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).
The electrical system would act up in wet conditions. The dashboard would blink randomly and wouldnt stop unless the car was restarted. The powersteering would GO OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, which made the car swerve! When I used the turn signal seemed to also trigger it."SERVICE STABILITRAK" appeared on the dashboard each time. It was deathly scary and I was convinced I purchased a coffin! When I called Onstar, they couldnt read the computer errors because its connected with the dashboard that kept blinking in and out, and the call dropped each time. The car sat at the dealership for 3 months. They had to replace the electrical system and I have not experienced any issues since then.
Car had been starting "differently" the prior week or so, but nothing significant to make me take it in. Drove from my house to town (4 miles), got out at the grocery store, got back in, drove 1/2 mile to parents house. Stayed in my parents house about 30 minutes, come outside and the car won't start.
My dad hooked jumper cables up and it immediately started. Drove all day - stopped, turned car off, back on, even had the battery tested at ABC Auto and they said the battery and alternator were good.
I drove it back home (4 miles) and parked. I went out every couple of hours to start it just to see if there were any lingering issues.....none.
Got in the next morning and had to be jumped off again. Took it to the dealer - new battery cost $185+tax.
My Cruze had been starting "funny" for a week or so. Seemed slow to turn over. Then, one day I came out of a store and sure enough, it wouldn't start. Luckily I was across the street from one of the stores of the auto shop my brother-in-law works for and one of their guys came over to jump me off. Took the car in to the dealership and had to put a new battery in it. While I realize that batteries don't last forever, they shouldn't go out at 22,700 miles!
- Emily S.,
Murfreesboro, TN, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The electrical system would act up in wet conditions. The dashboard would blink randomly and wouldnt stop unless the car was restarted. The powersteering would GO OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, which made the car swerve! When I used the turn signal seemed to also trigger it."SERVICE STABILITRAK" appeared on the dashboard each time. It was deathly scary and I was convinced I purchased a coffin! When I called Onstar, they couldnt read the computer errors because its connected with the dashboard that kept blinking in and out, and the call dropped each time. The car sat at the dealership for 3 months. They had to replace the electrical system and I have not experienced any issues since then.
- ebbeysweets, McKees Rocks, PA, US