2011 Chevrolet Cruze Powertrain (other) 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

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

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 warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

NHTSA ID

11699756

Incident

Nov 17, 2025

Mileage

230,000 mi

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

Vehicle does not shift gears, jumpy, sluggish, disengages then jerks back into gear. Hazard when trying to pickup speed to accelerate into highway traffic. Does not engage in reverse gear at times, have to turn vehicle off, wait a few minutes then turn vehicle back on for reverse gear to engage. Sometimes when vehicle is in park, vehicle will not start, have to fidget with gear and key, sometimes for several minutes before it will register in park and allow you to start the vehicle. When on highway transmission will jolt and jerk making you think you have lost your transmission on the roadway. This is a major hazard for my daughter who drives this vehicle to college. I am aware of a lift plate that can be installed to fix this problem that has existed in all 2011 Chevy Cruze s since they were manufactured. NHTSA Bulletin issued Oct. 10, 2024 NHTSA ID#11010651 Manufacture Communication #24-NA-223 Bulletin to all technicians for an alternative procedure for a lift plate that can be installed into the transmission to correct this problem. This needs to be a nationwide issued RECALL because of the endangerment people are being put in while driving these unsafe Chevy Cruze with faulty transmission issues.

NHTSA ID

11639585

Incident

Oct 10, 2023

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while attempting to leave a parking lot, the gear shifter was shifted to drive but the transmission remained in reverse. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11590235

Incident

May 22, 2024

Mileage

130,000 mi

The transmission failed and wouldn't go into 3rd gear. Safety of person driving was put at risk on an expressway on ramp, transmission refused to go into 3rd gear could have been rear ended as traffic was accelerating on ramp. The issue was reproduced at a transmission repair shop. Vehicle has been repaired at a transmission shop after being towed to their facility as it was undriveable. There were NO warning lights or messages prior to failure. Car seemed a little sluggish before but not really a warning at all before catastrophic failure of transmission.

NHTSA ID

11553850

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

Noticed a very hard transmission shift when accelerating from approximately 35 to 40 mph. Hard shifting in this vehicle has been observed over the past year. Milage is approximately 60,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11525621

Incident

Jun 5, 2023

Transmission locked gears and would not accelerate causing a huge safety violation when it occurred on an interstate. Vehicle was just seen by a mechanic that deemed the car safe to drive and then the car proceeded to malfunction. Vehicle has history of a slipping transmission, with no diagnosis ever found.

NHTSA ID

11520672

Incident

May 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while at a stop sign and accelerating, the vehicle hesitated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 54,057. The contact noted that the failure mileage was actually 45,057 and the failure speed was intermittent. After the vehicle was left with the dealer a second time, they found that there were two cylinders with low compression. The dealer presented the contact two options to remedy the issue. The contact paid to have the engine replaced with a remanufactured one from GM. The new engine has since been reinstalled, but it is unknown why the failure happened. The contact has reached out to the manufacturer to try to get some financial help with the repair costs.

NHTSA ID

11513404

Incident

Mar 16, 2023

Mileage

54,057 mi

Due to OnStar 2G sunsetting their services at the end of this year, all makes of General Motors vehicles did not comply to any of the customers requests to upgrade their module to 4G services, although upon researching, all Canadian GM vehicles did get the upgrade well over 7 years ago. This is well beyond a concern with GM and OnStar customers. With the NHTSA as a safety liaison and protecting the consumer, if a module upgrade can be applied in a vehicle that is on the same assembly parts, platform, electrical components...and be denied from the United States? The NHTSA should realize that this will be frivolous law suits because of neglect and safety concerns with GM and OnStar in the United States.

NHTSA ID

11488148

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

Seven recalls!!! Chevy claims there are no recalls for this vin number. 7 is way to many!!! Not to mention their valve covers on this car are terrible, no wonder the engine catches fire, I’ve had it replaced 3 times. I’ve replaced cooling components multiple times an never got any recall notifications from Chevy!!!!!! Please help.

NHTSA ID

11482169

Incident

Aug 27, 2022

I drive daily taking 2 freeways. I stopped at the traffic light and the car felt like shaking. Stabilitrack warning and traction control warning light and messages appeared on the screen and also the check engine light turned on, and ABS too. Break pedal was really hard to push and breaks were not working (i was not reducing speed at all) and it felt like the engine loose power and the car felt rough while driving. I was approaching to another traffic light and it was a red light so I prepared to decrease my speed and stop to wait for the green light. When I placed my foot and pressed the break pedal, it was hard. I was pushing it hard but the pedal did not respond, it was very hard and not moving at all and I was almost on the intersection, which always has heavy traffic with cars, 18 wheeler trucks and delivery trucks and more because its an industrial zone and Amazon and UPS are on this avenue along with other major companies. I could be involved and be responsible for a really bad crash if the light wouln't turn green on time. Fortunately it changed to the green light and I was in the very front. After this, I tried to go to the side if the road but there was a sidewalk and it was a no parking zone with no space/edge to park In case of emergency. I drove slowly with my emergency lights on and moved to the right lane until I found a space to stop. The car was shaking really bad, same lights on the dash were on and messages on the control panel did not change or disapear. The car was still moving when the engine suddenly stopped working while I was driving it. Music was playing and all lights worked so I knew it wasn't the battery. This situation was so scary that I was afraid to drive my car. I did not want to cause an accident resulting in injury to myself, others or any fatality. I've always taken my car to service and to be fixed in chevrolet. My car shook a little since 2020 and chevy guys don't know the reason. Total is about $2800 to get it fixed.

