The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is an award-winning compact sedan with a choice of two four-cylinder engines. But there are reported problems with electrical glitches, a fire risk, and jerky acceleration that could mean imminent transmission failure.
Key Points
- The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has been recalled seven times so far, which is a relatively high number for a compact car.
- Owners have made over 700 complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s far more than is typical for a car of this age.
- Concerns include jerky acceleration that could mean imminent transmission failure, as well as electrical issues and a fire risk.
- Its seven recalls cover issues with potential rollaway, an incorrectly welded fuel tank attachment, and a fire risk due to oil inadvertently spilling during an oil change.
- Despite its recalls and other noted problems, when compared to other 2011 models, the Cruze earned good crash-test results back when it was new.
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the 2011 Cruze a “Top Safety Pick,” while the NHTSA rated it a perfect five stars overall.
2011 Chevy Cruze Has Been Recalled Seven Times, For Fire Risk, Faulty Transmissions, and Potential Rollaway
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has been recalled seven times. Its first recall was over a steering wheel that could become detached.
A bigger recall followed a month later to repair a steering shaft over concerns that it may not have been installed properly at the factory. The shafts could separate and drivers could lose steering control even at speed.
Additional recalls covered issues with potential rollaway, an incorrectly welded fuel tank attachment, and a fire risk due to oil inadvertently spilling during an oil change and possibly pooling near the exhaust.
Cruze models with the optional turbocharged engine and automatic transmission were recalled to replace a microswitch in the power-assisted braking system, which could fail and result in limited braking assistance.
Also, a small number of 2011 Cruze models may have defective electronic park lock levers in their ignition tumblers.
More Than 900 Technical Service Bulletins Were Issued for the 2011 Cruze
GM has issued 904 technical service bulletins for the 2011 Cruze, which address minor issues. Many of the issues seem to be related to the car’s electric power steering system offering inconsistent assistance.
Also, a faulty water pump that helps circulate coolant through the engine to keep its temperature within range was replaced under warranty in some Cruze models.
GM offered a 10-year warranty extension for the replacement water pump, though that has likely expired by now on many Cruze sedans.
Owner Complaints Center Around Jerky Acceleration and Electrical System Failures
Cruze owners have logged nearly 700 complaints with the NHTSA. Nearly 200 are about powertrain issues, focusing on low-speed hesitation when accelerating. Owners report jerky operation at low speeds, which sometimes goes away after a restart of the engine only to return later.
In some of these cars, the automatic transmissions fail and need to be replaced. Additionally, some owners noted that their cars lost power at speed.
Some vehicles are reported to display a “low power mode” warning on the dashboard following the transmission failure or power loss.
In what may be a related issue, some drivers have reported excessive battery drain. Owners on message forums like Cruze Talk report warning lights illuminated on the car’s dashboard, which may point toward a failing battery.
Despite Some Tranny Issues and Acceleration Problems, the 2011 Chevy Cruze Is a Reliable Vehicle with Solid Safety Ratings
Despite its recalls and other noted problems, when compared to other 2011 models, the Cruze earned good crash-test results back when it was new.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated it a “Top Safety Pick,” while the NHTSA granted it a perfect five stars overall.
So, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is still a reliable used car, particularly with the standard manual transmission, which appears to be the least-problematic version of this compact car.
Photos: Chevrolet
