2011 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2011 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2011 Chevrolet Cruze | 2011 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 731 | 591 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 5 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,657 | 228 |
| Investigations | 2 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 38 | 23 |
| Fire reports | 20 | 32 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–29 | 26–36 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 58,000 mi | 93,300 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cruze | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 257 | 254 |
| Power Train | 193 | 25 |
| Electrical System | 96 | 61 |
| Steering | 48 | 100 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 88 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 69 | 19 |
| Service Brakes | 61 | 26 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 75 | 7 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 68 | 42 |
| Stalling | 58 | 83 |
| Overheating | 52 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 49 | 13 |
| Loss of power | 35 | 25 |
| Shifting problems | 18 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 16 | 17 |
| Brake problems | 14 | 0 |
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
2011 Kia Optima
Compare all Chevrolet Cruze vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.