I was pulling out of a gas station, use to my normal power and almost got hit because my car wouldn't go over 15mph floored. Then looked down and saw a engine power is reduced, service stabili trak and service traction control. So I took to a mechanic he hooked it up and the code showed up as my throttle body position sensor. They replaced it and drove it and it drove fine for about two weeks. I…
2011 Chevrolet Cruze powertrain problems
moderate 175 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
175
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 175 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 9 model years of Chevrolet Cruze we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 175.
Owners have filed 175 powertrain 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.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
My car just went out. No warning no nothing. The dashboard wend haywire and was unable to read anything at all (speed, RPM, fuel or temp). The ignition downshifted on its own almost causing an accident while I was on the highway. Once safely off of the highway I tried to park the car in a proper parking space so that I could inspect the issue and it wouldn't reverse and shortly after would no…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that upon initial start up, he noticed an abnormal notice in the rear of the vehicle when shifting into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer five different times. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure and stated that the vehicle was working as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection where they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at no cost to the contact. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 22,001.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 175 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 127 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 32,512 and 92,800 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,512; a quarter make it past 92,800. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.