Home · 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Limited · Complaints

What 731 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (731)Crash / fire / injury (69)Engine (257)Transmission & drivetrain (193)Electrical system (96)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (75)Brakes (74)Speed control (69)Steering (48)Fuel system (43)Airbags (40)Engine & cooling (39)

Newest first · 731 complaints · page 10 of 30

Sep 10, 2017Engine

I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT TO GO INTO A STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK IMMEDIATELY AFTER I STARTED IT UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE EVEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF THERE WAS STILL SMOKE EVERYWHERE.

NHTSA ODI 11022521

Sep 9, 2017Fuel system

IT HASATATES WHEN EXELORATING AND DASS LIGHTS GO LIGHT AND DEM FOR NO REZEN

NHTSA ODI 11022463

Aug 29, 2017Body & structure1 injury

THE CHROME COVERING OVER MY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES STARTED PEELING BACK. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I WENT TO OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR AND THE SHARP PLATING SLICED MY FINGER OPEN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, AND TO ME A SAFETY CONCERN. AT LEAST IT WAS MY FINGER SLICED OPEN RATHER THAN ONE OF MY CHILDREN'S.

NHTSA ODI 11020416

Aug 25, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

2011 CHEVY CRUZE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. OCCASIONAL HESITATION ACCELERATING, CLUNKING JERKING TRANSITIONING THROUGH GEARS ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY. TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON HIGHWAY AND CAR TOOK A LONG WHILE TO GET UP TO SPEED WHILE OTHER CARS BEHIND ME WERE HONKING HORNS FOR ME TO SPEED UP. DEALER SAYS ALL IS FINE AND THAT'S JUST HOW THE TRANSMISSION AND TURBO ENGINE IS! CAN NEVER DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER IS WILLING TO KEEP THE CAR FOR A LONGER PERIOD. GM SAYS IT WOULD "SEE" WHAT THEY COULD DO AFTER THE DEALER PHYSICALLY INSPECTS THE TRANSMISSION AT MY COST. THE DEALER CHARGES $145. PER HR. LABOR RATE!! I WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HAD THEM CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THE FLUID DOESN'T NEED AND HE SAID IT WAS BLACK! HAD IT CHANGED AFTER I READ COMPLAINTS ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. I AM JUST AFRAID THAT IT WILL QUIT ON ME WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED! I CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND MONEY ON A NEW TRANS IF I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. GM SHOULD HAVE A FULL RECALL ON THE 2011 CRUZE. THE CAR HAD ONLY 29,000 MI. ON IT THE FIRST TIME I COMPLAINED AND NOW IT HAS 69,000 AND THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF A LITTLE MORE FREQUENTLY BUT NOT ON A WEEKLY BASIS. I AM AT MY WITS END AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT IN MY HEAD. PEOPLE ARE IN DANGER AND GM ISN'T "OWNING" THIS PROBLEM. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED. I'VE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE FAITHFULLY WITH OIL CHANGES, ETC. SINCE DAY ONE...RESPONDED TO ALL RECALLS. NOT GOING TO DEALER AGAIN. ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11019612

Aug 20, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

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

Aug 10, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARSHLY AND IN REGULAR SOMETIMES IT WILL INCREASE THE RPMS TO FIVE OR SIX THOUSAND RPMS BEFORE IT WILL DECIDE TO SHIFT OFF TO THE NEXT YEAR THIS USUALLY OCCURS WITHIN THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC

NHTSA ODI 11014495

Aug 9, 2017Electrical systemEngine

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

Aug 9, 2017Seat beltsBrakesCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS LAUNCHED OVER THE MEDIAN WESTBOUND LANE AND LANDED IN A DITCH. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN HEAD INJURIES AND BRUISES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11013963

Aug 7, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VOICE COMMAND WARNED HER TO "TURN OFF ENGINE HOT". THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEAPS CHEVROLET DEALER LOCATED FLEMINGSBURG, KY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE O RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO CHEAPS CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11013442

Aug 4, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineCrash

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT CLEAR NO MATTER HOW MUCH WORK I HAVE DONE TO MY CAR. IT'S HAD ROUGHLY 5 GRAND WORTH OF REPAIRS AND IT'S STILL SHAKING WHEN IT IDLED OR JUMPS FORWARD WHEN I ACCELERATE AFTER A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN

NHTSA ODI 11012807

Jul 31, 2017Engine

PCV VALVE BUSTED AND HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND VALVE/CAM COVER REPLACED. BILL WAS $1078.00 DOLLARS. ONLY HAD TO PAY $200.00 DOLLARS BECAUSE DEALER WANTED TO SEND PARTS BACK TO GM AFTER I ASKED FOR OLD PARTS. GM DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR WHY THESE PCV FAILURES HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI 11011662

Jul 31, 2017EngineFire

REPORTING AN ENGINE FIRE ON SUNDAY JULY 23, 2017. THE 2011 CRUZE WAS TOTALED BY THE ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOME. TO MY KNOWLEDGE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. LINDSAY CHEVROLET OF WOODBRIDGE, VA PUT NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ON MY CAR IN MID JULY ALSO AN OIL CHANGE WITH A 27 POINT ENGINE CHECK. I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES ON MY COMPUTER. IF YOU NEED PICTURES LET ME KNOW AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO MAIL THEM TO YOU

NHTSA ODI 11011788

Jul 24, 2017Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXTRA FORCE TO DEPRESS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO DEPRESS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF AS IF IT WERE MANUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V360000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE DEALER (CLASSIC CHEVROLET, 500 LINCOLN AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15202, 412-451-8962) AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000. ..UPDATED 08/22/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 11010342

Jul 17, 2017

I HAVE HAD WORK DOWN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER IN THIS AUTOMOBILE THREE (3) TIMES. THE CHEVY CRUZE IS THE WORSE CAR EVERY MADE.

NHTSA ODI 11005956

Jul 6, 2017Speed control

I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CAR ON JAN. 2015. SINCE MID-2016 (ONE AND A HALF YEAR SINCE I OWNED THE CAR) I'VE BEEN NOTICING THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON EVERY NOW AND THEN, AND GEAR SHIFTING BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY LAGGING AROUND 30MPH. EVERY SINGLE TIME IN A SERVICE APPOINTMENT (WHICH I TOOK STRICTLY ON SCHEDULE FOR EVERY 3 MONTHS), I WOULD POINT THAT OUT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY WOULD CLAIM THAT THEY TESTED EVERYTHING AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM THEY DETECTED. WHILE LAST WEEK (LATE JUNE 2017, 2 AND A HALF YEARS SINCE I OWNED THE CAR, AND INTERESTINGLY 5 MONTHS AFTER ALL MY WARRANTY EXPIRED), I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE BACK HOME FROM OFFICE VIA THE HIGHWAY. WHILE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND SPEEDUP, I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE SPEED WENT UPS AND DOWNS IN A SERIOUS, UNCOMMON, RAPID MANNER. THERE WAS ALSO AN UNPLEASANT NOISE COMING OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. MY CAR SERIOUSLY SHAKES, AND ALL GEAR SHIFTING ATTEMPTS BECAME USELESS. THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND WENT TO NEUTRAL GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY--WHICH PUSHED ME TO A VERY DANGEROUS EMERGENCY SITUATION. FORTUNATELY I MADE IT STOPPED BY THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND MANAGED TO CALL THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. MY CAR WAS FINALLY TOWED TO THE CLOSEST CHEVY DEALERSHIP, AND UPON DIAGNOSTICS THEY REPLIED THAT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION PART, IT WOULD COST ME $4100. IT WAS THE SAME AMOUNT FOR SELLING THE SAME MODEL WITH GOOD CONDITION !!!! I READ EVERY COMPLAINTS FOR 2011 CHEVY CRUZE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AND FOUND VERY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FOR ALL THE CASES. IT ALL HAPPENED ON THE 2011 MODULE, TRANSMISSION SYSTEM GOT FAILED AROUND 50K~60K MILEAGE, AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PART.

