREMELY HARD TO WHERE IT JERKS ME. WHEN IN PARK IT IDLES ITSELF. IF I'M ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT WONT PICK UP SPEED EVEN IF THE AIR IS NOT ON. WHEN I REVERSE AND GO BACK TO PARK IT JERKS EXTREMELY HARD. I HATE THIS CAR!!! SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP.
Engine, Jul 20, 2016
I BOUGHT MY CAR MARCH 2015 AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT. I STILL OWE $ 8000.00 ON IT AND THE GM COMPANY TOLD ME MY MOTOR IS BLOWED. MY FATHER IS A MECHANIC AND TOOK A LOOK AND SAID HE BELIEVES MY CAR JUMPED TIME BECAUSE MY WATER PUMP QUIT. MORGAN MCCLURE TOLD ME THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT IT WILL COST ME 3500 DOLLARS. I THINK ALL THESE CARS NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF ROAD AND EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD ISSUES SHOULD GET PLACED IN ANOTHER CAR.. I AM PAYING A TOTAL OF 17,000 FOR MY CAR AND ITS NOT EVEN DRIVABLE. I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER CRUZE AND I WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW THE ISSUES SO THEY DON'T BUY ONE EARTHIER. IVE BEEN RIPPED OFF WITH THIS CAR SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT . THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR.. I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK WITH NO ISSUES. WHEN I GOT OFF WORK I CRANK MY CAR AND DROVE IT TO MORGAN MCCLURE TO GET A RESERVOIR CAP FOR MY CAR BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T TIGHTEN DOWN LIKE IT WAS STRIPPED. I CUT MY CAR OFF WENT IN TO MORGAN MCCLURE AND BOUGHT CAP. PUT IT ON AND MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK BACK. THEY LOOKED AT CAR AND CHARGED ME $35.00 FOR LOOKING AT IT FOR 2 SECONDS TO TELL ME IT HAS NO COMPRESSION AND MY MOTOR IS BLOWED. THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN FIX IT BUT I NEED A NEW OR USED MOTOR AND IT WILL COST $3500.00.
Engine, May 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCV AIR CHARGE BYPASS TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INCREASE IN RPMS WHILE IDLING ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK AND THE DIAPHRAGM AND VALVE COVER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,064.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 11, 2016
DROVE ABOUT 45 MILES AND PARKED VEHICLE. NOTICED ENGINE FAN RUNNING HARD, SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND WENT INTO STORE. RETURNED TO VEHICLE TWENTY MINUTES LATER TURNED ON CAR, FAN STILL RUNNING HARD. PUSHED ONSTAR BUTTON TO GET DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ENGINE ERROR CODE FOUND, ADVISED TO TAKE TO DEALER TO INVESTIGATE. STARTED VEHICLE ABOUT TEN MINUTES INTO DRIVE, COULD SMELL COOLANT FROM ENGINE AND VEHICLE SLOWED AND CHIMES CAME ON WITH DASH READING: ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP CAR AND TURN OFF ENGINE. HAD TOWED TO DEALER, THEY SAY A PORT IS CRACKED IN CYLINDER HEAD AND COOLANT LEAKING. WILL COST $500 TO FIX. VEHICLE HAS 59,000 MILES. ALSO ENGINE MAKES POPPING NOISES AFTER RUNNING ON HIGHWAY AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. SITTING AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND IT POPS FOUR OR FIVE TIMES. DON'T HEAR IT WHEN I'M DRIVING. THESE CARS ARE LEMONS, GM NEEDS TO RECALL THEM AND GIVE US OUR MONEY BACK!
