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 21 of 30

May 24, 2014Engine

WHILE CRUISING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLS AS IF ALL THE FUEL HAD STOPPED GOING TO IT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF STALL AND SLOWING DOWN WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS ALL THE TIME, IT SUDDENLY BEGAN PICKING UP SPEED AGAIN. HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE COMING OUT THE REAR OF THE CAR. THIS OCCURRED 4-5 MORE TIMES BEFORE I ARRIVED AT HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS THE DEALER REPORTED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THREE WEEKS LATER I GET THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER WHO REPORTED THE ENGINE HAD "BAD PISTONS". APPARENTLY THERE HAD BEEN A NOTICE TO DEALERS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT. THE DEALER DID PROVIDE A NEW LOANER MALIBU WHILE REPAIRING MY CAR. AT 40,000 MILES AND HAVE TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT DOES NOT ENHANCE CONFIDENCE IN THE NEW GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10593831

May 23, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, A MECHANIC NOTICED A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 08/11/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/13/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10593634

May 23, 2014Electrical system

I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN MY CAR DIED. I HAD NO BRAKES, POWER STEERING OR ENGINE POWER. I TRIED TO TURN MY KEY TO RESTART THE CAR BUT THE KEY ON MY FOB WAS STUCK, IT WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD OR BACK OR OUT OF THE IGNITION FOR QUITE A WHITE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT, I RETURNED IT TO THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE STRAIGHT HOME. I CALLED CHEVY CORP. OFFICE WHERE THEY TOWED THE CAR TO MY LOCALE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR, DUE TO THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10593805

May 20, 2014Engine

THE CAR HAS BEEN LOSING POWER OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. I KEPT TAKING IT BACK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AND RESET THE LIGHT. HOWEVER NOW THE CAR WILL NOT BARELY GO, I HAVE POWER BUT ITS FORCED AND ITS AS IF I HAVE TO PUSH THE CAR UP THE HILLS TO GO. I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA SO THIS IS NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION, BUT I HAVE HAD MY OIL CHANGED REGULARLY EVERY 3,000 MILES ALTHOUGH OTHER ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE CAR LIKE THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE TEMP GAGE THIS TIME I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED PROFESSIONALLY WITH AN OUTSIDE CONSULT RATHER THAN GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT IS MY TURBO IT DOESN'T WORK AND PROBABLY HASN'T WORKED PROPERLY ON MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL FORUMS FOR CHEVY CRUZES AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10592844

May 19, 2014Body & structureCrash1 injury

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEED COMING UP TO A LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THE BRAKES RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT WITH TWO OTHER CARS. THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR IN FRONT DUE TO THE COLLISION. WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH AND THAT HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. WE NOTICED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, THAT AT SLOW SPEEDS, IT REQUIRED WAY TOO MUCH PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. THERE IS A THIRD PARTY INVOLVED IN THE WRECK WHO MAY SEEK BODY INJURY. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10592458

