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 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
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
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
Vehicle shutdown while driving on highway, several times. The car electric turns off and or flashes, stabiltrak lights come on and flashes, check engine flashing, car completely shuts down, steering is electronic or motor powered and is hard to use, transmission jerks before shutdown and breaks don't work very well. Ran over curb and off the road to avoid colliding with other vehicles. Picture, im driving on a highway at night doing 65 or so, all power goes out, its dark, other cars can not see me well, they are swerving and im swerving. This happened first around 20K and has happened on several occasions after. No corrections offered by GM under warranty, complaints were completely ignored, until murdock Chevy in manhattan ks. They are currently trying to get it fixed and gave me a loner car, all other servicing dealers refused a loaner car, and told me its fixed each time. …
I was driving on a residential road at around 1030 pm. I had a blow out on my car earlier on the passenger front tire so I had put a donut on the front passenger side. The road curved left and as I was trying to turn my vehicle to go around the curve of the road my steering wheel would not turn. It was locked in a straight position. I applied my brakes but it was to late and I hit the rear end of a parked SUV on the road. I was very confused and I had to take a field sobriety test in which I did and I passed. I was issued a citation for failure to provide proper look out. What the heck is that? I told everyone at the time of the incident that I could not turn the steering it would not turn for me, I have had 2 lower back surgeries, I need another one, I have a serious problem with my neck which is going to require surgery, at least one surgery if not more. …
The radio/HVAC display turns off and on; the antilock brake system, service traction system, service stabilitrac and steering vehicle messages comes on and off; the turn signal sound May not be heard; 'battery saver active' and 'service steering' displays in the driver information center (dic); and the interior and exterior lighting May flicker. Power steering assist is also lost, and greater effort May be needed to turn the steering wheel at low speeds or while the vehicle is stopped. This only happens in the summer. Doing speeds of 65mph. The car loses power and then the dash board and radion flickers on and off. The cars sometimes shuts off and I will have to put my hazards marker on the let the car pull over to the side of the road. And im not able to take the key out the ignition. The key will get stuck and about 3 minutes later I trying again and the key will come out. …
On April 30 2014, around 11:00 am the car was taken for service to a Chevrolet dealer for a wheel alignment,steering and suspension system inspection and air pressure condition check, the Chevy Cruze was at the service dealer for aprox four hours, we then came home, around 5:30 we went to a shopping center to buy something and on the way back home, aprox six blocks from our home we stop on a stop sign on a curb/angle street divider by a small curb with trees, we then try to proceed and bare right but the car made some kind of a noise and went left going over small curb and hitting a tree, we where going aprox 15 to 20 MPH at the time of impact the police came and made a report, no summons where issue because the police officer look at the scene and comment that it looks like the car loss power/ control of the steering ,brakes and could not be control. …
I have had numerous issues with this vehicle, with today ending in loss of power while doing 70mph on interstate 95n. Prior to this issue, my dashboard and radio would flicker on and off, then the message "service stabilitrak" would pop up and go away. This morning while driving on 95n my vehicle lost all its power causing me to pull off onto the shoulder. My car cut off and would not cut back on for about two minutes. When I cut it back on, my car began to shake and code p0723 (speed sensor) popped up. This nearly scared me as I could have ended up in a major accident. Now, my car is at the shop and the transmission has died. I see numerous complaints on the same issue but no recall released. I will be without a vehicle and upside down on my car now. …
As I was driving down the street my car did a shift as I was approaching the light.me and my husband look at each other and stated what was that I processed to make a left turn and park my car. The moment I pulled in the parking spot I needed to reverse the car well needles to say the car didn't move you heard a click and it did nothing so my husband says turn the car off and see what happens, I did that nothing happened the car still wouldn't reverse so I can park my car, then he stated put the car in neutral to see what happens out it in neutral it goes forward, I just purchased this car black Friday from Kia on the blvd in philadelphia, pa. I'm truly upset missing. Please help. Thanks
Tl contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply excessive force to the steering wheel in order to turn the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal failed to respond making it difficult to stop the vehicle. The service stability track warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the yaw rate sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Steering complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 7% of the model year's 732 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Cruze steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-270 (shaft sector, May 6, 2011); NHTSA recall 11V-221 (column, Apr 6, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Cruze steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to steering 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.