Home · 2011 Chevrolet Cruze · Complaints

What 731 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

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)

20 of 731 complaints match · Engine · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

May 25, 2021EngineFire

The car overheated out of nowhere. Oil busted out of the compartment it’s supposed to be held in and got all over my mechanical parts inside the vehicle. My car caught on fire from the bottom where the engine and transmission are. The car started rattling and giving me warnings to get out of the vehicle because the vehicle was unsafe. It gave me the warning that the engine is idle, Engine locked up, and also an coolant issue. The car didn’t have issues before this. I literally had to jump out of the car with my family. The warning light for the engine and coolant came on. There hasn’t been In problems prior to this other than changing a sensor. The insurance was notified and don’t have a solution. We’re trying to figure out what to do because it’s not driveable. Going to contact Chevy dealer or GM as well.

NHTSA ODI 11418488

Oct 10, 2020Electronic Stability Control (esc)BrakesEngineCrash

THE 2011 CHEVY CRUZE ECO HAS BEEN HAVING A COUPLE ISSUES FROM THERE BEING A SMALL OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE ENGINE IT DRIPS MORE AFTER DRIVING AND ALSO ANOTHER LITTLE LEAK TOWARD THE BACK OF THE CAR THEN ALSO MY STABLITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL ISSUES KEPT ME FROM GETTING OUT OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY WHEELS DIDN'T MOVE THE WAY I PLANNED TOO, THE RADIATOR FAN ALSO HAS BEEN WORKING HARDER THEN USUALLY IT NON STOP IS BLOWING VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR COOL. LAST UNDER THE CAR THE BOTTOM TRAYS HAVE SOME OIL BUILDING UP AND BUILDING UP

NHTSA ODI 11363711

Apr 2, 2020BrakesEngineFuel systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKES BEGAN TO LOCK. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY KICKING THE DOORS TO FORCE THEM TO OPEN. ONCE THE PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH FORT DODGE FORD TOYOTA LINCOLN (2723 5TH AVE S, FORT DODGE, IA 50501 PHONE: (515) 576-7505) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL FOR THE BRAKES AND LOW OIL LEAKING CAUSING A FIRE. THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V36000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICS) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 188,000.

NHTSA ODI 11320017

Jan 31, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, WHEN THE SHE SAW SMOKE EXITING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WHEN INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD SHE SAW OIL LEAKING FORM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND INFORMED NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT SHE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11306307

May 2, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFire

ME AND MY KIDS WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY 2011 CHEVY CRUISE JUST LOST POWER AND MY ENGINE STOPPED WORKING... IT WILL NOT START UP AT ALL. MECHANIC CANT FIGURE OUT WHY. I'VE GOT TONS OF SENSORS GOING OUT EVERYTIME I TURN AROUND AND I AM A MOTHER OF A DISABLED SON. WE WERE ON AT PARKWAY GOING 65 TO 60 MPH. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. IT HAPPENED ED IN MADISON VILLE KY

NHTSA ODI 11205148

Nov 17, 2018AirbagsEngineCrashFire1 injury

DIRECT IMPACT WITH 1200 POUND COW WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ENTIRE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES AS THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED FIRE. TOTALLED. WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAG DEPLOY? SERIOUS INJURY. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE PURCHASED 2 CRUZE'S BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES. THIS IS SO NOT SAFE AND SO UNACCEPTABLE

NHTSA ODI 11152220

May 4, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineCrash

MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZ THE TURBO WENT OUT ON IT REPLACE THE TURBO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD REPLACED THE LINE THAT GOES INTO THE OIL PAN I HAVE A VACUUM LEAK SOMEWHERE I CAN'T FIND A VACUUM LEAK THERE SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING UNDERNEATH THE SEATS AND SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO SHIFT IT DOESN'T SHIFT RIGHT.ALSO THE LIGHTS ON THE FRONT THEY FLICKER AND BLANK THE SEATBELTS DON'T LIKE TO COME OUT WHEN YOU CLICKI WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY I WAS TRYING TO GET OUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY COMING OFF OF THE RAMP TRYING TO GET SPAYED AND THERE WAS NO POWER AND DIDN'T WANT TO GO ANY FASTER BY THE TIME I GOT HOME IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS WHISTLING AND NO POWER AT ALL THE TURBOS FIX BRAND NEW THE MANIFOLD BRAND NEW IT'S ALL BRAND NEW WHITE NEXT TO HIS CAR IS GIVING ME A PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11091722

