2011 Chevrolet Cruze Transmission Recall: What Owners Should Know

Official NHTSA recall 11V273000 affects 2011 Chevrolet Cruze transmission components. Learn severity, the factory remedy, and replacement options for used vs reman transmissions.

What is this recall about?

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 6, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 27, 2011 AND EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, 'TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT,' AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE LINKAGE IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO PARK AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN PARK.

How serious is it?

Severity score: **45/100** (population, component class, and safety language from the federal defect report).

**Consequence:** THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Official fix

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE FOR CORRECT INSTALLATION AND ADJUST THE SHIFT LINKAGE SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

[View campaign 11V273000 on NHTSA](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)

What owners should do

1. Confirm whether your vehicle received the factory remedy (dealer service history or VIN lookup at [NHTSA.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)). 2. Do not assume a high-mileage donor transmission was repaired before removal. 3. Compare **remanufactured** options that include updated components vs **used** units from unknown recall history.

Replacement options

When the recall affects transmission components, remanufactured transmissions are often the safer value choice because they are rebuilt with current parts — not pulled from a donor that may pre-date the factory fix.

Frequently asked questions

Does this recall mean every transmission on this platform is defective?

No. The recall applies to vehicles that may not have received the factory remedy. A used transmission from a high-mileage donor may never have been repaired under the campaign.

Is remanufactured safer than used when a recall is open?

Remanufactured assemblies are rebuilt to current specifications and are not dependent on an unknown donor repair history — a common consideration when an open powertrain recall affects the platform.

Should I remove my transmission before contacting support?

Document symptoms, save scan results, and contact support with installation details before removal so the issue can be reviewed accurately.

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_Reported from the official NHTSA recall record; reviewed before publication._