May 19, 2014Electrical systemEquipmentEngine

IN 2012 I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE "CHEVROLET CRUZE 2011" AND THE VEHICLE IS NOW OR HAS BEEN UNDER GPS BASED SURVEILLANCE. THE VEHICLES SURVEILLANCE BECAME AWARE TO ME DURING 2013 WHEN I NOTICED CONSTANT BEEPING SOUNDS. THESE WERE NOT THE CHIME SOUNDS INDICATING "VEHICLE SERVICE NEEDED", THESE ARE POST BEEPS OR "HARD DRIVE ACCESS". THE POST BEEPS INDICATE ACCESS TO THE VEHICLES ELECTRONICS SYSTEM AND COMPROMISING "ELECTRICAL SAFETY" AND "SOLE OPERATOR OWNER" ABILITIES. ANY TIME I STEP NEAR THE VEHICLE IT WOULD "SOUND OFF" INDICATING I APPROACHED THE VEHICLE. ANY TIME ANY OTHER PERSON APPROACHED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT "SOUND OFF". ANY TIME I ENTER THE VEHICLE THE,CAR WOULD "SOUND OFF". ANY TIME ANY OTHER PERSONS WOULD ENTER THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT "SOUND OFF". WHEN BEGINNING A TRIP THE VEHICLE WOULD "SOUND OFF". WHEN REACHING A STOP OR DESTINATION THE VEHICLE WOULD "SOUND OFF". WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP LIGHT THE OR ANY STOP SIGN OR VEHICLE HALT THE VEHICLE WOULD "SOUND OFF". THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN COMPROMISED, ALLOWING MALFUNCTION AND ALTERATIONS OF VEHICLE CALIBRATION "ASSUMPTION". I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL FLAWS WITHIN THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE FANS NEVER SHUTTING OFF SINCE THE STALKING BEGAN. SOUNDING OFF WOULD BE THE AUDIBLE POST BEEPING HDD ACCESS SOUND, INDICATING INFORMATION TRANSFER WITHIN THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS EVENT IS UNHEARD OF, AND IS UNDOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET, I ALSO WAS ABLE TO VERIFY WITH OTHERS THAT WAS NOT A NOTICEABLE EVENT. THIS IS A DELIBERATE TARGETING AND ISOLATED HARASSMENT OF MYSELF AND MY PERSONAL LIFE FROM A UNKNOWN SOURCE REMOTELY. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10592546

May 18, 2014Engine

I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR NEARLY STALLED. THE IDLE WENT REAL LOW AND I PUSHED MY FOOT DOWN ON THE THROTTLE AND GOT NO RESPONSE FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND RESPONDED BY QUICKLY GOING THROUGH GEARS TO CATCH ME BACK UP TO SPEED WITH ALL OTHER TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURS INFREQUENTLY, BUT IT HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN AN HANDFUL AND LESS THAN A DOZEN TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE THE TURBO CHARGED ENGINE AND DO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR GRADUAL PEDAL PRESSURE TO ACCELERATE MY VEHICLE BUT A NEAR STALL IS NOT A BYPRODUCT OF A HEAVY FOOT ON MY PART. ASIDE FROM THE SAFETY CONCERNS,MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO COMMUTE AROUND 55 MILES/DAY AND I CAN'T HAVE A MALFUNCTIONING CAR OR ONE THAT IS CONSTANTLY BEING CALLED BACK TO THE SHOP FOR A RECALL. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN AT LEAST 3 DAYS OFF SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR TO TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS/RECALLS. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR TO AVOID THESE FRUSTRATIONS. CURRENTLY, I HAVE LESS THAN 40,000 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY) ON THIS CAR. I DON'T THINK THIS IS TYPICAL FOR A NEW CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10592241

May 17, 2014Electrical system

IGNITION SWITCH STICKING HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN IT THE KEY OR IT STAY ON TIRING TO START. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10592137

May 16, 2014Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ABNORMALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V360000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,126. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN

NHTSA ODI 10588807

May 16, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

1ST THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD DISASSEMBLED AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE, THE VALVE COVER HAD MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED GM CHARGED ME FOR THIS UNDER WARRANTY PART. THEN, I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A RESIDENTIAL STREET MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD OIL WAS IN THE ANTI FREEZE FILL TANK, I CALLED GM THEY SENT A TRUCK AND TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP. THE RESULT; GM TOLD DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE ENGINE, CALLED BACK AND SAID DON'T REPLACE TRY TO FIX IT. THEY REPLACED THE TURBO CHARGER, TURBO COOLER, AND OIL COOLER, ONLY TO HAVE ME BACK 5-6 TIMES WITH COOLING PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE STILL HAS COOLING ISSUES, AND GOES BACK FOR SERVICE EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SO. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO SERVICE AS THERE WERE STILL SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THEY FOUND THE TORQUE CONVERTER DISASSEMBLED AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, AND THEN AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAS A STEERING ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE THEIR ATTENTION. THE STEERING LOCKS UP PERIODICALLY WHEN TRAVELING OVER 30MPH, AND HAS MADE ME AFRAID I WILL BE DRIVING AND LOCK UP PERMANENTLY. THE BRAKES ARE AN ISSUE ON THE VEHICLE NOW AND PRIOR TO RECALL FOR BRAKE ASSIST, IT IS STILL HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AND BRAKES HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3 MONTHS. THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AS THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WORKED PERIODICALLY THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING, AS WELL AS THE RUNNING LIGHTS BURNING OUT WITHIN A MONTH OF REPLACEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP FEELS ITS NOT A PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE MAY SHUT OFF FROM ELECTRICAL ISSUES EVENTUALLY. WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER THE DASHBOARD FILLS WITH OVER A HALF INCH OF CONDENSATION AND LEAKS OUT OF THE VENTS PROFUSELY. VALVE COVER HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10588873

