Sudden loss of engine power. The first occurrence happened exiting a fast moving expressway. The engine suddenly stopped power and the car was reduced to less than 5 miles an hour. The car was pulled to the shoulder and turned off. Eventually after restarting the car the engine went to full power and the car reached its destination. There was some luck involved as traffic was light. Since, the…
2011 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems
severe 163 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
163
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
13fires
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 163 engine 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 163 engine 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 engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
When heater is in use get a strong antifreeze smell in the car. Also get a film on the inside of the windows. Had back to the dealer 3 times. We have a 5 month old that rides in the car, not sure if it is safe for him with the coolant smell in the car. You have to wash in side of windows weekly so you can see at night. *tr
i have an oil leak coming from the valve cover gasket ,,it is a brand new genuine cover and gasket so oil is falling on the drive belt which breaks pretty quickly while driving I heard that it might be an issue with the pcv check valve inside the manifold Apparently many customers complaints about this issue and no recall yet
We had purchased the vehicle just 8 months ago, was not purchased new, but was new used..still under warranty..we received the recall. Had an oil change and detail to do anyhow, so took it in to where we bought the vehicle. They did the oil change, supposed recall fix and supposed detail. Our vehicle was still under warranty at the time of the oil change. 36000. As we drove, started smelling…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 163 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 127 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 27,514 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 58,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,514; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.