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: other or unspecified
75 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2018
THE CAR LUNGES REAL BAD DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. LEAVING A STOP LIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 31, 2018
AFTER AWHILE OF OWNING MY VEHICLE I NOTICED MY AC/HEATER BLOWER BEGAN TO STOP BLOWING OUT OF MY VENTS, AND IT ONLY BLOWS OUT OF THE DEFROST VENT. WITH THE BLOWER ON MY WINDOWS BECOME VERY FOGGED AND HARD TO SEE. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR CENTER AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WOULD END UP COSTING ME $1000 TO FIX A $15 PIECE. WITH HAVING TO REMOVE MY ENTIRE DASH. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A LEVER OF SOME SORT AND THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GET TO IT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2018
CHROME IS PEELING ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES LEAVING RAZOR SHARP EDGES. UNSUSPECTING PASSENGERS OR DRIVER CAN BE SERIOUSLY CUT BY THE MATERIAL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO CHILDREN EXITING THE CAR.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2018
I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE MULTIPLE RECALLS MY VEHICLE HAD THROUGH MY PEPBOYS DASHBOARD WHICH IS WHERE I GET MY CAR SERVICED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS RECALL WAS ACTIVE WHEN I WAS SOLD THE CAR LAST FEBRUARY 2017 IN WHICH I AM CURRENTLY PAYING ON
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2018
TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY CRUZE. MY TURBO IS HAVING UNDERBOOST FAILURE AND NEEDS REPLACED. I CAN NO LONGER INCREASE SPEED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD TO PASS CARS OR GO UP HILLS, I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER CHEVY CRUZES WITH THE SAME YEAR BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I TYPED MY VIN NUMBER IN NOTHING POPPED UP. SO WHY DOESN'T MY CAR QUALIFY ?
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2018
TAKATA RECALL, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAR NOT SHIFTING INTO GEARS. DRIVING ON CITY STREET AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ADVANCE FORWARD, I HAD TO PHYSICALLY PUSH IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO LET TRAFFIC PASS. CAR WILL NOT ADVANCE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2018
THE HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE COOLANT FOR THE AC SYSTEM ALWAYS BREAKS AND THE HEATING AND COOLING STOPS WORKING, THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT MAY CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE IF NOT REPAIRED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2018
" TAKATA RECALL" TRANSMISSION FAILURE
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 19, 2017
IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS MY TRACKING CONTROL, STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL, AND REDUCE ENGINE POWER LIGHT STAYS ON. I HAVE HAD KNOCK CENSOR REPLACED, VALUE COVERS BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED. MY CAR CONSTANTLY CUTS OFF IN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND THREE TIMES ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MILES. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND YET THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2017
NOTICED I WAS LOSING COOLANT RAPIDLY, FULL TANK WITHIN 1-2 DAYS, ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 7 MILES TO WORK AND BACK. . TOOK TO DEALERSHIP (WHERE PURCHASED) AND THEY DETERMINED ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING FROM FAULTY WATER PUMP. THOUGHT THE ISSUE WOULD BE COVERED BY GM EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE ALREADY EXISTING SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETIN 14371A, EXISTED FOR THIS ISSUE IN 1.4L ENGINE, ...BUT NOT FOR THE 1.8L ENGINE, WHICH IS WHAT I OWN. THE WATER PUMP IN THE 1.4L IS THE EXACT SAME PART IN THE 1.8L ENGINE, SO I'M LEAD TO BELIEVE THAT THE WATER PUMP IN MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED DUE TO IT BEING A FAULTY PART, IN GENERAL. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AND HAVE EXPERIENCED NO MORE LEAKAGE. I AM UNABLE TO ATTACH THE SERVICE INVOICE FROM MCKINLEYVILLE CHEVROLET AND BUICK, BUT CAN PROVIDE HARD COPY.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 10, 2017
I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT TO GO INTO A STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK IMMEDIATELY AFTER I STARTED IT UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE EVEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF THERE WAS STILL SMOKE EVERYWHERE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 9, 2017
THE CAR HAS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL. SOMETIMES WE CAN SMELL THE ODOR IN THE CABIN, BUT MOSTLY COMING FROM THE ENGINE AFTER WE HAVE FINISHED DRIVING THE CAR AND WALK AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE ODOR HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN NOVEMBER 2016.
