10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 13
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 5 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 59,137 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the check engine warning lamp illuminated and the temperature gauge went from normal to extremely hot in matters of seconds. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer multiple times. The technician stated that the coolant needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 35,000.
- Fayette, MS, USA
I have a Chevrolet Cruze, I bought it in July 2011 and after a few months I discovered that my car was shifting roughly. I also noticed that my car would not gain speed at a normal rate. My vehicle hesitates on acceleration and did since right after my purchase. The dealer could not find anything wrong according to their diagnosis "customer concern not duplicated". numerous other 2011 Chevy Cruze owners are experiencing the same exact issue after several unsuccessful visits to dealer service. This is a very uneasy feeling to have. When I sit at a red light the car jerks and I immidately think I got rear- ended but it is just the engine. Please help!!!
- Lutz, FL, USA
The car engine light came on and I took into the robbins Chevrolet dealership for a check up and I told the advisor that the car was running sluggish and gears were slow interacting. They told me they would run a diagnostic test and determine the problem(s). The cause was a thermostat heater failed, so they replaced thermostat housing and pull vacuum on coding system to refill coolant and leak test. They road tested it and stated it was repaired.
- Houston, TX, USA
Received a safety recall notice on July 2012 for oil spills/leaks onto hot surfaces. I took my car into robbins Chevrolet dealership for check up immediately on July 23, 2012 and they modified the engine shield. Also, the battery was leaking acid and they replaced the battery, cables and fuse, block-cleaned.
- Houston, TX, USA
I have a Chevrolet Cruze, I bought it in October of 2010; after a few months I discovered that my car was shifting roughly. I also noticed that my car would not gain speed at a normal rate. I have fought for 2 years to have my car inspected and repairs to be done; nothing has come of it yet. I notified GM with the issue and was told that they would put in a new transmission. I was also notified that the issue would persist, it is the way my model transmission works. I know this is a safety concern, my car has already left me stranded once. I believe that GM is going under the radar and just trying to appease me with a new transmission. I also believe that more can be done for the problems that persist in my car and GM is refusing for it to be done. My car is a safety hazard from the numerous recalls to the transmission and computer defects. GM is trying to push me into accepting an amount that is less then half of what I have paid into the car or take the transmission. I have no other options from them. I would very much appreciate some guidance in this matter. Thank you
- Tad, WV, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that she exited the vehicle and five minutes later, the vehicle ignited into flames. The contact stated that there was a fire report filed that stated that the fire started in the engine. The vehicle was destroyed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000.
- Yazoo, MS, USA
The chrome coating on the inside drivers side plastic door handle is failing. The edges of the chrome where it has separated from the plastic are razor sharp and have caused multiple fairly deep lacerations to my fingers when opening the door. I inquired at the dealer about them replacing the part under warranty because its causing me injury despite my cautiousness while opening the handle, they told me it wasn't covered and would be an expensive fix due to the labor involved. My second complaint is the heat works intermittently and when taken to the dealer, they said I had a cracked thermostat housing which would be covered under warranty. They did not fix it however and simply refilled my antifreeze and said they would call me to have it fixed when the part came in....that was almost two weeks ago.
- Trenton, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that she received notification that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V288000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer twice in an attempt to have the vehicle repaired under the recall however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Christiansted, VA, USA
When heater is in use get a strong antifreeze smell in the car. Also get a film on the inside of the windows. Had back to the dealer 3 times. We have a 5 month old that rides in the car, not sure if it is safe for him with the coolant smell in the car. You have to wash in side of windows weekly so you can see at night.
- Tomahawk, WI, USA
We had purchased the vehicle just 8 months ago, was not purchased new, but was new used..still under warranty..we received the recall. Had an oil change and detail to do anyhow, so took it in to where we bought the vehicle. They did the oil change, supposed recall fix and supposed detail. Our vehicle was still under warranty at the time of the oil change. 36000. As we drove, started smelling burning oil...never occurred before. Opened hood and noticed an oil leak below the vehicle into the engine shield. Being out of warranty by that time, we did nothing. Just figured they did an improper oil change and it was leaking. Today, we discovered while checking the oil that it had gas in the oil chamber. In pulling the dip stick out, it leaked all over the engine..I quickly smelled of it, smelled like gas. My husband drained it, as we were four hours from home, replaced the oil with new. When we returned home, checked oil. 1/3 quart of gas had contained itself in the oil chamber on our small road trip. So, now we have a 2011. 43,000 mile new car with gas in engine oil and leaking.. any suggestions??
- Sapulpa, OK, USA
Vehicle was purchased used with 18*** miles on the odometer. Vehicle transmission shifts erratically when driving in city conditions. Problem may cause stalling of vehicle at lower highway speeds. The transmission appears to slip at slow speeds. Before shifting, vehicle regularly hits maximum (red line) RPM. Poor downshifting into lower gears causes vehicle to lunge forward at lower speeds. Most notably from park to drive. On icy roads, the hard shifting may cause the vehicle to loose traction, resulting in a crash, causing fatalities or injuries to the occupants. Vehicle was taken to dealership, technicians were unable to reproduce customer complaint. Manufacturer was not contacted. Current mileage 28***.