May 2, 2018EngineFuel systemFire

IT'S BEEN GOING OFF AND ON EVERY SINCE I FIRST GOT THE CAR I SMELL A BURNING SMELL AND IT LOSES POWER IS STALLS AND THE DEALERSHIP KEEP TELLING ME IT'S JUST AIR GETTING INTO IT BUT I KNOW IT'S MY TURBO BECAUSE MY NEIGHBOR HAS ONE HER TURBO WENT OUT AND I HAVE TWO OTHER FRIENDS THAT HAS ONE AND BOTH THEIR TURBO WENT OUT AND NOW IT'S MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE AND EVERYONE THAT I HAVE LOOK AT IT SAY IT'S THE TURBO IT'S THE WASTEGATE I DON'T DRIVE MY CAR MUCH AND ONLY HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT I'VE HAD IT FIXED MORE THAN 10 TIMES IT HAD A OIL LEAK WHERE WOULD CATCH ON FIRE BUT THE DEALERSHIP PUT TURBO FANS IN INSTEAD OF GIVING ME A NEW MOTOR SO IT'S STILL FLAMES UP FROM THE OIL PAN BUT THEY SAY THE TURBO FANS IS GOING TO BLOW THE FIRE OUT SO IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT ME BUT I DON'T DRIVE IT FAR BECAUSE I'M SCARED WHEN IT GETS HOT THAT'S GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE AND NOBODY WOULD GIVE ME ANYTHING FOR IT THAT'S WHY I STILL HAVE THE CAR BUT I'M WILLING TO JUST TAKE A BIG LOSS AND JUST LET THEM HAVE IT BACK THE DOORS OPEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CAR WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THE LIGHTS ARE JUST GO OUT IN THE DASH JUST RANDOM SO I CAN'T DRIVE IT AT NIGHT I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THE OIL ON THE PICTURES IT JUST SHOOTS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THE RECALL IS NOT ON MY CAR THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE TURBO AND THE VACUUM SYSTEM BUT THEY RUN MY VIN NUMBER AND SAY IT'S NOT ON MY CAR WHEN I FIRST GOT THIS CAR IT WAS QUIET IT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM AN OIL LEAK THEY FIXED IT NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE A TRUCK YOU CAN HEAR IT THREE BLOCKS AWAY IS STALLS ALL THE TIME AND THEY TELL ME IT'S THE GAS I'M USING I SWITCH TO PREMIUM GAS AND IT STILL DOES IT THIS CAR IS JUNK I HOPE NOBODY EVER BUYS IT CHEVY SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN

NHTSA ODI 11091428

Oct 4, 2017Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HARDY CHEVROLET (2026 MACLAND RD, DALLAS, GA 30157) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RESERVOIR AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE RAYMAN CHEVROLET (2155 COBB PKWY SE, SMYRNA, GA 30080) AND REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO STEVE RAYMAN CHEVROLET WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. A YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AGAIN FROM THE ENGINE AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE AIR VENT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO HARDY CHEVROLET WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW MOTOR WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11031658

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, 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

Oct 13, 2016EngineFire

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON OCT 10, 2016, A BIT BEFORE 3:30 PM ON THE BELT PARKWAY IN BROOKLYN NY. I WAS GOING SLOWLY AS THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 90 MINUTES WHEN I TURNED ON THE AC AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A STRONG BURNING SMELL, SO I TURNED THE AC OFF. A FEW MOMENTS LATER I NOTICED WISPS OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER (LESS THAN 2 MINUTES) HEAVIER WHITE THEN GRAY SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASHBOARD. I GOT OUT, GRABBED MY BELONGINGS AND CALLED 911 WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF PULLING OVER. AN OFF DUTY FIREMAN ATTEMPTED TO ASSIST WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT IN MINUTES THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ABLAZE. FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED QUICKLY BUT THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND IT IS A TOTAL LOSS AT 67,000 MILES. IN 4 YEARS OF OWNING THIS CAR I HAD 3 RECALLS (ONE FOR ENGINE FIRE) AND MULTIPLE LETTERS FROM CHEVY OF OTHER ISSUES THAT MIGHT ARISE (THE LAST WAS FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSSIBLY COMING OFF). I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH THIS MANY ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 10915945

