Engine. Review the 257 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 193 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

38 crash reports20 fire reports30 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

96 reports

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Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2018

Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

SET UP THE AIRBAG AND THE CAR MILEAGE DOES LOOK

NHTSA ODI #11066797

90,000 miles · Dec 20, 2017

Electrical SystemPower Train

MY CAR JUST WENT OUT. NO WARNING NO NOTHING. THE DASHBOARD WEND HAYWIRE AND WAS UNABLE TO READ ANYTHING AT ALL (SPEED, RPM, FUEL OR TEMP). THE IGNITION DOWNSHIFTED ON ITS OWN ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. ONCE SAFELY OFF OF THE HIGHWAY I TRIED TO PARK THE CAR IN A PROPER PARKING SPACE SO THAT I COULD …

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NHTSA ODI #11055746

110,000 miles · Sep 21, 2017

Electrical SystemEngineSteering

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AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING FORWARD THE DASH SCREEN STARTED TO SHOW DIFFERENT "CHECK" WARNINGS. CHECK STABILITY CONTROL, CHECK POWER STEERING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS SO DID MOST OF THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS. THE POWER STEERING STOPPED AND THE ENGINE TEMPORARILY QUIT. THE ENGINE RESPONDED AGAIN AND WHILE DRIVING THE DASH WENT DARK AND THE CAR DIED. I HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. THE LAST EVENT WAS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI #11024807

92,800 miles · Aug 20, 2017

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

POWERING DOWN ALSO AC.SOME TIMES STOP RUNING.THE PVC WAS NOT MADE RIGHT HAD TO REPLACE IT WAS CAUESING A VAC. LEAK WITH NO RECALL.NOW THERE IS A POSTING ABOUT THE INTAKE EXIOES MANFOLD BROKEN DOWN MAY HAVE TO REPLACE MOTHER AND CANYLT VENTOR.A AGAIN NO RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11016408

50,000 miles · Aug 9, 2017

Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11013905

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2017

Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS FAILED TO PROPERLY CHANGE OVER FROM PARK. ALSO THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V273000 (POWER TRAIN) …

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NHTSA ODI #10983453

134,699 miles · Apr 6, 2017

Electrical SystemEngine

COOLANT LEAKING UNDER PRESSURE FROM WATER OUTLET & WATER PUMP. CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION AS WELL AS ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR & RADIATOR CONTROL TEMPERATURE SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #10971002

10 miles · Mar 2, 2017

Electrical System

I SMELL GASOLINE WHEN THE HEAT IS ON , AND WE CANNOT USE THE HEAT CAUSE OF THE SMELL OF COURSE THE CAR IS IN MOTION , IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ? AND ALSO THERE IS A LEAK FROM THE ENGINE , I THINK

NHTSA ODI #10958217

66,107 miles · Jan 27, 2017

Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash

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I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK IN MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE WITH MY PRECIOUS 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ON THE HIGHWAY GOING THE SPEED LIMIT (60MPH) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRANSMISSION GOES OUT JUST OUT OF NO WHERE LUCKILY IM A GOOD DRIVER AND KNOW HOW TO DRIVE OTHERWISE ME AND MY DAUGHTER WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY DEAD RIGHT NOW! I CONTACTED CHEVY AND THE DEALERSHIP THEY DIDN'T CARE THEY SEEM TO THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY NORMAL FOR 2011 CHEVY CRUZE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN WITH ONLY 66,107 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2011 AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR OIL CHANGES SERVICES ETC EVERY 3 MONTHS THEIR IS NO NEGLECT ON THIS CAR IT WAS PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF. THEY HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR THE SITUATION. FAULTY ELECTRICAL PARTS WERE PUT IN MY TRANSMISSION WHEN IT WAS ASSEMBLED IN THEIR FACTORY BUT THIS IS SOMEHOW MY PROBLEM NOW LOL WHAT A JOKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10948039

36,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016

Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE F…

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NHTSA ODI #10928563

Official recalls

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

13V360000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

12V288000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jun 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: 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.

12V289000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Jun 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

11V270000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE SHAFTS TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

11V273000 · 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

11V221000 · Steering; Steering:column

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:column

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Steering

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.

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

AQ12002 · Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall

Opened Oct 15, 2012 · Closed Oct 20, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

NHTSA opened AQ12-002 to determine whether Chapman Chevrolet of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C.Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations.The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ? 30120(i)). NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Chapman Chevrolet on October 16, 2012.Chapman Chevrolet responded to this request on November 8, 2012.To gather additional information, NHTSA mailed an IR letter to General Motors LLC (GM) on February 25, 2013.GM responded to this request on April 1, 2013.NHTSA then issued a second IR letter to Chapman Chevrolet on July 2, 2013.Chapman Chevrolet supplied their response on July 30, 2013. NHTSA?s investigation indicated that Chapman Chevrolet sold and delivered 23 recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Chapman Chevrolet was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated October 1, 2014, Chapman Chevrolet paid compromised civil penalties in the amount of $50,000.This Audit Query is closed.

PE12010 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Mar 28, 2012 · Closed Jul 19, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a June 21, 2012 letter to NHTSA, General Motors LLC. (GM) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in approximately 413,148 model year (MY) 2011 through 2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured from October 2, 2009 through May 31, 2012 (Recall 12V-288). According to GM, engine oil change procedures can result in spilling or dripping of oil on the engine shield.Also, manual transmission vehicles with a completely worn clutch may cause hydraulic fluid to be expelled from the clutch housing vent hole.If oil, debris or the burning hydraulic fluid contacts hot engine or exhaust system surfaces, and the engine shield, the shield may ignite and burn, leading to a possible engine compartment or vehicle fire.GM and its engine shield supplier, Hanwha, modified the engine shield to address factors that may contribute to engine compartment fire. The redesigned shields were completely implemented in production vehicles by June 2012.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by GM as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 25 unique Chevrolet Cruze reports indicating hot surface ignition due to engine oil or hydraulic fluid contacting hot manifold, exhaust surfaces and the engine shield.Four additional fires were identified that resulted from other or unknown causes, including 1 attributed to a missing oil filler cap.Three fires of unknown cause all involved vehicles equipped with 1.4L L4 turbocharged engines.ODI will continue to monitor field experience in Cruze vehicles equipped with that engine.Owners of the recalled vehicles are notified to take their vehicle to a GM dealer, who will modify the engine shield to prevent oil fluids from contacting the shield.Also, on vehicles with a manual transmission, dealers are to apply a protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness to prevent any incidents related to this issue. This preliminary evaluation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers (ODI Nos.): 10456338, 10453754, 10450556, 10446718.