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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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,759 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #55

May 082018

Cruze

  • 93,000 miles

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

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 #54

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

problem #53

Jan 132018

Cruze

  • 154,000 miles
Engine power reduced comes on with service stabilitrack service traction control and drops engine speed and literally have to pull over and restart car. Now car won't even idle for longer for a minute before lights come on. Absolutely unsafe to drive as I travel long distances for work and travel with a small child which in these freezing temperatures is extremely unsafe. Had happened several dates most recent 1/14

- Cresco, IA, USA

problem #52

Jan 042018

Cruze

  • 97,000 miles

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

While on the highway and on the street multiple times this vehicle has shut down reducing engine power with service traction control sensor appear on the dash board. The car engine begins to make noises and slow abruptly. I have pulled over turn the car off then on and it stop. Then randomly it will happen again the sensor has disappeared completely and work perfectly fine then this will once agin happen. My car is under 100,000 miles and Chevy customer services tells me it is not covered under any warrenty

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #51

Jun 122017

Cruze

  • miles
In the last 4 months my tracking control, stability traction control, and reduce engine power light stays on. I have had knock censor replaced, value covers but nothing has worked. My car constantly cuts off in in the middle of traffic and three times on the freeway at 65 miles. The car is very unsafe and yet there are no recalls on my car.

- Fraser, MI, USA

problem #50

Aug 242015

Cruze

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 55 mph, the engine overheated. The vehicle was towed to hardy Chevrolet (2026 macland rd, dallas, ga 30157) where it was diagnosed that the reservoir and hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Months later, while driving, the stabilitrak warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to steve rayman Chevrolet (2155 cobb pkwy SE, smyrna, ga 30080) and repaired. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed back to steve rayman Chevrolet where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost; however, the vehicle was taken to an unknown independent mechanic for repairs. A year later, the vehicle was overheating again from the engine and an abnormal odor was coming from the air vent. In addition, there was white smoke coming from the tail pipe. The vehicle was taken back to hardy Chevrolet where it was diagnosed that a new motor was needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #49

Aug 012015

Cruze

  • miles

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

My check engine light will not clear no matter how much work I have done to my car. It's had roughly 5 grand worth of repairs and it's still shaking when it idled or jumps forward when I accelerate after a red light or stop sign

- Broomall, PA, USA

problem #48

Apr 212017

Cruze

  • 63,000 miles
Service stabil trak comes on, radio goes off, windows stop working. Starts to power down!!! I have had nothing but problems with this car! Chevy Cruze is garbage. This is a safety issue! transmission & heating/cooling unit went out!! 3 recalls!!!

- Brooklyn, OH, USA

problem #47

Mar 212017

Cruze

  • 52,300 miles
Bought this car used with 51K miles a month ago. Drove great the first week, after that loses powerupon acceleration and is slow to get up to speed. While driving just now, the car was losing power so I decided to hit the gas harder and instead of going faster the the stability track light came on. I am starting to wonder if I made a bad decision purchasing this car. It had trouble going up hill on the highway last wk. This car is too compact to have speed issues.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #46

Mar 132017

Cruze

  • 153,468 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact called on behalf of her son. While driving 20 mph or less, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the reduced power, traction control, check engine, and electronic stability control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,468.

- Ravenna, OH, USA

problem #45

Dec 212016

Cruze

  • 94,000 miles

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

Had car 6 months and transmission was slipping and not shifting properly had no power really it would go but had lots of delay and would jerk when it would finally go into gear. I took it to shop had to get transmission rebuilt well 3000 dollars later and them saying it was good to go but would shift funny while relearning gears well I drove it 38 miles and it was just like it was when I took in I thought at first it might be learning gears but after 50 miles over 2 days I felt like it wasn't right took it back to shop and now they are saying it is tcm and it will be anther 900 to fix I bought this car from a individual has no warranty now I'm out all this extra money. Worst car I've ever had. My dream car has turned into my real life nightmare. I will never buy anther GM/ Chevy vehicle. GM/Chevy won't do anything to help remedy problems known problems to them. Oh and then shop says water pump is going out so on website it shows it has special coverage under recalls I guess but I have to pay to get it diagnosed and now I'm scared to even put more money into it as I'm not sure any of this will actually fix the car I've read horror story after horror story of stories just like my mine. And yet GM/ Chevy does nothing and is still able to sell these lemon cars to people. I mean how many complaints and safety issues does this company have to get before they will do something. I can't believe I'm out over 12000 dollars for a car with maint free transmission with 94000 miles. I now have a 13000 dollar piece of junk that I beginning to believe that can not be fixed

