Worst 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 255 | 5 | 13 | 73,620 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 172 | 4 | — | 68,668 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 89 | 4 | 4 | 61,632 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 75 | 5 | 2 | 84,093 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 68 | 4 | — | 55,078 mi | |
| Brakes | 61 | 9 | 2 | 56,192 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 48 | 6 | — | 61,786 mi | |
| Airbags | 38 | 14 | 1 | 46,747 mi | |
| Fuel System | 37 | — | 2 | 67,500 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 34 | — | 4 | 33,328 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 21 | — | — | 87,546 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 16 | — | — | 7,622 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 11 | 4 | — | 58,288 mi | |
| Body Structure | 9 | 4 | — | 57,000 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 8 | — | — | 40,623 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | 2 | — | 69,865 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 6 | — | — | 205 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 2 | — | 75,400 mi | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 5 | — | — | 30,062 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | 23,650 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | 72,885 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Traction Control System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 3 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~998,952 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011. THE BOLT ATTACHING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 6, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 27, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, 'TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT,' AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE LINKAGE IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO PARK AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN PARK.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES. DURING MANUFACTURING THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FASTENED AND MAY DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.
Other Chevrolet Cruze Years
2011 Chevrolet Cruze — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
What are common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
How safe is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cruze reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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