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.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, she applied the brakes and the vehicle began to skid, crashing into the rear of another vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 8,800.
Front brakes vibrate and over heat when applied at over 35mph. Also when brakes are applied suddenly vibration it felt. Dealer could not duplicate problem the first time but after two more visit front brake pads were replace. Then again after several complaints and still the same problem same dealer replaced brake pads and rotors. Still to this date brakes feel the same and dealer or GM will not acknowledge that vehicle has a problem. Im concern for me and my families safety and im between a rock and a sword cause is the vehicle I use as a daily driver.
I own a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze ltz. I have owned the vehicle since it was new in March 2012. Recently, the following problem has started to occur with some frequency. While backup up at approximately 5 mph, when the brakes are applied, the vehicle continues to roll. After pushing the pedal several times, the vehicle stopped. This has happened at least a dozen times over the past six weeks. The brakes function fine when driving forward. This problem usually occurs when the vehicle has been parked in a parking space for at least several minutes, or even longer such as overnight. Today, I brought the vehicle back to the dealer. I was unable to repeat the braking problem. The service person said they would research any recent bulletins and call me back.
After car ran, then parked and turned off, then started up again the power brakes failed for approximately 60 seconds. In my opinion the car was warm/hot, the weather was warm/hot, and the temperature affected the power brake system when started in the heat. Having the A/C on may have robbed some power as well. Problem is now more frequent during warm weather, to the point I am concerned about my safety and the safety of any other driver who may not be aware of the issue.
Last night my wife and I (who is 9 months pregnant) got into our 2012 Chevy Cruze and went to back out of the parking lot. When backing out the car started shaking really weird as I released my foot off the brake pedal. I released full and continued to backup as I didn't know what was going on. When I went to apply the brakes again I pushed the brake pedal down all the way and the car barely stopped. Luckily I was able to pull the emergency brake in time before hitting the multiple cars behind my vehicle.I put the car in drive and pulled forward into the parking spot and as I went to stop again it was the same issue. The car would not fully stop no matter how hard I pushed down on the brake pedal. Luckily, I was the one driving and we weren't up to highway speeds yet or it could've resulted in the death of multiple people.
- Newport, NC, USA
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Total brake failure on five different occasions. When driving the vehicle after being parked a momentary total brake failure occurs sometimes. I backed out of a parking space on an incline, braked and the pedal was firm, no brakes at all, pumped the brake, pedal slowly goes to the floor, another pump and braking is ok.this happened to my wife on four other occasions in a parking lot after starting the vehicle. It happen and corrects itself very quickly, at least for now. Dealer has bee no help.I checked the internet and I am not alone, numerous complaints of the same condition.
I just started backing out of a parking spot at the grocery store, and when I went to hit the brakes, the brake pedal hardly moved and the car kept rolling. I applied extreme pressure to the brake pedal because I almost hit another parked car. It eventually came to a stop just inches from the other car. Then when I left the parking lot I proceeded to the traffic light, which was red at the time, I applied the brake, and it did the same thing! I almost rear-ended the car in front of me! I finally got the car home, but I kept great distances between our car and the cars in front of me. Luckily it didn't happen again, and I made it home safe! later in the day, I tested the brakes again, by backing out of the garage, and it happened again! makes me very nervous! this car is going to the GM dealer to get fixed! hopefully I don't have an accident on my way there! GM needs to do a recall to fix this problem before someone gets hurt or killed!!!
I purchase this car a little over 3 wks ago. Drove ok at dealership. Problem: I put car in reverse and still had foot on brakes felt car move. Did this a couple more times while trying to back out of driveway.. was in parking lot backing out put foot on brake and still felt movement. Took car into shop they said brakes needed to be adjusted. They said they fixed and told me I was all set. Still having the same problem. And it has done it once while in drive. Car kind rolls and brake pedal is goes to floor but doesn't grip. I purchased the car used and it was suppose to have been inspected. The problem started on the 3rd day I had it. So once again I am going back to the shop to see what can be done. It's a very bad feeling when you have your foot on brake and car still moves-- but it stops fine actually driving. This basically happens when moving from park.
When coming to a stop you hear a squealing sound coming from the right passenger side tire, they say its not an issue but just a nuisance noise, , but as it keeps getting worse the brake is now not releasing when we try and go after coming to a stop. We have also notices it does this alot more on hotter days than it does on a cooler day, I know we are not the only one with this problem, I have found complaints about the same problems on theses sites www.cruzetalk.com/forum/34-1-4L-turbo/6326-brake-catching-sound.html and this one from Chevy www.chevroletcruzeforum.com/index.php?/topic/1900-noise-from-suspension-when-braking/ please look into this problem before more people end up getting hurt or injured.
The brake pedal travels too far before the brakes engage. I took it to jim bishop Chevrolet service department. They told me there was nothing wrong with the brakes. I think Chevrolet is hiding the fact there is an issue. I see a lot of other people complain about the brakes on cruzetalk.com. My wife does not feel safe driving the car. It only has 1100 miles on the car. I am going to trade the car in next month. I don't feel safe. Too bad, I will give the problem to someone else. I guess that is the Chevrolet way.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet cruise. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a loud squeaking noise was emitted from the vehicle when engaging the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice for the same problem. The technician duplicated the problem however, he was unable to provide a remedy repair. The manufacturer was notified of the defect and informed the contact that there was not a safety issue regarding the brakes. The approximate failure mileage was 9,500.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze.the contact stated that whenever the brakes were engaged the rear wheels emitted a loud noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician verified the failure but was unable to provide a remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 4,500 and the current mileage was 5,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that whenever the brakes were engaged it would make a loud grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection who refused to repair the vehicle since the manufacturer did not authorize them to do so. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that they were looking into the problem. The failure mileage was 800.
I was backing out of my driveway into a street and had no brakes. I pushed the pedal to the floor and nothing, car kept rolling. Another incident I was waiting in a drive through and my brake pedal went all the way to the floor while the car was not moving. I feel that this is a serious safety issue.
Cold start and back up or going forward, brake locks and car just rolls. Took it to the dealer (huffines Chevrolet in plano Texas) and dealer said they would have it ready in two days. After a week without the car, the service advisor explain the part was not available anywhere and the factory would not push out more of the brake vacuum parts until October. In the meantime, my car with 19K is sitting under the hot Texas sun at the dealer (most likely ruining its leather interior) and the dealer has no other information and they "wish they could do more." I would not recommend anyone to buy a Chevy Cruze until this problem is clear. The dealer also said they have not heard about this ever before and looking in this website there are four more cases. Not truthful! GMC needs to resolve or recall!
When putting car into reverse on level ground to back up, brakes do not work properly and hardly stops car, very unnerving. Dealer could not find the problem, happens randomly. Have had this occur several times now. Have 18K miles.
I took my vehicle in complaining of a strange noise, almost like a "pop" when braking. When the dealership looked at it they told me it was the struts. They stated they were waiting on a recall from Chevrolet and that I should just continue to keep calling and checking on it. I called them each month since. Each time they assured me it would not affect my vehicle at all and that it would be fine. Obviously, a strut is a part of the car, it must be needed to function or it would not be on there. I have no idea how this is affecting my vehicle including my tire wear, brakes, and overall structure of the vehicle. There has still been no recall issued and the problem still exists.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that after shifting the vehicle into reverse, the brakes became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vacuum pump was replaced. The current and failure mileages were 13,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Stottsville, KY, USA