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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
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
79,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. car was totaled (1 reports)
  2. gm has no concerns of life or death (1 reports)
2011 Chevrolet Cruze steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments

problem #2

Sep 262014

Cruze LT 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

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

On September 26, 2014 at around 10:00PM, I had a blow out on my passenger front tire so I put the donut on the tire to get home. I was on a residential street going about the speed limit 25 to 28 miles per hour as I came up to a curve in the road to my left the steering wheel stuck, I could not get it to turn. I rear ended a parked SUV, both air bags deployed, and the car was totaled. I took a field sobriety test and passed, was issued a citation for failure to provide proper look out? That's a new one to me. I told everyone that the steering wheel would not turn it was stuck.

I am already having surgeries from prior problems and I am sure that the crash is the reason I have to wear my huge back brace now. I have had 2 lower back surgeries and I need some work done on my neck now. Also they only did a half knee replacement on my knee and they should of done a full knee replacement so I need to have it redone now. Well, I got a recall letter 2 weeks ago, or as GM is saying it is a notice, that this might happen after driving on the highway. Well, it happened and the letter is too late for me. I am confused as to what should I do? Is this just tough sh*t for me? Anybody with some advice please tell me what route to go here. Thank you.

- rulerjking, Edgewood, NM, US

problem #1

Dec 152014

Cruze LT 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

I am an American, or as far as that goes as American can be. I worked hard most of my life. I went to war while I was in the US Navy; 13 months worth. I never complained about that. I never feared for my life. I was proud to be doing my part. I worked hard in school to get good grades and did a really good job of that. Everything I have ever done I have tried my best and been honest with myself. That's all I expect out of me. Others probably expect more but I am sorry I can only do what I can do. I drove the Captain of the ship I was aboard to numerous gatherings in numerous Southeast Asian Countries. I was a duty driver for the ship. I tried my best each and every day while serving my country. I can't say I did not try.

Unfortunately while going through college and working to do so, I hurt my back. I hurt a lot of things probably because I was a tough country kid from Colorado. I worked construction a lot of my life. I enjoyed and wanted to be an Architect. I did that in a sense that I can now understand engineering for Architecture, draw, design, build, and finish what I design. Well, I could when I was healthy that is. I have been out of work since May 2009. I had a back surgery in 2008; it did not work out for me so we had to pull the 2-xstops out and fuse 2 levels. Since then my neck has so many issues in the MRI that I don't know how many surgeries it will take or what will be needed, I am awaiting the neurosurgeons advice. I also had my left knee replaced; well half of my left knee. I don't understand this at all as when I went into the orthopedic surgeons office and complained of my knee hurting just recently he stated to me that he did not do half knee replacements and therefore I must have this knee redone. Wow, I have a lot on my plate right now. I am sick of pain and I am sick of GM.

So here is my complaint! This is what happened, I was driving on a residential street on a September 26, 2014 a Friday night, clear night, stars out a bit brisk but a typical starry night in New Mexico. I came up to a curve in the road going to my left and as I was navigating this, my thought process was turn the steering wheel to the left and navigate easily up or down the road. Well, the steering wheel would not turn. I just could not get the dang thing to go left. Well I had no time and applied my brakes and bam! I rear ended some type of an SUV on the right side of my Chevy Cruze 2011 LT model. Shook me up, hurt me, and I was bewildered why this happened and thought nobody is going to believe me that I could not navigate the vehicle around the bend because the steering wheel would not allow me to do this. At least the steering wheel did not fall off. Of course the vehicle is totaled. I did a field sobriety test given to me and passed and then was given a ride over to a friends house that was near the scene of the accident and dropped off. Thank you APD for the ride. and I did what every person in their right mind would do, contact their insurance provider. Did the protocol I was told to do by the insurance company and that was that.

Well on December 5, 2014 I received in the mail a letter from GM about the steering system in this vehicle or some of these vehicles produced may have increased friction in the steering system. This could cause the steering wheel to stick in the straight-ahead position after driving long distances on a straight highway? The steering wheel may be turned but it may require increased effort. Hmmm? How they figure the wording in this is unknown to me but how about lets start with this: As the owner of a 2011 model year Chevrolet Cruze, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us. The date on this letter is November 2014. Well I know what happened to my car now and everybody else who did not believe me can now understand that maybe I am not a liar and not blaming a defect for crashing my vehicle. I figured GM would like to know about this and maybe they could give me a new vehicle, like any vehicle I want off the lot of some car dealership. Sounds reasonable to me and maybe they can pay for my medical bills that I am acquiring due to all of my body parts hurting more than usual. Also they could pay for taxi service to get me to my doctor appointments because I have no vehicle anymore. They did not see it this way and told me that since the insurance company paid the bank note and what little money left to me, that the insurance company owned the car and that I would have to talk to them about this problem. WOW! I am amazed that GM would do this to an individual, who unfortunately for him, this happened 3 months prior to receiving this letter telling him to take his vehicle to a dealership and have it fixed. A little to late for that to happen I would think or I know I am able to see the future and I should of known better. And this is not a recall.

I guess I am in no way capable of getting another loan for a vehicle, as I have been out of work for 6 years, had 3 surgeries, still have to have at minimum 3 more surgeries and I am not able to collect social security because I am not considered disabled or crazy. I am so thankful to my mother for her being the greatest person on this planet. She has done everything for me. Well GM, thank you for helping me with this issue you created for me. I think I will not buy a GM product ever again and I advise anyone who reads this to reconsider what GM is really all about. A process of elimination is all GM is about. Thanks GM, I think I choose not to bail you out of bankruptcy ever again if needed.

- rulerjking, Edgewood, NM, US

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