NHTSA ODI 11003459

Jul 3, 2017EngineVisibility & wipers

WE WILL BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLS OUT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR 6 MONTHS BUT RECENTLY IT HAS GOTTEN A LOT MORE FREQUENT AND I HAD MY BATTERY TESTED AND IT'S NOT THAT. ALSO, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK BUT THEY ARE STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER SHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR AND IT WAS OVER 300.00 TO FIX IT

NHTSA ODI 11002762

Jun 21, 2017

I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR, USED. I WENT TO START IT, IT WORKED PERFECTLY FINE. I WENT TO START IT AGAIN LATER IN THE EVENING ( 7 HOURS ONLY FROM WHEN I BOUGHT IT ) AND IT WOULD NOT START, LIGHTS WORKED BUT IT WOULD NOT START. EVENTUALLY WHATEVER IS WRONG WITH IT BEGAN TO GET IT WORSE AND NOW IT WON'T START, AND NOTHING WILL WORK. THE KEY IS ALSO STUCK IN THE IGNITION. AGAIN, ONLY HAD THIS CAR LESS THAN 12 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI 11000339

Jun 6, 2017SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE, WITH TODAY ENDING IN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DOING 70MPH ON INTERSTATE 95N. PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE, MY DASHBOARD AND RADIO WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF, THEN THE MESSAGE "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WOULD POP UP AND GO AWAY. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING ON 95N MY VEHICLE LOST ALL ITS POWER CAUSING ME TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. MY CAR CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT CUT BACK ON FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES. WHEN I CUT IT BACK ON, MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND CODE P0723 (SPEED SENSOR) POPPED UP. THIS NEARLY SCARED ME AS I COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. NOW, MY CAR IS AT THE SHOP AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS DIED. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALL RELEASED. I WILL BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND UPSIDE DOWN ON MY CAR NOW. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET BEFORE ABOUT MY VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF, BUT I GUESS THIS WILL NOT GO NOTICED UNTIL THE WORST HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI 10993393

May 15, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 10985828

May 4, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

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) AND 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10983453

Apr 27, 2017SteeringVisibility & wipers

STEERING ROD ISSUE, STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY OVER 50 MPH . SEVERAL ISSUES WITH COOLANT/ CAR OVERHEATING/ OVERHEATED AND GAUGE FLEW RAPIDLY TO HOT, DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF CAR - CALL TOW TRUCK. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BUT STILL SMELLS OF BURNING OIL. DRIVE SIDE WINDSHIELD STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON BUSY HIGHWAY -POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR BECAUSE THE OTHER ONE WORKS FINE. ALL VERY DANGEROUS ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 10981166

Apr 24, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)

SERVICE STABIL TRAK COMES ON, RADIO GOES OFF, WINDOWS STOP WORKING. STARTS TO POWER DOWN!!! I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR! CHEVY CRUZE IS GARBAGE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! TRANSMISSION & HEATING/COOLING UNIT WENT OUT!! 3 RECALLS!!!

NHTSA ODI 10980162

Apr 24, 2017Engine

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A WARNING CAME ON SAYING THAT MY A/C WAS TURNED OFF BECAUSE MY ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ON COLD. WHEN I FIRST TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY CLEARED THE CODES AND TOLD ME TO COME BACK IF THE WARNING CAME BACK ON. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE WARNING CAME ON AGAIN WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRST TIME THE WARNING CAME ON, I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS. AFTER THE CODES WERE CLEARED, THE WARNING CAME BACK ON WHEN I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 2.5 HOURS. IN THE TWO WEEKS BETWEEN THE WARNING COMING BACK ON AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, SOMETIMES THE WARNING WOULD COME ON RIGHT AWAY WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR. OTHER TIMES, IT WOULD TAKE 10 MINS OF DRIVING BEFORE IT WOULD COME ON. WHEN I DROVE, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE BETWEEN COLD AND HALFWAY BETWEEN COLD AND HOT. AFTER FLUCTUATING FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT WOULD GO TO COLD AND THE WARNING WOULD COME ON. I TOOK IT BACK AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY COOLANT THERMOSTAT SENSOR AND HOUSING NEEDED REPLACING. THE CAR HAD ERROR CODES P0118 AND P0117. AS THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY CRUZE, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL YET. THE WARNING OCCURRED WITH A LITTLE LESS THAN 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10980210

Apr 6, 2017Electrical 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

Mar 22, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE SEEMS TO BE SEEPING OR LEAKING AND IS CLOSE TO THE TURBO AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 10967661

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Working with the data? Download all 731 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Limited verdict →