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CarComplaints.com Notes: What’s that smell – it’s a tad sweet with a tinge of chemical toxicity? If you own a 2011 Cruze it’s probably a coolant leak. It’s a widespread and notorious problem for the car and is the subject of a class-action lawsuit filed in the state of New York. And that’s not the only problem 2011 owners face…

Many say the 2011 model year suffers from a throttle lag that is probably due to a fauly electronic throttle control. The problem is signifigant enough that some owners say they are too scared to drive their cars. Those that do get behind the wheel often say their transmission isn’t shifting properly and problems start occuring as early as 15,000 miles.

All of this leads us to say you’re probably better off without this car’s headaches (they’re probably chemically-induced anyway).

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,759 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #75

Sep 202020

Cruze

  • 230,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission leaks so much we put new fluids in almost on the daily and there's always sensor lights on on the dashboard

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #74

Aug 052020

Cruze

  • 115,000 miles
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

- Cape May Court House, NJ, USA

problem #73

Jul 272020

Cruze

  • miles
To whom this may concern, this vehicle has issues with stabiltrak/traction control. This vehicle has been serviced routinely throughout the time I have had it. This vehicle was brought in at the dealership upon receiving the letter for the recall, I do not think this was thoroughly inspected. It was under ten minutes, that I was told the vehicle didn't have a problem. In my opinion, this was totally incorrect. The problem persisted still to this day. Nobody reported this problem, which could be a major safety concern for my family and I. this will be the first investigation into this matter. If the dealership did say they thoroughly inspected it, why didn't they report this matter to you, which would be landers mcclarty Chevrolet, huntsville al. I have done major research and this matter is unacceptable. The dealership was completely in the wrong. None of this matter was handled correctly, why didn't I get any details or documentation. Why wasn't it reported?? I'm gonna continue to search for paperwork, and the exact dates which I took it there. I will be in contact with my lawyer, and get any paperwork and evidence reviewed. The stabiltrak light stays on, and caused me not to go into reverse. The steering completely went down and parking assist, as well as traction control is always on. This has been a complete disaster. I ask you with complete sincerity, to follow up. My family's life shouldn't be in jeopardy because of an improper investigation. This dealership will need to take full responsiblity. I will upload and pictures or attachments that are needed. Keep in mind, that these are the exact issues that this vehicle was recalled for, the same engine which is the 1.4 liter turbo, and the same model that has been recalled for this exact malfunction!

- New Market, AL, USA

problem #72

Jun 202020

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 142,101 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Me and my boyfriend were driving in calcutta Ohio we went to pull out of a parking lot to go to mcdonald's and we looked both ways and we were clear to go and by the time we hit the center turning lane and started to turn into mcdonald's and a Jeep came flying out of no where and our vehicles collided causing front end damage. The air bags failed to deploy in the car.

- East Liverpool, OH, USA

problem #71

Apr 222020

Cruze

  • 117,000 miles
My vehicle was recalled for the valve cover gasket which may leak oil and drop down causing a fire. I was told by the dealership that this was fixed upon taken it to a mechanic because the oil was dripping down causing smoke and the part that it was dripping on was red hot which was the coil wire. Was in fact not fixed.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #70

Mar 112020

Cruze

  • 131,468 miles
The Cruze sputters or hesitates when braked or idling, the service traction control, services stabilitrak came on along with a flashing check engine light. I loose power and feel like I'm needing to press a lot harder on the gas to accelerate.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #69

Oct 162019

Cruze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We purchased a 2011 Chevy cruz with less than 100K miles. In the 2 years we've had it we've replaced the transmission, oil cooler, and all the hoses. The furthest we've driven it is 400miles in a trip. We haven't taken it up mountains, and we keep up with maintenance

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #68

Dec 202019

Cruze

  • 153,000 miles
The transmission of the car is not working properly. It jumps every time I press the gas pedal and jumps when the car is on the road.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #67

Sep 102019

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 55,430 miles
Failure to be notified of severe safety defect affecting 2.2 Chevrolet vehicles 6 other recalls all specifying exact condition (NHTSA special coverage bulletin 14232 power steering stick slip lock up ) began experiencing intermittent lock up of steering on highway one month ago still confused under terms of special coverage warranty 10 years 150K miles GM Chevrolet sr vp alicia S boler davis and CEO mary barra ca license xxxxxxx rev tax xxxxx xxxxxx parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #66

