2011 Chevrolet Cruze: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IN

The primary failure is a total loss of engine power and electrical systems while the vehicle is in motion. The dealership (Ray Skillman Southside Mitsubishi) has diagnosed this as a failed engine/body control computer system. The vehicle is currently located at the dealership's service center and is available for inspection. The vehicle has stalled/shut off completely while driving on four separate occasions. This resulted in an immediate loss of power steering and motive power, nearly causing collisions in traffic. A vehicle that loses all power without warning is a severe safety hazard to the driver, passengers, and other motorists on the road. Yes. The problem has been confirmed by the Ray Skillman service department. They have attempted to repair the issue 3 times without success and currently state that the vehicle is inoperable while they search for a used replacement computer component. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by the Ray Skillman dealership technicians. To date, no representative from the manufacturer (General Motors) or insurance has performed an independent inspection, though a formal complaint has been initiated with the dealership's corporate management. There were no consistent warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failures. The vehicle would unexpectedly lose all power and shut down. These symptoms first appeared within the first 100 miles of ownership (purchased at 11,000 miles; current mileage approximately 11,800 The dealership has refused to provide a loaner vehicle and is currently attempting to resolve a recurring safety failure using a used/salvage electronic component rather than a certified new part, which I believe further compromises the safety of the vehicle.

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MO

While driving home on the interstate after work, I was travelling at around 65 miles per hour, with the cruise control set at that speed. In an instant I lost all engine power and began to slow down very rapidly. A quick look to the rearview mirror to ensure nothing was approaching the rear of my vehicle, I found that I could see nothing except grey and white smoke behind me from all three mirrors. I was forced to remove myself from the highway for fear of causing an accident by blinding drivers with the smoke coming from my exhaust, and I was able to use the service road to get to the next fueling station. Upon arrival, I opened the hood and found that oil had sprayed out of every available portal in the engine, it exited through the vacuum lines, pressure sensors onto my alternator, saturated my serpentine belt as well as everything else ion the engine compartment. I noticed most of the oil came from a round hole behind the oil filler cap through a busted vacuum diaphragm that had blown out instead of regulating vacuum, indicating extreme positive pressure in the crankcase. As this was my MOS in the Army, I am experienced with dangers and risks involved in these situations, and I will give warning that if this happens during the right traffic situations, lives will be lost as a result of the smoke screen developimg when the oil hits the catalytic convertors combined with the rapid decline in speed without warning of any kind, and when it does happen, and it will, since there are 8 million of these vehicles on the road and counting, this complaint should serve as proper and fair warning od the damgers and risks with allowing this engine to remain in use without a warning system to indicate the tiny plastic check valve has been released from its position. I was fortunate enough that I only suffered a few curse words and horns blowing and flipping me the bird, but i have to admit I was afraid for my life and someone with less driving experience will have a bad outcom

Filed Sep 3, 2019 · Transmission · 133,623 miles · FL

While driving, the car suddenly began jerking, acting like it was losing power. After turning off the main road onto a side street, tried to accelerate, but the car acted like it was in neutral. After letting off the accelerator, it went into 1st gear, but couldn't drive faster than 15-18 miles per hour. I had to have it towed.

Filed Aug 20, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 37,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, lunged, and lost power. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bmw of alexandria (499 s pickett st, alexandria, va 22304, (703) 684-8500) where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v044000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · WV

Was driving up hill on interstate and lost power. Made it to a parking lot and did not have any reverse and only 1st and 2nd gear when driving forward. Did a diagnostic report with onstar. They gave me codes p0776 and p0700. I had to have it towed.

Filed May 2, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 150,000 miles · KY · fire

Me and my kids were driving down the highway when my 2011 chevy cruise just lost power and my engine stopped working... It will not start up at all. Mechanic cant figure out why. I've got tons of sensors going out everytime I turn around and I am a mother of a disabled son. We were on at parkway going 65 to 60 MPH. It could have been very bad. It happened ed in madison ville ky

Filed Apr 10, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 114,500 miles · KY

Takata recall. Recently while driving, my car will randomly say service stabilitrak or service traction control whenever I turn the wheel backing up but wasn't affecting the car in any way as far as I could tell. My headlights would also flicker at the same time so I figured it had to be something electrical. Yesterday while turning onto a different street and today while driving straight down a street I lost power steering.

Filed Mar 11, 2019 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 133,000 miles · IN

I have several issues with this car I have a mechanic looking at it now and I can give you a detailed report of every thing he finds wrong with it when he is done I do know that I loss engine power in the middle of the street while waiting to turn at a light

Filed Jan 15, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 168,000 miles · PA

While driving on highway a message saying reduced engine power came on and vehicle would not accelerate. Also the service traction control light came on with it and service stabilitrak came on as well.

Filed Mar 21, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 140,000 miles · WI

I bought the 2011 chevrolet cruz in 2014, I used the car primarily for work so throughout the first few years I didn't notice anything strange as it remained parked most the time. When I did start driving it as a primary vehicle the first issue I had was the clutch and gear system seemed to be touchy when the car was in park, resorting to me using the emergency brake every time I would park it. At the time it didn't seem to be a big issue as it became a habit. In 2016 shortly after this my oil consumption and turbo failed, and the vehicles exhaust started blowing blue smoke and the car lost all power. As this was a new car I took it to a mechanic and had vehicles turbo replaced. Just over a year later in 2018 the vehicle is exhibiting the exact same effects such as removing and replacing the eco,1.4l engine, turbocharger, evacuate and replace air conditioning system, and transfer of the fuel and electrical assemblies and engine mounts. I'm almost certain this car is defective and needs to be recalled.

Filed Jun 6, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · 171,000 miles · VA

I have had numerous issues with this vehicle, with today ending in loss of power while doing 70mph on interstate 95n. Prior to this issue, my dashboard and radio would flicker on and off, then the message "service stabilitrak" would pop up and go away. This morning while driving on 95n my vehicle lost all its power causing me to pull off onto the shoulder. My car cut off and would not cut back on for about two minutes. When I cut it back on, my car began to shake and code p0723 (speed sensor) popped up. This nearly scared me as I could have ended up in a major accident. Now, my car is at the shop and the transmission has died. I see numerous complaints on the same issue but no recall released. I will be without a vehicle and upside down on my car now. I have complained to chevrolet before about my vehicle randomly shutting off, but I guess this will not go noticed until the worst happens.

Filed May 15, 2017 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.