Engine, Mar 14, 2016
EXISTING RECALL RECALL NUMBER: 12V288000 APPLIES TO MY VEHICLE DESPITE MY VIN NOT QUALIFYING FOR THIS RECALL. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL PARTS RELATING TO ENGINE COOLING INCLUDING A WATER PUMP ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN 9 MONTHS. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH MY GM SERVICE CENTER (BERGSTROM GM OF NEENAH, WI 920.722.1111) AND OTHER CERTIFIED MECHANICS THAT OIL HAS BEEN FOUND AND CLEANED OUT OF SEVERAL AREAS OF MY ENGINE INCLUDING: THE TURBO CHARGER, INTAKE MANIFOLD, THROTTLE BODY, CHARGE AIR COOLER AND ITS INLET AND OUTLET PIPES, AND CYLINDERS. IN ADDITION, MY THERMOSTAT HAS FAILED AND DOES NOT NOTIFY ME OF AN OVER-HEATING ISSUE. AN OVERHEATING ENGINE THAT LEAKS OIL THROUGHOUT WITH NO WARNING FROM THE THERMOSTAT IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 14, 2016
WHEN PURCHASING MY AUTO 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE I WAS NOT TOLD THAT THIS 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE HAD A COOLANT LEAK THAT THE COMPANY COULD NOT REPAIR. BEFORE I PURCHASED MY 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE A GUARDER PLATE WAS INSTALLED TOO KEEP THE LEAK FROM BURNING OFF OF THE MOTOR AND NO REPAIR TO STOP THE COOLANT LEAK. MY 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE OVER HEATED AND I WAS SENT A LETTER THAT CHEVROLET COMPANY WOULD REPLACE THE COOLANT ONCE IT GET LOW. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS COOLANT IS ALSO INSIDE THE CAB OF MY 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED TO HAVE MY 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE CHECKED FOR REASON OF LEAK BUT ONCE COOLANT IS LEAKED OUT OR LOW THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. THIS CHEMICAL IS A LABELED 'A' POISON FOR HUMANS WITHIN IT'S LABEL. WHICH I HAVE HAD THOSE AFFECTS FROM IT'S RELEASE AT THIS POINT. I CANNOT GET CHEVROLET TO FIX THIS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY'LL NOT FIX IT JUST REPLACE COOLANT JUST FOR 2016 AFTER THEN THEY'LL NOT REPLACE LEAKED COOLANT. I ASKED THEM IF I COULD HAVE THE 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE CHECKED WITHOUT HAVING A SERVICE CHARGE AND I WAS TOLD I COULD NOT THAT I'LL BE CHARGED A FEE. I WAS OFFERED A $2000.00 VOUCHER TO PURCHASE ANOTHER AUTO. BEING ONCE STRESS OF OVER HEATING OR CORRECT LEVELS OF COOLANT WITHING VEHICLE COOLANT FUNCTIONING COMPONENTS CANNOT OPERATE NORMALLY I'D HAVE TO REPLACE THOSE COMPONENTS AND IF NOT UNDER COMPONENTS WARRANTY I'LL BE CHARGED SERVICE VISIT AND PARTS AND LABOR RENDERED. I MENTIONED THAT THIS COOLANT CHEMICAL BURN OFF IS CAUSING SIGHT EFFECTS AND THAT IT CONTINUES SENDING THOSE CHEMICAL COOLANT FUMS INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND I'M TAKING MEDICATION FOR THOSE SIGHT EFFECTS OF THE COOLANT'S CHEMICAL BURN OFF. AGAIN (GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION LEGAL AGENT SAID THAT'S THE LEGAL OFFER AND IF NOT AGREED ACTIVE CASE FILE WOULD BE CLOSED. ON 3/10/2015 MY CASE FILE CLOSED WITH NO RESOLUTION.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 2, 2016
CAR WILL SLOW TO 2 MPH WITH THE WARNINGS "LOW ENGINE MODE" AND "SERVICE STABILITRACK". CAN BE GOING ANY SPEED AND THIS HAPPENS. HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED 3 TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY TELL US IT IS ANOTHER PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE. WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $2,000 ON REPAIRS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT MY [XXX] YEAR OLD SON WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. IF THIS HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY WITH A SEMI BEHIND HIM, THE SEMI WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO THAT SPEED THAT FAST AND WILL RUN RIGHT OVER HIM. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE ON 2011-2015 CRUZE VEHICLES THAT YOU CAN FIND ANYWHERE ON THE INTERNET (EVEN ON GM FORUM). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FROM THIS ISSUE BEFORE A RECALL IS MADE ON THESE VEHICLES? *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
Engine, Feb 20, 2016
I FIRST TOOK MY CRUZE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM A DEFECTIVE SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION BOX. THEY ALSO SAID THE BATTERY WAS CRACKED. TRANSMISSION WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. REALLY? AFTER THAT WORK BEING DONE, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF ANTI FREEZE. DEALER SAID A HOSE WAS SPLIT, BUT WHEN I ASKED TO SEE THE HOSE, THEY SAID THE END BROKE OFF WHEN THEY WERE REPLACING A CLIP BLAMED ON THE ANTI FREEZE LEAK. I HAD TO BUY A NEW HOSE. SAID THEY CHECKED THE SYSTEM FOR LEAKS AND THERE WEREN'T ANY. THE CAR STOPPED LEAKING FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW I HAVE PUDDLES OF ANTI FREEZE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AND A NAUSEATING SMELL AROUND THE CAR. I AM GOING TO GO TO A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION, BUT I FEAR I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ IT IS COMMON WITH THIS CAR AND GM HASN'T DONE MUCH TO HELP THE CONSUMER. I BELIEVED IN BUYING AMERICAN, BUT IT WON'T BE ANOTHER CHEVY.
