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2011 Chevrolet Cruze: common problems and reliability
· 2009-2016One of the worst Cruze years.
One of the Chevrolet Cruze years to avoid. All Cruze years
732 owner complaints, most about engine. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Cruze?The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has 732 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag cooling system leaks (water pump, thermostat housing, coolant outlet, reservoir, hoses, turbo lines).
Safety record for the 2011 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Cruze years only. How we score it
Is 2011 a good year for the Cruze?
Across the 10 Cruze model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2010) to 865 (2012). With 732 complaints, the 2011 Cruze sits above the model's median of 490.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2011 Cruze
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 16V502000General 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."
power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Campaign 11V273000GENERAL 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.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
Campaign 12V289000GENERAL 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.
steering
Campaign 11V221000GENERAL 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.
Show 3 more recalls
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 12V288000GENERAL 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.
steering:gear box:shaft sector
Campaign 11V270000GENERAL 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Campaign 13V360000General 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.
What owners report on the 2009-2016 Cruze
Owner discussions about this generation are predominantly negative, with the cooling system and turbocharger reliability being the most frequent complaints.
- Very frequentCooling system leaks (water pump, thermostat housing, coolant outlet, reservoir, hoses, turbo lines)
- Very frequentPlastic cooling system components cracking and degrading over time
- RecurrentPCV system failure requiring valve cover replacement
- RecurrentTurbocharger failure or leaks
- RecurrentHead gasket failure
Owner insights for the 2009-2016 Cruze. Read the full 2009-2016 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Cruze listings typically run $6,848–$10,698 across 2011 to 2019 model years.
Other Cruze model years
Compare every Cruze year side by side to see how 2011 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Cruze against its rivals
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