What 731 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Limited

I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE SINCE ITS PURCHASE IN JULY 2011. FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE DAY AFTER I ACCEPTED DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AFTER DRIVING WITH ME AND NO RECORD OF THE SERVICE WAS CREATED. AFTER CHANGING DEALERS, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON FUTURE VISITS, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED WHICH HELPED SOME, BUT DID NOT ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. YESTERDAY, THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS WERE DISPLAYED: SERVICE STABILITRACK SYSTEM SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM I HAVE OPENED ANOTHER COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY STATING THE TRANSMISSION HAS ONGOING PROBLEMS AND I WANT MY MONEY REFUNDED. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE OPENED WITH THEM. THE FIRST COMPLAINT WAS "RESOLVED" BY OFFERING FULL COVERAGE MAINTENANCE FOR 9000 MILES AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I AM RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYWHERE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID IT WILL FAIL. IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE PART AND WAS TOLD NOT TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,700.

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I WAS JUST INQUIRING ABOUT 2011 CHEVY CRUZES CATCHING ON FIRE. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT HE HAD YET TO RECEIVE THE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,700.

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2011 CHEVY CRUZ LTZ. CONSUMER IS INQUIRING ABOUT VEHICLES CATCHING FIRE *TGW

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BOOSTER KIT, RETAINER, CYLINDER KIT AND THE VALVE KIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,835.

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I THINK WE HAVE A ANTI FREEZE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN EVER THE HEATER IS USED. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR IF I AM GOING TO NEED HEAT. DEALER WORKED ON THE CAR 4 TIMES AND HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY SMELL GM WILL ADMIT TO IS A HOT PLASTIC SMELL. EVEN IF IT IS HOT PLASTIC WHAT IS IT DOING TO PEOPLES HEALTH? I FEEL SICK AND NAUSEOUS WHEN USING THE HEATER.

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WHEN CHEVY CRUZE REACHES FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, USING THE HEATER PRODUCES A VERY STRONG SMELL COMES FROM THE HEATING DUCTS INSIDE THE CAR. ESPECIALLY DURING USE OF THE DEFROST SETTING. THE SMELL IS LIKE BURNING ANTIFREEZE AND BURNING PLASTIC. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE HEATER IS SET TO FULL HOT. FAN SPEED DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER. THIS ONLY EXISTS ONCE THE CAR HAS REACHED FULL OPERATING TEMP. WITH THE CAR OFF OVER NIGHT RESIDUAL SMELL STILL PERMEATES INSIDE THE CAR. THE SMELL ON A 30 MINUTE COMMUTE IS SO BAD THAT I FEEL DIZZY, NAUSEOUS, AND I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN EVEN WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. I HAVE ASKED OTHERS TO RIDE WITH ME AND EVERY PERSON HAS EXPERIENCED THE SMELL.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RELEASE ANTIFREEZE FUMES INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEATER CORE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE CONTACT LEFT A MESSAGE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RETURN CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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THE 2011 CHEVY CRUZE WAS DRIVEN BY OUR DAUGHTER, SHE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. SHE PULLED OVER AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH AND NOTICED A BURNING OIL SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,300.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANTIFREEZE OR COOLANT FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,320 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER SHE EXIT THE VEHICLE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED HIM TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

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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

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND NOT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, AS THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,861.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING STICKS IN THE CENTER POSITION. IT'S LIKE IT GETS INTO A NOTCH AND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO MAKE NORMAL DRIVING ADJUSTMENTS IT FEELS LIKE IT STICKS. IT OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS BUT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AROUND 60 - 65 MPH. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE OVERSTEERING ON SLIPPERY ROADS AND IT IS VERY DISTRACTING. *TR

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THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A SEVERE DELAY IN THROTTLE AND TRANSMISSION RESPONSE, TO THE POINT OF ENDANGERMENT. WHEN DRIVING AT 60-65MPH AND COMMANDING PASSING POWER, THE VEHICLE NORMALLY WILL BOG DOWN AS THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THEN DISENGAGE THE GEAR, WAIT UP TO 3 SECONDS, REV UP 500-1,000RPM AND THEN ENGAGE THE GEAR AND BEGIN MOVING FORWARD (AT WHICH POINT IT IS WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED RPM OF REDLINE AND BOUNCES OFF OF THE FUEL CUTOFF.... WHILE IN DRIVE, NOT MANUAL MODE). THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SHIFTS HARSHLY UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY. UPON A COLD START, THE VEHICLE NEARLY STALLS WHEN COMING OUT OF A PARKING GARAGE WITH AN INCLINE, THEN PROCEEDS TO IDLE AT 1,800RPM AND PUSH THE VEHICLE FORWARD WITH NEARLY ENOUGH THRUST TO CAUSE A COLLISION IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT STOOD ON. THE VEHICLE HAS ALMOST STALLED ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT GROUND, A HANDFUL OF TIMES (SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN ON THE REAR DEFROSTER, SOMETIMES JUST COMING TO A STOP). ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A PULSATING THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE CAR (MOST NOTABLY THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL) AND A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN TO POWER CHEVROLET IN MESA, ARIZONA WHERE THESE CONCERNS WERE BROUGHT UP, INCLUDING THE CONCERN FOR SAFETY, AT WHICH POINT THE ECM AND TCM WERE RESET TO DEFAULT VALUES (WHICH MADE THE TRANSMISSION EVEN MORE HORRIBLE, DUE TO DELETING THE ADAPTIVE VALUES). I WAS SPOKEN TO LIKE A CHILD AND GIVEN A PRINTOUT EXPLAINING HOW AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND AUTO-STOP FEATURE WORKED AND TOLD THAT THE PULSATING (WHICH IS WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED AS A BAD AC COMPRESSOR PART FOR THIS VEHICLE AND WAS MENTIONED TO THE DEALER WHEN THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN) AND OTHER ISSUES WERE NON-EXISTENT. I GUESS THAT I WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THESE PARTS TO FAIL, HOPING AND PRAYING THAT IT DOESN'T KILL ME OR MY PASSENGERS IN THE PROCESS, IN ORDER TO GET THESE ISSUES ADDRESSED. *TR

