Print this page

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).

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,530
Average Mileage:
79,900 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace water pump (4 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. (1 reports)
  4. repair coolant leak (1 reports)
  5. repair leaking hose (1 reports)
  6. replace cooling components (1 reports)
2011 Chevrolet Cruze cooling system problems

cooling system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments

problem #14

Aug 312020

Cruze LS 1.8L Ecotec

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

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

At 113k thousand miles no car should be blowing head gaskets. I took great care of this vehicle. Oil changes every 3,000 miles, fuel system cleaning, and even a radiator flush. Next thing I know my expansion tank is erupting coolant like a volcano. Might have been a bad thermostat, but I was too late. Head gasket was blown by the time I could make it to the mechanic. It all ended in car shaking and shut down of engine. Then after restarting engine knocking and low oil. Was able to add more oil and it stopped knocking. But still junked the damn thing after mechanic told me I had a blown head gasket. He said 1,200 for repairs and, I said, I think I may have damaged some engine parts so not worth it. Like piston heads if oil was starting to be consumed.

- Justus M., Buffalo, NY, US

problem #13

Apr 052018

Cruze LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,560 miles

We've had this car brand new and been having problems with it all the time. If it's not one thing it's another and I'm tired of it. From water pump, sensors, battery, gaskets, oil pan leak and overheating. I think we had enough with this car and it doesn't even have 100,000 miles on it. I checked to see if there are any recalls on my car and it says no. Please don't buy this car, because it's a pain in the butt.

- Israel P., Pharr, US

problem #12

Oct 022017

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,850 miles

Again the same things were replaced - thermostat, coolant system, and coolant along with oil change and filter. I had the diagnosis down at my Chevy dealership City Buick but decided to go to a private mechanic recommended by a friend because the Dealer was charging too much for labour.

- Wilhelmina C., Toronot, ON, canada

problem #11

Oct 012017

Cruze 2LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

3rd time in 4 years that the car has had overheating issues. This time I had to replace waterpump.

- David R., Wentzville, MO, US

problem #10

Aug 202016

Cruze RS 4.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I purchased my 2011 Chevy Cruze in August of 2016 from Rick Mathews Buick in Brooksville, Florida. A few days after I my car I notice that it didn’t have any anti-freeze in the car. I brought the car back to the dealership and they filled it with fluid. I started to notice a strange smell coming from the vents in the car so I started looking at my antifreeze reservoir and noticed it was low. My scheduled maintenance time came up for my oil change and I made an appointment to get my oil changed. When the mechanics changed my oil they advised me that my coolant was leaking and they could repair it for $170.00. I inquired as to why it wasn’t covered under the warranty the technician informed me that the leak was coming from the reservoir and that wasn’t covered. I chose to find a different mechanic and do more research on why it wasn’t covered under warranty as the leak goes into the coolant of the engine which is directly related to the power-train warranty. Additionally, this car was recalled for this very reason but I when I call GM they informed me that only some of the cars were covered by the warranty as only certain cars assembled in certain factories were involved in the recall. I have since done more research to find that many more cars were affected with faulty coolant systems. GM is currently in the process of a class action suit involving the coolant system of the 2011 Chevy Cruze.

- Richard B., Brooksville, FL, US

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #9

Aug 082016

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

The car started overheating on middle of the highway, pulled over and checked the engine and reeked coolant. The vehicle was towed to the nearest garage and fixed, leaking hose and other damages. With only 68000 km on the car and expired warranty, all expenses were paid out of pocket. I've had the car for only about 6 months and experienced more issues than my 1992 Civic. Will never buy a Chevy again.

- thibanpn, Brampton, ON, Canada

problem #8

Sep 222016

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,563 miles

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

The engine overheated however there was not smoke nor and signs of it overheating until I came to a stop light and it died. I thought that maybe just letting it cool down and replace any missing coolant would fix the problem but it did not. End up calling a truck to tow it and found out that most of my engine is melted... It is not being covered by my warranties due to the fact that it was overheating while I was driving even though I had no knowledge that it was doing so... Maybe if it wasn't a nice day out and I didn't have my ac off I would have noticed then...

