138 complaints reported

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
138
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
3

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Feb 2026

The vehicle continues to overheat. The fan has been changed, the thermostat has been changed, the coolant reservoir has been changed, the cadilatic converter has been changed. Still running over hot. We continue to check oil and coolant levels, making sure they are where they need to be. Occasionally smoking.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2024
Jul 2025

The engine is leaking oil. There are clearly known issues with this engine such as oil leaks and engine fires. There was a previous recall on this issue that says complete but we are still having the same issue. The Chevrolet corporate office and dealerships do not want to take responsibility.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2025
Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM increased and there was a burning oil odor on the interior of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stopped and parked the vehicle. The contact performed an inspection under the hood and when the oil cap was removed, the contact noticed a whistling sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed intake manifold. The contact was informed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2025
Jan 2025

Watery oil looking liquid making puddles under car. Orange fluid seen pooling from above. Head gasket blown?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2025
Nov 2024

Losing coolant seems like blown head gasket

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2024
Oct 2024

Since I’ve brought the car there is always an issue with the car overheating and something with the cooling system that needs to be repaired. It happens frequently and I’ve spent more in repairs than what I paid for the car. It’s always something with the coolant system that causes it to overheat which is dangerous.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2024
Jun 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2024
Jun 2024

The main seal

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2024
Oct 2023

September 21, 2023 had taken my 2011 Chevy Cruze to a service center because i noticed an oil leak on my garage Floor. the service center replaced the intake manifold cover. Yesterday October 25, 2023 Major Oil Leak, had to pull over, engine was smoking badly. popped the hood and there was oil all over cover and most components around this area. i was told by a few good Samaritans that this oil leaking could potentially cause a fire. no warning lights, only a bad smell and seeing smoke.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2023
Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who changed the engine oil however, the failure persisted. The contact was informed that there might be an engine failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2020
Jan 2023

Engine failed due to coolant system failure.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2023
Oct 2022

Engine light and P2099 waste gate actuator pin on the turbo of the Cruze has malfunctioned. There was a recall for this exact issue and my vehicle year was included but not my VIN number. I have less than 95,000 miles on the car and this part should also be recalled on my vehicle as well. Many issues with the car: replaced water pump, replaced hoses, constant smell of coolant that dealership claims doesn't exist. Please help! Car is not driveable now. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10145482-9999.pdf

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2022
Aug 2022

Valve cover, I’ve had the valve cover replaced 3 times, an yet it keeps needing replaced an oil is getting all over my engine.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2022
Mar 2022

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2016
Dec 2021

i have an oil leak coming from the valve cover gasket ,,it is a brand new genuine cover and gasket so oil is falling on the drive belt which breaks pretty quickly while driving I heard that it might be an issue with the pcv check valve inside the manifold Apparently many customers complaints about this issue and no recall yet

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2021
Oct 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood and a burning odor was detected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with oil leakage from the valve cover gasket. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnosis with the dealer. The vehicle had a Manufacturer Recall N202299080 (Special Coverage Camshaft Cover Replacement) performed in 2019. However, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2021
Jul 2021

AFTER I DID AN OIL CHANGE ON MY CAR IT BEGAN TO LEAK A LITTLE AND BUILD UP ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE SHIELD OF THE CAR THEN LEAVING A SMALL PUDDLE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2021
May 2021 Fire

The car overheated out of nowhere. Oil busted out of the compartment it’s supposed to be held in and got all over my mechanical parts inside the vehicle. My car caught on fire from the bottom where the engine and transmission are. The car started rattling and giving me warnings to get out of the vehicle because the vehicle was unsafe. It gave me the warning that the engine is idle, Engine locked up, and also an coolant issue. The car didn’t have issues before this. I literally had to jump out of the car with my family. The warning light for the engine and coolant came on. There hasn’t been In problems prior to this other than changing a sensor. The insurance was notified and don’t have a solution. We’re trying to figure out what to do because it’s not driveable. Going to contact Chevy dealer or GM as well.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2021
Dec 2020

VEHICLE'S ENGINE HAS BEEN OVERHEATING SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT. ENGINE LEAKING OIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION, HEAD COVER GASKET, VALVE COVER AND WATER PUMP ALL REPAIRED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT WHY. VEHICLE STILL OVERHEATS AND LEAKS OIL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2020
Nov 2020

THERE IS A BAD OIL LEAK ON THE CAR THAT I WASN'T INFORMED OF AND THE OIL PLUG HAS BEEN STRIPPED OUT AND THERE IS OIL ALL UNDER THE MOTOR AND YOU CAN SMELL IT WHEN PARKED AND IT'S STARTING TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2020
Oct 2020

ENGINE BLEW ON THE FREEWAY WITH EVERYTHING BEING LOOKED AT AND TOPPED OFF THE DAY BEFORE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2020
Oct 2020

SPILLING AND DRIPPING OIL COLLECTED IN THE OIL PAN NEAR THE HOT ENGINE APPEARS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENGINE OR OIL COOLER. BURNS AND SMELLS AS IF SOMETHING MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2019
Sep 2020

I'VE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GENERAL MOTORS AWARING ME ABOUT THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE. THAT MAY DEVELOP A CONDITION WITH MY VEHICLE, AND I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS IN THE CONDITION AS THEY DESCRIBED. BUT THE I CAN ONLY GET IT REPAIR AT NO COST IF MY VEHICLE WAS LESS THEN 120,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JUNE 2020 AT 160,000 MILES. MY CONCERN IS THAT NOW KNOWING ABOUT THIS ISSUE WORRIES ME AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY GETTING AROUND. AS THIS IS MY MAIN VEHICLE USE TO GET TO WORK, ETC.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2020
Apr 2020

THE CAR OVERHEATS, THIS IS THE 2ND TIME REPLACING THE MOTOR. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE MOTOR, IT WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL MOTOR. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER REPLACED THE MOTOR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2018
Jan 2020 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, WHEN THE SHE SAW SMOKE EXITING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WHEN INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD SHE SAW OIL LEAKING FORM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND INFORMED NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT SHE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2017

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has 138 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.