2011 Chevrolet Cruze Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has a complaint index of 78, ranking 3rd worst of 10 model years, with 732 complaints and 7 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 46% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 59,937 miles, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Cruze years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 78/100
- #3 of 10 Cruze years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 732
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 38
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 20
- Injuries
- 39
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 39 / 2
Top 2011 Chevy Cruze problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine337 (46%)
- Transmission & Powertrain193 (26%)
- Brakes147 (20%)
- Electrical System100 (14%)
- Other88 (12%)
- Steering48 (7%)
- Fuel System43 (6%)
- Airbags40 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers26 (4%)
- Structure & Body23 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported while driving at low speeds, sometimes with smoke visible before flames spread quickly.
- Side and front airbags failed to deploy during crashes, including a highway collision and a T-bone accident with a child passenger.
- Steering reported as suddenly uncontrollable at highway speed, causing the vehicle to leave the road.
- Transmission reprogramming failed to fix loss of power while accelerating, and one owner described the vehicle moving backward while braking.
- A vehicle reportedly rolled backward down a hill after being placed in park when the key was turned off.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
- NHTSA 13V360000Aug 15, 2013Brakes292,879 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
- NHTSA 12V288000Jun 22, 2012Engine413,148 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Risk: Either condition could result in an engine compartment fire, possibly causing injury or death.
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.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 78 for the 2011 Cruze, the 3rd worst of 10 model years, with 732 complaints and 7 recall campaigns, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Cruze years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
- Engine issues make up 46% of complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain at 26% and brakes at 20%, according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2011 Cruze covering the engine, fuel system, transmission, steering, and brakes, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2011 Cruze engine problems usually appear?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 59,937 miles for engine-related failures in the 2011 Cruze.
- Which Cruze model years are better than 2011?
- Among Cruze years with data, 2018 and 2019 earn Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 22 and 11, while 2015 and 2017 earn Good verdicts, all well below the 2011 model's index of 78.