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #44

Oct 222016

Cruze

  • 94,724 miles
This vehicle safety complaint is in regards to my 2011 Chevrolet Cruze lt, which was serviced at ourisman Chevrolet of bowie, a General Motors (GM) authorized dealer, for the repair of my vehicle. I incurred charges for unwarranted maintenance repairs on the following dates September 26-October 5, 2016 ($134.95 and $139.07 (cost for a new battery)), April 26, 2016 (warranty covered repairs), April 11, 2016 ($590.92), and April 14, 2015 ($382.14) that never addressed the safety complaints I made, all of which were handled by service advisor buddy reio. On these dates, I took my vehicle to be serviced for experiencing hazardous issues with its electrical systems and reduced engine acceleration while I was driving between 40-55 miles per hour. Without warning, my vehicle's speed would decelerate (both on the highway and residential roads) and my car doors would begin to lock and unlock uncontrollably with error messages 'service stabilitrac, ' 'service parking assist, ' and 'service airbag' displaying on my dashboard. After about 30 seconds of this condition, my car would resume normal functioning. I incurred $1,247.08 in unwarranted repairs for my vehicle, which was never properly diagnosed, leading to my vehicle shutting down while I was driving it on October 22, 2016. On October 22, 2016 at 3:20 P.M., while driving on a busy thoroughfare, my car decelerated and error messages displaying 'service stabilitrac, ' 'service parking assist, ' and 'service airbag' showed. After approximately 30 seconds, the car began to shut down and I managed to steer it out of the way of oncoming traffic. I immediately contacted Chevrolet's roadside service and informed the representatives that my engine would not start and I was stuck on the side of the road.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #43

Oct 012016

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 154,000 miles
I have been having several issues lately that are not covered under warranty with my car. Power train issues, stability issues, sensor issues. These issues have happened on and off and some have been fixed before and they keep getting worse. The car starts shaking really bad when I am driving. It does not feel safe.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #42

May 302011

Cruze 4-cyl

  • miles
Since purchasing this vehicle there has always been a hesitation in the acceleration and "engine jerking". I originally reported within the first approx 6 months of owning the vehicle. The service center had their transmission specialist drive the vehicle and I was told "that is just how it drives. I told them on a second time about the ongoing issues and was dismissed. Last year I started getting the "service stabilitrak" error and the jerking and lack of acceleration and hesitation has gotten increasingly worse. This is a safety concern as trying to go from a stopped position and going through an intersection it will lag and can cause a delay also driving down the road it will jerk and almost feel like I could lose control of the car. I often also get a smell of the coolant that goes through my car. I have had all recalls in the past taken care of, but the stabilitrak is an ongoing issue that is very concerning for the safety of myself and my daughter as a passenger in the vehicle. It has been an ongoing issue since the purchase of the vehicle 05/2011 only increasing in severity.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #41

Aug 292016

Cruze

  • 100 miles
Picked up car from shop after paying over $800 and the car stated to smell the car act as if it will catch a fire. Smoke coming out of the vents and under the hood. Called the dealer and no help the service manager will not return my call. I'm out of town two hours from my home. I will have to get a hotel room and I paid for rental car for two days already.

- Brunswick, GA, USA

problem #40

Jul 202016

Cruze

  • 121,000 miles
My car hesitate sometime during driving at low speed or high speed and the stabili trak light appear, the check engine light stays on even when I have replaced the part needed..

- Rocky Mount, NC, USA

problem #39

May 032016

Cruze

  • 97,000 miles
Loss of power steering during driving, radio flickers on and off while driving, while pressing brake while stopped the car continues to jump forward - city driving on highway and streets. Began happening one month after I purchased car on 4/3/2016.

- Miami, FM, USA

problem #38

May 042016

Cruze

  • miles
I was stranded for 4 hours in the rain with my groceries locked in my trunk at wal-mart when I tried to start my Chevy cruz the stabli track light came on my steering wheel lock and my keys was also lock on the ignition on May 3 2016

- Taylor, MI, USA

problem #37

Mar 112016

Cruze

  • 85,000 miles
The radio/HVAC display turns off and on; the antilock brake system, service traction system, service stabilitrac and steering vehicle messages comes on and off; the turn signal sound may not be heard; 'battery saver active' and 'service steering' displays in the driver information center (dic); and the interior and exterior lighting may flicker. Power steering assist is also lost, and greater effort may be needed to turn the steering wheel at low speeds or while the vehicle is stopped. This only happens in the summer. Doing speeds of 65mph. The car loses power and then the dash board and radion flickers on and off. The cars sometimes shuts off and I will have to put my hazards marker on the let the car pull over to the side of the road. And im not able to take the key out the ignition. The key will get stuck and about 3 minutes later I trying again and the key will come out. I try to start it up again and the car will start up. The steering will lock up while im trying to turn or is turning the it will go back to regular state. It only does this in the summer or when the car gets hot. So I took I to the dealership and they said it was my negative battery cable. This is unsafe. This has been going on for almost a 1 year it starts and stops when it wants too. Also when im stopped or sitting at a stop light the matters are even worser

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #36

Feb 292016

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
Car will slow to 2 mph with the warnings "low engine mode" and "service stabilitrack". can be going any speed and this happens. Have had the car towed 3 times for this same problem. Each time they tell us it is another part that is defective. We have spent approximately $2,000 on repairs for this same issue. My main concern is that my [xxx] year old son who drives this vehicle is going to get killed. If this happens on a highway with a semi behind him, the semi will not be able to slow down to that speed that fast and will run right over him. There are numerous reports of this same issue on 2011-2015 Cruze vehicles that you can find anywhere on the internet (even on GM forum). I would like to know how many people have to die from this issue before a recall is made on these vehicles? parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Circleville, OH, USA

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