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AT THE END OF NOVEMBER I NOTICED A SMELL COMING FROM MY CRUZE. IT SMELLED LIKE ANTIFREEZE. I WAITED A FEW DAYS TO SEE IF IT SMELLED AGAIN. SURE ENOUGH ON ANOTHER COOL MORNING USING THE HEAT I SMELLED IT AGAIN. WHEN USING AND ADJUSTING THE HEAT THE SMELL IS TERRIBLE. MY WINDOWS ALSO HAVE A FILM ON THEM. IT DOES NOT FROST UP BUT THERE IS A NASTY FILM ON THEM THAT SMEARS AROUND WHEN WIPED. LIGHTS SHINE IN AND MAKE A RAINBOW TYPE COLORING ON THEM AND HARD TO SEE. THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE ON VACATION IN DECEMBER I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AFTER SMELLING IT NOW ON A DAILY BASIS. THEY COULD NOT SMELL IT AND WOULD NOT EVEN OPEN THE HOOD. ON JAN 25 I TOOK IT TO BIG M CHEVY AND ONE GUY SMELLED SOMETHING, UNSURE OF WHAT IT WAS THEY PRESSURE TESTED IT AND NOTHING SHOWED. THEY PUT DYE IN AND I DROVE IT FOR 13 DAYS SMELLING IT DAILY. THEY LOOKED AT IT AGAIN ON 2/7 AND SAID NO LEAKS. IT IS GOING TO A 3RD DEALER MONDAY. I AM TO THE POINT OF STOPPING DRIVING IT. IT CAN NOT BE HEALTHY FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN TO BREATHE THIS IN DAILY. YOU HAVE TO RIDE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. THE LEAK HAS TO BE FOUND, SOMETHING CHANGED (MAYBE STARTING WITH THE HEATER CORE) OR I AM TRADING IT IN SOON. *TR

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ENGINE SEEMS TO MOMENTARILY CUTOFF WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER MOVING ABOUT 15 FEET OR LESS WITH ACCELERATOR IN STEADY POSITION FROM A STOP AFTER IDLING IN GEAR. DEALER DESCRIPTION HESITATION, SOMETIMES IT DOES HESITATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR BUT MOSTLY SEEMS TO LOSE ALL POWER MOMENTARILY. ISSUE IS REPEATABLE AND HAS BEEN NOTED ON AT LEAST TWO VEHICLES BY THIS OWNER. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY CONCERN, NO ACCIDENT YET BUT COULD HAPPEN UNEXPECTEDLY TO A DRIVER IF NOT YET AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. OWNER WAS TOLD BY SERVICE CENTER GM IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND A POSSIBLE SOFTWARE UPDATE MAY BE AVAILABLE, UNKNOWN DATE OF RELEASE AS OF DECEMBER 2011. THIS OWNER BELIEVES ALL 2011 CRUZE'S HAVE THIS ISSUE, JUST HAVE TO BE IN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCE AND KNOW HOW TO REPRODUCE IT. IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS TURBO LAG DO NOT FALL FOR IT, IF THIS WAS THE CASE IT WOULD HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. *TR

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I JUST GOT OIL CHANGE A WEEK BEFORE THIS HAPPENED THROUGH THE DEALER. AT NORTHSHORE CHEVROLET IN SMITHTOWN NY. MY SON WAS WAITING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AT INTERSECTION OF POND PATH AND NICOLLS ROAD IN SETUKET NY. WHEN A WOMAN IN NEXT LANE WAS YELLING YOUR.CARS IS ON FIRE. JUST AS HE WAS EXITING CAR HE SAW A FLAME POP OUT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IN 2 MINS THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED AND FLAMES WERE AT 15FT HIGH. MY CAR IS FULLY STOCK NO AFTERMARKET ITEMS INSTALLED. DEALER MAINTAINED. UPON SOME RESEARCH I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO FINDOUT AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT. THE CHEVY CRUZE IS A GREAT CAR THAT WE LOVED DRIVING AND OWNING. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,800.

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WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH THERE IS A SLIGHT BINDING THAT OCCURS DURING THE NORMAL CORRECTIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. REPORTED TO DEALER AND THEY " DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM". IT IS VERY HARD TO NOTICE, BUT IT IS THERE. *TR

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CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR ANTIFREEZE SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR AND MORE IMPORTANTLY INSIDE THE CAR WHILE USING THE HEATER. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE HEAT DUE TO THE NAUSEATING SMELL. DEALER CLAIMS ALL IS WELL. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT WANTED OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT IDENTIFY A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT COVER WAS REMOVED AND THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER REMEDIES FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,600. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ UPDATE 03/16/12

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