Feb 16, 2016EngineFire

I AM A FIRE INVESTIGATOR I WORK FOR THE LOS ALAMOS COUNTY FIRE DEPT. I INVESTIGATED A VEHICLE FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND HAD JUST BEEN DRIVEN APPROX.. 1 HR. THE VEHICLE IS LISTED AS HAVING A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V288000. IT APPEARS THAT EVEN THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALL THE SAME PROBLEM AND RESULTING FIRE HAPPENED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AFTER BEING PARKED AND FIRE WAS WITN

NHTSA ODI 10836504

Jan 15, 2016Engine1 injury

I CAN SMELL A BURNING COOLANT TYPE SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. IT LEAVES A FILM ON THE WINDOWS. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT BURNS MY NOSE AND EYES. I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR. I CONSIDER THIS A HEALTH ISSUE, INHALING THESE FUMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. ONCE THEY REPLACED A TRANSMISSION COOLANT CONNECTOR, THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND TWICE THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. THIS HAPPENS IN ALL SITUATIONS, MOVING OR STANDING STILL. THE FOLLOWING I COPIED FROM A FORUM ONLINE. THIS PERSON HAD THE SAME PROBLEM: IN THE COURSE OF THAT REPAIR THE TECHS DETECTED AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF LUBRICANT ON THE INNER DASH BOX WHERE THE VENT DOORS AND CONTROLS ARE LOCATED. THE TECH REMOVED SOME OF IT AND HEATED IT UP AND IT SMELLED JUST LIKE DEXCOOL. THIS GREASE IS GLYCOL BASED HENCE THE SIMILARITY TO COOLANT WHEN HEATED. THE CONTINUOUS HEATING AND COOLING OF THE GREASE RESULTED IN A BREAKDOWN OF IT AND THE SMELL ONLY GOT WORSE. THE TECHS REMOVED ALL OF THE EXCESS GREASE AND REPLACED WITH ANOTHER LUBRICANT WHICH WAS A TYPE OF BRAKE LUBE GOOD TO 400F. THEY THEN ADDED A PEPPERMINT EXTRACT TO THE COOLANT FLUID TO ENSURE THAT IF THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK OF ANY KIND THE ODOR WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY DISCERNABLE FROM ANY OTHER AUTOMOTIVE ODOR. I RAN THE HEAT AND DEFROST HEAVY WITH NO ISSUES TO REPORT. THIS FIX IS NOT EASY AS THE ENTIRE DASH NEEDS TO BE REMOVED, BUT A GOOD TECH CAN DO IT AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM CONTACT GM TO GET YOUR VEHICLE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 10820458

Jun 1, 2015EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENT AND INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, SEVERAL EXPLOSIONS WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 10722640

Feb 25, 2015Engine1 injury

ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO I HAD TAKEN MY CRUZE IN FOR SERVICE WHERE I WAS PURCHASED MY 2011 CHEVY CRUZE. I HAD A RECALL ON A COOLANT LEAK AT THE PUMP. I HAD TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE AND OIL CHANGE. THE LADY I HAD COMMUNICATED WITH ABOUT THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING ABOUT A BURNT SMELL WHEN I TURNED ON MY HEAT. SHE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS OR LEAK. ONE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I STARTED CHOCKING AND MY EYES WHERE BURNING FROM AN INTENSE BURNING SMELL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT HOME I POPPED MY HOOD AND NOTICED THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO COOLANT IN MY OVERFLOW TANK. I THEN CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WITH MY CRUZE. THEY TOOK ACTION AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE PUMP AND COOLANT LINES WHERE THERE WAS A LEAK FREE OF CHARGE. (SHE NO IONGER WORKS FOR THE DEALERSHIP) I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG I WAS DRIVING MY CRUZE WITHOUT ANY COOLANT. I STILL HAVE A CONTINUOUS SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING AND HAVE TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. I ALSO EXPERIENCE A SHACK WHEN THE CAR IS AT AN IDOL. IM BEING TO QUESTION MY PURCHASE OF MY CHEVY CRUZE. HOPEFULLY WHEN I TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE THEY ARE ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEMS AND THAT THE LAST VISIT I NEED TO MAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10690757