- Effie, MN, USA
Hesitation at any speed, had to dealer multiple times for the same thing and they can't duplicate, took to dealer on Oct 4th and dealer said that it needed a new cylinder head, got car back and nothing was done, still doing the same thing and called to complain to Chevy which can't do anything either.
- Masontown, WV, USA
Once again my car has an engine cooling problem. This is the 2nd time this happened, the first was about 2 months ago. I was driving the car and the fan was making a loud noise, check engine light came one I called onstar asap they verified I was correct and sent a tow truck to pick up my car. I smell antifreeze all the time in the car and they antifreeze just disappears the dealership does not know where it's going. I'm seriously thinking about trading in my Cruze because of these problems, which never get fixed.
- Clovis, NM, USA
I bought this vehicle as a present for my father. After getting it home, (driving it home was all highway), he drove it around the block and noticed it had a lag in the vehicle speed. It almost felt as though it was a manual transmission. I drove it home that night and noticed the same feeling. It's almost as though it takes a lot of effort out ofthe car to keep driving. It downshifts before its supposed to when driving and as a results isn't getting the gas mileage its supposed too. Driving city, it was only getting 18-19mpg for me. It does much better on the highway, over 55mph, then with city driving. Took it back to the dealer, who took it to a bigger Chevy dealer and they stated nothing was wrong. Got it back and its the same way. We love the car but will not drive it because we are afraid of not knowing what's wrong with it and possibly having something serious happen to it. We have 2 little ones that we need to worry about who ride in the car as well. Seems pretty unsafe to have a car downshift and lag with speed aspect when its not supposed too. Wish a recall would come out.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
The contact owned a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, a strange odor emitted inside of the vehicle. The contact safely maneuvered to the shoulder and stopped. Upon exiting, a ball of fire formed underneath the vehicle and the vehicle ignited into flames. The contact suffered minor burns to the face. The fire department appeared on the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed due to the fire. The contact stated that the failure occurred not too long after a routine oil change. After the fire, the contact received the recall notice associated with NHTSA campaign id 12V288000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 21,017....updated 02-13-13 updated 02/19/2013
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V288000 (engine and engine cooling). The repairs stated the engine shield would be modified on vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The dealer removed a portion of the shield that was twenty inches by twenty inches. As a result, the contact stated that the engine and other electrical parts were no longer protected against water, mud, or any other road conditions. The failure and current mileage were 24,421.
- Manati, PR, USA
I took my 2011 Cruze to my nearest Chevy dealer for safety recall 1208 ("engine flambe"). I was charged $2.66. The cashier mumbled something about a fee imposed by the state of Delaware for either recycling or disposal. I always understood that the full cost of a safety recall must to be paid by the manufacturer. I'd like a refund of that $2.66. Other affected owners--(wherever)--should also be reimbursed. If the fee was forced as the result of GM policy, then GM deserves to be fined. 9 am appointment on 25 July 2012. Lewes automall 17861 coastal highway (state route 1) lewes de 19958.
- Lewes, DE, USA
I brought my new car in for a oil change on 5-15-12, they forgot to put the oil cap back on and I had oil everywhere inside my car it was a complete mess, I did not know it was smoking because it was a rainy and foggy night. By the time we parked it we thought it was on fire, my husband checked the oil and it was empty, we got towed back to Chevy of milford to be fixed and cleaned, they said that there was oil in it and only a little came out.[not true] I don't really think the car runs the same after that, it spits and spudders alot. On July 23rd 2012 I bring it back to them for a recall # 12081. And asked them to also check why my car spudders and to check for a slow leak in the back tire. They got back to me later that morning and said, there is nothing wrong with the way it drives, and my tire cant be fixed I would have to buy another for $125 because of where the hole was it could not be patched. I told them no on the tire and took it to a tire place, townfair tire took the screw out of it witch they didn't find [Chevy of milford] and patched it from the inside at N/C. on 7-24-2012. I really don't feel safe in this car anymore after Chevy of milford looked at it twice and came back with 2 lies. I don't even trust that they did the recall for all I know. Where do I go from here? please help, I have 2 small grandchildren I drive around in this car.
- Milford, CT, USA
Received a recall #12081, we took the car into the local Chevrolet dealer in conway SC for the repairs, about 45 min..when it was completed, I asked the service adviser, hoh it was repaired. He sad it was reworked and modified per Chevrolet specs. Little did I know. There repairs consist of removing most of the shield and leaving the engine and wiring left unprotected to the elements on the roads.all they had to do was cut a access hole in the plate to get to the oil drain plug /honestly it looks like it was done in such a hurry to just save a few dollars. 8 calls later, they all said the same thing, that is how the engineers said to do the repairs. Sorry that all we can do for you, Chevrolet thanks you for your concerns.
- Conway , SC, USA
- Childress, TX, USA