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2017
I HAVE HAD WORK DOWN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER IN THIS AUTOMOBILE THREE (3) TIMES. THE CHEVY CRUZE IS THE WORSE CAR EVERY MADE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2017
I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR, USED. I WENT TO START IT, IT WORKED PERFECTLY FINE. I WENT TO START IT AGAIN LATER IN THE EVENING ( 7 HOURS ONLY FROM WHEN I BOUGHT IT ) AND IT WOULD NOT START, LIGHTS WORKED BUT IT WOULD NOT START. EVENTUALLY WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH IT BEGAN TO GET IT WORSE AND NOW IT WON'T START, AND NOTHING WILL WORK. THE KEY IS ALSO STUCK IN THE IGNITION. AGAIN, ONLY HAD THIS CAR LESS THAN 12 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2017
STEERING ROD ISSUE, STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY OVER 50 MPH . SEVERAL ISSUES WITH COOLANT/ CAR OVERHEATING/ OVERHEATED AND GAUGE FLEW RAPIDLY TO HOT, DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF CAR - CALL TOW TRUCK. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BUT STILL SMELLS OF BURNING OIL. DRIVE SIDE WINDSHIELD STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON BUSY HIGHWAY -POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR BECAUSE THE OTHER ONE WORKS FINE. ALL VERY DANGEROUS ISSUES.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2017, crash
ACCIDENT, ON JAN 15 2017, VEHICLE WAS TURNING INTO A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT FROM A HIGHWAY AND HIT BY A F150 PICKUP ON THE FRONT END AND WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE, GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 50MPH, NONE OF THE 10 AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HAVE SHOULDER INJURY 3 DAYS FOLLOWING ACCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COLLISON, SHOP & WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE FROM FRONT END TO REAR WAS SHATTERED, THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND TURNING INTO A BUSINESS, THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NO AIR BAGS EVER DEPLOYED, IF THERE WERE A PASSENGER THEY WOULD HAVE DIED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2017
I HAVE ATF LEAKING FROM THE CRIMPED END OF A RUBBER LINE GOING TO THE METAL LINE FOR THE TRANSMISSION.
Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2016
TRANSMISSION IS KICKING WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN REVERSE BUT ALSO WHILE FORWARD. ALSO WHILE IN REVERSE THE CAR WILL GO FORWARD INSTEAD. DOES THIS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN, EVEN WHILE TURNING. MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2016
IT'S TAKES LONG FOR THE GEARS TO CHANGE GET STUCK ON GEARS SMELLS LIKE GAS I. THE CAR AND HAD IT IN PARK AND STARTED TO ROLL BACK WITH OUT STARTING THE CAR IN THE CITY AND IN THE HIGHWAY ACTS THE SAME
Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2016
TRANSMISSION.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 17, 2016
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DASH BOARD RANDOMLY LIGHTS UP; RADIO HAS GONE COMPLETELY OFF; STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO TURN; SECURITY LOCK OUT ENGAGED ONCE; TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON AND HARD TO STEER AND SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THIS INCIDENTS ARE HAPPENING RANDOMLY AND HAD NEAR MISS ON HIGHWAY NOT EXPECTING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP OR BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. INDEPENDENT CAR REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, BUT STILL HAPPENS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 20, 2016
MY CAR HESITATE SOMETIME DURING DRIVING AT LOW SPEED OR HIGH SPEED AND THE STABILI TRAK LIGHT APPEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN I HAVE REPLACED THE PART NEEDED..
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2016
AFTER HAVING OTHER RECALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE, NOW THERE IS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK DIRECTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON DUE TO EVAP VENT VALVE NEEDING REPLACED. SHOTTENKIRK CHEVROLET STATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK REPAIR WILL COST $1,380.00
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2016
THE CHROME PLATING ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES STARTED TO PEEL OFF WHICH CREATED SHARP EDGES ON THE HANDLES IN WHICH I AND OTHERS HAVE CUT OURSELVES ON. I HAD TO CHIP SOME OF THE CHROME PLATING OFF AND WRAP THE HANDLES WITH TAPE TO PREVENT MYSELF AND MY KIDS FROM GETTING CUT ON THE PEELING CHROME FINISH.
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2016
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.