2011 Chevrolet Cruze Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 731 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze overview page.
What owners report
“THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, AND SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING UP OR…”NHTSA complaint 10486616 — filed 11/30/2012
“CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS INTERMEDIATELY. YOU LET UP ON THE BRAKES AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR…”NHTSA complaint 10484638 — filed 11/14/2012
“2011 CHEVY CRUZE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN BY ITSELF *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN AS IF IT WERE IN FIRST…”NHTSA complaint 10472242 — filed 08/22/2012
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: 173 of 731 complaints on file (23.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze have in total?
731 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 38 involved a crash, 20 involved a fire, 39 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
