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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 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,422 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #208

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 #207

May 012017

Cruze

  • 92,000 miles
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.

- Apalachin, NY, USA

problem #206

Feb 192019

Cruze

  • 100,000 miles
My lighting has been messed up since I bought the car. All my lights randomly dim, my break lights flicker like there is an electrical problem. My turbo has something wrong with it, but no codes. The car doesn't accelerate like it's supposed to. All this occurs when moving. Breaks obviously whenever hit the breaks.

- Rock Creek, OH, USA

problem #205

May 012019

Cruze

  • 110,000 miles

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

Multiple issues with PCV system causing car to run rough. This issue is a known issue affecting almost all Cruze worldwide that GM refuses to fix. Has not been repaired due to costs. This also can cause oil leaks which can start a fire.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #204

Nov 022019

Cruze

  • 127,000 miles
There is an oil leak the is dropping on, possibly the exhaust, and the fumes from burnt oil is coming in through the vents. Breathing that in is not safe.

- Placentia, CA, USA

problem #203

Oct 152019

Cruze

  • 678,888 miles
Transmission fail, too much ignition leaking

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #202

Aug 012019

Cruze

  • 135,000 miles

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

Vehicle was purchased in 2011 and has 135,000 miles on it. Body and interior is in great condition and I take care of the engine and powertrain for its scheduled maintenance. I have the documents to prove my statement. This vehicle has been nothing but a headache. I just wanted to notify you and warn any other person that may be thinking of buying a Cruze to not purchase. I was hoping also that I may have a recourse under the lemon law to recover some or all of the losses invested in trying to keep the vehicle in running condition. The transmission is currently malfunctioning and the turbo was also recently malfunctioning. Currently this vehicle is in a parking lot collecting dust. The cost to repair or replace is more than the value of the vehicle. Can you advise or help with a solution? it would be sad to see honest consumers invest their hard earned cash on a product that will last them for less then a decade.

- Swartswood, NJ, USA

problem #201

Oct 172019

Cruze

  • 74,129 miles
Turbo gate went out at 74K miles, like the flip of a switch. Running fine in the morning then went to leave work the afternoon and gave it gas and started making a terrible noise. Shop I took it to so it could be looked at said it was the 3rd one he saw this year.

- Remlap, AL, USA

problem #200

Mar 132019

Cruze

  • 116,549 miles
Engine losses power on the highway. Almost stumbling around to get power back. Have to add multiple pints of oil between oil changes.

- Holt, AL, USA

problem #199

Sep 302019

Cruze

  • 95,000 miles
My car is leaking oil and coolant. I have gotten an oil change and put coolant in my car but within three days, my car was telling me that it was time for another oil change my car was overheating. Then my car started smoking but there was no indication that it was overheating. I looked online and saw that there was a recall in 2011/2012 regarding the same problem. I spoke to GM motors customer service and was told that the recall had been closed so unfortunately, if I want it to be fixed, it has to come out of pocket. I did buy my car pre-owned so I am not aware of what took place before I got it but I haven't done anything to the car for this problem to transpire.

- Long Branch, NJ, USA

problem #198

Jul 292019

Cruze

  • 137,000 miles

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

Been in and out of shops trying to fix a coolant leaks. I'm no mechanic or anything so I don't think much of weird noises or smells but I have become highly accustomed to the smell of burning coolant. A warning will frequently come on noting the ac was turned off due to high engine heat but only a couple times it completely overheated and forced me to stop driving. Any fix seems to just slow down the leak for a little bit to where you don't need any major repairs for a while.

- Lawrence, KS, USA

problem #197

Nov 152017

Cruze

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, lunged, and lost power. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to BMW of alexandria (499 S pickett St, alexandria, va 22304, (703) 684-8500) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13V044000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

- Temple Hills,, MD, USA

problem #196

Aug 172019

Cruze

  • 114,000 miles
Vehicle stalls sometimes at lights and stop signs. Only happens after we've been driving for 30+ miles or more. It doesn't matter if it's highway or city. When it stalls, no dash lights come on, it doesn't idle improperly and there is no warning that the vehicle is going to stall. When I take my foot from the brake at idle and apply it to the gas to move through a green light or stop sign after stopping is when it stalls. I have replaced the valve cover and intake (two weeks ago) and the problem is still occurring. Idle does get a little worse with air conditioning on. I've put $2000 into this car this year for this same problem. I've visited three different mechanics. Nobody can figure out why this is happening. It's been happening unpredictably since we purchased the car in 2016.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #195

Aug 052019

Cruze

  • 98,000 miles
I just bought my Cruze and the check engine light was on due to needing a mass air flow sensor. The engine was hesitating on pulling out from red lights and stop signs, and going down the highway when you accelerate to a faster speed. So I had the sensor replaced and it did not resolve the issue, but the check engine light went out.

- Black Lick, PA, USA

problem #194

Jul 112019

Cruze

  • miles
I have been battling my cooling system for the last year radiator keep running hot I have gotten my thermostat done and other things also. I have been on the road and it will run hot, more than once

- Lawerenceville, GA, USA

problem #193

Jun 112019

Cruze

  • 178,000 miles
About a week ago I was driving home when my car decided to shift super hard and my RPM was jumping up scary high then my check engine light turned on and now it won't shift right or my RPM goes up really high the code that popped up was P0700

- Durand, MI, USA

problem #192

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 #191

Nov 012018

Cruze

  • 120,000 miles
The engine starts shutting down while sitting at stop lights and has a strong oil smell.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #190

Nov 252018

Cruze

  • 70,000 miles
Engine light comes on and car will slow down and barely take off. Engine is responding to gas pedal but no power in low gear so takes off very slow nearly resulting in wreck. Two shops, including transmission shop, state its electronic problem including 'lack of communication'. it happens from being stationary or in process of driving when it loses power suddenly. When engine light goes off it runs ok. Dangerous to drive as never know when it'll act up. Started about six months ago, and is intermittent.

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #189

Apr 252019

Cruze

  • 150,000 miles
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

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