As I was on the highway, I was unable to pick up speed without feeling resistance! After awhile I couldn’t go past 25 mph and my car eventually gave out before I made it home. I had to call a tow to have them tow me to my park lot! A couple days went by and my car was able to drive through the parking and park in different spots. I am not sure what the problem may be but I just bought this car…
2011 Chevrolet Cruze cruise control problems
critical 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
2crashes
2fatalities
When does it fail?
Of the 40 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
Of the 8 model years of Chevrolet Cruze we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 40.
Owners have filed 40 cruise control 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Cruze reports severe power loss and transmission issues that strike without warning—throttle body failure causes sudden 2–10 mph limp mode on highways, harsh transmission shifts make acceleration unpredictable, and some vehicles have even exhibited uncontended acceleration or engine shutdown. Multiple owners cite dealers claiming 'cannot duplicate,' out-of-pocket repairs ($500–$648 for throttle body alone, $4,100 for transmission), and no manufacturer support despite widespread complaints and law-firm recruitment for class actions.
Owners of 2011 Chevrolet Cruzes consistently describe sudden, unpredictable loss of engine power while driving. The vehicle enters "reduced power" or "limp mode," limiting acceleration to 2–10 mph regardless of throttle input. Dashboard warnings—"Engine Power Reduced," "Service StabilTrak," "Service Traction Control"—appear with no prior notice. Incidents occur at any speed, on highways and city streets alike, creating dangerous situations when other vehicles cannot slow as quickly. Some owners report the vehicle stalling entirely; recovery requires shutting off the engine, waiting minutes, then restarting.
Transmission problems compound the hazard. The automatic transmission hesitates to respond, forcing drivers to floor the pedal to achieve gear changes, or it jerks violently between gears. One owner described the car behaving like "a poorly shifting manual." Engine revs spike while the vehicle barely moves.
Throttle body malfunction appears linked to the power loss events. Dealers performing diagnostics cite throttle body replacement ($500–$648) as the fix, though many owners report dealerships claiming "cannot duplicate" the problem during test drives—even after multiple service visits. One owner involved in a fatal crash describes post-airbag deployment unintended acceleration.
Secondary concerns include rough idle with uncontrolled RPM spikes, cooling system leaks causing overheating, and fuel system hesitation. Owners note warranty coverage stops at 35,000 miles, leaving later failures unpaid. Dealer service records show parts regularly on backorder due to complaint volume. Law firms have actively recruited Cruze owners for class-action litigation regarding power and transmission defects.
Same Chevrolet Cruze cruise control reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of engine power / limp mode
Vehicle suddenly enters reduced power mode, limiting acceleration to 2–10 mph or stalling entirely. Typically accompanied by 'Engine Power Reduced,' 'Service StabilTrak,' and 'Service Traction Control' warning lights. Can occur at any speed with no prior warning, creating dangerous highway situations.
When: Reported from 36,000 miles through 153,000+ miles; occurs unpredictably while driving at any speed
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle slows to 2–10 mph despite flooring accelerator; Dashboard warnings: 'Engine Power Reduced,' 'Service StabilTrak,' 'Service Traction Control,' 'Check Engine' lights; Vehicle enters limp mode and will not accelerate; Occurs with no warning and repeats frequently; Recovery only after shutting engine off for a few minutes
Codes mentioned: P0171 (fuel trim lean), Multiple codes associated with throttle body failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite throttle body replacement ($500–$648) as the repair dealer performed; one owner reports transmission part replacement quote of $4,100 on a similar loss-of-power event; dealers often claim 'cannot duplicate' despite repeated occurrences
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned; GM reportedly stated they 'never heard of' such issues; some owners received unsolicited letters from law firms referencing widespread shifting/power issues and faulty water pumps
Transmission hesitation and harsh shifting
Automatic transmission exhibits delayed response to accelerator input, requiring driver to floor pedal to achieve gear changes. Vehicle jerks, shudders, or behaves like a poorly-shifted manual. Occurs from low speeds through highway merging.
