2011 Chevrolet Cruze: engine overheating

Filed Jun 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MN

i’m unsure if the person i bought this vehicle from had the codes wiped before selling to me, but there were NO lights on dash for 3 days after minimal driving only to work and back, then all of a sudden the check engine light came on, and in the info box it would pop up saying “service stability system” - i took to o’reiley’s to see what it was for, apparently it was the ECM (electronic computer module) which essentially controls like everything. days go by i don’t do anything more about it and drive as usual to work, and it starts overheating, and smoking like crazy, but doesn’t say it’s hot on my dash, so i had no idea how hot it got or anything. i got to work, worked my shift, and went to put coolant in before returning home- just to find that it was full and i didn’t need to put any in. weird, right? ok well on my way home i’m going about 55mph on the highway and it suddenly just wouldn’t let me accelerate anymore and behaved as if i ran out of gas but i had over half a tank. when i came to a stop i turned the car off, and tried to turn it back on when it wouldn’t even turn over. i sat about 15 mins on the side of the highway before it actually started and i drove home. a week goes by, and now this ecm is effecting more and more- driving on the highway/streets it’s shifting really hard, immediately following that, my speedometer and rpm meter fall to “0” on the dash but the vehicle is still driving and the message pops up about the service stability system. i replaced my tire and now it’s telling me to service airbag system and the abs light is stuck on, as well as traction control and it’s just so weird. i just don’t feel safe in this car and after looking it up, apparently everyone with the make and model have very similar problems, but specifically searching by my VIN- apparently there’s no recalls and it’s just extremely frustrating and i don’t know what to do. if i fix the ECM will all these issues be resolved or will i waste $600-$800 replacing it?

Filed Feb 22, 2026 · Engine · AL

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.

Filed Nov 17, 2024 · Engine · CO

Losing coolant seems like blown head gasket

Filed Jun 25, 2024 · Engine · 96,000 miles · WV

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.

Filed May 10, 2024 · Engine · MI

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.

Filed Dec 11, 2022 · ME

I think even though it says no recalls on my mother's car I think it is part of this recall because it keeps happening after repaired correctly by her car repair person. She had it fixed twice for leaking antifreeze then after fixed twice it was fine for a bit then it blew all out and said overheating like what I read in this website link on recall. Know unable to drive it till fixed correctly https://www.vehiclehistory.com/questions/what-is-the-chevy-cruze-antifreeze-leak-recall-about-107459 so she needs it covered to get fixed permanently for good forever for free at here local gm.

Filed May 25, 2021 · Engine · SC · 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.

Filed Oct 1, 2020 · Engine · 103,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that oil and coolant were mixing in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the radiator, water pump, the thermostat housing and coolant reservoir were replaced. Sir walter chevrolet (8501 glenwood ave, raleigh, nc 27612), was contacted and informed of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v288000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2020 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Mar 4, 2020 · Engine · TX

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.

Filed Oct 1, 2019 · Engine · 95,000 miles · NJ

My car is leaking oil and coolant. I have gotten an oil change and put coolant in my car but within three days, my car was telling me that it was time for another oil change my car was overheating. Then my car started smoking but there was no indication that it was overheating. I looked online and saw that there was a recall in 2011/2012 regarding the same problem. I spoke to gm motors customer service and was told that the recall had been closed so unfortunately, if I want it to be fixed, it has to come out of pocket. I did buy my car pre-owned so I am not aware of what took place before I got it but I haven't done anything to the car for this problem to transpire.

Filed Aug 29, 2019 · Engine · 137,000 miles · KS

Been in and out of shops trying to fix a coolant leaks. I'm no mechanic or anything so I don't think much of weird noises or smells but I have become highly accustomed to the smell of burning coolant. A warning will frequently come on noting the AC was turned off due to high engine heat but only a couple times it completely overheated and forced me to stop driving. Any fix seems to just slow down the leak for a little bit to where you don't need any major repairs for a while.