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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:
59,624 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 2 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #223

Oct 012020

Cruze

  • 89,300 miles

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

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 #222

Oct 162020

Cruze

  • 116,000 miles
Engine blew on the freeway with everything being looked at and topped off the day before

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #221

Jun 032019

Cruze

  • 89,000 miles
Spilling and dripping oil collected in the oil pan near the hot engine appears to be associated with the engine or oil cooler. Burns and smells as if something may cause a fire.

- Clarksdale, MS, USA

problem #220

Aug 052020

Cruze

  • 115,000 miles

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

The 2011 Chevy Cruze eco has been having a couple issues from there being a small oil leak coming from the engine it drips more after driving and also another little leak toward the back of the car then also my stablitrak and traction control issues kept me from getting out of an accident because my wheels didn't move the way I planned too, the radiator fan also has been working harder then usually it non stop is blowing very hard to keep the car cool. Last under the car the bottom trays have some oil building up and building

- Cape May Court House, NJ, USA

problem #219

Sep 102020

Cruze

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that oil and coolant were mixing in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the radiator, water pump, the thermostat housing and coolant reservoir were replaced. Sir walter Chevrolet (8501 glenwood ave, raleigh, nc 27612), was contacted and informed of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V288000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #218

Aug 312020

Cruze

  • miles
I've received a letter from General Motors awaring me about the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) pressure regulator valve. That may develop a condition with my vehicle, and I believe my vehicle is in the condition as they described. But the I can only get it repair at no cost if my vehicle was less then 120,000 miles. I bought the car in June 2020 at 160,000 miles. My concern is that now knowing about this issue worries me and my family's safety getting around. As this is my main vehicle use to get to work, etc.

- Inver Grove Heights, MN, USA

problem #217

Aug 262020

Cruze

  • miles

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

Code P1101 sitting in a parking lot in check engine light came on within 24 hours of buying the car

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #216

Aug 082020

Cruze

  • 120,000 miles
Vehicle's engine has been overheating since the day I got it. Engine leaking oil. I had the transmission, head cover gasket, valve cover and water pump all repaired. Check engine light is still on and no mechanic can figure out why. Vehicle still overheats and leaks oil.

- Yaphank, NY, USA

problem #215

Jul 272020

Cruze

  • miles
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 #214

May 132020

Cruze 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
The 'ac off due to high engine temp' warning keeps coming on, the ac won't work and the temp gauge goes back to zero. We have had the engine coolant temp sensor replaced and the radiator temp sensor replaced also and we are still having this issue! along with the dash and power steering goes out randomly while driving.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #213

Apr 222020

Cruze

  • 117,000 miles

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

My vehicle was recalled for the valve cover gasket which may leak oil and drop down causing a fire. I was told by the dealership that this was fixed upon taken it to a mechanic because the oil was dripping down causing smoke and the part that it was dripping on was red hot which was the coil wire. Was in fact not fixed.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #212

Apr 012020

Cruze

  • 188,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 45 mph, attempting to slow down the brakes began to lock. There was smoke coming from the dashboard of the vehicle. The driver pulled over and was able to stop the vehicle by applying excessive pressure to the brake pedal. The driver and the passenger of the vehicle were able to get out of the vehicle by kicking the doors to force them to open. Once the passenger was able to get out of the vehicle the passenger side of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. There were no injuries and no medical attention was needed. The contact spoke with fort Dodge Ford Toyota Lincoln (2723 5th ave S, fort Dodge, ia 50501 phone: (515) 576-7505) who informed the contact of a recall for the brakes and low oil leaking causing a fire. The vehicle's VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V36000 (service brakes, hydraulics) however, the vehicle was never repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 188,000.

- Gallery, IA, USA

problem #211

Jun 152018

Cruze

  • miles
The car overheats, this is the 2nd time replacing the motor. The first time I replaced the motor, it was not the original motor. I bought the car used. The previous owner replaced the motor.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #210

Feb 082020

Cruze

  • miles
There is a bad oil leak on the car that I wasn't informed of and the oil plug has been stripped out and there is oil all under the motor and you can smell it when parked and it's starting to come through the vents on the inside of the car

- Bremen, GA, USA

problem #209

Aug 202019

Cruze

  • 135,000 miles
It leaks motor oil everytime it gets changed, theres always a huge pile of oil on the ground, I can also move the gear shift without needing to press the brake pedal. Overall its been a hassel to deal with it.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #208

Oct 162019

Cruze

  • miles
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
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

Read the next 20 complaints »

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