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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 4 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #188

Apr 192019

Cruze

  • 63,000 miles

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

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 #187

Apr 142019

Cruze

  • 115,000 miles
Coolant leak from thermostat housing occuring slowly over time. Depleted coolant reservoir caused the engine to overheat after driving for about seven minutes. The vehicle was then pulled over on the freeway shoulder and the coolant added. Messages such as "ac off due to high engine to high engine temp" "high coolant temp" "engine temp high-idle engine" appeared with no resolution. Thermostat housing was not connected and spewing coolant onto overheating engine causing smoke/steam. Vehicle was required to be towed from the location.

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

problem #186

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 #185

Feb 252018

Cruze

  • 91,000 miles

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

My car is only at 91K miles, and my cylinder 3 is not compressing anymore, more than likely due to piston ring failure.

- Wheeling, WV, USA

problem #184

Apr 202017

Cruze

  • miles
Tamara recall transmission, valve cover, brake sensor, throttle sensor, this car has gave me problems after problems, every month it's literallg something new I have about 20 pages of receipts

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #183

Jan 262019

Cruze

  • 50,000 miles
It's been one year and my Chevy Cruze has overheated twice. The first time the thermostat was wrong along with the thermo pipe that needed to be replaced. And now similar issue is happening where my car smells funny, I turn the heat in and the car will start to over heat and never warm the car.

- Gatineau, MI, USA

problem #182

Jan 152019

Cruze

  • 168,000 miles

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

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 #181

Dec 062017

Cruze

  • 82,000 miles
The Chevrolet Cruze's water coolant outlet has cracked three times now. This is a plastic piece that cracks under heat and leaks radiator fluid.

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #180

Nov 132018

Cruze

  • 91,500 miles
The car engine has shut off twice in 2 weeks while making a right turn on an incline. I slowed down to make the turn/curve and then stepped on the gas and the car died. The dash and radio stay on, but no power to engine. No service lights stay lite on the dash. You have to turn the key off, put in park, open door so radio turns off, give a min and restart. The first time I was pulling off a side road onto a busy road, but I didn't do a complete stop because traffic was clear. I was going 10-15mph. The second time I was on a side road going about 25-30 mph. It was just a mildly sharp curve.

- Nashotah, WI, USA

problem #179

Nov 192018

Cruze

  • 77,150 miles
No reimbursement for same issue, same error code. If I'm being told by different body shops that they continually see the same issue with Chevy Cruze's, being the loss of turbo boost. Shouldn't it be a part of the recall for 2013&14 or at least be made a recall itself. Mine is a 2011 with the same error code read as the recall with 2013's. my turbo was replaced right before thanksgiving. Happy holidays smh!

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #178

Nov 162018

Cruze

  • 80,000 miles

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

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

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #177

Nov 022018

Cruze

  • 87,500 miles
While driving the engine totally looses power and the entire car is shut off and comes to a stop. Lots of electrical messages show up, and sometimes the key cannot come out of ignition. After an hour, sometimes it will restart. I have had it towed three times to the dealer. At first they thought it was the negative battery cable, but its still has the problem. Starting to not be able to trust this car as its a hazard to drive not knowing when it will cut out and just stop with no power to even have windows roll up.

- Saint Peters, MO, USA

problem #176

Jun 122016

Cruze

  • 120,000 miles
Loosing antifreeze, constantly overheating and may have blown head gasket in motion and sitting still. I am very dissatisfied with the purchase of this car! it has been nothing but trouble and very costly buying antifreeze once a week at $20 a jug for half and half. I hope and pray that this engine will be recalled!!!

- Orleans, IN, USA

problem #175

May 012016

Cruze

  • 65,000 miles
2016 ECM reprogramming recall ever since I brought my car in for the recall in 2016 to have the ECM reprogrammed, I have had severe issues with very rough idling, slow acceleration, and inconsistent fuel usage. Check engine light comes on and lists several sensors that need to be replaced. We replaced all of them and the problem still comes back. Now the codes indicate there is a catastrophic issue with the ECM and Chevy will not cover it even though this issue started from their own recall.

