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CarComplaints.com Notes: In many ways, the 2012 Cruze continues the legacy of its predecessor. It's a legacy of sluggish transmissions and coolant leaks, but it's still a legacy.

To be fair, the number of complaints about the cooling system are way down versus the 2011 model which led to a class-action lawsuit.

On the flip-side, there's more concerns about brake problems.

However, there were far more Cruze vehicles sold for the 2012 model year so we'll give it our "Beware of this Clunker" badge rather than the "Avoid Like the Plague."

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
25 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,366 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #119

Feb 012019

Cruze

  • 103,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My brakes keep going "hard" and not functioning properly. About a year ago I had my master cylander, brake booster, microswitch in the brake vacuum line, maf sensor and air intake hose replaced because the mechanic said those were the issues, I went 2 weeks without my vehicle, including breaking down for multiple days out of state. Now here I am with the same issues. Before I had them replaced I was told that the microswitch in the brake system was already recalled and replaced. But since then it has failed again. I was told by Chevy that they only do the recall once, but if they are replacing it with a faulty part shouldn't that be recalled again? I have two toddlers in my vehicle regularly and losing the power brakes could end very bad. The power brakes fail almost every day, usually the first time I hit the brakes after starting to vehicle. Witch make me think that its going to completely fail again soon.

- Granada Hills, CA, USA

problem #118

Dec 092018

Cruze

  • 145,000 miles
When the temperature drops below 20 degrees F my ABS and traction control lights come on constantly and it says service ABS system and service stabilitrak system. Whenever this occurs my left rear E-brake locks up as though it is frozen. This has caused me to slide off the road multiple times.

- Palmer, AK, USA

problem #117

Oct 062018

Cruze

  • 130,000 miles
As I'm driving in the city of atlanta Georgia my car Chevy Cruze 2012 has many issues as the car being in motion as I press the brakes to come to a stop the brakes pressure gets and do not stop I found out did I have to tap on the gas again and then press the brake to get it to comply sort of scary almost causing a wreck every time

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #116

Oct 232013

Cruze 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Consumer writes in regards to brake system failure the consumer stated the brake system continued to fail when driving in reverse.

- Twin Lake, MI, USA

problem #115

Sep 112018

Cruze

  • 65,000 miles
Takata recall on or about July 2016 I noticed when I put my car in reverse I tried to brake and my car would stay in movement and require me to slam down on the brake pedal. Ever since the first time I noticed it, it has gotten worse. The brake pedal gets hard and my car keeps rolling when I'm in reverse and driving forward. It happens frequently but sometimes will go away. I thought it could be a result of my engine not reaching the right temperature but it has happened midway through my commutes. I've been told that there are no recalls for my car but I feel this is a huge safety problem, I tried to parallel park the other day and couldn't do it because my car kept rolling around. This has happened on city streets, I have not noticed it when im on the highway.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #114

Jul 162018

Cruze

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 10 mph, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The contact had to exert extra force to depress the brake pedal until the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to bedard bros. Auto sales (391 S state rd, cheshire, MA 01225, (413) 743-0014) and was informed that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 13V360000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The diagnosis was unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

- Amsterdam, NY, USA

problem #113

Mar 052018

Cruze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Belt tensioner bolt came out and is now stuck in a spring in the engine..the light on my radio fades in and out.. rotor on drivers side had deformity to it.still have the rotor and the spring is still stuck in engine I can't afford to get it fixed

- Spencer, WI, USA

problem #112

Jul 122018

Cruze

  • 57,000 miles
While parallel parking on a city street, brakes became unresponsive and I almost hit another car. I have had to have the brake booster pump replaced twice in two years and now it needs to be replaced again but dealer won't acknowledge that there is a known issue and because it is not involved in a recall, why I do not know, I must pay out of pocket. 3 booster pumps in 2 years but no recall"?"

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #111

Jan 012016

Cruze

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. When the brake pedal was depressed, it traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #110

Jul 032018

Cruze

  • 83,650 miles
When the car is in reverse, the brakes barely work. You must fully depress the brake pedal, and even then, it will not stop immediately. This problem occurs when the vehicle is in motion and in reverse. In drive, the brakes work as they should. I believe this vehicle should be included in the current recall on 2012 Chevy Cruze in which there is an issue with the electric vacuum pump, causing the failure of the brakes. That recall number is 13V360000. This could cause serious injury or death.

- Saint Elizabeth, MO, USA

problem #109

Jun 232018

Cruze

  • 149,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving Chevrolet cruz(2012) and brakes failed causing to rear end another vehicle. Certified auto mechanic examined and said failure of master cylinder. Car was towed due to lack of brakes. Other driver filed a claim against my insurance and stated injury suffered. Thus occurred on interstate 460 w. roanoke county va.

