234 of the
5,775 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Cruze
are about the throttle and cruise control —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2011.
234
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
19
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
My 2017 Chevy Cruze had the throttle body replaced by STG Auto Group in Montclair, CA. A few months after the repair, my car began shaking violently and then shut off in the middle of the street while I was driving on 11/17/2025 This created a serious safety hazard for me and other drivers. When I took the vehicle to a local auto zone once the vehicle turned on , they told me the throttle body “needs cleaning,” but a new throttle body should not get dirty within a few months. This suggests improper installation or a defective part. The problem returned even though the part was recently replaced. I immediately called the dealership who fixed it and the manager stated I’d have to wait to the following week for another inspection and that I can not be squeezed in . The vehicle is still unsafe to drive because it shakes and can stall unexpectedly. I am concerned because this issue has happened more than once and could have caused an accident. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11700010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I accelerate my rpm goes up but car dosent move as speed says and takes for me to let off the gas to speed up , and my steering when I turn it pulls away n it keep popping up service traction and going off
NHTSA complaint #11698432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The steering wheel keeps locking up while driving fast/slow or turning. Everything shuts off, then back on and all codes flash. My car literally locks up, it’s really unsafe when I can’t control the vehicle. Almost hit another car, due to steering wheel locking up. Only thing I was told at the Chevy dealer house was there were no recalls. So they wouldn’t look unless they got to charge me. This issue started happening about five months ago. And I drive like a grandma.
NHTSA complaint #11687475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Cruze has always been slow to accelerate which made passing a problem. In May 2025 we were driving on [XXX] in Detroit and the engine light came on the dashboard. We were able to drive the car without propulsion to Lansing, a distance of 90 miles. Feldman Chevorolet said the code for the light was engine turbo-charger. That's a $3K repair. We have no choice but to drive the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11673940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission won’t shift into gear while driving and the brakes won’t engage when this happens, this will cause a wreck and hurt someone, the codes are showing po700 tcm code
NHTSA complaint #11645360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
What happened 1. A dashboard message has been popping up since December 11 on my 2014 Chevy Cruz car. I only have 77,000 miles on it. The message indicates “service tracking control “ 2. I took the car to the dealer and they said they did a number of repairs and I was charged 900. Some odd dollars to fix some parts to re-Zoll Veve the tracking control issue. 3. I let them know that that message kept coming back up. 4. After several times of taking it back to the dealer paying another $78 for another part they still do not know what the problem is. 5. The main concern is that the message displays over the digital speed control and I cannot determine how fast I am driving. The dealer does not know how to fix this problem. It is a safety concern because I cannot tell how fast I am driving I have I cannot get this problem fixed, and the dealer does not know how to resolve the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11641917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11616229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle has been struggling off and on to accelerate from a stopped position or a need to suddenly increase in speed (merging onto an expressway). I have replaced several parts of the car, there are no codes available to the technicians but it is reported in several forums and a common issue. I have almost been t-boned making a left turn onto major roads where there are cars going 55-70 or above mph because the car suddenly stops working even when pressing the acceleration pedal all the way to the floor.
NHTSA complaint #11589211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shortly after I merge onto a highway and pickup speed my cruze apears to be slipping gears. It does not do it every time but it appears to be happening increasingly often. It starts to shake violently, becomes hard to stear and refuses to excelerate even though the rpm's are rising significantly higher then they should be, leaving me going 35 - 40mph on a 65mph highway, it does not fully decelerate either. It happened the other day and the road speed was 65mph to start which my car wouldn't do then immediately became congested which is when I realized it wouldn't properly decelerate either, at least before I thought I coupd just pull over if it lasted to long. My car only has 22,000 miles on it and was certified pre-owned. It is regularly maintenanced as well. I have not taken it to be inspected just yet but that is my next step as I don't feel at all safe driving it in this condition.
NHTSA complaint #11577291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car all of a sudden started to slow down on the highway throwing all kinds of codes like service stabillitrac, throttle body position sensor, pressure intake manifold and lots of other ones
NHTSA complaint #11572218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Check engine light, traction control light, tire pressure light came on. Message on dash reported reduced engine power, service stabilitrak, and car slowed to 16 no more than 20mph and would not go any higher.
NHTSA complaint #11566301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had my 2014 Chevy Cruze for 2 years now and have kept up with regular maintenance. My vehicle rocks back and forth while on the brakes, there’s an constant issue with the traction control system, my automatic lights don’t work (I have to many turn on the light in order for the brake lights to turn on), the vehicle shakes side to side when braked, and so much more. When I take the vehicle to be looked at every mechanic and shop tells me there’s nothing wrong or they don’t know.
