Research · Midsize Cars

2011 Chevrolet CruzeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 733 owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. Most complaints involve engine (257) and power train (193). The EPA rates it 26–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–32mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jul 2016
Owner complaints
733
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Jul 5, 2016NHTSA 16V502000

Service brakes

Free remedy

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Aug 15, 2013NHTSA 13V360000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 22, 2012NHTSA 12V289000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

733 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2010 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine257
  2. Power train193
  3. Electrical system96
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)75
  5. Vehicle speed control70
  6. Service brakes61
  7. Steering48
  8. Air bags40
  9. Engine and engine cooling39

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cruze model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2011733
2012865
2013587
2014704
2015254
2016250
2017203
2018109
201923
Crashes reported
38
Fires reported
20
Injuries reported
39
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

257 reports5 crashes13 fires
“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 anything more about it and drive as usual to work, and it starts overheating, and smoking like crazy, but doesn’t say it’s hot on my dash, so i had no idea how hot it got or anything. i got to work, worked my shift, and went to put coolant in before returning home- just to find that it was full and i didn’t need to put any in. weird, right? ok well on my way home i’m going about 55mph on the highway and it suddenly just wouldn’t let me accelerate anymore and behaved as if i ran out of gas but i had over half a tank. when i came to a stop i turned the car off, and tried to turn it back on when it wouldn’t even turn over. i sat about 15 mins on the side of the highway before it actually started and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11745175

Power train

193 reports4 crashes
“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 power, nearly causing collisions in traffic. A vehicle that loses all power without warning is a severe safety hazard to the driver, passengers, and other motorists on the road. Yes. The problem has been confirmed by the Ray Skillman service department. They have attempted to repair the issue 3 times without success and currently state that the vehicle is inoperable while they search for a used replacement computer component. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by the Ray Skillman dealership technicians. To date, no representative from the manufacturer (General Motors) or insurance has performed an independent inspection, though a formal complaint has been initiated with the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11728928

Electrical system

96 reports4 crashes4 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private in April 12th 2026. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 135,000 The contact stated that the next day when retrieving the title they noticed the mileage discrepancy. The contact spoke withe seller who then stated it was the same mileage they were told when they received the vehicle and had since replaced the engine therefore the engine mileage would not show at the DMV. The contact looked up the CarFax and saw the same mileage discrepancy with a mileage of over 300,000. When the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for an air bag recall, when the dealer confirmed mileage discrepancy. The contact sought out legal assistance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2026Electrical systemODI 11739476
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6) · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cruze Eco
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
284032$1,950278
Cruze Eco
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263730$2,100296
Cruze
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263529$2,150306
Cruze
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,200317
Cruze
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223426$2,400342
  • Cruze Eco
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    28 city · 40 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze Eco
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    26 city · 37 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Cruze
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    22 city · 34 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Cruze 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 215
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Cruze questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Cruze problems?

Owners filed 733 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (257), power train (193), electrical system (96). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze at 26–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026