2011 Chevrolet Cruze transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V502000Jul 5, 20168,367 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  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: 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.

• Recall 11V273000May 6, 2011100,308 vehicles
  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: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 19, 2026MNElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   i’m unsure if the person i bought this vehicle from had the codes wiped before selling to me, but there were NO lights on dash for 3 days after minimal driving only to work and back, then all of a sudden the check engine light came on, and in the info box it would pop up saying “service stability system” - i took to o’reiley’s to see what it was for, apparently it was the ECM (electronic computer module) which essentially controls like everything. days go by i don’t do…

   NHTSA complaint #11745175 · source
2. Filed Apr 2, 2026INElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The primary failure is a total loss of engine power and electrical systems while the vehicle is in motion. The dealership (Ray Skillman Southside Mitsubishi) has diagnosed this as a failed engine/body control computer system. The vehicle is currently located at the dealership's service center and is available for inspection. The vehicle has stalled/shut off completely while driving on four separate occasions. This resulted in an immediate loss of power steering and motive…

   NHTSA complaint #11728928 · source
3. Filed Nov 17, 2025230,000 miLATowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear and then stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11699756 · source
4. Filed Aug 12, 2025129,000 miMOElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shut off unintendedly and without warning. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not yet been contacted regarding the failure. The contact was…

   NHTSA complaint #11680047 · source
5. Filed Jan 30, 2025NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle does not shift gears, jumpy, sluggish, disengages then jerks back into gear. Hazard when trying to pickup speed to accelerate into highway traffic. Does not engage in reverse gear at times, have to turn vehicle off, wait a few minutes then turn vehicle back on for reverse gear to engage. Sometimes when vehicle is in park, vehicle will not start, have to fidget with gear and key, sometimes for several minutes before it will register in park and allow you to start the…

   NHTSA complaint #11639585 · source
6. Filed Jul 29, 2024MOElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving home on the interstate after work, I was travelling at around 65 miles per hour, with the cruise control set at that speed. In an instant I lost all engine power and began to slow down very rapidly. A quick look to the rearview mirror to ensure nothing was approaching the rear of my vehicle, I found that I could see nothing except grey and white smoke behind me from all three mirrors. I was forced to remove myself from the highway for fear of causing an…

   NHTSA complaint #11605021 · source
7. Filed May 22, 2024130,000 miKYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while attempting to leave a parking lot, the gear shifter was shifted to drive but the transmission remained in reverse. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage…

   NHTSA complaint #11590235 · source
8. Filed Nov 6, 2023NYTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission failed and wouldn't go into 3rd gear. Safety of person driving was put at risk on an expressway on ramp, transmission refused to go into 3rd gear could have been rear ended as traffic was accelerating on ramp. The issue was reproduced at a transmission repair shop. Vehicle has been repaired at a transmission shop after being towed to their facility as it was undriveable. There were NO warning lights or messages prior to failure. Car seemed a little sluggish…

   NHTSA complaint #11553850 · source
9. Filed Jun 6, 2023NYEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Noticed a very hard transmission shift when accelerating from approximately 35 to 40 mph. Hard shifting in this vehicle has been observed over the past year. Milage is approximately 60,000 miles.

   NHTSA complaint #11525621 · source
10. Filed May 5, 2023WITransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission locked gears and would not accelerate causing a huge safety violation when it occurred on an interstate. Vehicle was just seen by a mechanic that deemed the car safe to drive and then the car proceeded to malfunction. Vehicle has history of a slipping transmission, with no diagnosis ever found.

    NHTSA complaint #11520672 · source
11. Filed Mar 23, 202354,057 miPATransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while at a stop sign and accelerating, the vehicle hesitated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 54,057. The contact noted that the failure mileage was actually 45,057 and the failure speed was…

    NHTSA complaint #11513404 · source
12. Filed Oct 6, 2022NYAirbagsEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11488148 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology