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)

43 of 731 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters · page 2 of 2

Feb 8, 2016Electrical systemFuel system

FROM A STOPPED POSITION, I WOULD ACCELERATE THROUGH 1ST GEAR, JUST BEFORE I CHANGE GEARS TO 2ND. THE WHOLE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES HAYWIRE. ALL SYSTEMS RESET, MOST OF THE TIME THIS MEANS I CAN A VERY BAD JERK IN BETWEEN GEARS 1 AND 2. A FEW TIMES THE CAR TURNED OFF. IF THE CAR DOES DIE, I AM UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR JUMP IT FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. THE LONGEST I HAD TO SIT WAS OVER 30 MINUTES. CHEVY'S DIC SYSTEM TELLS ME TO CHECK A VARIETY OF THINGS, NOT ALWAYS ALL OF THEM. BUT USUALLY CHECK POWER STEERING AND AIRBAG SYSTEMS. A FEW TIMES IT TOLD ME TO CHECK TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON IN ANY OF THESE INSTANCES. CHEVY SAYS THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY GROUND WIRE, WHICH THEY REPLACED AND IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHERE IF I WAS IN A BUSY INTERSECTION I COULD EASILY BE CAUGHT IN AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, THIS HAS HAPPENED MOSTLY IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

NHTSA ODI 10824861

Aug 31, 2015Speed controlEngineFuel system

PRACTICALLY EVERY DAY I DRIVE MY CAR, I EXPERIENCE EXTREME SHIFTING AND TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SPECIFICALLY, I HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL FOR THE CAR TO MOVE FROM 2ND TO 3RD SHIFT. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC CAR, AND IT DRIVES LIKE A POORLY SHIFTING MANUAL. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, RATHER THE ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH AND LOUDLY, YET THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. IT ALSO HAS MADE LOUD POPPING SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE CAR FILLS WITH AN EXHAUST SMELL, AND DURING THE WINTER COOLANT SMELL IS OBVIOUS IN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING-AND FEEL UNSAFE-DRIVING THIS CAR AND IT IS ALMOST FOUR YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES! I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THE BELOW DATES AND THEY CANNOT ?DUPLICATE THE ISSUE?, THUS HAVE NOT FIXED IT. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR 3-WEEKS! I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE DEALERSHIP IS EVEN DAILY TESTING, OR DRIVING, THE CAR. I DO KNOW, HOWEVER, IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BECAUSE THE SHIFTING AND ACCELERATING IS UNRELIABLE AND WILL MOST DOUBTABLE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT INJURING MYSELF AND/OR OTHERS. I HAVE ALSO CALLED GM AND NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE VERY UNHELPFUL, STATING THEY NEVER HEARD OF A SHIFTING/TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THE CHEVY CRUZE, WHEN IN FACT THE 2011 CHEVY CRUZE WAS RECALLED FOR SHIFTING LOCK CABLE. I HAVE RECEIVED, UNSOLICITED; A LETTER FROM A LAWFIRM TO SUE GM NOTING THIS EXACT ISSUES SHIFTING/POWER ISSUES (AMONGST FAULTY WATER PUMPS, WHICH I ALSO HAD REPLACED AFTER ONLY OWING THE CAR 2-YEARS), SO CLEARLY THERE ARE MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES. DATES BROUGHT MY CAR TO (SULLIVAN'S ONEILLS IN AVON, CT) 1/16/2015; 5/2/2015; 5/09/2015;5/13/2015; 6/24/2015; 7/17/2015 MY GM SERVICE TICKETS ARE 71-1490864298 & 71-1490864298. THE CAR IS EITHER A LEMON, OR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR SHIFTING/TRANSMISSION ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 10760242

May 21, 2015EngineFuel system

MANY RECALLS ON VEHICLE, OVER 5. ENGINE ISSUES.. CAR DOES NOT RUN WELL... I'VE TAKEN THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST MONTHS..

NHTSA ODI 10717866

Apr 9, 2015Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR ONLY HAS 60,000.00 ON IT BUT WE TOOK IT IN BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD JUST RANDOMLY STOP AND THE CAR WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WHEN BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND THE CAR WAS MISSING PARTS. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NON RETURN VALVE WAS MISSING. THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK AT THE PCV ORIFICE EXTERNAL PORT. WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING FROM BOLT HOLES AND COVER PLATE. COOLANT LEAK WAS FOUND EVEN THOUGH A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THE LEAK, CHEVY "FIXED" THE RECALLED ITEM. I BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS MANY FAULTY PARTS AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE WRITTEN A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS COMPANY USING FAULTY PARTS IN THERE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10704819

Mar 12, 2015Engine & coolingFuel system1 injury

I'VE HAD NUMEROUS OF MANIACAL ISSUES WITH THE CHEVROLET CRUZE 2011. THE MOST SERIOUS AND DEADLIEST IS THE COOLANT SYSTEM ISSUES THE CHEVROLET CRUZE 2011 HAS. I WAS EXPERIENCING A COUGH ALONG WITH MIGRAINES ONCE ENGAGING THE AIR-CONDITION NUBS FROM HEAT TO AC AND SOME SLEEPING CONDITION WHERE I'D FIND MYSELF SPEAKING WHILE ASLEEP MOMENTARILY AWAKING. I'D WIND MY WINDOWS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND I'D SEE THAT THE MIGRAINES, COUGHING ALONG WITH SLEEPING EXPERIENCES WOULD STOP. I VISITED MY CHEVROLET CRUZE 2011 DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE ODOR THAT WAS COMING FROM MY AIR COOLING SYSTEM. THEY CLEANED MY AIR COOLING SYSTEM AND REPLACED MY CABIN FILTER FEELING THAT THIS MAINTENANCE SOLVED THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING I FELT I COULD USE THE COOLING SYSTEM WITH NO PROBLEM. I WAS WRONG. THE MIGRAINES RETURN ALONG WITH THE COUGHING AND THE ODOR WHEN ADJUSTING THE COOLING SYSTEM NUBS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO EXPLAIN THE ONGOING MANIACAL PROBLEM. AFTER A WEEK OF HAVING MY WINDOWS DOWN MY CAR RAN HOT AND COME TO MY DISMAY IT WAS OUT OF COOLANT. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET RECALL DEPARTMENT THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT SYSTEM ISSUE WERE COOLANT LEAKS AND THAT WAS THE ODOR. THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE MOTOR AND BURNING OFF RETURNING THE ODOR INTO THE CAB OF THE CAR. I HAD IT TESTED FOR REPAIRS AND HAD A WATER PUMP REPAIRED FOR THE VEHICLE, THIS DID NOT STOP THE PROBLEM, THE HOSE FROM THE MOTOR AND COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS REPLACED, DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE LEAKING OF COOLANT CONTINUES. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE ONLY MAINTENANCE FOR THIS PROBLEM IS REFILLING THE RESERVOIR WITH COOLANT INTL THE PROBLEM IS FOUND AND FIXED. THAT MEANS I'LL HAVE EXPERIENCE EACH CONDITION I MENTION ABOVE WHICH HAS WORSENED. NOW IT'S CLOSE RELATED TO SEIZURE LIKE ENCOUNTERS SEE OBJECTS MOVE, FEEL WEAK, BLURRED VISION AND BODY JERKS. I'VE ASKED FOR A RENTAL INTL THE PROBLEM IS FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10693944

Feb 9, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel system

THE FIRST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED ON JAN. 20TH 2015 ON MY WAY TO WORK, TWICE. I NOTICED BECAUSE THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND THE SERVICE ESP FLASHED WITH THE TRACTION LIGHT COMING ON WITH MULTIPLE OTHER LIGHTS FLASHING. ALL OF THIS INCLUDING THE RADIO FLASHED/TURNED OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES. OVER THE NEXT WEEK THIS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES. ALL OF THESE HAPPENED WHILE GOING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH AND ON TRIPS BETWEEN 30-45 MINUTES. I HAD ABOUT A WEEK WITH NONE OF THIS HAPPENING AND THEN ON FEB. 8TH I WAS DRIVING HOME, 20 MINS FROM START TO FINISH AND TWICE THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED CAME ON AND I COULD NOT DRIVE ANY WHERE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN MY CAR OFF AND ON BOTH TIMES AND MAKE IT HOME. NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN EVEN DRIVE MY CAR OR IF IT WILL DIE ON ME AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10682154

Jan 14, 2015EngineFuel system

AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL, MY CRUZE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" "CHECK STABLITRAK" "SERVICE" WARNINGS CAME ON AS WELL. MY CAR LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A DODGE PICKUP, HE WAS ABLE TO GO UP ON THE CURB AT THE SCHOOL AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. GLAD THERE WAS NO ONE HURT ON THE CURB. I CHECKED THE INTERNET, RE; HTTP://WWW.CRUZETALK.COM/FORUM/25-SERVICE-ISSUES/10826-ENGINE-POWER-REDUCTION.HTML , THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES FOR GM FOR QUITE SOMETIME NOW. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THEMSELVES IS PARTICIPATING IN THE DISCUSSION THERE. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE CONTROLS THE POWER IN THE POWER TRAIN YET GM WON'T COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER THEIR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THIS ISN'T SAFE AND IT IS KNOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10672372

