Is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
732 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 291, 3.8× a quiet Cruze year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze were filed between 28k and 92k miles. You're at 64,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 Cruze owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 64,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 291 (40%) | 34k–95k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 193 (26%) | 28k–92k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 75 (10%) | 22k–74k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 74 (10%) | 56k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 70 (10%) | 28k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 96 (13%) | 33k–91k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 48 (7%) | 19k–96k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 43 (6%) | 34k–94k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 40 (5%) | 15k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 30 (4%) | 29k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 14 (2%) | 29k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 64,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 732 complaints: 38 mention a crash · 20 mention a fire · 30 report an injury · 23 say the car was towed.
9 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving the vehicle the engine light came on. The car only has 60,000.00 on it but we took it in because the engine would just randomly stop and the car would stall.
2011 4DR eco.vehicle leaking antifreeze, strong smell of coolant and recall NHTSA campaign 12V288 GM 12081 oil on engine shield, repair done 11/7/2013 while visiting colorado springs, co...
I purchased my first new car in 2011 and the first year went great then everything changed after that.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 64,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: 7
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. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist. 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.
Attachment welds for the fuel tank strap secondary brackets may have been omitted. 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.
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. Either condition could result in an engine compartment fire, possibly causing injury or death.
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. 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.
The bolt attaching the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear input shaft may not have been properly installed. This could allow the shafts to separate, resulting in the loss of steering. Loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
During manufacturing the steering wheel could have been improperly fastened and may detach from the steering column. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 515
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Possible oil consumption and//or leaks
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Chapman Chevrolet / Cruze Engine Recall
Engine compartment fire
Neighbouring years
2012 Cruze: 864 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chevrolet Cruze year
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Questions
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze a bad year?
732 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 291, 3.8× a quiet Cruze year. At 64,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze were filed between 28k and 92k miles. You're at 64,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (291), transmission and drivetrain (193), brakes (75), stability control (74), speed control (70). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 28k–92k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502), Brakes (NHTSA 13V-360), Fuel system (NHTSA 12V-289), Engine (NHTSA 12V-288) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.