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
732 reports, newest first.
Power train, Mar 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A TWO YEAR SPAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2014
I WAS BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE FROM AT STOPPED POSITION READY TO ENTER TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR HESITATED TO THE POINT OF STALLING OUT. THE PROBLEM IS PERIODIC. IT'S VERY SCARY TO BE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR PRACTICALLY STALLS. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DIDN'T TAKE ME SERIOUSLY. *TR
Seat belts, Child seat, Mar 10, 2014
WHEN INSTALLING A CHILD BOOSTER SEAT IN THE REAR SEAT OF OUR 2011 CHEVY CRUZE THE BOOSTER SEAT COMPLETELY COVERS THE SAFETY BELT LATCH MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LATCH THE BELT. THIS APPLIES TO BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF THE CAR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NO ALTERNATIVE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE ONLY WAY TO LATCH THE SAFETY BELT IS TO FASTEN IT INTO THE INCORRECT LATCH. THIS IN MY OPINION CREATES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Mar 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE LIFT GATE WOULD SPORADICALLY AND INDEPENDENTLY OPEN. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED INDICATING THAT THE LIFT GATE WAS AJAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53000. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2014
ON MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY RADIATOR COOLANT TANK HAS BEEN LEAKING OUT ANTIFREEZE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IN MAY 7TH 2013. I HAD IT TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND IT GOT FIXED BY THE DEALER ON DATE LISTED. I HAVE CONTINUED TO BUY MORE OF THE SPECIAL BRAND OF COOLANT AND JUST BEEN FILLING IT UP WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEN I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE. LAST NIGHT ON 1/11/14 I PUT MORE ANTIFREEZE IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS GOING TO CHECK ON IT THE NEXT MORNING. I NOTICED THAT ON 1/12/14 THE NEXT DAY THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT TANK WAS ALMOST EMPTY AFTER FILLING IT UP ALL THE WAY LAST NIGHT. LOOKING AROUND MY FATHER AND I SAW ANTIFREEZE SITTING ON THE TRANSMISSION AND NO HOSES ARE LEAKING. IT IS BEING TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AGAIN ON 1/13/14 FOR THIS ISSUE AGAIN. I HAVE FILLED A COMPLAINT WITH GM AND GOT A CASE #. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTIFIED ME THAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AFTER BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CALL THEM AGAIN. MY FATHERS GUESS IS THAT THE PRESSURE IN THAT TANK IS 20PSI AND SINCE THE HOSE DOES NOT APPEAR TO LEAK THAT THE ANTI FREEZE FROM THE RADIATOR COOLANT TANK IS COMING OUT OF THE TANK FROM THE PRESSURE CAP.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 4, 2014
MY ENGINE SPUTTERED & THE ENGINE POWER REDUCTION MESSAGE, TRACTION LIGHT & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE CHEVY CRUZE FORUM & MANY HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE AUTO TO STOP OR SLOW TO 5 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ONE COMPLAINT WAS OF THE WOMAN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE & ALMOST BEING HIT BY A SEMI. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS CLEARLY A FACTORY PART ISSUE. THIS IS HAPPENING ON THESE AUTOS THAT DO NOT HAVE MUCH MILEAGE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 27, 2014, crash
I HAD COME FROM A RED LIGHT THAT TURNED GREEN, AND AS I APPROACHED THE NEXT RED LIGHT, IT HAD TURNED GREEN BEFORE I GOT THERE. I WAS COASTING IN SLOWLY AS THE VEHICLES THAT WERE ALREADY WAITING AT THAT LIGHT WERE STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD. THOUGH THE LIGHT WAS GREEN, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED RIGHT AS HE GOT TO THE INTERSECTION - HE WAS PROACTIVE IN STOPPING FOR AN AMBULANCE THAT WAS LEAVING THE STATION AT THE CORNER (IT WAS NOT ON THE STREET YET AND NO SIRENS.) I WENT TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE REALIZING HE WAS ACTUALLY STOPPED (AT THAT MOMENT, WAS UNAWARE OF AN AMBULANCE.) WHEN I REALIZED HE WAS ACTUALLY STOPPED, I STILL HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP THE DISTANCE I WAS FROM HIS CAR AHEAD OF ME, BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP! THE CAR SLOWED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT STOP. IT JUST KEPT ROLLING FORWARD AT A VERY SLOW PACE. I REMEMBER PRESSING THE BRAKE HARDER, AND THE ABS KICKED IN, AND I HEARD THE "CRUNCH" SOUND 3 TIMES, EVEN THOUGH THE GROUND WAS DRY, AT THE TIME I DID NOT KNOW WHY, I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ABS, BUT THE CAR NEVER STOPPED. ALL I COULD DO WAS WATCH IN VERY SLOW MOTION AS MY CAR CONTINUED TO PULL FORWARD AND I EVENTUALLY DRIFTED INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT WAS A VERY SLOW-MOVING INCIDENT BUT I FELT TOTALLY HELPLESS AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE, ONLY TO MINE. I WAS UPSET BC I KEPT REPLAYING THE INCIDENT IN MY MIND: WHY DIDN'T MY CAR STOP? WHY DID IT FEEL LIKE IT WAS BEING PULLED FORWARD? I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR TIRES OR FLUID. A FEW MONTHS LATER, I REC'D THE 12213 ELECTRIC VACUUM PUMP AND FOUND THE DESCRIPTION MATCHED MY EXPERIENCE. I WANT CHEVROLET TO REFUND ME AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND CLEAR THIS ACCIDENT AS MY FAULT. I AM ALSO MAKING A COMPLAINT TO CHEVROLET. *TR