Nov 23, 2014Electrical systemEngineFuel system

ON THIS DATE WE SCHEDULED A OIL CHANGE WITH A DEALER WHO HAS PERFORMED ALL MAINTENANCE, RECALLS AND REPAIRS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF OUR NEW CAR. WE WHERE NOTIFIED THAT THE CAR WAS READY FOR PICK UP THAT MORNING AS WE ARRIVED WE PAID OUR INVOICE, THE CONSULTANT MADE US AWARE THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (FIRST TIME SINCE NEW?) THIS CONSULTANT DID NOT DOCUMENT THIS ENGINE LIGHT TO OUR RECORDS. WELL, THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT GOING OFF AND ON DURING THE NEXT 10K MILES (2 OIL CHANGE LATER, OUT OF WARRANTY, MY FAULT) I HAD THIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIAGNOSED BY OUR DEALER AND THEY HAD THE CODES AND THEN FURTHER TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY WANTED $800.00 TO INSTALL A NEW AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THROTTLE BODY THEN CONTINUE TO TEST FOR MORE PROBLEMS WITH NO GUARANTEE OF REPAIR. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR AND DECLINED THE FIX. THE OTHER PROBLEM SURROUNDING THIS CAR SINCE APRIL 21, 2014 WAS THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT SHOW FULL AFTER FILL UP AND WOULD MOVE UP AND DOWN THE SCALE ON THE GAUGE. THE AC WOULD COME ON AT STRANGE TIMES WHEN RUNNING THE HEATER? WELL ANY WAYS THAT WAS 7 HOURS AT THE DEALER AND MADE FOR A LONG DAY. I HAD TO RETURN TO PICK UP THE COVER THEY FORGOT TO INSTALL OVER THE SPARK PLUGS, AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LEATHER SETS BEING SOAKING WET WITH WATER AND THAT THE CAR HAS HAD THESE PROBLEMS SINCE APRIL 2014 UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER DID NOT WANT TO HELP US? I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM THEM AND PURCHASED THE 35K OIL CHANGE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY? THIS DEALER DID ALL ! THE MAINTENANCE, RECALLS AND REPAIRS. I'M GLAD WE DIDN'T GO OVER THE 1000 FOOT CLIFF AT YELLOWSTONE WHEN THE BRAKES DECIDED NOT TO WORK (WE LEARNED LATER OF THE BRAKE RECALL) THEY HAVE A EXCUSE FOR EVERY QUESTION YOU ASK, NO REPORTS ON THE ALL POINT INSPECTION ON OUR BRAKES AND TIRES, PASSWORD PROBLEM THEY SAY? I'M READY TO BUY A TRUCK ELSEWHERE NOW, POOR GM AN CHEVY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10660324

Nov 18, 2014Electrical systemFuel system

AFTER THE SERVICE DATE OF APRIL 21, 2014, FOR A COOLANT LEAK. I WAS NOTIFIED BY A SERVICE ADVISER THAT THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WAS ON WHICH WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO MY VISIT. THE ENGINE SERVICE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH IS STILL COMING ON AND OFF BASED UPON I WOULD GUESS A NUMBER OF STARTS AND STOPS. I INVESTIGATED WHAT I COULD AND FOUND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN, NOT LOCKING INTO PLACE. SO I PURCHASED A NEW CAP FROM THE DEALER AND REPLACED IT. I PURCHASED A CODE READER AND ERASER, BUT STILL HAVE THE ON/OFF INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH. SO, I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON 11/20/2014 WITH THE DEALER TO CHECK THIS THIRD TIME COOLANT LEAK, CHANGE THE OIL AND THERE INSPECTION AS WELL AS THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ON MY DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10659111

Oct 14, 2014Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel system

ENGINE SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE IDLING. STABILTRAK WARNING ON. ACTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE. SCARED IT WOULD DIE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10644628

Mar 12, 2014Fuel systemSpeed control

I WAS BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE FROM AT STOPPED POSITION READY TO ENTER TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR HESITATED TO THE POINT OF STALLING OUT. THE PROBLEM IS PERIODIC. IT'S VERY SCARY TO BE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR PRACTICALLY STALLS. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY DIDN'T TAKE ME SERIOUSLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10568758

Sep 11, 2013Fuel systemSpeed control

MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE HAS AN ACCELERATION HESITATION THAT CAUSES ME TO FEEL TOTALLY UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE. STARTING ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2011 THE ISSUE BEGAN. WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS SUCH AS PULLING OUT ON A ROAD, PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, ACCELERATING AFTER REDUCING SPEED, ETC. ETC. THE CAR LOSES POWER WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS FOR THREE-FIVE SECONDS BEFORE SLOWLY RESPONDING AND ACCELERATING TO WHERE I NEED IT TO BE. IT'S AS IF THE CAR DIES FOR A FEW SECONDS. THOSE FEW SECONDS ARE ALWAYS IN SITUATIONS WHEN I NEED TO BE MOVING AND I DON'T LIKE IT. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS TURBO LAG. THINKING I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS, I LET IT GO. THE ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE (AND THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHER LITTLE ISSUES) SO I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP RIGHT BEFORE IT HIT 36,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD (ON TWO SEPARATE VISITS) THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PERFECTLY NORMAL AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY SHOWED ME A TSB FROM CHEVROLET SAYING THAT THE ISSUE WAS NORMAL. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, WHEN THEY HAD MY CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 7.5 DAYS (OVER TWO SEPARATE VISITS) THEY GAVE ME A 2013 CRUZE TO DRIVE. THE NEWER CRUZE DID NOT HAVE THE HESITATION PROBLEM AT ALL, IT DROVE BEAUTIFULLY. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT GM REALIZED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE 2011 CRUZE AND WAS ABLE TO REMEDY IT IN THE NEWER MODELS OF THE CAR WHICH LEAVES THE MANY 2011 CRUZE OWNERS SCARED FOR THEIR LIVES EVERY TIME THEY DRIVE THEIR CARS FOREVER. THAT ISN'T RIGHT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. IT IS DANGEROUS!! JUST BECAUSE NO ONE THAT WE KNOW OF HASN'T DIED YET THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE. THE 2011 CRUZE IS UNSAFE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10543192

Jul 24, 2013Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A RUMBLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 10531627

Dec 13, 2012Fuel system

GAS TANK VENT HAS SHIFTED IN MY CAR. WHENEVER I PUMP GAS INTO THE CAR IT WILL ONLY ALLOW ME TO PUMP AT A SLOW SPEED. SEVERAL PUMPS HAVE NOT RECOGNIZED THE SPEED AND DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. CAUSING GASOLINE TO SPILL OUT OF MY CAR ONTO MY CLOTHES, VEHICLE AND GROUND. TO ME THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO GO TO WORK SMELLING LIKE GAS, BUT I CARRIED THE FUMES INTO THE CAR WITH ME. SO THAT MY 2 YOUNG GRAND CHILDREN HAVE TO SMELL THE FUMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10488678

Sep 30, 2012Speed controlFuel system

EVER SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED A HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AT ALL SPEEDS. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT WITH THEIR CRUZE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS EFFECT IS KNOWN AS TURBO LAG. THE DEALERS SAY THE TURBO CHARGER TAKES TIME TO CATCH UP WITH THE ROTATION SPEED OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS WITH TURBO CHARGE IN MY LIFE AS AN AUTO MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER FELT THIS HESITATION ON ANY OF THEM. WHY WOULD A TURBO CHARGER LAG WHEN IT'S WHOLE PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE ACCELERATION. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE LAST RECALL AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK INTO THIS PHENOMENA WHILE IT WAS IN THE SHOP. THEY WROTE ON THE REPAIR ORDER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE MY COMPLAINT DURING THE ROAD TEST. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE A HESITATION OF THIS SORT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. I WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEIR STANCE SEEMS TO BE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING CHEVY CRUZE OWNERS ARE FORCED TO LIVE WITH. I'VE ALREADY HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS DUE TO THIS HESITATION. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10478012

Aug 15, 2012Engine & coolingFuel system

2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TOXIC FUMES IN VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE OIL IN THE BELLY PAN WAS VAPORIZED AND ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUMES WERE INHALED BY HE AND HIS WIFE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE HE REALIZED THEY NEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE BECAME VIOLENTLY ILL. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL# 12V288000 AND 12V289000.

NHTSA ODI 10471043

Mar 6, 2012Engine & coolingFuel systemFire

WHILE DRIVING A 2011 CRUZE ECO WITH APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAR WAS LAST SERVICED BY THE DEAL APPROXIMATELY 4,000 MILES AGO (3 MONTHS). THE CAR WAS 30 MILES INTO A 43 MILE TRIP WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE, AND PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS SLIGHT SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY, AND THEN AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS STOPPED A FLAME CAME OUT BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE COWL AREA. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF STOPPING, AND IT WAS ONLY AFTER THE FIRST SIGN OF FIRE WAS VISIBLE THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOAR ILLUMINATED. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS, AND CHEVROLET HAS STATED THEY WILL HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT ME IN 7 TO 10 DAYS TO DISCUSS THE INCIDENT. FROM RESEARCH ONLINE IT APPEARS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND I AM CONCERNED AS I WAS NEVER WARNED VIA A TECHNICAL BULLETIN OR RECALL OF ANY POTENTIAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. CHEVROLET HAS NOT SEEMED TO BE VERY CONCERNED OVER THIS ISSUE THUS FAR, BUT I AM PUSHING FOR ACTION FROM CHEVROLET. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10450556

Jul 20, 2011Engine & coolingFuel systemTransmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,528. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A HESITATION FROM THE VEHICLE, WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN THE AC WAS ON HIGH. UPDATED 10/07/11

NHTSA ODI 10413754

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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 →