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:
45,042 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 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.
The rear center brake light stays lite even after taking foot completely off the brake pedal. I have to manually with my foot lift /push up the brake pedal lightly in order to have the brake light turn off. This happens very frequently when driving in heavy stop and go traffic on the highway.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving in reverse, the brake pedal was applied but it failed to respond. The contact called a local dealer: North branch Chevrolet located at 38420 tanger dr North branch mn 55056. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case # 8-316800 but did not offer any further assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving various low speeds, the brakes did not engage when the brake pedal was depressed. After several attempts, the brakes engaged when the contact removed her foot from the brake pedal. Highpoint auto in Cadillac, Michigan was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in an unknown recall for this issue. The dealer stated that the power vacuum assembly was the affected part. The contact stated that the dealer could not duplicate the failure on more than one occasion prior to discovering that the power vacuum assembly was faulty. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated the VIN did not qualify under the recall due to the date of manufacture, and because the vehicle exceeded the three year 36,000 mile warranty. The failure mileage was 79,000.
- Morley, MI, USA
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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While reversing at 2 mph, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to slow down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the micro switch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly failed and the switch, vacuum pump, and pipe assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V360000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving various speeds and attempting to stop the vehicle, the contact had to apply extra force to the brake pedal. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to auto zone who found failure codes for the ECM and brakes. The dealer was contacted at 319-393-3300 and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be brought in to be diagnosed. The dealer also stated that even though the vehicle experienced the failures in a recall, it did not mean her vehicle was included in the recall. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V360000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed due to the diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall under the VIN, and that a manager would contact her back. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,600.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that vehicle was serviced per a manufacturer voluntary emission recall: 14801 (engine) to reprogram the engine control module. After the vehicle was repaired at john donoghue automotive (363 vinson blvd, whiteville, nc 28472 (910) 642-2400), the brake pedal became difficult to depress. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for diagnostic testing and was serviced per a manufacturer recall: 12213 (brakes) where the brake vacuum micro switch was replaced. However, the brake failure recurred several months later. The vehicle was then taken back to john donoghue automotive, but the failure could not be duplicated. Recently, driving 35 mph, the temperature gauge on the instrument panel increased while the air conditioner was turned on. When the air conditioner was turned off, the temperature gauge decreased. The contact also stated that the fan would remain on for several minutes after the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the failures and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing. Due to the diagnostic fees, the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted for the recent failure. The failure mileage was 57,395....updated 10/19/17
Intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist. The loss of braking assistance requires extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Complete loss of braking assist on 6/20/2017. Time: Approx. 10 am. Weather conditions: Sunny, 80 deg F. speed: Under 5mph. While maneuvering out of a tight parking place (reverse then forward), the car had a sudden complete loss of braking assist. This required a very high amount of force to stop the vehicle. At first, I thought the engine had died. However, it had not. After reversing to complete the maneuver, the brake assist returned to normal.
When putting my 2012 Chevy Cruze into reverse to back up, the brakes do not seem to work properly - the car does not stop until I press on the brake very hard. This has been happening more often now then before - almost every time in car, making driving/parking backing out of parking lot, very unnerving. This is on level grade - not on a hill. I've also need on-line this was part of a major recall, but when contacted Chevrolet hq, they said that this was not an issue for my VIN. I'm sure they would change their mind just sitting in my car once. This should be corrected by Chevrolet at no cost - and/or be part of the recall.
Tires light all the time, overheating all the time spend 100 of dollar on anti-freeze coolant ran in overflow tank spent over $769 0N people giving false report on what wrong with vehicle. I tried to file for bankrupty but wasn't successful due low income. Stop on city street.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal stiffened and the vehicle would not stop when prompted. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was diagnosed as having a faulty electronic brake assist. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
The contact owned a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle experienced a loss of power braking. As a result, the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a fence. The air bags did not deploy. The failure occurred without warning. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence then to a salvage yard. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V360000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 14V300000 (air bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 51,568.
My car is having the same problems and should be covered with the recall. Manufacturer: General Motors llc summary: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1.4L DOHC gasoline turbo engines and 6T40 front wheel drive automatic transmissions and equipped with an electric vacuum pump to provide supplemental vacuum for brake assist, when needed. In the affected vehicles, the pump may not activate, resulting in an intermittent reduction or loss of brake assist. Consequence: A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213. Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall bulletin 12213 performed April 2014 for brake vacuum micro switch. Recalled part failed again August 2016. Vehicle has hard brake pedal upon cold start and sometimes when restarted after driving and warm. Vehicle becomes very hard to stop without warning and unsafe to drive. Dealer refused to replace part at no cost stating no additional recall exists and no warranty exists. It is unclear if this is the very start of a larger systemic problem with the actual design of these micro switches in this application. GM part number 13460776 has become obsolete and part now comes as sub assembly with additional parts. This leads me to believe original design of micro switch was defective.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and the air bag and electronic stability control lights remained illuminated. In addition, the vehicle would not start immediately when prompted. The contact had to wait approximately ten seconds before the vehicle would start. Furthermore, when the brake pedal was depressed, the contact had to apply a significant amount of pressure before stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 11,010.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lake Park, GA, USA