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

Unknown Or Other complaints

75 reports

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65,000 miles · Jan 10, 2019

Unknown Or Other

THE KEY FOB HOLDING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BROKE, LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, UNABLE TO TURN OFF OR TURN ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11166402

62,758 miles · Dec 5, 2018

Unknown Or Other

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BURNING SMELL FROM ENGINE. BACK IN MAY 2016 I STARTED SMELLING THIS BURNING SMELL AFTER YOU DROVE THE CAR FOR 20 MINS. I BRING IT UP TO THE DEALER EVERY TIME I HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR IN. THEY CAN NEVER FIND THE SOURCE. THEY THOUGHT A OIL PAN LEAK WAS IT. THAT WAS FIXED AND THE SMELL STILL IS THERE. THEY CLAIMED TO FIND AN OIL LEAK ANOTHER TIME AND FIXED. THEN IT WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK, WHICH WAS FIXED AND STILL THE SMELL. THERE IS NEVER FLUID UNDER THE CAR. I HAVE THE SMELL NOTED EVERY TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11156362

68,000 miles · Nov 10, 2018

Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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ON OCTOBER 19,2018 MY IN LAWS WERE TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 61 IN PENNSYLVANIA. THEY CAN TO A RED LIGHT AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF A MINIVAN AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THEN WE DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT THE LENGTH OF A FOOTBALL FIELD AND THEY HIT A POLE AND MY MOTHER IN LAW DIED INSTANTLY AND MY FATHER IN LAW DIED AT 5:10 AM.MY CONCERN IS WHY ISN'T IT AN INDUSTRY STANDARD THAT ONCE THE AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYED THE THROTTLE DOESN'T SHUT DOWN. IF THE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE NOT WORKED THEY WAY STILL BE ALIVE.IF YOU CANT HELP ME COULD YOU SEND ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11150727

87,500 miles · Nov 4, 2018

Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE TOTALLY LOOSES POWER AND THE ENTIRE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND COMES TO A STOP. LOTS OF ELECTRICAL MESSAGES SHOW UP, AND SOMETIMES THE KEY CANNOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. AFTER AN HOUR, SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER. AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE, BUT ITS STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. STARTING TO NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THIS CAR AS ITS A HAZARD TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL CUT OUT AND JUST STOP WITH NO POWER TO EVEN HAVE WINDOWS ROLL UP.

NHTSA ODI #11145254

80,000 miles · Oct 13, 2018

Unknown Or Other

ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, IT MADE A CLICKING NOISE AND WHEN I TRIED TO ROLL IT UP, THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE WINDOW WOULDN'T ROLL BACK UP AND MADE MORE CLICKING NOISES WHEN I TRIED TO ROLL IT UP

NHTSA ODI #11140168

159,000 miles · Sep 2, 2018

Unknown Or Other

THE CAR LUNGES REAL BAD DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. LEAVING A STOP LIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD

NHTSA ODI #11124009

165,000 miles · Jul 31, 2018

Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

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 …

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NHTSA ODI #11115031

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2018

Unknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11103398

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2018

SteeringUnknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #11102286

66,000 miles · May 16, 2018

Unknown Or Other

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. S…

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NHTSA ODI #11094088

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.