May 15, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

WHEN ACCELERATING TRANSMISSION WILL NOT RESPOND FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN WHEN IT DOES RESPOND THE WHOLE CAR JERKS WHEN IT GOES INTO GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE 40000 PLUS MILES AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10588528

May 8, 2014Speed controlEngine

THE 2011 CRUZE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET. THIS CAR HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST CRASH 10 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH THAT I HAVE HAD IT. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR. WHEN I MERGE ON TO THE INTERSTATE AND TRY AND SPEED UP THE CAR STALLS OUT AND HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING. THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A HAZARD TO VEHICHLE OWNERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORIST. WHEN WILL SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? GM SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THESE UNITS. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2011/CHEVROLET/CRUZE/POWER_TRAIN/PROBLEM.ASPX. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10587352

Apr 18, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPPED POSITION TRANSMISSION WILL NOT RESPOND FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN WHEN IT DOES RESPOND THE WHOLE CAR JERKS WHEN IT GOES INTO GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES. 1ST TIME WAS TOLD THAT "THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THIS TRANSMISSION". 2ND TIME WAS TOLD THAT "THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". I NOW HAVE 40000 PLUS MILES AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10583602

Apr 18, 2014Engine

CAR OVERHEATED ON DRIVE HOME. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. SINCE THAT TIME CAN CONTINUALLY SMELL ANTIFREEZE INSIDE CAR. ALSO HAVE FOUND PUDDLES UNDER CAR SEVERAL TIMES. HAVE TAKEN CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NO LEAK. THEY STATED THE SURGE TANK CAP WAS LOOSE AND THAT THEY REFILLED TANK. BUT IT STILL SMELLS. IT IS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP ONLY. SO WHY ARE THEY HAVING TO TIGHTEN THE CAP? AND ARE THEY HAVING TO FILL THE SURGE TANK REPEATEDLY? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10583603

Apr 16, 2014Latches & locks

OUR 2011 CHEVY CRUZE ECO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUNK OPENING UP WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN IT IS PARKED AND LOCKED.THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL, SO I TOOK IT TO A DEALER THEY SAID I NEED TO REPLACE REAR COMPARTMENT LID RELEASE THIS WILL COST ME OVER $100.00 TO REPAIR. I SPOKE TO CHEVY MAKER AND I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IF I HAVE STUFF IN MY TRUNK AND STUFF FLIES OUT OF IT AND THERE IS A VEHICLE BEHIND ME THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO COMPLETE STRANGERS WHO OWN A CHEVY CRUZE AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES.PLEASE HELP! *TT

