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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."

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
53,400 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace master cylinder (2 reports)
  3. replace vacuum switch (1 reports)
2012 Chevrolet Cruze brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Comments

problem #10

Jun 232018

Cruze LS 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,000 miles

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

On June 23, 11:30 pm, traveling west on 460 in Roanoke County, Va., a car was turning and I tried to brake. The brakes failed and I attempted to turn to avoid hitting the entire back end of the vehicle in front of me. I hit the left corner of the vehicle and lucky another car was not in the lane. The other driver is claiming to be hurt. I could have been killed or seriously injured. The other driver is claiming an injury... hopefully not. I plan to pursue. Pending ticket. There have been other complaints about brake failure with the Chevy Cruze. There was even a recall but not on my vin.

- Iris L., BEDFORD, VA, US

problem #9

Jul 202016

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,633 miles

Whenever I have the A/C on full the car looses the brake booster after idle for about 2-3 seconds. In reverse I am constantly standing on the pedal to get the car to stop. No idea why the A/C would have anything to do with it as this car has a vacuum pump for the brakes. I'll be bringing it into the dealership soon for them to have a look at it. However the car is now out of warranty with only the 5 year powertrain still active.

- David T., Mindemoya, Ontario, canada

problem #8

May 112015

Cruze LT 1.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,300 miles

Purchased a 2012 Chevy Cruze used in February 2014. Already had the common dashboard electrical issue repaired. This week I get back into the car after running an errand on my lunch break. Start it up and start backing out of the parking spot. I hit the brakes and there were none! I had to stand on the brake pedal to get the car to stop. Thankfully no one was parked in the spaces behind me. Once I did finally stop I realized needed to move out of the way so I put the car in drive to go forward, making sure I was extra careful. This time the brakes worked. I thought maybe it was a fluke so I proceeded to exit the parking lot. I attempted to stop before making the turn onto the street and the brakes failed again. Thankfully no cars were coming and I was being extra cautious anyway. I needed to get back to work so I carefully made my way the few miles back. It did not happen again on the way back, nor has it happened in the 3 days since. I noticed there was a recall for this issue, but my vehicle shows no open recalls.

- anotherjenn, Tabernacle, NJ, US

problem #7

Aug 132014

Cruze 1.4L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

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

Wife was driving the car and the brakes just would not work. After three attempts at the dealer they were finally able to recreate the problem and replaced the master cylinder. Supposedly the seals in the OEM cylinders go bad prematurely and the brakes fail. Thankfully my wife was not traveling at high speed when this happened. Unloaded the car as fast as we could.

- David H., Bay Shore, NY, US

problem #6

Jan 302014

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,459 miles

HAD IT CHECKED OUT, I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS GOOD BUT IT IS STILL SCARY.

- Robert B., Lake Elsinore, CA, US

problem #5

May 262014

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

In early May 2014 I had a recall repair completed on my car. (vacuum pump that controls brake assist) Until this time, I never had any braking issues with the vehicle. Not long after, I started experiencing issues when backing up. It's almost like I can't push the brake all the way down. This has been an intermittent problem that doesn't seem to follow any pattern and has now happened twice when creeping forward as well. I took it into the dealership and they've told me they can't recreate the event so they can't do anything about it! My husband wasn't concerned because it never happened to him - until last week. Now he's worried too! I've got two new babies and if this causes an accident with them in it, GM is in trouble! How can they not find ANYTHING wrong????

- meganin, Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #4

Jun 172014

Cruze RS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

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

I was backing out of my garage to go to work and when I pushed the brake pedal to slow down, the pedal did not pump and my car did not stop!! The brake pedal would not move at all and I had no control over the vehicle at that time. This happened to me about a month ago backing out of my parent's driveway. The car just kept moving backward as I kept pushing on the brakes, but the car would not stop. Both times were extremely frightening and if there had been anyone or anything behind me I would have run over it (them)!!

The first time I thought maybe I had my foot off the brake or something silly like that, this time I know my foot was on the brake and I was very aware that this was happening for a second time. I think it may be time to trade this car in and go back to Ford....I never had any problems with my Ford cars and this problem scares me enough to get rid of a car I thought I would keep and drive for years to come. I love my Cruze, but I love me more!!!!!!!

- Linda M., Lebanon, IN, US

problem #3

Apr 022013

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

I took my 2012 Cruze to the dealership after brake failure several times -- took twice and service dept. was rude -- I was told "There has been NO recall so NO problem". Called my husband and he let service have a piece of his mind. He told the arrogant service manager if he was so sure no problem, then pick out the 2 new, most expensive vehicles on the lot and park the Cruze between them and move it -- he immediately declined.

Couple days later, at my friend's home, you guessed it -- no brakes, backed into a tree and hit someone's truck -- few days later after repairs, returned to dealer and they fixed it -- just happened to have received a recall. They wouldn't even cover our collision deductible -- ORR CHEVROLET, Texarkana, TX.

- Margaret E., Atlanta, TX, US

problem #2

Jul 162013

Cruze LT 1.8L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,575 miles

Brakes don't work immediately after start-up. Problem with power brakes began before 36k miles but was sporadic. After paying attention to circumstances during similar problems the likelihood of power loss for brakes occurs after car was running, then turned off, then started up again. The hotter the car is the more frequently the problem occurs. I noticed other complaints from hot climates or during hot time of year (summers) for owners. Now that I'm approaching 60 K miles I called dealer = no help from warranty; service tech said other owner had similar problem at same dealer. Waiting to hear about the fix.

- Michael W., Bloomington, IL, US

problem #1

Jul 052013

Cruze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Wife purchased a new 2012 Cruze from ORR Chevrolet in Texarkana and it has around 15000 miles. Around the first of July, she told me that the car would not stop when backing. It would act like it "locked-up" -- couldn't push pedal down and then the pedal would go all the way to floorboard. Appx. 2-3 weeks later while I was riding in the car, she attempted to back up. Car would not stop(even with her pumping/stomping pedal!) and hit a tree. She attempted to put it in drive and ease up at which time it surged forward (again with no brakes) and she struck a parked truck appx. 10-15 ft in front of her car. Every effort to stop was useless. Evidently, even though there are many reports/complaints about this, General Motors/Chevrolet have no intention of trying to remedy these problems. I guess when someone gets seriously injured or killed and lawsuits pop-up, MAYBE they will do something. I know one thing -- I have always been proud to be an American and purchase American, but no more!!! We have the Cruze and a 4 door Silverado, BUT no more.... more to follow!!

- Margaret E., Atlanta, TX, US

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