When: Reported from 2,825 miles onwards; prevalent in early ownership period and continuing through 50,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs high but vehicle fails to accelerate proportionally; Must floor gas pedal to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear; Harsh jerking and shuddering during downshifts and acceleration; Vehicle creeps slowly when attempting to accelerate to higher speeds; Transmission gears shift without driver input; Unreliable acceleration at any speed
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports $4,100 transmission replacement quote; many owners cite 'cannot duplicate' responses from dealers; parts on backorder reported due to frequency of complaints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2011 Chevy Cruze was recalled for shifting lock cable; GM stated they had never heard of shifting/transmission issues despite law firms actively recruiting for class action suits on this topic
Throttle body malfunction and unintended acceleration
Throttle body either fails to open (preventing acceleration) or opens uncontrollably (causing unintended acceleration). Vehicle may suddenly accelerate in park, at stoplights, or during normal driving with RPMs climbing uncontrollably.
When: Reported across ownership period from very low miles through high mileage; some early (2,825 miles), many in 30,000–50,000 range
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration while in park or stopped; RPMs rev uncontrollably (0 to 7,000 range); Vehicle accelerates despite no driver input at stoplight; Steering column locks and brakes attempt to lock during episodes; Vehicle will not accelerate (throttle body stuck closed); No warning lights preceding unintended acceleration events
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement is the cited repair; costs range $500–$648; one fatal crash narrative (#17) describes post-airbag deployment unintended acceleration, though cruise-control component linkage is not explicitly detailed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or warranty extensions mentioned; throttle body covered only to 35,000 miles, leaving later failures out-of-warranty
Acceleration hesitation ('turbo lag')
Vehicle exhibits delayed response to accelerator pedal input at all speeds, described as 'turbo lag' by dealers. Owner (a self-identified mechanic) states hesitation is abnormal for any turbocharged vehicle and creates dangerous merging situations.
When: Present since purchase; reported with less than 50,000 miles on vehicle only 4 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Consistent hesitation upon acceleration at all speeds; Danger when pulling into traffic or merging; Engine revs loudly but car does not accelerate as expected; Dealers blame 'turbo lag' as normal characteristic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers claim 'cannot duplicate' during road test; owner (mechanic) disputes turbo lag explanation after driving many turbocharged vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers dismiss as normal turbo lag; no investigation or fix offered
Rough idle and erratic RPM behavior
Engine idles roughly while stopped and while driving, with RPMs bouncing and vehicle lurching or revving on its own. In extreme cases, vehicle may lurch forward at stoplights without driver input.
When: Reported across model years; one case describes vehicle almost hitting car at stoplight due to uncontrolled acceleration during rough idle
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle while stopped and while driving; RPM indicator bouncing up and down; Vehicle lurches or jerks violently when parked; Vehicle revs and accelerates on its own; Check Engine light and Traction Control warnings illuminated intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs cited by owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned
Cooling system failure and overheating
Radiator hose failures, coolant leaks, and inadequate heater function reported. One owner describes hose that 'was rigged' leaking oil into engine, causing overheating and complete engine failure.
When: Reported within first 2 years of ownership; one owner began experiencing after getting oil changes at a specific dealership starting in 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle smoking on highway; Engine overheating while driving; Heater blowing cool air; Coolant leaking (losing quart monthly despite refilling); Sweet smell from coolant leak; Oily residue near oil pan shield; Engine died on highway after overheating
Repairs/costs cited: One owner spent over $7,000 on repairs since 2016 for this and related issues; towing and rental car costs exceeded $5,000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or warranty support mentioned; owner claims GM inspection in Oct 2013 stated 'everything was good' despite intermittent Check Engine light
Fuel system issues and starting problems
Fuel system malfunction preventing adequate fuel delivery or atomization. Vehicle chokes, hesitates to start, or fails to start some days. Combined with other symptoms, creates dangerous acceleration loss.
When: Reported across ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle chokes constantly; Will not start on some days; Engine hesitation and loss of power during acceleration; Difficulty accelerating after coming to a stop
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs cited
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Well it would kind of stall when I began to give it gas the rpms would go up n rev but it didn't kick n go for a min than it would be ok until u stopped jbstarted to go again than one day I was driving n the drive went completely out on me so it goes in every gear but won't drive
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a serious issue. 40 complaints have been filed, including 2 reports involving a crash and 2 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 36,000 and 90,500 miles, with the median around 59,214. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 90,500. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.