Problems · by component

2011 Chevrolet Cruze engine and engine cooling problems

39 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze cite engine and engine cooling, 5% of all 733 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
39
5% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruz. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot (H). Upon checking the coolant level, the contact discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir; however, the failure returned, and the coolant immediately leaked out of the vehicle. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir a second time and drove to an independent mechanic. A diagnostic test was performed that showed that a cracked tube under the coolant had caused a gasket to blow, leading to the coolant leak. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2024Engine and engine coolingODI 11596438
“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of engine oil was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Additionally, oil was leaking from the engine compartment onto the floor of the garage. The vehicle had been serviced on multiple occasions for the failure by an independent mechanic who replaced the oil pan and oil reservoir however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V288000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2022Engine and engine coolingODI 11458585
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SPEED DRASTICALLY REDUCED TO LESS THAN 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (MIKE ANDERSON CHEVROLET, 119 E MAIN ST, GAS CITY, IN 46933, (765) 327-7326) SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT AND REPLACED THE PCV VALVE UNDER A WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO SOUTHWORTH FORD (1430 N BALDWIN AVE, MARION, IN 46952, (765) 662-2561) WHERE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOUND THE SAME FAILURE CODES AS THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS AND THAT THE PCV VALVE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SUGGESTED TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2018Engine and engine coolingODI 11112743
“I'VE HAD NUMEROUS OF MANIACAL ISSUES WITH THE CHEVROLET CRUZE 2011. THE MOST SERIOUS AND DEADLIEST IS THE COOLANT SYSTEM ISSUES THE CHEVROLET CRUZE 2011 HAS. I WAS EXPERIENCING A COUGH ALONG WITH MIGRAINES ONCE ENGAGING THE AIR-CONDITION NUBS FROM HEAT TO AC AND SOME SLEEPING CONDITION WHERE I'D FIND MYSELF SPEAKING WHILE ASLEEP MOMENTARILY AWAKING. I'D WIND MY WINDOWS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND I'D SEE THAT THE MIGRAINES, COUGHING ALONG WITH SLEEPING EXPERIENCES WOULD STOP. I VISITED MY CHEVROLET CRUZE 2011 DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE ODOR THAT WAS COMING FROM MY AIR COOLING SYSTEM. THEY CLEANED MY AIR COOLING SYSTEM AND REPLACED MY CABIN FILTER FEELING THAT THIS MAINTENANCE SOLVED THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING I FELT I COULD USE THE COOLING SYSTEM WITH NO PROBLEM. I WAS WRONG. THE MIGRAINES RETURN ALONG WITH THE COUGHING AND THE ODOR WHEN ADJUSTING THE COOLING SYSTEM NUBS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO EXPLAIN THE ONGOING MANIACAL PROBLEM. AFTER A WEEK OF HAVING MY WINDOWS DOWN MY CAR RAN HOT AND COME TO MY DISMAY IT WAS OUT OF COOLANT. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET RECALL DEPARTMENT THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A COOLANT SYSTEM ISSUE WERE COOLANT LEAKS AND THAT WAS THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2015Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10693944
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2015Engine and engine coolingODI 10670135
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. THE TECHNICIAN REPLENISHED THE FLUID, BUT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY THE NEXT DAY. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V288000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2014Engine and engine coolingODI 10653024

Showing 6 of 39 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH MAY 31, 2012. SPILLED OR DRIPPING OIL (SUCH AS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE) MAY COLLECT IN THE ENGINE SHIELD (BELLYPAN) NEAR HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM SURFACES. AS A RESULT, THE OIL AND THE ENGINE SHIELD MAY IGNITE AND BURN.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jun 22, 2012NHTSA 12V288000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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