VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Cruze engine problems

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has 296 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 27% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

296

Engine complaints

27%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Cruze engine complaints by model year313 complaints2011: 296 complaints2012: 313 complaints2013: 234 complaints2014: 233 complaints2015: 103 complaints2016: 106 complaints2017: 77 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 5 complaints
Cruze engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

12V288000EngineJune 22, 2012 · 413,148 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE SHIELD TO PREVENT FLUID FROM CONTACTING THE SHIELD. ALSO, ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DEALERS WILL APPLY A PROTECTIVE TAPE TO THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WIRE HARNESS. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHEVROLET OWNER CENTER AT 1-866-694-6546.

What owners report

DIRECT IMPACT WITH 1200 POUND COW WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ENTIRE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES AS THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED FIRE. TOTALLED. WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAG DEPLOY? SERIOUS INJURY. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE PURCHASED 2 CRUZE'S BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 16, 2018 · crash · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have?

NHTSA has 296 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze engine — 27% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 12V288000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.