NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 733 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze owner complaints

Owners have filed 733 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, describing incidents dated October 15, 2010 to June 18, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 295 complaints
  • Power Train 193 complaints
  • Electrical System 96 complaints
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 75 complaints
  • Service Brakes 75 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 75 complaints

Of the 733 complaints on file, 38 report a crash and 20 a fire; across all 733 complaints, owners report 39 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11774000 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 - 60 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal became stiff and pushed back, requiring three to four attempts to respond and causing an extended stopping distance. The contact stated…

  • ODI #11762968 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and raising the foot off the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated drastically. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally hesitated while accelerating and failed to immediately accelerate while…

  • ODI #11745175 · Filed

    i’m unsure if the person i bought this vehicle from had the codes wiped before selling to me, but there were NO lights on dash for 3 days after minimal driving only to work and back, then all of a sudden the check engine light came on, and in the info box it would pop up saying “service stability…

Read all 733 complaints

Owner-reported

2011 Chevrolet Cruze mileage at failure

571 of the 733 complaints on file for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
EngineMedian 65,000 milesMiddle half 35,000–95,000 milesBased on 229 complaints
Power TrainMedian 60,000 milesMiddle half 25,000–95,000 milesBased on 146 complaints
Electrical SystemMedian 65,000 milesMiddle half 35,000–115,000 milesBased on 69 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)Median 80,000 milesMiddle half 55,000–115,000 milesBased on 62 complaints
Service BrakesMedian 50,000 milesMiddle half 20,000–95,000 milesBased on 63 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze in 2 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #16V502000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported July 5, 2016 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 8,367 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 50490, 50491 · Owners notified October 14, 2016 · Vehicles built January 11, 2011 – August 14, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Safety consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Possible Loss of Braking Assist

NHTSA #13V360000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist · NHTSA notice

Reported August 15, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 292,879 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 12213 · Owners notified October 7, 2013 · Vehicles built May 10, 2010 – June 20, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.

Safety consequence

A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL TANK WELD SPOTS/FUEL LEAK/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #12V289000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported June 22, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 53,239 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12133 · Owners notified July 9, 2012 · Vehicles built October 2, 2009 – June 20, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 14, 2012. ATTACHMENT WELDS FOR THE FUEL TANK STRAP SECONDARY BRACKETS MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED.

Safety consequence

THE FUEL TANK COULD COME LOOSE IN A CRASH, POSSIBLY ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

Notes

GM’S CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12133.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

OIL SPILLING OR DRIPPING/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

NHTSA #12V288000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported June 22, 2012 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 413,148 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12081 · Owners notified July 10, 2012 · Vehicles built October 2, 2009 – June 20, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.

Safety consequence

EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

Notes

GM’S CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12081.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

AUTO TRANS SHIFT LINK INSTALLATION/FMVSS 102 & 114

NHTSA #11V273000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice

Reported May 6, 2011 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 100,308 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 11142 · Owners notified May 17, 2011

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 6, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 27, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, 'TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT,' AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE LINKAGE IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO PARK AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN PARK.

Safety consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE FOR CORRECT INSTALLATION AND ADJUST THE SHIFT LINKAGE SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes

GM'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11142.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

STEERING GEAR SHAFT

NHTSA #11V270000 · Steering — Gear Box — Shaft Sector · NHTSA notice

Reported May 6, 2011 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 128,911 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 11149 · Owners notified May 23, 2011 · Vehicles built October 2, 2009 – April 21, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011. THE BOLT ATTACHING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD ALLOW THE SHAFTS TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF REQUIRED, REPAIR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT/STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO ASSURE THE BOLT IS FULLY SEATED AND THE SHAFT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes

GM'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11149.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

STEERING WHEEL FASTENER

NHTSA #11V221000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported April 6, 2011 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 2,100 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 11094 · Owners notified April 7, 2011 · Vehicles built November 1, 2010 – March 18, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES. DURING MANUFACTURING THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FASTENED AND MAY DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THE STEERING WHEEL DETACH FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS ASSEMBLED PROPERLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes

GM'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11094. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

Other Chevrolet Cruze model years

Check your 2011 Chevrolet Cruze VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Cruze at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Chevrolet VIN