2011 Chevrolet Cruze Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
78/100
#3 most-complained of 10 Cruze years
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has 732 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 78 out of 100 — #3 highest of 10 Cruze model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (337 complaints, 46% of the total). Complaints report 38 crashes, 20 fires, 39 injuries, and 2 deaths.
- Complaints
- 732
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 38 / 20
- Injuries / deaths
- 39 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 35 hwy
Top 2011 Chevrolet Cruze problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
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 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze ranks #3 of 10 among Cruze model years (Complaint Index 78/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 732 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (337 complaints), transmission & powertrain (193 complaints), and brakes (147 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 55,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, most recently reported 2016, covering electrical system, brakes, engine, and fuel system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
- EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.