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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (7)
Electrical system: ignition
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 and remedy
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist
General 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.
Engine and engine cooling
GENERAL 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly
GENERAL 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR MISSING WELDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS MISSING WELDS, DEALERS WILL SECURE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS WITH FASTENERS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.
Steering: gear box, shaft sector
GENERAL 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE SHAFTS TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF REQUIRED, REPAIR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT/STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY TO ASSURE THE BOLT IS FULLY SEATED AND THE SHAFT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Power train: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy: 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.
Steering: column
GENERAL 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO ENSURE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS ASSEMBLED PROPERLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Canadian recalls (7)
Show 7 Canadian recalls
Accessories
2014-07-03 · campaign 2014-274
On certain vehicles, insulation on the engine block heater power cord may become damaged if the cord is handled during very cold days (temperatures below -25C). This could create an electrical shock hazard, which could result in personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the block heater cord.
Brakes
2013-08-15 · campaign 2013-282
On certain vehicles equipped with a 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engine and a 6T40 automatic transmission, the electric vacuum pump (which provides supplemental vacuum under certain operating conditions) may not function as designed. This could result in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake power assist, requiring greater brake pedal effort to slow or stop the vehicle. This could increase stopping distances, which may result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly.
Other
2012-06-22 · campaign 2012-187
On certain vehicles, oil spilt as a result of improper engine oil change procedures could contact hot engine or exhaust components, as well as the engine shield, which could cause the shield to ignite and burn. In addition, on vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, continuing to drive with a completely worn clutch may cause hydraulic fluid to be expelled from the clutch housing vent hole. In some instances, the fluid could be burning as it exits the vent hole. If the burning fluid contacts the engine shield, this too could cause the shield to ignite and burn. These issues could cause an engine compartment fire which could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the engine shield to prevent fluid from contacting the shield.
Structure
2012-06-22 · campaign 2012-188
On certain vehicles, welds may have been omitted from the fuel tank mounting brackets during the vehicle manufacturing process. This could allow fuel leakage to occur as a result of a severe side impact crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, secure the fuel tank brackets using fasteners.
Other
2011-05-05 · campaign 2011-186
On certain vehicles, the automatic transmission shift linkage may not have been installed correctly during vehicle assembly. As such, the shift lever indicator may not accurately reflect the actual transmission gear selection. This could allow the driver to move the shifter to PARK and remove the ignition key, even if the transmission gear is not in the PARK position. Should the vehicle roll away, whether attended or not, it could strike another vehicle, stationary object, or a bystander, causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, adjust the transmission shift linkage.
Steering
2011-05-05 · campaign 2011-187
On certain vehicles, the bolt attaching the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear input shaft may not have been properly installed during vehicle assembly. This could allow the joint to separate, which would result in the loss of steering function. A loss of steering control could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, repair the intermediate shaft/steering gear assembly to ensure the bolt is fully seated and the shaft is properly assembled.
Steering
2011-04-04 · campaign 2011-149 · 400 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the steering wheel may have been improperly fastened during vehicle assembly. This could allow the steering wheel to loosen and come off. Should this occur while the vehicle is underway, the driver would lose steering control, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel fastener bolt and repair if necessary.
Owner complaints (732)
Owners filed 732 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (38 crashes, 20 fires, 39 injuries, 2 deaths reported). Among 10 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 252).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Engine | 257 | |
| Power train | 193 | |
| Electrical system | 96 | |
| Unknown or other | 75 | |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 75 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 70 | |
| Service brakes | 61 | |
| Steering | 48 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2011 Chevrolet Cruze version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Cruze 1.4 L Automatic (S6) | 22 | 34 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Cruze 1.8 L Manual 6-spd | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Cruze 1.8 L Automatic 6-spd | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Cruze Eco 1.4 L Automatic (S6) | 26 | 37 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Cruze Eco 1.4 L Manual 6-spd | 28 | 40 | 32 | $2,100 |
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Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.