Recall 11V273 affects 100,308 2011 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles with automatic transmissions for incorrect shift linkage. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet recall 11V273 covers 100,308 2011 Cruze vehicles with automatic transmissions because the shift linkage was not properly installed. The shifter can show Park while the transmission is not in Park, making restart fail and allowing the vehicle to roll away after the driver exits; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The automatic transmission shift linkage on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze connects the shifter in the cabin to the transmission. When you move the lever through Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Low, the linkage is supposed to put the transmission in the same gear shown by the PRNDL indicator.
On included Cruze vehicles, that linkage was not installed correctly. The shifter can show Park, and the key can come out of the ignition, while the transmission itself is still in another gear. That means the driver sees one thing at the lever, but the transmission is set to something else.
There is no warning sign before failure. The condition is noticed when the shifter position and the actual transmission gear do not match, especially after selecting Park and removing the key.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Chevrolet Cruze | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 100,308 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
The vehicle can fail to restart and roll away after the driver exits, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning. Before exiting, make sure the vehicle is fully in Park and use the parking brake. Repair will be free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask whether recall number 11V273 is open for your VIN.
- Schedule the free transmission shift-linkage inspection and adjustment so the PRNDL shift lever matches the actual transmission gear position.
- Bring the Chevrolet recall notice if you have it, or give the dealer recall number 11V273 when you call.
- Set the parking brake every time you park until the linkage inspection and adjustment are complete.
What happens at the repair
The remedy described for this Cruze recall is an inspection of the transmission shift linkage. At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician checks whether the linkage was installed correctly, then adjusts the shift linkage system so the gear selected by the transmission matches the PRNDL shift lever position. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| May 6, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 17, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V273?
Recall 11V273 covers 100,308 2011 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles with an automatic transmission shift linkage that was not properly installed. The gear indicator can show Park when the transmission is not in Park, creating a rollaway risk after the driver exits.
What should I do if my 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Cruze is included in recall 11V273. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the transmission shift linkage inspection and adjustment. Reference recall number 11V273 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and Chevrolet dealers will inspect the transmission shift linkage and adjust the shift linkage system free of charge.
Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet Cruze with recall 11V273?
Use extra care until the dealer completes the repair. Recall 11V273 says the shifter can appear to be in Park while the transmission is not in Park, which can let the vehicle roll away after you exit and result in a crash.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before the rollaway risk in recall 11V273. The key issue is that the PRNDL shift lever can fail to match the actual transmission gear position, so have a Chevrolet dealer inspect and adjust the linkage.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V273000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-630-2438 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V273 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V273000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →