2011 Chevrolet Cruze Electrical Problems

i’m 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 “service stability system” - i took to o’reiley’s to see what it was for, apparently it was the ECM (electronic computer module) which essentially controls like everything. days go by i don’t do anything more about it and drive as usual to work, and it starts overheating, and smoking like crazy, but doesn’t say it’s hot on my dash, so i had no idea how hot it got or anything. i got to work, worked my shift, and went to put coolant in before returning home- just to find that it was full and i didn’t need to put any in. weird, right? ok well on my way home i’m going about 55mph on the highway and it suddenly just wouldn’t let me accelerate anymore and behaved as if i ran out of gas but i had over half a tank. when i came to a stop i turned the car off, and tried to turn it back on when it wouldn’t even turn over. i sat about 15 mins on the side of the highway before it actually started and i drove home. a week goes by, and now this ecm is effecting more and more- driving on the highway/streets it’s shifting really hard, immediately following that, my speedometer and rpm meter fall to “0” on the dash but the vehicle is still driving and the message pops up about the service stability system. i replaced my tire and now it’s telling me to service airbag system and the abs light is stuck on, as well as traction control and it’s just so weird. i just don’t feel safe in this car and after looking it up, apparently everyone with the make and model have very similar problems, but specifically searching by my VIN- apparently there’s no recalls and it’s just extremely frustrating and i don’t know what to do. if i fix the ECM will all these issues be resolved or will i waste $600-$800 replacing it?

NHTSA ID

11745175

Incident

Jun 18, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private in April 12th 2026. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 135,000 The contact stated that the next day when retrieving the title they noticed the mileage discrepancy. The contact spoke withe seller who then stated it was the same mileage they were told when they received the vehicle and had since replaced the engine therefore the engine mileage would not show at the DMV. The contact looked up the CarFax and saw the same mileage discrepancy with a mileage of over 300,000. When the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for an air bag recall, when the dealer confirmed mileage discrepancy. The contact sought out legal assistance.

NHTSA ID

11739476

Incident

Apr 13, 2026

Mileage

300,000 mi

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 is available for inspection. The vehicle has stalled/shut off completely while driving on four separate occasions. This resulted in an immediate loss of power steering and motive power, nearly causing collisions in traffic. A vehicle that loses all power without warning is a severe safety hazard to the driver, passengers, and other motorists on the road. Yes. The problem has been confirmed by the Ray Skillman service department. They have attempted to repair the issue 3 times without success and currently state that the vehicle is inoperable while they search for a used replacement computer component. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by the Ray Skillman dealership technicians. To date, no representative from the manufacturer (General Motors) or insurance has performed an independent inspection, though a formal complaint has been initiated with the dealership's corporate management. There were no consistent warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failures. The vehicle would unexpectedly lose all power and shut down. These symptoms first appeared within the first 100 miles of ownership (purchased at 11,000 miles; current mileage approximately 11,800 The dealership has refused to provide a loaner vehicle and is currently attempting to resolve a recurring safety failure using a used/salvage electronic component rather than a certified new part, which I believe further compromises the safety of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11728928

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

When I start my vehicle and go over a certain speed it show service abs system it also makes a grinding sound when breaking before that speed is hit it also has a wobbleing steering wheel when breaking at high speeds also when accelerating it will sometimes show engine power reduced after presing the gas pedal

NHTSA ID

11697199

Incident

Jul 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shut off unintendedly and without warning. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not yet been contacted regarding the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 129,000.

NHTSA ID

11680047

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Mileage

129,000 mi

While driving home on the interstate after work, I was travelling at around 65 miles per hour, with the cruise control set at that speed. In an instant I lost all engine power and began to slow down very rapidly. A quick look to the rearview mirror to ensure nothing was approaching the rear of my vehicle, I found that I could see nothing except grey and white smoke behind me from all three mirrors. I was forced to remove myself from the highway for fear of causing an accident by blinding drivers with the smoke coming from my exhaust, and I was able to use the service road to get to the next fueling station. Upon arrival, I opened the hood and found that oil had sprayed out of every available portal in the engine, it exited through the vacuum lines, pressure sensors onto my alternator, saturated my serpentine belt as well as everything else ion the engine compartment. I noticed most of the oil came from a round hole behind the oil filler cap through a busted vacuum diaphragm that had blown out instead of regulating vacuum, indicating extreme positive pressure in the crankcase. As this was my MOS in the Army, I am experienced with dangers and risks involved in these situations, and I will give warning that if this happens during the right traffic situations, lives will be lost as a result of the smoke screen developimg when the oil hits the catalytic convertors combined with the rapid decline in speed without warning of any kind, and when it does happen, and it will, since there are 8 million of these vehicles on the road and counting, this complaint should serve as proper and fair warning od the damgers and risks with allowing this engine to remain in use without a warning system to indicate the tiny plastic check valve has been released from its position. I was fortunate enough that I only suffered a few curse words and horns blowing and flipping me the bird, but i have to admit I was afraid for my life and someone with less driving experience will have a bad outcom

NHTSA ID

11605021

Incident

Jan 25, 2024

2011 Chevrolet Cruze. 1.4 engine. Manual transmission. No accidents. Mileage: 69,000 The engine has stopped while driving 3 times in last year (2023) January (5 degrees), Sept and November. Battery is 2 years old. Replaced negative battery cable with (OEM), after 2nd engine stop, after reading that negative cables have history of going bad over time. Very dangerous, especially in dark. All lights, head lights, dash lights and engine stop. Emergency flashers work. I coast to the side of road, and try to restart. It will restart after about 5 minutes. I have gotten a check air bag message on dash. First, two times I took to a mechanic and they said there are no repair codes coming up from computer.

NHTSA ID

11558913

Incident

Nov 25, 2023

I purchased a Car on 8-11& I didn’t pick it up until 8/13 of this year . On 8/14 The electrical went out of my middle Consol starting with the radio and then down to the heating and air-conditioning buttons along with the fact that the windows would not roll down or up . When you use the Bluetooth in the car the AC shuts down and I hear a roaring sound coming from the engine as well as whenever I stop the car just jumps. There is also a sound in the steering wheel whatever it’s turned right to left

NHTSA ID

11483151

Incident

Sep 6, 2022

The radio turns itself off, all the warning lights flash on the dash, and the car starts struggling to idle.

NHTSA ID

11478220

Incident

Aug 8, 2022

Last month the car started ti show me this errors Stabili Trak Control and Traction Service Control, I keep getting them driving on the highway, every road I drive, the steering wheal just becomes stiff and its hard to maneuver , the Air Condition turns off itself and the car has a big vibration , like there is an earthquake outside, I have been calling General Motors to tell them about the problem but they are telling me there is nothing they can do. There are times when I get in the car trying to get to work and the car won't start, the car would show me the errors and would not clear for hours, it's a nightmare.

NHTSA ID

11476239

Incident

Jun 2, 2022

Every year there’s always a issue with oil leakage resulting into smoke coming out of my car, another thing is my car starts to hesitate literally once a year. This has been happening since I purchased my car in February of 2015

NHTSA ID

11441910

Incident

Oct 14, 2021

Negative battery cable shorting electrics while driving…

NHTSA ID

11435509

Incident

Oct 5, 2021

THE CAR IS HESITATING AFTER STOPPING WHETHER ITS A LIGHT OR SIGN ALSO HAS WHILE IN MOTION WHICH ALMOST GOT ME HIT! !T1HERE IS ALSO A BURNING SMELL AT TIMES! I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT WITHIN THE MONTH AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR , NO-ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ! BOU8GHT THIS CAR FROM HONDA IN ANDERSON INDIANA!! ITS HAD PROBLEMS THE WHOLE TIME I'VE HAD IT1 ILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CRUZE

NHTSA ID

11383175

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

89,300 mi

THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, WARNING, "BATTERY SAVINGS MODE" CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, HAS NOT SINCE STARTED BACK UP. KEY'S WILL NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. I BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO FAULTY WIRING CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO SHORT OUT, ALTHOUGH, I AM UNCERTAIN.

NHTSA ID

11375361

Incident

Oct 18, 2020

Mileage

134,000 mi

ALSO FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINT I'VE MADE ON MY 20011 CHEVY CRUZE ECO IS THAT WHEN I'VE TRIED STARTING MY CAR IT SKIPPED THEN WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING SO I TOOK MY KEY OUT AND GOT ANOTHER CAR AND HOOKED THE JUMPER CABLES UP TO IT AND LET IT CHARGE FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND HAD TROUBLE STARTING IT UP IT STARTED UP FIRST TRY JUST NOT AS USUAL IT TOOK ABOUT A COUPLE SECOND INSTEAD OF INSTANTLY STARTING UP THIS MAKE ME BELIEVE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS IS A FAULTY IGNITION OR ALTERNATOR THE ONLY DAMAGED CAUSED FROM THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HEADLIGHT AND PASSENGER FENDER AND BUMPER BODY THE ONLY DAMAGED PART ON THE UNDER THE HOOD WAS THE AIR BOX INTAKE AND A HOSE MOVED AROUND BUT NOT DAMAGED

NHTSA ID

11363712

Incident

Aug 5, 2020

Mileage

115,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

NHTSA ID

11351909

Incident

Aug 13, 2020

THE 'AC OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP' WARNING KEEPS COMING ON, THE AC WON'T WORK AND THE TEMP GAUGE GOES BACK TO ZERO. WE HAVE HAD THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMP SENSOR REPLACED AND THE RADIATOR TEMP SENSOR REPLACED ALSO AND WE ARE STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE! ALONG WITH THE DASH AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11337079

Incident

May 13, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE VALVE COVER GASKET WHICH MAY LEAK OIL AND DROP DOWN CAUSING A FIRE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS FIXED UPON TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE THE OIL WAS DRIPPING DOWN CAUSING SMOKE AND THE PART THAT IT WAS DRIPPING ON WAS RED HOT WHICH WAS THE COIL WIRE. WAS IN FACT NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11322420

Incident

Apr 22, 2020

Mileage

117,000 mi

ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND BARELY TAKE OFF. ENGINE IS RESPONDING TO GAS PEDAL BUT NO POWER IN LOW GEAR SO TAKES OFF VERY SLOW NEARLY RESULTING IN WRECK. TWO SHOPS, INCLUDING TRANSMISSION SHOP, STATE ITS ELECTRONIC PROBLEM INCLUDING 'LACK OF COMMUNICATION'. IT HAPPENS FROM BEING STATIONARY OR IN PROCESS OF DRIVING WHEN IT LOSES POWER SUDDENLY. WHEN ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF IT RUNS OK. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'LL ACT UP. STARTED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, AND IS INTERMITTENT.

NHTSA ID

11209022

Incident

Nov 25, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi

ME AND MY KIDS WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY 2011 CHEVY CRUISE JUST LOST POWER AND MY ENGINE STOPPED WORKING... IT WILL NOT START UP AT ALL. MECHANIC CANT FIGURE OUT WHY. I'VE GOT TONS OF SENSORS GOING OUT EVERYTIME I TURN AROUND AND I AM A MOTHER OF A DISABLED SON. WE WERE ON AT PARKWAY GOING 65 TO 60 MPH. IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. IT HAPPENED ED IN MADISON VILLE KY

NHTSA ID

11205148

Incident

Apr 25, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY SAY SERVICE STABILITRAK OR SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WHENEVER I TURN THE WHEEL BACKING UP BUT WASN'T AFFECTING THE CAR IN ANY WAY AS FAR AS I COULD TELL. MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD ALSO FLICKER AT THE SAME TIME SO I FIGURED IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. YESTERDAY WHILE TURNING ONTO A DIFFERENT STREET AND TODAY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A STREET I LOST POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ID

11195510

Incident

Apr 9, 2019

Mileage

114,500 mi

TAMARA RECALL TRANSMISSION,VALVE COVER,BRAKE SENSOR, THROTTLE SENSOR , THIS CAR HAS GAVE ME PROBLEMS AFTER PROBLEMS , EVERY MONTH IT'S LITERALLG SOMETHING NEW I HAVE ABOUT 20 PAGES OF RECEIPTS

NHTSA ID

11180046

Incident

Apr 20, 2017

IT'S BEEN ONE YEAR AND MY CHEVY CRUZE HAS OVERHEATED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE THERMOSTAT WAS WRONG ALONG WITH THE THERMO PIPE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AND NOW SIMILAR ISSUE IS HAPPENING WHERE MY CAR SMELLS FUNNY, I TURN THE HEAT IN AND THE CAR WILL START TO OVER HEAT AND NEVER WARM THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11172351

Incident

Jan 26, 2019

Mileage

50,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE TOTALLY LOOSES POWER AND THE ENTIRE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND COMES TO A STOP. LOTS OF ELECTRICAL MESSAGES SHOW UP, AND SOMETIMES THE KEY CANNOT COME OUT OF IGNITION. AFTER AN HOUR, SOMETIMES IT WILL RESTART. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER. AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE, BUT ITS STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. STARTING TO NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THIS CAR AS ITS A HAZARD TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL CUT OUT AND JUST STOP WITH NO POWER TO EVEN HAVE WINDOWS ROLL UP.

NHTSA ID

11145254

Incident

Nov 2, 2018

Mileage

87,500 mi

2016 ECM REPROGRAMMING RECALL EVER SINCE I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL IN 2016 TO HAVE THE ECM REPROGRAMMED, I HAVE HAD SEVERE ISSUES WITH VERY ROUGH IDLING, SLOW ACCELERATION, AND INCONSISTENT FUEL USAGE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND LISTS SEVERAL SENSORS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED ALL OF THEM AND THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. NOW THE CODES INDICATE THERE IS A CATASTROPHIC ISSUE WITH THE ECM AND CHEVY WILL NOT COVER IT EVEN THOUGH THIS ISSUE STARTED FROM THEIR OWN RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11128457

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

65,000 mi