NHTSA ODI 10583073

Apr 12, 2014Engine

I PURCHASED THE 2011 CHEVY CRUZE WITH APPROX 55 K. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AT THE LOT EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. THE NEXT DAY I KEPT HEARING A SURGE LIKE SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PUSHED THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN ANY SPEED OR POWER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS COMMON IN THE CHEVY CRUZES BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE SIZE AND THAT WHY THE CAR IS ABLE TO GET SUCH GREAT GAS MILEAGE. I COULD NOT STAND THE NOISE ANY LONGER MARCH 19, 2014 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED. I INFORMED THEM OF THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING WITH THE SURGING SOUND AND THE LOSS OF SPEED & POWER. THE NEXT DAY INFORMED ME THEY COULD NOT HEAR ANY SURGING SOUND AND ONLY FOUND 1 PROBLEM LEAKING THERMOSTAT. I WAS REFERRED TO THE GM DEALER TO GET FIXED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN A FULL YEAR SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR. ON APRIL 7TH 2014 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR AND ALL OF SUDDEN I HEAR A DINGING SOUND ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON, ALONG WITH THE HAZARDS LIGHTS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER,THE CENTER PANEL KEPT READING TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE. I HAD NOT HAD ANY OTHER PREVIOUS WARNINGS,ALL THE GAUGES APPEARED TO BE NORMAL WITH NO SIGN OF OVER HEATING. I CONTACTED THE CHEVY DEALER AND TOOK THE CAR DOWN RIGHT AWAY.EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THE ISSUES THE DIAGNOSES THAT WAS GIVEN FROM THE SERVICE DEPT WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE NEXT DAY THE CHEVY DEALER CONTACTED ME AND SAID THEY HAD REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION HAD BURNT OIL AND NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY TOO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG AS TO WHY TRANSMISSION IS RUNNING HOT,NOT EVEN WITH THE SURGING SOUND AND LOSE OF POWER. APRIL 11TH 2014 HAD THE SAME ISSUES AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10579315

Apr 10, 2014Engine

PROBLEM STARTED CLOSE TO WINTER,OCTOBER 2013. COOLANT LEVEL SLOWLY DECREASED, NOT CONCERNED AT THE TIME, JUST TOPPED OFF DURING OIL CHANGES. FAST FORWARD TO APRIL 2014, REFILL OF COOLANT NEEDED DAILY IF HEAT IS USED. COOLANT TANK IS COMPLETELY EMPTY AFTER CAR IS OFF AND SITTING FOR A FEW HOURS! LARGE PUDDLE OF COOLANT UNDER ENGINE, NOT THE RADIATOR. REMAINS TO BE A SLOW LEAK. WHEN HEAT IS ON, COOLANT BEGINS TO SLOWLY LEAK UNDERNEATH ENGINE. TEMP GAUGE IS ALWAYS NORMAL. NO SIGNS OF OVERHEATING, NO EXCESS COOLANT IN ENGINE BAY. ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE COMPLETED BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS. DEX (GM SPECIFIC COOLANT, ORANGE IN COLOR) COOLANT USED EXCLUSIVELY. EVERY TIME HEAT IS TURN ON, AT ANY TEMP, AT ANY FAN SPEED, AT ANY SETTING (DEFROST, FLOOR, ETC.) THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING/HOT COOLANT. I AM UNABLE TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN VEHICLE!, WHEN HEAT IS NEEDED IN VEHICLE. ODOR IS TOO STRONG AND CHILDREN COMPLAINED OF NAUSEA AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS. TO MANY INSTANCES SIMILAR TO THIS LISTED. GM NEEDS TO PROVIDE RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10579063

Apr 8, 2014Electrical system

2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE INFORMED GM OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEIR RESPONSE BY PHONE, WAS THAT THEY PLANNED TO DO NOTHING AND RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER VISIT THE DEALER TO HAVE A $400 THROTTLE BLOCK INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER STATED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND THE IGNITION RESET ITSELF. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, DOZENS OF TIMES. UPDATED 08/06/14

NHTSA ODI 10576635

Apr 2, 2014Speed controlEngine

HESITANT ACCELERATION ISSUE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP. I PUT MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE DID NOT GO FORWARD AT FIRST. THEN ENGINE REV UP BUT VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE SLOWLY. WHEN IT DID I COULD ONLY GO 27 MPH IN A 45 MPH ZONE. HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ON TO A HIGHWAY. WENT TO TWO AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET DEALERS ON 12/02/13 AND 4/02/14. BOTH DEALERS STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND ALL TROUBLE CODES INDICATED EVERYTHING IS OK. WHICH IT IS NOT. THIS IS A 1.4 TURBO 4 ENGINE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10576941

