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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).

7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
34,250 miles
Total Complaints:
35 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (34 reports)
  2. replaced valve body and channel plate (1 reports)
2011 Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems

transmission problem

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Jun 092011

Cruze 2LT Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

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

delayed acceleration (3-6 sec) then skips into turbo

I first started having delayed acceleration after owning my cruze for about 2 months. It progressively got worse. After about 7 months the delay increased to a delay that make me feel unsafe driving the car. As i would push the accelerator to make a yielding left hand turn, my car wouldn't do anything. After 2-4 seconds, my car would finally respond and jerk me (almost giving me whiplash) and speed forward (as if i had been flooring it, which i wasn't). This is very dangerous and could casue an accident at anytime. I took it back to Chevy of Bellevue for the (3rd time), they again told me that they could get the car to duplicate it after a 10 minute test drive and that they suspect its just the natural shifting of the car and that all the turbos shift kind of hard. The technician told me that if i wanted it to shift smoother and fast i would need to drive the car in manual. Really? why would i buy a car thats an automatic if i have to manually shift it for it to be safe and run smooth. BTW even in maual it shifts hard. They have still not been able to fix the problem and I continue to tell the dealership how unsafe the car it to drive.

- hkandren, Maple Valley, WA, US

problem #14

Jan 142011

Cruze 2LT Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

I first started having accelerating and shifting problems with my 2011 Chevy Cruze less than 3 months after i purchased it. It started with a 2-3 second delay in the acceleration when i pushed the gas pedal. I took it to Chevy of Bellevue in WA. They told me there was nothing wrong, as they couldn't get the car to duplicate the problem after a 10 min test drive. I expressed my dissatisfaction and told them that i felt it was going to cause an accident and it was a real safety problem. The continued to tell me that they could find anything wrong with my car. The problem continues and gets worse every day!

- hkandren, Maple Valley, WA, US

problem #13

Aug 102011

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I bought this car in july 2011, i have had it back in the shop 4 times for a jerking in the transmission...they tell me it is a BUSY transmission I almost get whiplash when it shifts, 8 miles an hour, then at 14 miles an hour and at 28 miles an hour...they all do it ...im not buying that. I tried to trade it for a FORD product the salesman did not want the cruze on his lot, he told me people are very unhappy with the 2011 cruzes. it now has 22000 miles on it and scares me when i drive it, i hope the transmission falls out. I also put it in reverse with my foot on the brake and it moves without me taking my foot off the brake, also when sitting at a stop light with my foot on the brake it lunges forward, they see no problem...How sad this is, you pay good money for these cars and cant get a honest answer, the techs have all been taught to tell us cruze owners the same story "IT"S A BUSY TRANSMISSION"

- landon07, Kouts, IN, US

problem #12

Nov 082012

Cruze 2LT 1.4L Ecotec Vvt Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,884 miles

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

Dealerships keep telling me nothing wrong with my car...as it continues having major problems. Remember, I complained about lack of power and hesitation when I had 3000 miles on my car. While in NJ, during Super Storm Sandy (yes, I know how to pick cars and vacation spots) my husband, was driving my car and the transmission acted up. Finally...woo hoo...I think my car will finally get fixed and it will have the pep it had when I bought it..the reason I bought a turbo. Invoice states: "Delayed shifting at approx. 30-40 mph. Warm/cold control valve body channel plate pitted at sealing surface to THCM, 2-6 clutch regulator valve scored binding in valve body replaced valve body and channel plate, performed adaptive relearn K6560 2.4." Of particular interest...the mechanic tells me that the dealership is stocking turbos because of the problems now surfacing. Before they had to order them. Okay, by this time I have had heater problems (it wouldn't turn off), leak in sun-roof repaired, transmission replaced and/or repaired. You would think my car is back to factory (sub)standards. I still can't get draft noise fixed or my radio. I will keep trying. Good news..my POS Cruze, for a few weeks, runs a little better..until I lose power..AGAIN. See my next post.

- dmp444, Round Rock, TX, US

problem #11

May 112013

Cruze ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Wanted a reliable car...checked out many dealers and the salesman really sold me on this one.....had this car about two years and the transmission sticks..I told the dealership and the agent on the telephone said it was SUPPOSED to slip at times...and that I was basically imagining that the gears were STICKING...the gears seems to shift at will and get STUCK.....

The last honda I had, took 10 years for any problem to surface..specifically the brakes....I've had the cruz only 2 years now there's squealing....I HATE THIS..hoping it doesn't cost me an arm and let to get it fixed... ALSO I will be reporting as a Lemon to some governmental agency if my transmission continues to act up as I specifically reported this to the dealership who refused to find or acknowledge the problem..

