2011 Chevrolet Cruze Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 26% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 57,718 miles.
- 193power train complaints
- 57,718median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 27%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze at $1,900, and half of them between $1,650 and $4,700.
Based on 5 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2018), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 148 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 193 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Chevrolet Cruze power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Cruze | 8 | 35% | 63,029 |
| 2018 Cruze | 23 | 21% | 51,864 |
| 2017 Cruze | 39 | 19% | 32,695 |
| 2016 Cruze | 31 | 12% | 48,000 |
| 2015 Cruze | 37 | 15% | 59,213 |
| 2014 Cruze | 97 | 14% | 44,750 |
| 2013 Cruze | 113 | 19% | 39,603 |
| 2012 Cruze | 137 | 16% | 57,340 |
| 2011 Cruze | 193 | 26% | 57,718 |
| 2010 Cruze | 1 | 50% | 30,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system:ignition; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Problem: General 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission shift linkage for correct installation and adjust the shift linkage system free of charge. The safety recall began on may 23, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, or www.gmownercenter.com.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
iâm unsure if the person i bought this vehicle from had the codes wiped before selling to me, but there were NO lights on dash for 3 days after minimal driving only to work and back, then all of a sudden the check engine light came on, and in the info box it would pop up saying âservice…
The primary failure is a total loss of engine power and electrical systems while the vehicle is in motion. The dealership (Ray Skillman Southside Mitsubishi) has diagnosed this as a failed engine/body control computer system. The vehicle is currently located at the dealership's service center and…
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear and then stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. There was no…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2011 Chevrolet Cruzes have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 193 owner complaints about power train for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (26% of the 732 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 57,718 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,900 (half paid between $1,650 and $4,700), from 5 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other 2011 Chevrolet Cruze problems
See all 2011 Chevrolet Cruze problems or power train problems across all Cruze years.