NHTSA ID

11471934

Incident

Jun 28, 2022

Unknown. When stopping then going to accelerate again the engine acts like it’s in nuetrual and revs the engine up then causing it to jerk forward. This happens at almost every stop.

NHTSA ID

11437841

Incident

Jul 30, 2021

ISSUE 1: CAR JERKS WHILE AT LOW SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES ACTS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL, EVEN THOUGH MY GEAR IS IN DRIVE. ISSUE 2: WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO REVERSE, THEN TO DRIVE, THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL, INSTEAD OF DRIVE. THE ENGINE REVS, BUT DOESN'T MOVE, UNLESS I HAPPEN TO BE ON A HILL, AT WHICH POINT IT WILL ROLL, WITHOUT ME WANITING IT TO. IN ORDER TO GO INTO DRIVE I HAVE TO PUT ON THE BRAKE AND PUT IT INTO PARK, LET GO OF THE BRAKE, PUT THE BRAKE BACK ON THEN PUT THE GEAR BACK IN DRIVE FOR IT TO MOVE FORWARD. ISSUE 3: CAR RUNS IN GEAR 1 AND 2, BUT WILL NOT SHIFT TO ANOTHER GEAR. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING, THE ENGINE JUST REVS, BUT YOU CAN'T GO PAST A VERY LOW SPEED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2011, IT HAS 80,000 MILES. I DON'T EXPECT IT TO BE A PERFECT CAR, BUT FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ALREADY BE OUT, ISN'T RIGHT. IT'S DANGEROUS. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND INVESTIGATE THIS CAR'S TRANSMISSION. EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. PLEASE. I'M BEGGING.

NHTSA ID

11404482

Incident

Mar 22, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

MANY OCCURRENCES OF PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE CAR HAVING A DELAYED REACTION TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES WHEN COMING FROM A STOP IN A PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11404480

Incident

Mar 20, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

NO 2ND OR 6ST GEAR IN TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ID

11390929

Incident

Jan 29, 2021

Mileage

102,300 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

THE TRANSMISSION LEAKS SO MUCH WE PUT NEW FLUIDS IN ALMOST ON THE DAILY AND THERE'S ALWAYS SENSOR LIGHTS ON ON THE DASHBOARD

NHTSA ID

11365055

Incident

Sep 20, 2020

Mileage

230,000 mi

THE CRUZE SPUTTERS OR HESITATES WHEN BRAKED OR IDLING, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICES STABILITRAK CAME ON ALONG WITH A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I LOOSE POWER AND FEEL LIKE I'M NEEDING TO PRESS A LOT HARDER ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ID

11317469

Incident

Mar 11, 2020

Mileage

131,468 mi

FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, I HAD JUST STARTED DRIVING AND MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR, LEAVING ME DOING 20 MILES PER HOUR TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO REVERSE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON. FUSE CHANGED FOR INDICATOR LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED(FLUIDS FINE). CAR BEGAN WORKING WITH NO EXPLANATION. SECOND INCIDENT WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AFTER USING THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT EARLIER. WENT INTO REVERSE FINE. BACKED OUT, ONLY TO DISCOVER I COULD NOT GO FORWARD INTO DRIVE. DRIVE ACTED AS IF IN PARK. REVERSE WORKED. NEUTRAL WORKED AS IF IN REVERSE. HAD TO BACK INTO A SAFE PARKING SPACE ON THE STREET INSTEAD OF PULLING BACK INTO DRIVEWAY. ALMOST RAN OVER MY SON THAT WAS GOING TO PUSH MY CAR WHILE IN NEUTRAL, DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, IT WAS STILL REVERSING.

NHTSA ID

11316555

Incident

Mar 5, 2020

Mileage

53,881 mi

IT LEAKS MOTOR OIL EVERYTIME IT GETS CHANGED,THERES ALWAYS A HUGE PILE OF OIL ON THE GROUND, I CAN ALSO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT WITHOUT NEEDING TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL . OVERALL ITS BEEN A HASSEL TO DEAL WITH IT.

NHTSA ID

11307853

Incident

Aug 20, 2019

Mileage

135,000 mi

WE PURCHASED A 2011 CHEVY CRUZ WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES. IN THE 2 YEARS WE'VE HAD IT WE'VE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, OIL COOLER, AND ALL THE HOSES. THE FURTHEST WE'VE DRIVEN IT IS 400MILES IN A TRIP. WE HAVEN'T TAKEN IT UP MOUNTAINS, AND WE KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE

NHTSA ID

11307501

Incident

Oct 16, 2019

WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP FROM 2ND GEAR, THE CAR SHIFTS HARD AND JERKS BACK WHEN SHIFTING DOWN INTO FIRST GEAR. OFTEN TIMES, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR DOESN'T ACTUALLY GET POWER; THE RPMS JUMP TO ABOUT 6000 AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE. WHILE DRIVING, IT FEELS LIKE TENSION AGAINST THE GAS PEDAL WHILE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S DRAGGING BACK AND BOGGING DOWN (THE RPMS DON'T INDICATE BOGGING, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE). WHEN IT FINALLY CATCHES A GEAR, IT JERKS BACKWARDS AND ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL OUT.

NHTSA ID

11297379

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

Mileage

84,000 mi