NHTSA complaint #11549976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car spontaneously stops accelerating. Sometimes a restart is needed. It jerks as you're trying to gain acceleration. Sometimes it stalls after non acceleration. Safety is compromised due to traffic behind me going speed limit or worse. First appeared 2 months ago. Mechanic could not detect anything on diagnostics. Then we took it to the Chevy dealer where purchased and after 5 days could not diagnose. They took it out 3x but could not duplicate symptoms. No lights flash, no warnings. I'm at a loss, I'm a senior citizen who needs her vehicle. I no longer feel safe driving it. Please advise.
NHTSA complaint #11546194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coming home from grocery shopping the night of Sept 3, 2023 the radio kept turning off then coming back on. I was on the highway about 20miles from home radio still turning on and off about every 5mins (go black/blank then light back up) and I had felt when i would accelerate it would as I would slightly go up hill. Once I jad got about 4miles from my house the radio went off once again and dash warning light said "Stabili Trak" and head lights had went off then came back on again. I just was grateful I was not to far from home since it was dark out and the lights were now Turning off too. The next morning (sept 4, 2023)since I did not have another vehicle and my son needed to get to football practice, I drove down the lane of my driveway and the dash warning light kept flashing, the window warning light said turn window on (so I rolled it back up and it turned off), radio kept turning on and off relentlessly, vehicle kept shutting off on me while driving before I even got down my driveway which is about 200 feet. I starred it back up and returned home. I made phones calls to drip it off in sussex NJ at service center where I had bought car as someone followed me(I did not have any problems the hour drive there/40miles) left a message on the voicemail regarding issue, checked to see of recalls though wasn't any. It was not safe to drive the way the car was, just with the only 1 warning dash signal in the middle of driving and headlights stop working them start to couldve caused accident then car turned off while I slowly drove down my driveway doing 7mph as well and I had my son in the car too. Very scary especially driving at night and that happens without much of a warning at 1st.
NHTSA complaint #11542531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power after 45 minutes. The RPM increased, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The driver was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that after driving for 45 minutes, the vehicle lost power and went into LIMP Mode. The transmission had seized in fifth gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the speed control sensor had failed. The contact was informed that the speed valve and transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11541594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car was recalled for problems with fuel system or something of that nature, I took it to get repaired not once but about 3 times and problem is still ongoing. When I press the gas, the car shoots all the way to the 3rd gear and gets stuck at about 27 miles which is very dangerous, especially when I’m on the freeway. It will also cut off in the middle of the road making me have to put my car in park and recrank the car, multiple people have almost ran dead into the back of my car. They basically told me it is no way to fix my car. Now, it has caused more problems. My car is now saying “engine power reduced” and “service brake assist” when I try to press the brakes, it’s literally almost impossible. I have to almost stand on the brake and it still does not stop all the way. My brakes are new btw, so it shouldn’t still have this error message. I’m basically driving a lemon. This car is not reliable at ALL. I have put so much money into this car and with it being a 2016, you would think it wouldn’t have all of these problems… the car just jerks when I’m driving and nobody can seem to fix it! Oh, and let me not forget about the fuse that blew in my USB ports causing me not to be able to use all the features of my vehicle. This car is a nightmare. Also, I believe that when there are recalls for safety issues like this, we should be notified but of course that’s asking for too much. I have only had this car since 2019. It was serviced on 4/28/21, 5/26/21, 6/6/21 and after that I literally gave up and just hope I don’t wreck out and die.
NHTSA complaint #11496677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car keeps overheating and it has been to the mechanic multiple times and the problem exist. If I get on the highway my transmission hot engine idle light comes on. I have had a transmission replaced and a lot of other things repaired and the issue continues
NHTSA complaint #11493882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car began to shake uncontrollably on the freeway at 55/MPH . The car then marked "Engine Power is Reduced", causing the car to no longer accelerate more than 5-7/MPH. This is a very dangerous situation because it can cause a terrible accident on the road since it's a random inconvenience. I have heard that many of these types of cars "Chevy Cruze" seem to experience the same type of problem. With that being said it's safe to say that as an owner this situation is far out of my control and it's definitely a collective problem with the type of car and make that it is. I ask for this to be immediately looked into.
NHTSA complaint #11482259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My Chevy Cruze LT Hatchback has an acceleration issue. I’ve read blogs where people complain of the same problem. There is a delay from the time you press the acceleration peddle to when the vehicle actually responds. This is dangerous because in the time it takes for the car to respond to the acceleration, oncoming traffic could collide with me causing an accident. I’ve had more than a few ‘near misses’ because of this issues. Something needs to be done about this before someone gets killed over it.
NHTSA complaint #11477771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.