What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?

Owners name the engine group most often with 295 complaints. The power train group follows with 193 complaints.

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts list 7 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

How many complaints are there for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?

NHTSA has 732 owner complaints on file. Complaints are owner reports, so they are not proof of a defect.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze get?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze a good year?

See the by-year comparison on this page. It puts this year next to the others, and the complaint totals are in the problems section.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Recalls and MPG

Owners filed 732 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze^[1]. The engine group is named most often, with 295 complaints^[2].

732owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

26–32MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most, biggest first.

Engine. 295 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe sudden stalling, hesitation when they press the gas, and a coolant smell inside the cabin. One story describes flames coming from under the hood. The group counts 17 fires^[2].
Power Train. 193 complaints^[6]. Owners describe the car lurching, jerking into gear, or shifting hard when they slow down or pull away. Some say the car dropped out of gear while driving. Several describe dealer visits that did not clear it up.
Electrical System. 96 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a speedometer that climbs while the car sits still at a light. Others describe the car slowing sharply on its own when they ease off the gas.
Unknown Or Other. 75 complaints^[8]. These reports do not fit a single named part.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc). 75 complaints^[9]. Owners describe stability warning lights, a message about reduced engine power, and the car refusing to speed up, including in cold and snowy weather.
Brakes. 74 complaints^[10]. This group counts 13 crashes^[10].
Speed Control. 70 complaints^[11].
Steering. 48 complaints^[12]. This group counts 6 injuries^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 Cruze is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (16V502), July 2016. About 8,367 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist (13V360), August 2013. About 292,879 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting (12V289), June 2012. About 53,239 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Engine And Engine Cooling (12V288), June 2012. About 413,148 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) (11V273), May 2011. About 100,308 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector (11V270), May 2011. About 128,911 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Steering › Column (11V221), April 2011. About 2,100 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Cruze, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	26 / 35 / 29	$2,300
Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	22 / 34 / 26	$2,600
Cruze Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	26 / 37 / 30	$2,250
Cruze Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	28 / 40 / 32	$2,100
Cruze, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[23]	24 / 35 / 28	$2,400

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	10.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2011 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.4L 4-cylinder^[24]	140 hp
2011 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[25]	140 hp

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cruze model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2011	732	7
2012	865	7
2013	587	5
2014	702	10
2015	252	4
2016	250	4
2017	201	2
2018	109	3
2019	23	2

NHTSA's counts for the Cruze show 732 complaints and 7 recalls for 2011^[3]. Among the 9 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 1 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2019 (23) and the most are for 2012 (865)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 Cruze?

The 2011 Cruze has 732 complaints and 7 recalls on file^[3]. The engine and power train groups carry the largest share of the complaints^[2]^[6]. Owners also describe electrical and stability control trouble^[7]^[9]. These are reports from owners and have not been checked one by one. Read the recalls section above and check that any open recall on a car you are considering has been fixed.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?: Owners name the engine group most often with 295 complaints^[2]. The power train group follows with 193 complaints^[6].
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts list 7 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints are there for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?: NHTSA has 732 owner complaints on file^[1]. Complaints are owner reports, so they are not proof of a defect.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze get?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze a good year?: See the by-year comparison on this page. It puts this year next to the others, and the complaint totals are in the problems section^[1].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Cruze

2011 this page
2012 865 complaints, 7 recalls
2013 587 complaints, 5 recalls
2014 702 complaints, 10 recalls
2015 252 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 250 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 201 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 109 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Cruze

Other Chevrolet models from 2011

2011 Chevrolet Camaro 194 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Equinox 782 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Chevrolet HHR 203 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Malibu 978 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Traverse 608 complaints, 5 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2011: midsize cars

2011 Buick Regal 280 complaints, 4 recalls
2011 Cadillac CTS 108 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Ford Fusion 2,926 complaints, 7 recalls
2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 284 complaints, 5 recalls
2011 Mitsubishi Galant 3 complaints, 0 recalls
2011 Nissan Maxima 106 complaints, 0 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 732 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (38 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 39 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
295 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 17 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,600). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cruze model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Cruze Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 40 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
193 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,717). NHTSA vehicle records
96 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
75 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,379). NHTSA vehicle records
75 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
74 complaints name the brakes component group (13 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,795). NHTSA vehicle records
70 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
48 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,215). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V360, filed August 15, 2013: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V289, filed June 22, 2012: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V288, filed June 22, 2012: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V273, filed May 6, 2011: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V270, filed May 6, 2011: Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V221, filed April 6, 2011: Steering › Column. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 34 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cruze Eco, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Cruze, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 35 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.4L 4-cylinder: rated 140 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 140 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze: problems, recalls and fuel economy