Engine, Feb 16, 2016, fire
I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR I WORK FOR THE LOS ALAMOS COUNTY FIRE DEPT. I INVESTIGATED A VEHICLE FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND HAD JUST BEEN DRIVEN APPROX.. 1 HR. THE VEHICLE IS LISTED AS HAVING A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V288000. IT APPEARS THAT EVEN THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALL THE SAME PROBLEM AND RESULTING FIRE HAPPENED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AFTER BEING PARKED AND FIRE WAS WITN
Engine, Jan 18, 2016
MY CAR FROM TIME TO TIME SHOWS AN ERROR SAYING REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE WHOLE CAR KICKS DOWN AND UNABLE TO GO OVER 10 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN FOR AWHILE BUT THEN AGAIN TODAY IT DID IT. I HAVE READ A FEW BLOGS THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY CRUZ AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANY. THIS COULD BE A DEADLY FAULT WITH THIS CAR. YOU GET NO NOTIFICATION THAT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
Engine, Jan 16, 2016
I'VE OWNED MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE FOR 4 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD ON-GOING ISSUES WITH A VERY DISTINCT SMOKE/COOLANT SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. IN DOING RESEARCH, THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE SEPERATE OCCASIONS AND THEY CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE - IT KEEPS COMING BACK. I REACHED OUT TO CHEVY TO FILE A COMPLAINT BUT I AM NOT GETTING HELP FROM THEM. THE ODOR THAT IS COMING FROM THE CAR IS SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS IN THE WINTER. IT IS EITHER NO HEAT, OR HEAT AND WINDOWS DOWN. I KNOW CHEVY IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE - IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET - HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT DOING THEIR PART TO FIX THE ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY HEALTH - WHATEVER I AM INHALING IS NOT HEALTHY. IT GIVES ME HEADACHES AND MAKES ME FEEL ILL. PLEASE HELP.
Engine, Jan 15, 2016
I CAN SMELL A BURNING COOLANT TYPE SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. IT LEAVES A FILM ON THE WINDOWS. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT BURNS MY NOSE AND EYES. I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR. I CONSIDER THIS A HEALTH ISSUE, INHALING THESE FUMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. ONCE THEY REPLACED A TRANSMISSION COOLANT CONNECTOR, THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND TWICE THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. THIS HAPPENS IN ALL SITUATIONS, MOVING OR STANDING STILL. THE FOLLOWING I COPIED FROM A FORUM ONLINE. THIS PERSON HAD THE SAME PROBLEM: IN THE COURSE OF THAT REPAIR THE TECHS DETECTED AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF LUBRICANT ON THE INNER DASH BOX WHERE THE VENT DOORS AND CONTROLS ARE LOCATED. THE TECH REMOVED SOME OF IT AND HEATED IT UP AND IT SMELLED JUST LIKE DEXCOOL. THIS GREASE IS GLYCOL BASED HENCE THE SIMILARITY TO COOLANT WHEN HEATED. THE CONTINUOUS HEATING AND COOLING OF THE GREASE RESULTED IN A BREAKDOWN OF IT AND THE SMELL ONLY GOT WORSE. THE TECHS REMOVED ALL OF THE EXCESS GREASE AND REPLACED WITH ANOTHER LUBRICANT WHICH WAS A TYPE OF BRAKE LUBE GOOD TO 400F. THEY THEN ADDED A PEPPERMINT EXTRACT TO THE COOLANT FLUID TO ENSURE THAT IF THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK OF ANY KIND THE ODOR WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY DISCERNABLE FROM ANY OTHER AUTOMOTIVE ODOR. I RAN THE HEAT AND DEFROST HEAVY WITH NO ISSUES TO REPORT. THIS FIX IS NOT EASY AS THE ENTIRE DASH NEEDS TO BE REMOVED, BUT A GOOD TECH CAN DO IT AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM CONTACT GM TO GET YOUR VEHICLE FIXED.
