2011 Chevrolet Cruze: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Acceleration · 129,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and raising the foot off the accelerator pedal, the vehicle decelerated drastically. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally hesitated while accelerating and failed to immediately accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Occasionally, the vehicle lurched forward suddenly. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2023 · Transmission · 54,057 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while at a stop sign and accelerating, the vehicle hesitated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 54,057. The contact noted that the failure mileage was actually 45,057 and the failure speed was intermittent. After the vehicle was left with the dealer a second time, they found that there were two cylinders with low compression. The dealer presented the contact two options to remedy the issue. The contact paid to have the engine replaced with a remanufactured one from GM. The new engine has since been reinstalled, but it is unknown why the failure happened. The contact has reached out to the manufacturer to try to get some financial help with the repair costs.

Filed Nov 29, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · DE

Every year there’s always a issue with oil leakage resulting into smoke coming out of my car, another thing is my car starts to hesitate literally once a year. This has been happening since I purchased my car in February of 2015

Filed Dec 12, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 89,300 miles · IN

The car is hesitating after stopping whether its a light or sign also has while in motion which almost got me hit! !t1here is also a burning smell at times! I have had it looked at within the month and they said it was a sensor , no-one seems to know what to do ! Bou8ght this car from honda in anderson indiana!! Its had problems the whole time I've had it1 ill never buy another cruze

Filed Mar 11, 2020 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 131,468 miles · OR

The cruze sputters or hesitates when braked or idling, the service traction control, services stabilitrak came on along with a flashing check engine light. I loose power and feel like I'm needing to press a lot harder on the gas to accelerate.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Engine · 98,000 miles · PA

I just bought my cruze and the check engine light was on due to needing a mass air flow sensor. The engine was hesitating on pulling out from red lights and stop signs, and going down the highway when you accelerate to a faster speed. So I had the sensor replaced and it did not resolve the issue, but the check engine light went out.

Filed Sep 18, 2017 · Transmission · 175,000 miles · TX

Car does not accelerate right away, hesitating while trying to accelerate. Problem has progressively gotten worse, now car jerks when trying to accelerate.

Filed Aug 25, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 28,296 miles · NJ

2011 chevy cruze transmission problem. Occasional hesitation accelerating, clunking jerking transitioning through gears accelerating or slowing down while driving on city streets and highway. Tried to accelerate on highway and car took a long while to get up to speed while other cars behind me were honking horns for me to speed up. Dealer says all is fine and that's just how the transmission and turbo engine is! Can never duplicate this problem. Now no longer under warranty, the dealer is willing to keep the car for a longer period. Gm says it would "see" what they could do after the dealer physically inspects the transmission at my cost. The dealer charges $145. Per hr. Labor rate!! I went to another mechanic and had them change the transmission fluid because the dealer said the fluid doesn't need and he said it was black! Had it changed after I read complaints on carcomplaints.com. I am just afraid that it will quit on me while traveling at high speed! I can't afford to spend money on a new trans if I will continue to have the same problems. Gm should have a full recall on the 2011 cruze. The car had only 29,000 mi. On it the first time I complained and now it has 69,000 and the problem manifests itself a little more frequently but not on a weekly basis. I am at my wits end and the problem is not in my head. People are in danger and gm isn't "owning" this problem. Extremely disappointed. I've maintained this vehicle faithfully with oil changes, etc. Since day one...responded to all recalls. Not going to dealer again. Always have something to repair or replace.

Filed Oct 16, 2016 · Driver assistance, Engine · CO

Since purchasing this vehicle there has always been a hesitation in the acceleration and "engine jerking". I originally reported within the first approx 6 months of owning the vehicle. The service center had their transmission specialist drive the vehicle and I was told "that is just how it drives. I told them on a second time about the ongoing issues and was dismissed. Last year I started getting the "service stabilitrak" error and the jerking and lack of acceleration and hesitation has gotten increasingly worse. This is a safety concern as trying to go from a stopped position and going through an intersection it will lag and can cause a delay also driving down the road it will jerk and almost feel like I could lose control of the car. I often also get a smell of the coolant that goes through my car. I have had all recalls in the past taken care of, but the stabilitrak is an ongoing issue that is very concerning for the safety of myself and my daughter as a passenger in the vehicle. It has been an ongoing issue since the purchase of the vehicle 05/2011 only increasing in severity.

Filed Jul 20, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 121,000 miles · NC

My car hesitate sometime during driving at low speed or high speed and the stabili trak light appear, the check engine light stays on even when I have replaced the part needed..

Filed Mar 11, 2016 · Transmission · 59,352 miles · VA

I own a 2011 cruze it has had a slew of problems, trans cell blown, water pumps replaced, trans reprogramed, turbo replaced and much more, now the valve body in the trans is bad car has less than 60k and I have mentioned the trans issue since 20k in which I was told I was crazy by dealership and no recall has been issued for this. I do not think gm should be allowed to sell the cruze anymore this car is a death trap waiting to happen just like the cobalt. I am fustrated and fed up. Service department is a joke. And the cruze has over 24,000 complaints regarding all the same issues and nothing is nothing being done about the trans issue. Dealer opened up my trans today and found clogged 1 and 2 cellinoid and clogged screen as well as broken clip causing hesitation, hard shifting and valve body movement. I think this matter should be further investigated.

Filed Dec 3, 2015 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 36,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet cruze. The contact stated that the service stability traction control warning light illuminated intermittently and the accelerator pedal hesitated to respond. On the first occasion, the contact was driving at 20 MPH and the vehicle stalled. On a second occasion, the vehicle stalled while driving at approximately 35 MPH. The contact was able to restart the vehicle each time but the failure was progressing. The failure caused the vehicle to go into a limp mode each time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice and they were not able to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a third time who diagnosed that the alternator assembly needed to be replaced. The electronic stability control failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was left for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.