- tmedia, Hendersonville, TN, US

problem #10

Mar 152012

Cruze LTZ

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

Even though I had already told the dealership that the transmission did not work properly (banged between gears) and that it was leaking, they told me that they could not find the problem. Later on it quit switching between 1st and 2nd gear. Took it in and they fixed the problem. I had to take the car in this morning (to a different dealership) for other problems, and they made copies of my service invoices, so I don't have the details at the moment on what was done to fix the problem. But, it had to do with the parts being dirty when it was manufactured and causing problems with the transmission. On top of all of this, a month later my family was out running errands when a message came on saying that the transmission was overheating! Turns out the idiots at Walker Chevrolet in Franklin, TN didn't check the fluids at the proper temp and overfilled them causing yet more problems with the car. (Which it still runs like CRAP!) I'll update later once I get a new copy of the service invoice.

- Emily S., Murfreesboro, TN, US

problem #9

Aug 242012

Cruze LTZ

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

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

I have been reading that this is a common problem with 2011 Cruzes. Today was the 2nd time it happend, and thankfully my husband was driving, so he could understand what I was talking about. It is really scary. Also he had the gas pedal to the floor board and it would only go 40mph. It happened in both auto and manual.

- davis468, Winside, NE, US

problem #8

Apr 242012

Cruze KT1

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles

4-25-12 - brought into dealership for loud popping & jolting into gear from the stop position to acceleration - dealership could not duplicate/ no repair

- ihatemycruze, Fort Worth, TX, US

problem #7

Sep 172011

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

My 20011 Chevy Cruze Automatic,with Turbo ,had always shifted funny, come to find out this shifting is part of the design of the transmission, But at times you will have to floor the pedal in order to accelerate from slow to fast, not good ! two times the car almost stalled. also not good.Took my Cruze to a dealership in the morning ,they did not have time that day to check it out, did not tell me this until the end of the day . I will try again at another dealership in a few days, hope it is only a software issue .

- mckeetx, w, w, 4

problem #6

Sep 092011

Cruze LT V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

I thought I was getting a good deal when I traded in my truck for this car. I paid nothing out of my pocket and it was an even trade, but now I know why. They are trying to get rid of a lot of these cars as they don't perform right. I think a moped can go faster than this car at times. It shifts weird and sometimes it hesitates if you don't make a compete stop and then step on the gas, which to me is a safety concern. I took it in to the shop and they said oh its normal. Well my girlfriend has the 2012 ECO and hers seems to drive good. Did they just hurry and make the 2011 model that its junk? Not happy and wish I had my truck back. Really thinking of trading this in and going back to a used truck or car, something that has more BALLS!!!

- Marcine J., Buffalo, NY, US

problem #5

Jul 282011

Cruze LT 4 cyl Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,290 miles

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

The car has me scared half to death. I am afraid of this car. It still is not shifting correctly and the engine surges randomly. I will not drive this car again. Isn't that awful, GM is not standing behind their product. I am sick and tired of this lemon Cruze.

- Bert H., Laurie, MO, US

problem #4

Oct 032011

Cruze LS 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 437 miles

There are a serious "flat spot" of about 2-3 seconds when you take off slowly, and then again when driving in regular traffic and you release the gas pedal and press to re-accelerate. My dealer has confirmed this matter with all of the 2011 Cruze's. But GM is in the DENIAL stage -- they are aware of these problems but are playing the usual game. They probably don't have the solutions. But this getting to be a safety issue because I almost had an accident due to this hesitation.

You would think that after testing the car for over 6 Millions KM, like they advertise, they would have notice this or rectify the problem. Surprise..surprise...

This is my retirement savings that went into this Cruze...what a deception!!! I thought at one time GM was advertising a 90 days return policy; does anyone know? Any info on the matter would be appreciated. My recommendation before purchasing a Cruze is rent one for a few weeks first! G.M. stand well behind their name "General Mistake"--- Voila !!!!

- Gilles B., Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

problem #3

Aug 192011

Cruze LT V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

After the car has been sitting overnight , when I start it and put it in reverse no problem then put in drive and it jumps. It only does it after sitting for along time. Brought it in to the dealership and they could not duplicate the problem which I find interesting, as I still had it the next day..

- patsy108, Pompano Beach, FL, US

problem #2

Mar 082011

Cruze Plain 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 207 miles

We've taken the car to KENNY ROSS 3 times and were told the problem would right itself after several hundred miles (it hasn't) next we were told it was because of the air-conditioning?? and lastly they couldn't feel it!!

- Chris M., Somerset, PA, US

problem #1

Apr 022011

Cruze LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 900 miles

GM REALLY SCREWING UP PEOPLE THAT PURCHASED THIS CAR.

- alxmadls, Huntington Park, CA, US

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