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
Visibility, Feb 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE SMELLED AN UNUSUAL ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THERE WAS HEAVY FROST INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF BOTH WINDSHIELDS AND ALL FOUR WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN PARTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 03/21/14*LJ UPDATED 03/28/2014 *JS
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
Steering, Power train, Jan 24, 2014
WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF AN ESTABLISHMENT AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE IGNITION KEY OR MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT UP AND DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE OVERDRIVE BOX IN FRONT OF THE GEAR SHIFT SO I COULD SHIFT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND DRIVE HOME, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK I WAS STILL UNABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHEN I GOT HOME SO THE CAR'S BATTERY DIED. I CONTACTED ONE OF CHEVY'S TOW SERVICES IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TOWED BUT DUE TO THE CAR BEING IN THE GARAGE, THE TOW DRIVER SUGGESTED THAT HE TRY TO JUMP THE CAR TO AVOID HAVING TO PUSH THE CAR MANUALLY OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 3 DAYS OF WORKING ON THE CAR, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE JUMP MAY HAVE FRIED THE COMPUTER SO IT NEEDED TO RECONFIGURED WHICH COST ME OVER $1000 (DUE TO IT NOT BEING UNDER WARRANTY). I WAS ONLY MADE AWARE OF THE MANY RECALLS THAT CHEVY HAS HAD ON THE CRUZE DUE TO HAVING TO TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN (WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED) AND TALKING TO ANOTHER CUSTOMER ABOUT MY DISTASTE & FRUSTRATION THAT I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH THIS CAR. I WAS NEVER MAILED ANY OF THE RECALLS WHICH I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY AS I'M ALWAYS RECEIVING MAILINGS FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS DUE TO TWO OF CHEVY'S RECALLS (CAMPAIGN #11V273000 & 11V270000) SO CHEVY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MANY ISSUES I'VE HAD SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW IN JUNE 2011. *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
Service brakes, Jan 14, 2014
THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED ON MY CAR COMPLETELY IN THE SUMMER OF 2012 WHEN THE CAR WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD. IT WAS REPAIRED AND GIVEN BACK TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AFTER I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP (WHICH AGAIN PUT ME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO WORKING BRAKES). THE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED ON THE CAR AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME AT THAT TIME THAT THEY HAD NOT SEEN THAT ISSUE BUT HAD ANOTHER 2011 CRUZE COME IN AFTER MINE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT 20+ DAYS BECAUSE THE PARTS NEEDED WERE ON BACK ORDER. GM ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PART (VACUUM PUMP) ON AUGUST 13, 2013 BUT THE LETTER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AT THAT TIME TO FULFILL THE RECALL AND WOULD NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY HAD THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. ON JANUARY 10, 2014 MY BRAKES FAILED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME, WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME AND HAS HAD THREE BRAKE ISSUES IN WHICH I HAD NO WORKING BRAKES. I CONTACTED GM'S CUSTOMER CARE ON JANUARY 13, 2014 AND THEIR EMPLOYEES EXPRESSED MINIMAL CONCERN ABOUT THEIR UNSAFE PRODUCT AND THE RISK TO ME OR THE PUBLIC. *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
Power train, Dec 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INITIAL START UP, HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOTICE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 16, 2013
2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING FROM 68 MPH TO 6 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON THE PA TURNPIKE, WHEN SUDDENLY,THE VEHICLE WENT FROM 68 MPH TO 6 MPH WITH NO WARNING. WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE OUTER LANE AND OFF THE ROAD. A TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY.
Seat belts, Dec 16, 2013
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE HOUSING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 34,000. RK
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