Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 45 MPH, attempting to slow down the brakes began to lock. There was smoke coming from the dashboard of the vehicle. The driver pulled over and was able to stop the vehicle by applying excessive pressure to the brake pedal. The driver and the passenger of the vehicle were able to get out of the vehicle by kicking the doors to force them to open. Once the passenger was able to get out of the vehicle the passenger side of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. There were no injuries and no medical attention was needed. …
It's been going off and on every since I first got the car I smell a burning smell and it loses power is stalls and the dealership keep telling me it's just air getting into it but I know it's my turbo because my neighbor has one her turbo went out and I have two other friends that has one and both their turbo went out and now it's making a knocking noise and everyone that I have look at it say it's the turbo it's the wastegate I don't drive my car much and only has 26,000 miles on it because I'm afraid to drive it I've had it fixed more than 10 times it had a oil leak where would catch on fire but the dealership put turbo fans in instead of giving me a new motor so it's still flames up from the oil pan but they say the turbo fans is going to blow the fire out so it's not going to hurt me but I don't drive it far because I'm scared when it gets hot that's going to catch on fire and …
While driving a 2011 Cruze eco with approximately 11,000 miles the car caught fire. The car was last serviced by the deal approximately 4,000 miles ago (3 months). The car was 30 miles into a 43 mile trip when it caught fire, and prior to the incident there were no warning signs of any problems with the vehicle. The only indication of a problem was slight smoke coming from the engine bay, and then as soon as the car was stopped a flame came out between the hood and the cowl area. The car was totally engulfed within 5 minutes of stopping, and it was only after the first sign of fire was visible that the warning light on the dash boar illuminated. The car is a total loss, and Chevrolet has stated they will have someone contact me in 7 to 10 days to discuss the incident. …
I bought the 2011 Chevrolet cruz in 2014, I used the car primarily for work so throughout the first few years I didn't notice anything strange as it remained parked most the time. When I did start driving it as a primary vehicle the first issue I had was the clutch and gear system seemed to be touchy when the car was in park, resorting to me using the emergency brake every time I would park it. At the time it didn't seem to be a big issue as it became a habit. In 2016 shortly after this my oil consumption and turbo failed, and the vehicles exhaust started blowing blue smoke and the car lost all power. As this was a new car I took it to a mechanic and had vehicles turbo replaced. …
From a stopped position, I would accelerate through 1st gear, just before I change gears to 2nd. The whole car's electrical system goes haywire. All systems reset, most of the time this means I can a very bad jerk in between gears 1 and 2. A few times the car turned off. If the car does die, I am unable to start the car or jump it for at least 15 minutes. The longest I had to sit was over 30 minutes. Chevy's dic system tells me to check a variety of things, not always all of them. But usually check power steering and airbag systems. A few times it told me to check traction control systems. The check engine light has never come on in any of these instances. Chevy says this is due to a faulty ground wire, which they replaced and it continues to do this. This is a very dangerous situation, where if I was in a busy intersection I could easily be caught in an accident. …
The first occurrence happened on jan. 20th 2015 on my way to work, twice. I noticed because the radio turned off and the service ESP flashed with the traction light coming on with multiple other lights flashing. All of this including the radio flashed/turned off and on for about 2 minutes. Over the next week this happened 5 or 6 times. All of these happened while going between 30 and 40 MPH and on trips between 30-45 minutes. I had about a week with none of this happening and then on feb. 8th I was driving home, 20 mins from start to finish and twice the engine power reduced came on and I could not drive any where. I was going about 35 MPH. I was able to pull over and turn my car off and on both times and make it home. Now my check engine light is on and I'm not sure if I can even drive my car or if it will die on me again.
As I was pulling out of my daughters school, my Cruze engine warning lights came on "reduced engine power" "check stablitrak" "service" warnings came on as well. My car lost all engine power and I was almost rear ended by a Dodge pickup, he was able to go up on the curb at the school and avoid an accident. Glad there was no one hurt on the curb. I checked the internet, re; http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/25-service-issues/10826-engine-power-reduction.html , this is a known issues for GM for quite sometime now. GM customer service themselves is participating in the discussion there. It is a known issue with the throttle body. The throttle controls the power in the power train yet GM won't cover the repairs under their power train warranty. This isn't safe and it is known.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, lunged, and lost power. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to BMW of alexandria (499 s pickett st, alexandria, va 22304, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13V044000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
While driving the vehicle the engine light came on. The car only has 60,000.00 on it but we took it in because the engine would just randomly stop and the car would stall. The vehicle when brought into the dealership, had been inspected and the car was missing parts. The intake manifold non return valve was missing. There was a vacuum leak at the pcv orifice external port. Water pump was leaking from bolt holes and cover plate. Coolant leak was found even though a few months prior to the leak, Chevy "fixed" the recalled item. I believe that the vehicle has many faulty parts and this is the second time I have written a complaint about this company using faulty parts in there manufacturing process.
Transmission jerks extremely hard. When air is on car fails to accelerate at all. Idles on its own, jumps gears always. Fuel system is bad, it chokes constantly and wont start some days. It vibrates extremely hard and I had it serviced 1 month ago for shaft case. This is the worst car ever!!!!!!! Its a danger to drive it wont pick up speed and when the air is on it wont move at all. If still at a light, it will jerk extremely hard to where it jerks me. When in park it idles itself. If I'm entering onto the highway it wont pick up speed even if the air is not on. When I reverse and go back to park it jerks extremely hard. I hate this car!!! Sometimes it doesn't want to stop.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
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.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 6% of the model year's 732 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system › injectors (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Cruze fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-289 (mounting, Jun 22, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Cruze fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.