Apr 1, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED MY 2011 CRUZE, I HAVE EXPERIENCED HESITATIONS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR (APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 35-40 MPH). IN THE LAST MONTH, THE HESITATIONS HAPPEN EVERY TIME I START FROM A STATIONARY POSITION. SOME OF THE HESITATIONS ARE MORE PRONOUNCED (I.E., AN ACTUAL LURCHING OF THE VEHICLE). THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN OCCURRENCES OF THE CAR NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY TO PRESSING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. I FOUND THIS VERY ALARMING, AS IT HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10576497

Mar 31, 2014Body & structure2 injuries

THE FRONT CHROME INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE THAT I PURCHASED IS PEELING OFF. THE EDGES OF THE CHROME ARE EXTREMELY SHARP. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE CUT OUR FINGERS ON BOTH FRONT DOOR HANDLES WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE. IT IS NO PAPER CUT EITHER. PRETTY DEEP AND PAINFUL. I ENDED UP PLACING TAPE AROUND THE HANDLES AS A QUICK FIX FROM BEING CUT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $150 FOR A NEW HANDLE AND THAT IT DID NOT INCLUDE INSTILLATION. AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND OBSERVING A COPY OF A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET ADMITTING THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE HANDLES, I WONDER WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL AS OF YET ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10576084

Mar 29, 2014Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAS ALWAYS HAD JERKING AND HESITATION WHEN HITTING ACCELERATOR. ALSO JERKING WHEN SHIFTING AND OVER REVVING DUE TO NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE ISSUE. AT 36,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE ECM REPLACED DUE TO CAR STALLING OUT AT STOPS, RUNNING VERY ROUGH THEN STALLING AT STOPS. SEEMED TO HELP SOMEWHAT BUT DID NOT ALLEVIATE THE RUNNING ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY STILL AT STOPS WHICH IS SCARY AS DON'T KNOW WHEN IT MIGHT STALL OUT AND NOT GO AS MY JOB REQUIRES TRAVELING THROUGH THE WEEK. AT 50,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE ECM PROGRAM "UPDATED" AND SPARK PLUGS REPLACED...DEALERSHIP SAID PLUGS SHOULD BE ON A RECALL BUT THEY DID REPLACE NO CHARGE I PAID FOR LABOR CHARGES OF COURSE. CAR IS STILL RUNNING ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY AT STOPS, ALMOST STALLS OUT BUT HASN'T YET...I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY PRODUCT AND AM VERY SAD TO SAY THAT AS HAD MY 1998 MALIBU FOR 12 YEARS WITHOUT MAJOR ISSUES. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10575524

Mar 24, 2014Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR SLOWED DOWN, A MESSAGE CAME UP THAT SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". I COULD NOT DRIVE AND HAD NO ACCELERATION ABILITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY AND COMPLETELY STALLS OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10574345

Mar 21, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

6 TO 8 RECALLS...AND THE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN YOU TAKE OFF FROM A STOP SINCE DAY ONE. KEEP TAKING TO DEALER AND THEY CLAIM TO NOT FIND ANYTHING. (1/17/2011-NOW) THE BRAKE PEDDLE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. (1/2014) THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACK HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE SPARK PLUG BEING TIGHTENED TO TIGHT FROM THE FACTORY! ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON INDICATED THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. (3/12/2014) WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AS ALWAYS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND INDICATED THAT THE AC CUT OFF DUE TO ENGINE OVER HEATING. (3/21/2014) THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON FROM DAY ONE. IT STAYS IN THE DEALER SERVICE MORE THAT WE DRIVE IT... *TR

NHTSA ODI 10573928

Mar 17, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A TWO YEAR SPAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000

NHTSA ODI 10572937

← NewerOlder →

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 →