- James S., Streator, IL, US

problem #7

Dec 012015

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I have an 2011 Chery Cruze that I bought new and has over 90,000. From the start this is a very rough ride but it did get at times 40 mpg. Has a lot of recalls due to was the first year in the USA. First problems with dealership was with a oil change with they welded the oil plug on because they bent it and didn't have one to replace it. On the next oil change, I called for appointment, they stated over the phone that they had oil plugs but didn't on the day of my appointment, and this happen 4 times before I got my oil changed. Now I have problems with it over heating after oil change. They want $3000 to fix. Dealership is trying to say I ran it hot I have called GMC to find out why so much damage when I pulled over when it got hot. GMC phone call was disconnected before call was finished. I see where in NY there is a class action lawsuit.

- Brenda B., Deridder, LA, US

problem #6

Jul 222015

Cruze LS 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,800 miles

Chevy Cruze light would come on and say A/C shut down due to high temp. Or high temp idle engine. Car would go from cold to hot on gauge in literally 2 seconds.

- asager, Opdyke, IL, US

problem #5

Dec 122014

Cruze 1LT 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Coolant hose dry rotting causing leak at 50000, not covered at Serra Chevy.

- Vincent W., Pell City, AL, US

problem #4

Apr 022015

Cruze LT 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

overheating

Driving home from work on freeway at 70mph... AC off due to High Engine Temp message comes on message center in Instrument Panel.

Immediately exited freeway to prevent head gasket or worse from blowing. Water level looked good. Slowly opened reservoir until pressure equalized. It bubbled and steamed like Crazy. Went ahead and topped off reservoir anyway.

I decided to chance it and get my car closer to home. Got back on the freeway and drove slower in the slow lane. About 20 miles later I heard what I thought was a backfire. I decided to pull off and have it towed to the dealer.

Dealer says it was a false positive. The thermostat was failing.

- Michael S., Temecula, CA, US

problem #3

Dec 012011

Cruze LS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

I have had nothing but problems 2011 1.8 cruze now making loud noise by the belt, i repeat do not buy this car! it repeat. overheats, don't start,don't shift and or bangs chugs etc. also gm has fixed problems service has been ok but problems keep coming back they refuse to buy car back , dealer told me it is the character of the car and i just need to learn how to drive it????? really that was helpful by the way most problems started first week of owning car, have had very few problem free months which is why i bought new car i was better off with old car. i repeat do not buy chevy cruze junk junk junk junk junk junk junk junk junk junk junk junk

.....

- budyr8, laconia, NH, US

problem #2

Nov 042013

Cruze LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,200 miles

I drove the car 11 miles into town. Parked at my child's school, ran in, came back out. Started the car - it said "A/C off due to high engine temp". I did not have my A/C on. My heat was on. Turned the switch to off and the temp gauge went from a little above half to just below half where it normally sits.

The car is at the dealer right now - Will update after they call.

Update from Mar 8, 2016: The ultimate fix to my car came when a coworker was looking at it with me and noticed a small plastic piece on top of the engine leaking a small amount of coolant. I forget how much the part cost but it was less than $30. Labor was covered by the dealership because of all the previous problems. Basically the coolant was leaking out so slowly that it just took a long time to get low enough to cause a problem.

I haven't had a problem since we replaced that piece and I'm now at 120k miles.

- Josie M., Pittsburg, TX, US

problem #1

Jan 112013

Cruze LT 1.4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Having to get a new water pump on this car at 52,000 miles is ridiculous. I understand normal wear and tear but this car is cheaply put together. The car was brought brand new. I have only owned it for approx 16 months at the time this happened.

- swashington04, Chattanooga, TN, US

Not what you are looking for?