This engineering informational bulletin provides process for a GM engineering study on curtain Takata Airbag Steering Wheel Modules and needs the used Takata airbags to be returned to GM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet Cruze airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have filed 33 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 40,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Cruze (this page) | 33 |
| 2012 Cruze | 28 |
| 2013 Cruze | 39 |
| 2014 Cruze | 60 |
| 2015 Cruze | 20 |
13crashes
1fire
11injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 33 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 33 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 8 model years of Chevrolet Cruze in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on how to determine whether or not an airbag module is counterfeit or not and what to do if a counterfeit airbag is found.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dessicated Air Bag Inflator Study - Used Vehicle Inventory Only. The 2016 model year Chevrolet Cruze Limited has been added to this engineering study. The attached instruction sheet has been updated accordingly. Please discard previous instructions. The list of eligible vehicles also attached to this message contains 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited vehicles that have been identified as currently being in used vehicle inventory. The list has also been updated for the other involved vehicles. Since used vehicle inventory can change daily, all participating dealers should check their used vehicle inventory frequently for applicable candidates and proceed accordingly. Please ensure that all used ai
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2011 Cruze describe a persistent problem with the passenger-side airbag occupancy sensor that fails to recognize an occupied seat. The warning light displays "OFF" even when an adult passenger is seated, raising real concerns about whether the airbag would deploy in a crash. This happens intermittently early in ownership and recurs even after dealers replace the sensor. Owners took their cars in multiple times—sometimes four or more visits—only to have the problem reappear weeks or months later. GM acknowledged awareness of the issue but told dealers the vehicle meets safety specs and refused further repairs. One dealer claimed the behavior was "normal" or "the design."
More alarming are multiple reports of complete airbag non-deployment during actual accidents. Owners hit other vehicles head-on at 40–60 mph, rear-ended vehicles hard enough to cause frame damage, survived T-bone collisions, and struck wildlife at highway speed—in each case, no airbags deployed. Some heard or smelled airbag powder but the bags themselves never inflated. Injuries included head trauma requiring stitches, black eyes, shoulder injuries, and one passenger might have died but for other factors. At least one vehicle was totaled despite airbags sitting dormant. Owners report dealers blamed impact angle ("the car has to be hit in certain spots") rather than addressing a potential system malfunction.
Same Chevrolet Cruze airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger-side airbag sensor not detecting occupant or intermittently failing to activate
The seat occupancy sensor (weight sensor mat) malfunctions intermittently or persistently, failing to recognize when a passenger is seated in the front passenger seat. The airbag warning light displays 'OFF' even with an adult occupant present. The issue frequently recurs after dealer repair or sensor replacement.
When: Early ownership (within first week to several weeks); can recur after initial repair. Failure mileages reported: 2,600, 7,000, 12,700, 15,000, 20,000, 36,000–39,000, 53,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator light shows 'OFF' with passenger in seat; Intermittent illumination of airbag warning light while driving 25–55 mph with passenger present; Light may turn on only if passenger adjusts seat height or position; Problem recurs weeks or months after sensor replacement; Dealer unable to replicate the issue during diagnostic visit
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced the front passenger seat sensor/weight sensor mat; repairs lasted weeks to months before recurrence. One owner reported $400 repair cost; another cited $800 for sensor replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledged awareness of the problem (per complaint #1) but told dealers the vehicle 'meets all government specifications' and refused to perform further repairs. Technical Service Bulletin available (NHTSA Item 10042288 for electrical/instrument panel). TSB issued but owners report it did not resolve the issue. GM stated 'nothing else could be done' (complaints #6, #12). One dealer claimed it was 'normal' or 'the design of the vehicle' (complaints #4, #11).
Complete airbag deployment failure in frontal and side-impact collisions
In multiple accidents involving frontal, rear-end, side-impact, and rollover scenarios, none of the vehicle's airbags deployed despite impact severity and speed that met or exceeded typical deployment thresholds. Owners reported hearing/smelling airbag powder after collision (suggesting pressure release without deployment) or receiving OnStar notifications of deployment while bags remained unexploded. Frame damage and totaled vehicles resulted.
When: At time of accident; failure mileages documented include 7,000, 35,000, 118,900 miles. Accidents occurred from 2012 through 2017.
Symptoms owners cite: No airbags deployed in frontal collision at 40–60 mph; No airbags deployed in side-impact collision (T-bone); No airbags deployed in rear-end collision with ditch rollover; No airbags deployed when hitting deer at ~50 mph; Airbag powder smell detected; airbag mechanism heard making noise but bags did not inflate; OnStar received deployment message though bags visibly did not deploy; Owner hit head, steering wheel, side window; injuries including head trauma, black eyes, shoulder injury; Vehicle totaled or extensively damaged; passenger and driver at high risk of serious injury or death
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed to dealerships and collision shops for inspection. At least one vehicle was scheduled for manufacturer inspection to determine why airbags did not deploy; outcome not reported. No repairs documented as completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner stated 'I was told that the car had to be hit in certain spots before the airbags deploy' (complaint #5). No recalls mentioned by owners for these deployment failures. Manufacturer investigation initiated in at least one case (complaint #14).
Intermittent airbag warning light illumination without clear cause
The airbag and/or service airbag warning indicator lights illuminate intermittently or persistently while driving, independent of passenger occupancy. In some cases, the light illuminates with passenger present; in others, no clear trigger is evident. Dealers often cannot diagnose or replicate the issue.
When: Throughout ownership; reported at low mileage (12,700) and higher mileage (118,900). One case at 15,000–20,000 mile range.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently while driving at 30+ mph; Both airbag and service airbag warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Light illuminates inconsistently; sometimes occurs, sometimes does not; No apparent trigger or pattern to illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers attempted reset procedures or were unable to diagnose. One vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to inability to replicate issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin NHTSA Item 10042288 noted for electrical/instrument panel. No recalls documented in complaints.
Airbag deployment to wrong location (under hood instead of in cabin)
In at least one side-impact collision, the airbag system deployed the bag under the hood rather than in the passenger cabin where it would provide occupant protection.
When: During accident at unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed under the hood instead of in the vehicle cabin during side-impact collision at ~50 mph; No cabin airbag protection provided to occupant
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 33 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 12,700 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,700; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Chevrolet/Cruze.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.