Engine, Jan 7, 2016
ON DECEMBER 21, 2015, WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK IN DEARBORN IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 7:15 A.M. , TRAVELING SOUTH ON SOUTHFIELD FREEWAY AT 65 MPH IN THE FAST LANE, AN ALARM SOUNDED AND MY RATE OF SPEED WAS REDUCED TO 10 MPH, AN EXCLAMATION SYMBOL APPEARED ON MY DISPLAY WITH THE WORDS "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON MY HAZZARD LIGHTS. CARS TRAVELLING BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. THE SHOULDER WAS NOT THE ADEQUATE WIDTH TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. I PULLED OFF AS MUCH AS I COULD AND SWITCHED THE CAR OFF, THIS RESET THE PROBLEM SO I DID NOT HAVE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND I WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL AND EXIT THE EXPRESSWAY SAFELY. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE ROAD TO MY OFFICE COMPLEX PARKING LOT. I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED AT THE GM DEALERSHIP. I FEEL THIS TYPE OF ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND POSES A VERY SERIOUS THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THE CAR AFFECTED BY THE MALFUNCTION AND OTHER MOTORIST THAT ARE ON THE ROAD. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT OCCUR ON OTHER CARS.
Engine, Dec 10, 2015
THE COOLING SYSTEM IN MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE HAS FAILED FOR THE 3RD TIME IN MY TWO YEAR OWNERSHIP. THIS IS DANGEROUS, MY CAR OVERHEATED AND WENT INTO IDLE MODE ON A 70MPH INTERSTATE(81) WITH MY FAMILY STILL INSIDE. CHEVY DENYS ANY PROBLEM! MULTIPLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN STARTED REGARDING THE FAULTY COOLING SYSTEM BUT THEY SEEM TO JUST DISAPPEAR. MY CAR CONSTANTLY SMELLS OF NAUSEATING COOLANT AND HAS BEEN "FIXED" TWICE NOW. SO WHAT GIVES? WHY IS THIS NOT BEING ADDRESSED? THE NHTSA NEEDS TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS BIGGER THAN CHEVY WILL EVER ADMIT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 10, 2015
ON 12-5-15 I WAS ON MY WAY TO CT FROM MASS AND WAS ON 91. ABOUT 45 MINUTES INTO THE TRIP THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE STABLITRACK LIGHT CAME ON. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT CAME ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND RPM GAUGE WOULD FLING UP AND DOWN QUICKLY! I IMMEDIATELY WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH.( I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A CAR BEHIND ME) I COASTED MY WAY TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE EXIT. THE CAR TOOK ABOUT 4 HOURS TO GO BACK TO NORMAL. ( I RETURNED TO MASS, I HAD TO TAKE THE BACK WAY HOME AND AVOID THE HIGHWAY AS THE CAR STILL HAD REDUCE SPEED) THE CAR WILL RETURN TO NORMAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. EVERYDAY NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND IT WILL SAY SERVICE STABLITRACK. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOOSES POWER AND YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE (SOUNDS LIKE A FAN BLOWING HARD) THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT. THE RPM WILL JUMP TO 4-5 WHILE ONLY GETTING TO A SPEED OF 35 MPH. THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT IN JANUARY OF 2015 AND HAS LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SIMILAR SITUATION HAPPENING TO THE SAME CAR I HAVE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED ON TIME!!! PLEASE HELP ME!! I REFUSE TO TAKE THE HIGHWAY AS I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.....
Engine, Nov 23, 2015
ENGINE COOLANT SMELL INSIDE CABIN. HEAT MUST BE ON. THE VAPORS ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO IRRITATE THE EYES AND THROAT. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED DURING SUMMER AND SMELL STARTED WHEN IT TURNED COLD AND HAS CONTINUED
Engine, Oct 29, 2015
A RECALL ON THE VALVE- COVER GASKET POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE FROM OIL LEAKAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE LOCAL PAPER, BUT NOT ON MY MAKE/MODEL. I HAVE THE OIL LEAKAGE AND CAN SMELL IT BURNING OFF SOMETHING. THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS 74,000 MILES.