Nov 24, 2014SteeringElectrical systemLightsEngineCrash

VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR ELECTRIC TURNS OFF AND OR FLASHES, STABILTRAK LIGHTS COME ON AND FLASHES, CHECK ENGINE FLASHING, CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN, STEERING IS ELECTRONIC OR MOTOR POWERED AND IS HARD TO USE, TRANSMISSION JERKS BEFORE SHUTDOWN AND BREAKS DON'T WORK VERY WELL. RAN OVER CURB AND OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH OTHER VEHICLES. PICTURE, IM DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT NIGHT DOING 65 OR SO, ALL POWER GOES OUT, ITS DARK, OTHER CARS CAN NOT SEE ME WELL, THEY ARE SWERVING AND IM SWERVING. THIS HAPPENED FIRST AROUND 20K AND HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER. NO CORRECTIONS OFFERED BY GM UNDER WARRANTY, COMPLAINTS WERE COMPLETELY IGNORED, UNTIL MURDOCK CHEVY IN MANHATTAN KS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET IT FIXED AND GAVE ME A LONER CAR, ALL OTHER SERVICING DEALERS REFUSED A LOANER CAR, AND TOLD ME ITS FIXED EACH TIME. CAR STILL HAS THE PROBLEMS LISTED AND NO SOLUTION IS GIVEN FROM GM OR CHEVY TO FIX THIS DEADLY SITUATION. ALSO DAMAGE TO THE CAR FROM AN ENGINE OVERHEAT OR DASHBOARD OVERHEAT AT THE SAME TIME DAMAGING ELECTRIC, WINDSHIELD, RADIO, GAUGES AND DASH COMPARTMENT LEVER. EXTREME HEAT, BURNING SMELL INSIDE. FLOORBOARD BY THE FEET MELTS CARPET AND BURNS FEET, ALL AT THE SAME TIME, ON DRIVES OF 30 MINUTES OR MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10660533

Apr 1, 2013EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FIVE MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT FILED THAT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI 10505206

Mar 19, 2013Body & structureEngine1 injury

THE CHROME COATING ON THE INSIDE DRIVERS SIDE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE IS FAILING. THE EDGES OF THE CHROME WHERE IT HAS SEPARATED FROM THE PLASTIC ARE RAZOR SHARP AND HAVE CAUSED MULTIPLE FAIRLY DEEP LACERATIONS TO MY FINGERS WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. I INQUIRED AT THE DEALER ABOUT THEM REPLACING THE PART UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE ITS CAUSING ME INJURY DESPITE MY CAUTIOUSNESS WHILE OPENING THE HANDLE, THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED AND WOULD BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX DUE TO THE LABOR INVOLVED. MY SECOND COMPLAINT IS THE HEAT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID I HAD A CRACKED THERMOSTAT HOUSING WHICH WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY DID NOT FIX IT HOWEVER AND SIMPLY REFILLED MY ANTIFREEZE AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME TO HAVE IT FIXED WHEN THE PART CAME IN....THAT WAS ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10503649

Jul 27, 2012EngineFire1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A STRANGE ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SAFELY MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. UPON EXITING, A BALL OF FIRE FORMED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR BURNS TO THE FACE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED NOT TOO LONG AFTER A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. AFTER THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 12V288000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,017....UPDATED 02-13-13 *BF UPDATED 02/19/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10468034

Working with the data? Download all 731 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 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 verdict →