Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was hit side impact my airbags didn't deploy in the car they deployed under the hood I was hit by a vehicle doing approximately 50 miles an hour the airbag that was supposed to go off went off under the hood instead of in the car
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.
Real bad oil leak my oil been leaking for months and a intake manifold code P2076 I really need this problem fix. I done spend a lot of money getting this car repaired everytime I get this Chevy Cruze out the shop something else wrongs I can't out no more money into this car too many car problems I haven't drove this car in 3 weeks because I was driving somewhere and white smoke started coming out the tailpipe bad somebody called the fire department and police on me that's how bad the smoke was coming out the tailpipe mind you I had just got the car out the shop i had got code P0303 fix this car cost me alot of money I got alot of repairs done on this car
Accident, on jan 15 2017, vehicle was turning into a restaurant parking lot from a highway and hit by a f150 pickup on the front end and whole passenger side, going about 15 MPH and other vehicle was traveling 50mph, none of the 10 air bags deployed, have shoulder injury 3 days following accident, vehicle was towed to collison, shop & was made aware that the frame of the vehicle from front end to rear was shattered, the vehicle was moving and turning into a business, the insurance company deemed that the vehicle was totaled. No air bags ever deployed, if there were a passenger they would have died.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the contact crashed into a fence. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic after the crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
I leased a 2011 Chevy Cruze and had it less than 1 month. Deer were in the rd, so I slowed down, then brakes locked, I went over an embankment into a lightpole. Total loss, transported via ems to mmmhc hospital, unconscious for half hour my memory is now horrible, I have bad headaches, my back is horrible and im without a vehicle. I wasnt driving above speed limit. No collision warning and I've been to er and my dr many times
Me and my boyfriend were driving in calcutta ohio we went to pull out of a parking lot to go to mcdonald's and we looked both ways and we were clear to go and by the time we hit the center turning lane and started to turn into mcdonald's and a Jeep came flying out of no where and our vehicles collided causing front end damage. The air bags failed to deploy in the car.
Direct impact with 1200 pound cow while driving on a state highway, the airbag did not deploy. Entire car engulfed in flames as the engine immediately started fire. Totalled. Why didn't the airbag deploy? Serious injury. Serious safety issue. I have purchased 2 Cruze's because of the safety features. This is so not safe and so unacceptable
Takata recall - my car was involved in an accident, in motion, on a city street. My air bag did not deploy. My seat belt did not hold me. I took a hit to the head, having to have stiches, along with both eyes turning black/blue.
In sept of 2013 after just a few months of owning the car I was rear-ended at a speed of 25-30 MPH. The airbag didn't deploy and my head bounced from the steering wheel to the headrest where I suffered a severe concussion leaving me out of work for a month. Also my radio console lights flash on at random times, I experience the turbo lag crap the dealership gives as and excuse (especially after telling me during a service test drive that my car didn't have a turbo!) and after owning it for 1 month a part of the engine fan sheered off and destroyed my A/C unit leaving me with a $2500 bill to redo that. I can't wait for my settlement from the accident to get the hell out of this car. This is my first and last Chevy ever!
Airbag complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 5% of the model year's 732 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Cruze airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Cruze airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 1 fire and 12 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.