Feb 282015

Cruze

  • 83,000 miles
Takata recall problem is unknown: 1. my vehicle continues to have problems with heating/cooling system. The vehicle looses antifreeze, the casing gets hot and acts as tho its overheating triggering the fan to come on and stay on. There are no noticeable leaks; it has been at he Chevy dealer and several other mechanics who can find no radiator leaks. The engine coil, hoses, and heating coil have been changed and it continues to get hot. The vehicle is running when these issues occur. 2. the tracking system lights stays on constantly. No record of a problem by Chevrolet service center or any other service center who has used diagnostics to determine why the light stays on. 3. service engine light stays on constantly. The engine coil has been replaced; no other engine problems are identified with diagnostics.

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

problem #65

Apr 252019

Cruze

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Madisonville, KY, USA

problem #64

Apr 192019

Cruze

  • 63,000 miles
Car seems to stall while driving (recurrent/ constant problem for 4 months: Car has < 65K miles). Engine/ loss of stabilitrack lights come on and engine revs high without speed. Lights on radio blink and engine/oil/ coolant leaks. Despite attempts to fix problems, car continues to stall out, leaving driver stranded in roadway. Engine reboots are temporary fix, but the computer seems to be taking out systems 1 by 1. GM specialist had car for 2 weeks in January & could not solve.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #63

Apr 092019

Cruze

  • 114,500 miles
Takata recall. Recently while driving, my car will randomly say service stabilitrak or service traction control whenever I turn the wheel backing up but wasn't affecting the car in any way as far as I could tell. My headlights would also flicker at the same time so I figured it had to be something electrical. Yesterday while turning onto a different street and today while driving straight down a street I lost power steering.

- Prospect, KY, USA

problem #62

Apr 012019

Cruze

  • 120,000 miles
My car is hard shifting and no GM dealer can figure it out they say nothing but take my money and my car will alert transmission hot idle engine very scary has even up and stopped going 35 miles in my hometown

- Danville, IL, USA

problem #61

Mar 232019

Cruze

  • 126,844 miles
I went and got this vehicle from Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of rome ga and I was driving and out of nowhere the car acted like it didn't want to go forward in traffic and the speed stayed on 0 and idled out on me. When I tried to turn right my car wouldn't go and somebody had to push my vehicle. When I tried to drive it, it was in drive and wouldn't go 20 mph. I got the vehicle March 13 and haven't had it for a month and experienced this.it was a very scary situation and I felt like I could have lost my life. I was trying to turn and put of nowhere it wouldn't go over 20 mph.most scariest sirtiation evrer..

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #60

Mar 102019

Cruze

  • 133,000 miles
I have several issues with this car I have a mechanic looking at it now and I can give you a detailed report of every thing he finds wrong with it when he is done I do know that I loss engine power in the middle of the street while waiting to turn at a light

- Clarksville, IN, USA

problem #59

Jan 152019

Cruze

  • 168,000 miles
While driving on highway a message saying reduced engine power came on and vehicle would not accelerate. Also the service traction control light came on with it and service stabilitrak came on as well.

- Guys Mills, PA, USA

problem #58

Jun 112018

Cruze

  • 130,000 miles
Vehicle has a very rough idle while stopped and while driving. When driving the vehicle will change roughly idle and speed up the vehicle. While in a stopping position the vehicle will roughly idle and the RPM indicator will bounce up and down. The engine light is on and the traction control warning and service esp warnings come on intermittently while in stopped position and then the vehicle will not accelerate properly. The most recent one revved and accelerated on its own, almost hitting the car at the stoplight in front of me.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #57

May 012018

Cruze

  • 126 miles
Engine power reduced light comes on, car idles rough, like it is going to shut off. When initially taking off car putts like it is not getting gas. Car acts like it will stall while driving and during idling. Stability service traction light comes on periodically and engine rmps increase. Had car looked at in case it was O2 sensor, but was told by mechanic there is an electrical issue. Issue has been occurring since May 2018. There are 126K miles on the car. Car has been well maintained. I drive 45 minutes to work, 5 days a week. I have young children that I Transport in the vehicle. Car feels unsafe.

- Keystone Heights, FL, USA

problem #56

May 192018

Cruze

  • miles
"takata recall" my car is shutting off then powering back up by itself.. seems like something is stuck reading a code of P0234

- Sylvania, GA, USA

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