Illustration2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT ANY RECALLS ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *LD *TR
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Cruze years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze are substantially higher than the model-year median of 250.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cruze years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1500–25K
10225–50K
13450–75K
8275–100K
91100–150K
21150K+
580 reports with mileage · 152 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- 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
What owners actually said
732 reportsI HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR I HAVE A MECHANIC LOOKING AT IT NOW AND I CAN GIVE YOU A DETAILED REPORT OF EVERY THING HE FINDS WRONG WITH IT WHEN HE IS DONE I DO KNOW THAT I LOSS ENGINE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE WAITING TO TURN AT A LIGHT
MY CAR IS ONLY AT 91K MILES, AND MY CYLINDER 3 IS NOT COMPRESSING ANYMORE, MORE THAN LIKELY DUE TO PISTON RING FAILURE.
THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CHROME PEELS AND CAUSED DEEP CUT TO FINGER.
TAMARA RECALL TRANSMISSION,VALVE COVER,BRAKE SENSOR, THROTTLE SENSOR , THIS CAR HAS GAVE ME PROBLEMS AFTER PROBLEMS , EVERY MONTH IT'S LITERALLG SOMETHING NEW I HAVE ABOUT 20 PAGES OF RECEIPTS
I DROVE MY 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE TO WORK WITHOUT ISSUE. UPON LEAVING I STARTED MY MY VEHICLE, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT BUT IT WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME. THE NEXT DAY IT WOULD NOT START UP ENTIRELY.
IT'S BEEN ONE YEAR AND MY CHEVY CRUZE HAS OVERHEATED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT WAS WRONG ALONG WITH THE THERMO PIPE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AND NOW SIMILAR ISSUE IS HAPPENING WHERE MY CAR SMELLS FUNNY, I TURN THE HEAT IN AND THE CAR WILL START TO OVER HEAT AND NEVER WARM THE CAR.
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY A MESSAGE SAYING REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. ALSO THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON WITH IT AND SERVICE STABILITRAK CAME ON AS WELL.
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.
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 OI…
Read full complaint
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.
Official recalls
716V502000 · 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
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: 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)
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: 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.
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.
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.
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
2AQ12002 · 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.