The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·12V288000·Announced 2012-06-22

GM Recalls 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze Vehicles for Engine Fire Risk

General Motors is recalling 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles because spilled oil may ignite near hot engine parts, posing a fire hazard.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the defect could result in an engine compartment fire, possibly causing injury or death, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or potential for severe harm.

Plain-English summary

General Motors LLC is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured between October 2, 2009, and May 31, 2012. The recall involves approximately 413,148 vehicles.

The defect involves the engine shield, also known as the bellypan. Spilled or dripping oil, such as after an oil change, may collect in this shield near hot engine or exhaust system surfaces. This accumulation can cause the oil and the engine shield to ignite and burn, potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire that could cause injury or death.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the engine shield to prevent fluid from contacting it. For vehicles with a manual transmission, dealers will also apply protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on July 10, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet Owner Center at 1-866-694-6546 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
CHEVROLET CRUZE
Brand
CHEVROLET
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Category
Vehicle — Passenger Car
Hazard
Affected units
413,148

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • CRUZE

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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