- Crest Hill, IL, USA

problem #174

Apr 012017

Cruze

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to courtesy Chevrolet (1233 E camelback rd, phoenix, AZ 85014, (602) 457-3232) for diagnostic testing where the contact was informed that the intake manifolds and PCV valve needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had to be repaired twice for this failure within a 45,000 to 50,000 mile range. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #173

Aug 152018

Cruze

  • 104,000 miles
We have had an issue with a chemical smell when the defrost is on since we purchased the vehicle in September 2015. When taken back to the dealership, they could not find any reason for the smell. It fogs the windshield with a film, causes headaches and light headedness. It is what I believe to be the smell of coolant burning, but nothing was ever found so we just continued to drive it. On 8/15/2018, the fan kicked on very high, we received the ac was being shut off error due to the temperature and the check engine light came on. The very odd thing about this is that the temperature never showed it was high. The gauge showed 1 line over half towards the hot side. Got it home and let it cool down and realized the coolant reservoir was empty. I refilled it and the fan went back to running as it normally would. I decided to check it again today and the reservoir was empty again. I have not had it looked at again yet, but I think maybe the initial coolant issue just became a larger one. I have seen multiple people complain of both of these issues. Has there not been any recall for this? I am going to have it looked at again but I feel like for the amount of people with these issues with this year of Cruze something should have been done by now to resolve this.

- Christopher, IL, USA

problem #172

Jun 042018

Cruze

  • 109,000 miles
I put $20 in gas in the vehicle on my way to work. When I pulled out into traffic, the car jerked violently, then proceeded to buck and idle funny all the way till I got to work. From that day till now, everytime I stop at a red light or stop sign, it stalls unless I keep gas petal pressed down.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #171

Apr 172018

Cruze

  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle was on highway going to lexington ky from louisville ky. Car begin to smoke. Hose that was supposedly fixed on radiator was rigged and oil spilled from the hose causing it to go into engine. Engine overheated while driving on highway. Engine died. Had to get car towed from one city to the next. Got stranded in another town because could not obtain a rental car because they were closed. Since 2016 I have spent over $7000 on getting the same issues or related issues fixed. I have spent over $5000 in rental cars and I still owe $9000 on my car which I purchased from bales automall/bachman in jeffersonville Indiana in 2014 with on 28,000 miles. I have kept my services up to date on the vehicle and have documentation for that. It seems once I begin to get oil changes at this location my car begin to decline. I would be told that I had one problem, they would fix it, and then something else would happen. In addition, I have a witness who is a family member who is experiencing the same problems with the same year and model car that she owns. I see her going through the same down spiral steps with her car as I did. It is almost like clockwork. I have read consumer reports about these vehicles and none have been positive. In fact, many who have a turbo engine will or have experienced this same issue. The car is a lemon... it needs to be recalled!! it is unfair that I purchased a car that was no good and that only ran good for two years before having to replace the turbo twice and the engine. Let me reiterate.. I still owe $9000 on this car. At this point I am clueless and I feel as if I was taken advantage of. When I reported this to the BBB;GMC and other sources they led me on for weeks knowing that they would not assist in the matter. Because of this whole fiasco I have anxiety in which I am taking medication. Please help dont know what to

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #170

May 082018

Cruze

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. When releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle abruptly jerked and shook. When the brake pedal was completely released, the vehicle jerked with force and shook. The contact had to wait a few seconds for the vehicle to stop jerking and shaking in order to engage the accelerator pedal. The failure was experienced everyday and the stability control, traction control, and check engine indicators illuminated during the failure. The failure normally occurred when the vehicle was driven 42 mph or less. However, when driving 55 mph or more, the failure was not experienced. After the jerking and shaking would end, the vehicle took a few minutes to reach 55 mph or more. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

- Farrell, PA, USA

problem #169

Mar 082018

Cruze

  • 81,569 miles
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

- New Castle, PA, USA

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