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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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 2
Average Mileage:
55,522 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #74

Dec 102022

Cruze

  • miles

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

I think even though it says no recalls on my mother's car I think it is part of this recall because it keeps happening after repaired correctly by her car repair person. She had it fixed twice for leaking antifreeze then after fixed twice it was fine for a bit then it blew all out and said overheating like what I read in this website link on recall. Know unable to drive it till fixed correctly https://www.vehiclehistory.com/questions/what-is-the-chevy-cruze-antifreeze-leak-recall-about-107459 so she needs it covered to get fixed permanently for good forever for free at here local gm.

- Standish , ME, USA

problem #73

Apr 212022

Cruze

  • miles
I have a massive oil leak and have changed all the parts and it's still has a massive oil leak only when driven what can be done to stop it please help running out of cashmony?

- Godfrey, IL, USA

problem #72

Oct 022020

Cruze

  • miles
Real bad oil leak my oil been leaking for months and a intake manifold code P2076 I really need this problem fix. I done spend a lot of money getting this car repaired everytime I get this Chevy Cruze out the shop something else wrongs I can-??t out no more money into this car too many car problems I haven-??t drove this car in 3 weeks because I was driving somewhere and white smoke started coming out the tailpipe bad somebody called the fire department and police on me that-??s how bad the smoke was coming out the tailpipe mind you I had just got the car out the shop i had got code P0303 fix this car cost me alot of money I got alot of repairs done on this car

- Cleveland , OH, USA

problem #71

Mar 122021

Cruze

  • 130,000 miles

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

My trunk is coming open on its own. Sometimes when I unlock my car the trunk will pop open other times it will just pop open when I'm driving down the road. It is not my key fob because I have used different key fobs that I have and the problem is still happening. This is dangerous when driving down the highway. This can happen when it's sitting in the driveway. Overnight I wake up in the morning and the trunk is open or when I'm driving down the road. This started happening just this month and has been happening sporadically but at least once a day if not more. I've done some research on the internet and I am not the only one this is happening to with their Chevy Cruze. I think it recall is an order before a wreck does happen if it hasn't already.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #70

Feb 052021

Cruze

  • miles
Both of my keys have broken off. Thankfully, they've never been stuck in my ignition, but they have both snapped off. I was parked in the driveway (I had just arrived) and went to turn my ignition off and the key snapped at the base, by where the pin holds it. The key itself is ok, but completely separated from the base or housing. Please note this is the second time this has happened, I thought my 11 year old broke the first one so I have been using the spare. The break looks exactly the same this time as the first time, I just must have dropped the actual key part out without noticing.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

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problem #69

Oct 012020

Cruze

  • 89,300 miles
The car is hesitating after stopping whether its a light or sign also has while in motion which almost got me hit! !T1here is also a burning smell at times! I have had it looked at within the month and they said it was a sensor, no-one seems to know what to do ! bou8ght this car from Honda in anderson Indiana!! its had problems the whole time I've had IT1 ill never buy another Cruze

- Anderson, IN, USA

problem #68

Jul 272020

Cruze

  • miles

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

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 #67

Jul 232015

Cruze

  • 102,000 miles
Car has constantly been slow in shifting gears when in automatic

- Bristol, TN, USA

problem #66

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 #65

Jan 092018

Cruze

  • miles
Cars heat does not heat up, blows out cold air. It is always one click above cold when in motion, when sitting still it will heat up 2 clicks above cold. This is a problem on this car and there are many complaints. The problem does not seem to be fixable, even when replacing the the heater core or wiring.

- Atwater, OH, USA

problem #64

Oct 152019

Cruze

  • 678,888 miles

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

Transmission fail, too much ignition leaking

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #63

Jul 142019

Cruze

  • 94,500 miles
Most other GMC and Chevy models were recalled for this, but not this one. It clearly is an issue here as well. The ignition cylinder lock jammed. The key was stuck inside and unable to turn off the vehicle completely, leaving it on battery mode.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #62

Jun 082019

Cruze

  • 122,000 miles
While driving my 2011 Chevrolet Cruze lt when it gets T0 between 30-40 mph the rpms will go extremely high the check engine light will come on and the car will slow down as it is slowing down it will jerk into the lower gears if I don't put the car in neutral. Since I don't have a reader for the check engine light I have to pull over and disconnect my battery to get that to shut off. I have to let my car engine/transmission cool down before driving again otherwise I will only make it eighth of a mile down the road and the same thing happens. I want this problem fixed. I officially hate my car because of this problem. Makes me never want to buy a Chevrolet again. I have seen may complaints of this happening to this year of car. This should be recalled and fixed free of charge.

- Stacy, MN, USA

problem #61

May 092019

Cruze

  • 0 miles
Have a 2011 Chevy Cruze that I bought a few years ago, from carmax. Since I bought the car a few years ago, my car has always been very warm on the drivers side foot area, and where my leg rests there is a panel on the right of the gas peddle that is where the heat comes from. I have brought my car a few times to the dealership after I noticed how hot it got in that area. Over 130F! (I gave up at this time, ) last week, my wife had a small rear end crash on my car. Nothing major but we took it to the body shop to get work on. When I brought the car in to them, I asked them if they can put some new insulation pipe on my car heat pipes, because the old ones were probably needing to be replaced. When the replaced it and my car was ready for pick up, they told me that they put the new insulation on it, but they showed me the old one. The old one was burnt and they said could have almost caught fire those pipes. Along with the side panel was warping due to the amount of heat coming out of there. I told them at the time, that its a safety issue, but they said because my warranty is expired from years ago, they have to charge me for inspecting it, from there if they find a issue then we can discuss with GM what is the best way to handle to repairs and costs. (I told them I would get back to them about that.)

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #60

May 112019

Cruze

  • 95,232 miles
My car needs 4 fuel injectors and gage was stuck open a driving hazard. Oil has neen leaking around valve covers amd replaced but do smell burning time to time got coolamt leak fixed last year.

- Fremont, OH, USA

problem #59

Feb 232019

Cruze 4-cyl

  • miles
2011 Chevrolet Cruze. Consumer writes seeking information about any recalls issued for this vehicle.

- Snyder, TX, USA

problem #58

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 #57

Feb 222019

Cruze

  • 65,000 miles
The interior door handle chrome peels and caused deep cut to finger.

- Hillsdale, NY, USA

problem #56

Feb 122019

Cruze

  • 91,000 miles
I drove my 2011 Chevrolet Cruze to work without issue. Upon leaving I started my my vehicle, put it in reverse and backed out of my parking spot but it would not drive forward. I had the vehicle towed to my home. The next day it would not start up entirely.

- College Park, GA, USA

problem #55

Dec 122018

Cruze

  • 65,000 miles
The key fob holding the key in the ignition broke, leaving the key in the ignition, unable to turn off or turn on the vehicle.

- Fargo, ND, USA

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