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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-CHEVROLET-CRUZE
2011 · chevrolet

chevrolet Cruze problems

3 safety recalls. 728 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
175 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
163 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
60 reports · avg $850
severe
brakes
56 reports · avg $450
severe
steering
48 reports · avg $700
severe
cruise control
40 reports · avg $600
critical
airbags
33 reports · avg $1,100
severe
visibility
22 reports · avg $350
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 Cruze · other
TRANSMISSION IS KICKING WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN REVERSE BUT ALSO WHILE FORWARD. ALSO WHILE IN REVERSE THE CAR WILL GO FORWARD INSTEAD. DOES THIS EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN, EVEN WHILE TURNING. MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE PROBLEM.
12/31/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938923.0
2011 Cruze · airbags Crash
TAKATA RECALL - MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME. I TOOK A HIT TO THE HEAD, HAVING TO HAVE STICHES, ALONG WITH BOTH EYES TURNING BLACK/BLUE. *JS
12/30/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10816988.0
2011 Cruze · electrical
HEATER AT FIRST DID NOT WORK; DEALER REMOVED AIR BUBBLES AND TOPPED OFF RADIATOR. THE DEALER MECHANICS MENTIONED THAT TYPICALLY THE THERMOSTATS OR TEMPERATURE SENSORS HAVE GONE IN THE CRUZES. 2 WEEKS LATER - SURE ENOUGH, BACK AT DEALERSHIP - NEED 2 TEMPERATURE SENSORS NOW.…
12/29/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668736.0
2011 Cruze · visibility
DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AT NIGHT, IN RAIN, AT SPEED, RESULTING IN SEVERE LOSS OF VISION. FOUND THAT WIPER TRANSMISSION INTERMEDIATE LINK SEPARATED FROM LH WIPER TRANSMISSION BELLCRANK AT BALLSOCKET..FURTHER IDENTIFIED PLASTIC BALLSOCKET ON LINK FAILED, AND COULD…
12/28/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668600.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 11V273000 06/05/2011

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

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE FOR CORRECT INSTALLATION AND ADJUST THE SHIFT LINKAGE SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
severe NHTSA 11V270000 06/05/2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011

THIS COULD ALLOW THE SHAFTS TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF REQUIRED, REPAIR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT/STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO ASSURE THE BOLT IS FULLY SEATED AND THE SHAFT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
severe NHTSA 11V221000 06/04/2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES

SHOULD THE STEERING WHEEL DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS ASSEMBLED PROPERLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 728 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 175 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Cruze has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 728 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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