- Bedford, VA, USA

problem #108

May 312017

Cruze

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to engage. The contact stated that significant pressure was applied to the brake pedal; however, the contact still rear-ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. Earnhardt Chevrolet in chandler, Arizona was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #107

May 162018

Cruze

  • 34,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 4 mph, the cruise control seized and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was in reverse. In order to stop the vehicle, extreme pressure had to be applied to the brake pedal. The failure occurred several years ago and was taken to riley Chevrolet Buick GMC (2033 christy dr., jefferson city, mo 65101). The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired, but the specifics were not provided. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed with a brake micro vacuum switch failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 34,000.

- Holtssummit, MO, USA

problem #106

Mar 012018

Cruze

  • 80,000 miles
I have to push harder on the brake pedal to brake on time or brake at all. To not rear end the vehicle in front of me and cause an accident.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #105

Jul 032017

Cruze 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Chevrolet cruz. Consumer writes in regards to brakes malfunctioning when trying to stop vehicle. The consumer stated it was discovered that a brake vacuum micro switch malfunctioned. The vehicle was repaired and the failure recurred.

- Murphysboro, IL, USA

problem #104

Oct 142017

Cruze

  • 130,000 miles
The car has had all recall work done for both issues however the vehicle is spewing oil again and even after the brakes have been replaced the vehicle does not stop when in reverse or moving slowly forward. Chevy states that these issues are now my issue and and spends because recall work is only one year on the warranty. When backing out from a parking spot or driveway the vehicle does not stop when the brakes are pressed and oil leaks randomly. In 2015 as they made the reveal repair the vehicle caught fire, however they claimed to have repaired the issue.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #103

Aug 232017

Cruze

  • 53,000 miles
Same issue as NHTSA id number: 11024806 I received recall #12213 in October 2013 regarding brake vacuum micro switch. Vehicle was taken to local dealership in December 2013 for repair. On 8/23/17 had to take back to the dealer to have this same part replaced. Dealer indicated that since this had already been repaired as part of the replacement, would not be covered. As a result, had to pay $330 out of pocket to replace this part which was a previously known defect that had yet again failed.

- Ozark, MO, USA

problem #102

Sep 192017

Cruze

  • 57,558 miles
This complaint is in regards to General Motors particularly the Chevrolet division not responding to ongoing brake problem noted in their recall notifications. I received recall #12213 in October 2013 regarding brake vacuum micro switch. Vehicle was taken to local dealership in December 2013 for repair. It is 3 years 9 months and the same component has failed again according to my local dealership and claims it is no longer under warranty or recall since it was replaced once already. I showed them a subsequent recall notice # 12213A dated June 2015 with the same part at issue. They claim that the recall I presented was not assigned to my vehicle because of the VIN number. No where in the document dated June 2015 does it state that this recall is only for certain VIN numbers. In fact it clearly identifies 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze as the problem year vehicle which I own. If recall notices are VIN number specific then it should be stated some where on the recall notice that these recalls are VIN number specific. As a consumer when we look this information up and it clearly identifies the year make and model of the vehicle I own it should be safe to assume that the recall applies. Your assistance and clarification in this mater would be greatly appreciated.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #101

Sep 082017

Cruze

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph and attempting to stop the vehicle, the vehicle failed to slow down and the contact had to apply excessive pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake booster switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

- Scarborough, ME, USA

problem #100

Aug 292017

Cruze

  • 70,000 miles
The brake pedal in my Cruze will not let you push it down. It feels that there is something blocking it which will not allow you to brake when needed. The first time this happened was in 2015 in which we learned of a recall (13V360000) for the microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly. We took it to a Chevrolet dealership & was told the switch was replaced. In 2016 the same thing happened, while accelerating someone pulled out in front of me & when I went to stop there was no brakes because the pedal would not push. No accident occurred as I was able to avoid the other vehicle. Took the car back to dealership where no one there was able to get it to happen again so therefore was told nothing was wrong, but I didnt push the brakes hard enough in July 2017, while backing out of a parking spot, went to stop to put the car into drive, there was again no brakes. We took the vehicle back again to the dealership because once again the brakes were not working & the brake pedal had to be stomped on to get it to even move a little bit. Was told that the master cylinder had gone out in the car and that the brake booster may also need to be replaced as well. We then had the master cylinder replaced. That did not fix the problem. So then we had the brake booster replaced. We picked up the vehicle only to find out when accelerating but need to stop there is again no brakes. The car is back at the dealership who is now stating that it could possibly be the break booster check value but are not 100% sure that this will fix the problem but did state that if the original recall had been done that we would not be having any of the problems we are having now. I informed them that the recall was done at another Chevy dealership. So after almost 2 years $2,500 later we still have a vehicle without breaks we are unable to drive that is in the shop once again.

- Lake Park, GA, USA

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