The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 11V-273 (11V273000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 11142 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Component | Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL) |
| Report date | May 6, 2011 |
| Owners notified | May 17, 2011 |
| Vehicles affected | 100,308 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the transmission & drivetrain
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 11V-273 repair free?
Yes. Chevrolet dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 100,308 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.