Engine, Oct 5, 2015
MOST OF THE MILES I PUT ON A CAR ARE HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE A 90 MILE ROUND TRIP TO GET TO WORK. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAD ROUGHLY 60,000 MILES ON IT (SUMMER OF 2013). THE A/C SHUT OFF AND THE WATER TEMPERATURE ROSE VERY QUICKLY. I TOPPED OFF THE COOLANT AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE TROUBLE FOR AWHILE. ABOUT THIS SAME TIME I STARTED GETTING A SICKLY SWEET BURNT OIL SMELL IN THE CAR. VERY STRONG SMELL WHEN STOPPED AND THERE'S NO AIR FLOW TO DISSIPATE THE FUMES. JUST RECENTLY IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SAME THING, A/C SHUT OFF, WATER TEMP INDICATOR PEGGED OUT AND I GOT A MESSAGE SAYING "GO TO IDLE" OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. THERE WAS COOLANT SITTING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. WITH THE CAR AT IDLE I COULD ONLY FIND A SMALL LEAK AT THE RADIATOR HOSE WHERE IT PLUGS INTO THE WATER OUTLET. I ASSUME THE LEAK IS MUCH WORSE WHEN THE WATER TEMP GOES UP AND THE SYSTEM PRESSURIZES. EVERY 50 MILES OR SO NOW I HAVE TO CHECK THE COOLANT LEVEL OR RISK ANOTHER OVERTEMP. NEXT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I HATE THIS TRANSMISSION. IT'S VERY JERKY WHEN SHIFTING AND HAS BEEN SINCE DAY 1. I THOUGHT MAYBE AS I DROVE THE CAR IT WOULD SMOOTH OUT EVENTUALLY. NO IT DID NOT. IT'S ESPECIALLY BAD IF YOU ARE COASTING TO A STOP BUT RESUME ACCELERATION BEFORE STOPPING. FINALLY, THE BRAKES HAVE A GLITCH. FROM MY DRIVEWAY I BACK SLIGHTLY UPHILL AND THEN DOWNHILL INTO THE ROAD. AT THIS POINT I HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL OR SHIFT INTO DRIVE IF I EXPECT TO STOP. IT SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. IF I BACK UP ON LEVEL GROUND I DON'T NOTICE IT HAPPENING. IT MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE IN SPEED. I'M NOT GOING AS FAST ON LEVEL GROUND AS I AM COMING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 3, 2015
ALMOST TO INTO A HUGE ACCIDENT DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY AT A SPEED OF 35MPH WHEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE GAS. IT FELT LIKE MY GEARS WERE SHIFTING WITHOUT ME SHIFTING THEM. I REALLY DON'T KNOW TO MUCH ABOUT CARS BUT I KNOW THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 31, 2015
PRACTICALLY EVERY DAY I DRIVE MY CAR, I EXPERIENCE EXTREME SHIFTING AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SPECIFICALLY, I HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL FOR THE CAR TO MOVE FROM 2ND TO 3RD SHIFT. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC CAR, AND IT DRIVES LIKE A POORLY SHIFTING MANUAL. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, RATHER THE ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH AND LOUDLY, YET THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. IT ALSO HAS MADE LOUD POPPING SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE CAR FILLS WITH AN EXHAUST SMELL, AND DURING THE WINTER COOLANT SMELL IS OBVIOUS IN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING-AND FEEL UNSAFE-DRIVING THIS CAR AND IT IS ALMOST FOUR YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES! I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THE BELOW DATES AND THEY CANNOT ?DUPLICATE THE ISSUE?, THUS HAVE NOT FIXED IT. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR 3-WEEKS! I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE DEALERSHIP IS EVEN DAILY TESTING, OR DRIVING, THE CAR. I DO KNOW, HOWEVER, IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BECAUSE THE SHIFTING AND ACCELERATING IS UNRELIABLE AND WILL MOST DOUBTABLE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT INJURING MYSELF AND/OR OTHERS. I HAVE ALSO CALLED GM AND NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE VERY UNHELPFUL, STATING THEY NEVER HEARD OF A SHIFTING/TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE CHEVY CRUZE, WHEN IN FACT THE 2011 CHEVY CRUZE WAS RECALLED FOR SHIFTING LOCK CABLE. I HAVE RECEIVED, UNSOLICITED; A LETTER FROM A LAWFIRM TO SUE GM NOTING THIS EXACT ISSUES SHIFTING/POWER ISSUES (AMONGST FAULTY WATER PUMPS, WHICH I ALSO HAD REPLACED AFTER ONLY OWING THE CAR 2-YEARS), SO CLEARLY THERE ARE MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES. DATES BROUGHT MY CAR TO (SULLIVAN'S ONEILLS IN AVON, CT) 1/16/2015; 5/2/2015; 5/09/2015;5/13/2015; 6/24/2015; 7/17/2015 MY GM SERVICE TICKETS ARE 71-1490864298 & 71-1490864298. THE CAR IS EITHER A LEMON, OR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR SHIFTING/TRANSMISSION ISSUES.