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 reports

13,000 miles · Nov 17, 2011

Steering

POWER STEERING WILL GET NOTCHY AND MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WILL LOSE CONTROL OF CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERYDAY FOR A WEEK, NOW IT HAS DECIDED TO BEHAVE ITSELF BUT FOR HOW LONG? THIS CAR HAS A LOT OF SAFETY GLITCHES AND WOULD NOT TRUST MY FAMILY IN IT AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436170

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2011

Electrical System

I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING FOR LIGHT TO TURN GREEN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPS TO 45 MPH AND STAYS THERE A COUPLE SECONDS THEN SLOWLY DROPS BACK DOWN TO 0MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT ONLY WHEN I AM SITTING AT A LIGHT. ONE TIME I PRESSED I THE ACCELERATOR TO GO WHILE IT WAS DOING IT AND IT STILL READ…

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NHTSA ODI #10436167

6,605 miles · Nov 15, 2011

Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH TEMPORARY STEERING LOSS FOR FEW MOMENTS. PROCEEDED TO STOP CAR AND SHUT OF. ONCE RESTARTED CAR DROVE NORMAL. PROBLEM REPORTED TO LOCAL DEALER NO PROBLEM FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435662

2,000 miles · Nov 14, 2011

Electrical System

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SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE SPEEDOMETER WENT UP TO OVER 60MPH AND SLOWLY FELL BACK DOWN TO ZERO. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL INCIDENT. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER AND NEEDED TO ORDER A NEW ONE. I DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL I MOVED (I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A CROSS COUNTRY MOVE) AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR THE 7500 MILE MAINTENANCE, I ASKED THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER IN MY NEW CITY TO CHECK OUT THE SPEEDOMETER. THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL ONE OF THEIR TECHNICIANS WITNESSES IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435618

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2011

Air Bags

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JUST A FEW DAY'S AFTER BUYING OUR NEW CAR WE NOTICED ON OCCASION THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LITE WOULD NOT INDICATE ON.. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TRIED IT OUT AND IT WORKED FOR THEM.THE SECOND TIME WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY DID SEE THE CHEVY SAID THAT THEY COULD RESET SOMETHING AND IT WOULD HELP. THE THIRD TIME WE TOOK IT BACK TO THEY PUT A NEW SENSOR IN THE SEAT.. NOW IT IS UP THERE A 4TH TIME FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON... THEY DEALER HAS BEEN WONDERFUL ON TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE... I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND THERE IS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS... CAN WE JUST REQUEST THAT CHEVY LET US BUY ANOTHER MODEL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434408

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2011

Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE OFF POSITION THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD DOWN A HILL DRAGGING MY CHILD WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433924

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2011

Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

SEVERE HESITATION WHEN YOU ACCELERATE LEADING TO POSSIBILITY OF REAREND COLLISION..MANUFACTURER WELL AWARE OF ISSUE BUT SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430458

1,000 miles · Oct 14, 2011

EquipmentInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, WHEN SHE BEGAN TO FEEL A LOT OF HEAT NEAR HER FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEATER FELL APART AND RELEASED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF EXTREMELY HOT WATER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HER FEET AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 10/31/12 *BF UPDATED 11/1/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10430179

3,500 miles · Oct 10, 2011

Tires

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LEFT FRONT TIRE SLOWLY LOSING AIR. WHILE 2011 CHEVY CRUZE WAS AT MATICK CHEVROLET FOR STEERING SHAFT RECALL (@ APPROX. 9000 MILES) I REQUESTED THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE FOR AN AIR LEAK. I SUGGESTED IT COULD BE THE INTERNAL AIR PRESSURE SENSOR WAS SLOWLY LEAKING. I WORK IN THE AUTO SUPPLY CHAIN AND I HAVE HEARD OF THE PRESSURE SENSORS LEAKING AIR. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT CHECKED FOR AIR LEAKS IN A WATER TANK AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. THE TIRE CONTINUES TO LOSE APPROXIMATELY 5 PSI OVER A 3 OR 4 WEEK PERIOD. DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AND TOLD ME SOME TIRES "JUST" LEAK AIR. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429297

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2011

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ABOVE AND WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

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NHTSA ODI #10428349

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.