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 22, 2011
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY CRUZE. I JUST PURCHASED IN NOV 2010. ONE MONTH AFTER I HAD THE CAR I HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER DUE TO STEERING NOISE WHEN WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT/RIGHT. THEY HAD TO LUBRICATE SOME PARTS BY THE WHEELS. STARTING IN FEB 2011 I NOTICE THE CAR STARTED TO LURCH FORWARD WHEN YOU TOOK YOU FOOT OF THE BRAKE. IT BOGS WHEN YOU TAKE OFF, YOU WILL GO THEN THE CAR BOGS AND THEN IT GOES AGAIN. WHEN ITS GOING INTO GEARS (I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED) ITS ROUGH AND THE CAR JERKS WHENEVER YOU ACCELERATE OR WHEN YOUR SLOWING DOWN. WHEN YOU TRY TO PASS ANYONE THE CAR BOGS AND THEN GOES(NOT GOOD AT ALL). YOU CAN APPLY MORE PRESSURE ON THE PETAL TO REACH YOUR NEEDED SPEED THE CAR WILL BOG THEN GO. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE THIS MARCH. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY REPROGRAMMED THE TCM BUT I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY KEPT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE IT THEN HE DROVE ANOTHER CRUZE ON THE LOT AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR DRIVES AND I WILL GET USED TO IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO GET USED TOO. IT IS AN UNSAFE CAR AND IM STUCK WITH IT FOR 5 MORE YRS. TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR. I HAVE READ OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE CONSUMER GUIDE AUTOMOTIVE AND IT STATES THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY ONLY STATE TO REPROGRAM THE TCM WHICH DOES NOTHING! THE SERVICE MECHANICS CANT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY STATE THERE'S NOTHING TO DO. THESE CRUZES ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I AM TERRIFIED OF DRIVING THIS NEW CAR DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS. BUT IM TOLD THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THERE IS NO PROBLEM THAT'S HOW IT DRIVES. GM NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED IN THIS CAR. I DO ALOT OF CITY DRIVING AND THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. IT SHOULD BE SMOOTH TAKE OFF AND STOPPING AND IT ISN'T. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT DRIVES LIKE THIS. I CANT TAKE IT BACK IN BECAUSE IM TOLD THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE .. PLEASE LOOK INTO..... *TR
Steering, Mar 20, 2011
WHILE DRIVING MY NEW 2011 CHEVY CRUZE ON HIGHWAY 10 IN MINNESOTA, WITH OUT ANY WARNING OR ANY OTHER INDICATIONS THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF IN THE HANDS OF THE DRIVER. WE CROSSED SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC AND FINALLY GOT THE CAR STOPPED JUST INCHES FROM HITTING THE GUARDRAIL. *TR
Air bags, Feb 22, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WENT INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY COULD SMELL THE POWDER FROM THE AIR BAGS ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. AN ONSTAR REPRESENTATIVE CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED A MESSAGE STATING THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WOULD BE INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2011
NEW 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. 270 MILES ON ODOMETER. ENTERING MY GARAGE AND STEPPED ON BRAKES AND CARE WOULD NOT STOP. RELEASE BRAKE AND REAPPLIED AND CAR STOPPED. TOOK TO DEALER WHO TESTED AND FOUND NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN TECHNICIAN WAS TAKING CAR INTO BAY TO INSTALL MUDFLAPS PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR AND ENDED UP REPLACING A POWER BOOSTER CHECK VALVE. *LN
Equipment, Feb 2, 2011
I AM REPORTING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE 2011 CHEVY CRUISE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT DOES NOT STAY FASTENED TO THE PINS ON THE FLOOR AND BUNCHES UP BENEATH THE GAS PEDAL PREVENTING ACCELERATION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD RESULT IN A POTENTIALLY DEADLY ACCIDENT. I HAVE REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT. GM NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. *TR
Seats, Oct 20, 2010
2011 CHEVY CRUZE SEAT ADJUST CONTROL ON DRIVER'S SIDE WILL CAUSE SEVERE PINCHING/CRUSHING OF FINGERS ON LEFT HAND IF YOU LOWER THE SEAT TO ITS LOWEST POSITION USING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL ON THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT WITHOUT KEEPING ALL FINGERS ABOVE THE CONTROL. IT IS A FAIRLY NATURAL GRIP TO REST THE THUMB ON THE TOP OF THE CONTROL AND LIGHTLY GRASP THE BOTTOM OF THE PLASTIC SEAT SKIRT TO PUSH THE CONTROL SWITCH DOWN. THIS GRIP WILL CAUSE THE FINGERS TO BE PINNED BETWEEN THE SEAT SKIRT AND THE SEAT BASE. *TR
Seat belts, Oct 18, 2010
I JUST NOTICED THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE 2011 CHEVROLET VEHICLES AND SOME DODGE( THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I HAVE SEEN SO FAR) HAS THE SAME TYPE OF SEAT BELTS AND FOR ME THEY LOOK KIND OF WEAK/ UNSAFE COMPARE TO THE ONES THAT I HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST. I'M A CHILD PASSENGER TECHNICIAN AND WHEN I WAS INSTALLING SOME CAR SEATS IN SOME CHEVY'S VEHICLES I NOTICED THAT TWO OF THE SEAT BELTS ALMOST GOT PERFORATED BY THE CAR SEAT PLASTIC SHELL, I NOTICED THAT THEY'RE NOT AS HEAVY DUTY AS THE ONES THAT I HAVE IN MY 2000 CHEVY VAN. I'M KIND OF CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. PROBABLY IS NOT THAT BAD BUT I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD TO CHECK THIS OUT AS WELL AS THE BUCKLE, BECAUSE IN ONE 2011 CRUISE WASN'T WORKING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT JOB! *TR