Hi All, I have a 2011 Cruze LTZ with 72000 miles. Recently out of powertrain warranty. It has a manufacturing defect the dealer just made me aware of. I had a miss at 75 MPH but no codes. Next day my wife said it had a Stabilitrac service indicator on. I took it in to the dealer expecting the well known intake manifold problem. I fell off my chair when the dealer said I need a new cylinder head ! It never overheated and I have a mechanical background. I went there and asked to speak to the mechanic which they allowed (great dealership). He showed me the problem which was unbelievable. The aluminum casting of the head is full of air spaces allowing hot coolant and oil to weep through the metal and slowly accumulate in the bore where the spark plug is housed (on top of the head, not in the combustion chamber). Fluid builds up and eventually floods the spark plug bore and shorts the spark plug center electrode to the cylinder wall (ground) causing the miss fire. The GM mechanic said he has seen four of these himself. Some under warranty and some not. He said one had a leak in the block and the other three were cylinder heads. Unfortunately GM has not issued a (silent) recall for this so I am facing a $3800.00 repair bill to replace a cylinder head that is working perfectly if not for a manufacturing defect. The mechanic told me they have re designed the head but what about my aluminum block? will it be next? I have owned many Chevrolet's and this is really concerning. We love the car but now I don't trust it. Has anyone else had this problem? I am sick about this.
