VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Cruze transmission problems

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has 193 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

193

Transmission complaints

17%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Cruze transmission complaints by model year193 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 193 complaints2012: 138 complaints2013: 112 complaints2014: 95 complaints2015: 37 complaints2016: 31 complaints2017: 39 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 6 complaints
Cruze transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

11V273000TransmissionMay 6, 2011 · 100,308 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 report

VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE OFF POSITION THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD DOWN A HILL DRAGGING MY CHILD WITH IT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 29, 2011 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have?

NHTSA has 193 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze transmission — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 11V273000.

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.