382 of the 5,775 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Cruze are about the braking system — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2012.
382
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
77
Crashes
9
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES
My transmission blew up. My airbags did not deploy. And neither of my brakes or emergency brakes worked. I was in a car accident where I hit another car in a tree and was admitted into the hospital as I am pregnant.
NHTSA complaint #11756875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes system didnt seem to be stopping properly almost as if i had to push really hard on the brakes to get the car to stop. Finally today, I was 1.6 car lengths behind another vehicle whom slammed their brakes on for no reason and I had to do so as well. My car would not stop, the brakes would not work causing a major accident.
NHTSA complaint #11747783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Hh
NHTSA complaint #11746413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
My breaks do not work in reverse. Pump valve seems to be bad
NHTSA complaint #11741926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Have called about this starting 2020. Had 137000. Also previous owner since 99000mi. Drive train & Turbo. Brake assist. Oil leaks, shutting off while driving. Now as of Saturday April 25 2026 Car shut off while driving and has been towed to dealership. Car deemed lemon by GM. In 2020 car to have been replaced I have all service contact numbers as well as my receipts. Car is a death trap. Do better Chevrolet & GM
NHTSA complaint #11734134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving my car and all of a sudden out of nowhere my car speed gage starts to bounce up and down my engine sounds like it’s stuck in first gear and won’t shift and I can’t go any faster then 35 mph and I tried to make it to a spot to pull over and it altogether stoped accelerating so I was stuck pulling over right there because it wouldn’t accelerate. I shut it off and let it sit for a bit and it started right back up like normal and drove fine till I got to a certain length of driving and it was doing it all over again like it was in limp mode and all my electrical stuff was on the Frits as well so I haven’t been able to drive it since because it keeps doing it and I haven’t spent hundreds of dollars putting it in a shop three times already only to have it go back and do it again and my brakes when I press on them make a squishing sound and then some clicking sound before it goes into limp mode i don’t know where to even begins to fix it at and it was all out of nowhere. It was driving fine then all of a sudden this crap starts
NHTSA complaint #11730993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The rear brakes lights have a crack causing water to leak through. The water caused damage to the converter output
NHTSA complaint #11695471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS pump motor stuck X2 & is available for inspection. Brakes could potentially fail putting mine & other's safety at risk. Warning lamps were illuminated. This is the second time this has happened, pump motor was already replaced. There is a recall issued but not for my vehicle specifically. CAN BUS Communication issues.
NHTSA complaint #11640260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Purchased new in 2019 – 32k miles - Oil changes every 6 months. Lightly driven, no modifications, all original engine components and tune. Engine developed a significant miss. Several warnings on Stabilitrak, ABS, and P0300. Significant oil leak at front of engine, oil is splashed all over the passenger side of the engine compartment. There is significant ‘chugging’ of air and oil from the dipstick tube and from the oil filler cap. This condition indicates excessive pressure leakage to the crankcase that is caused by a crack or failure to the #1 piston which is a very, very, very common failure with an extensive and indisputably documented history with the 1.4 engine throughout the history of the Chevrolet Cruze since its introduction. Compression test shows cylinder #1 at about 80 PSI while cylinders 2, 3, and 4 are at 190 PSI. This proves that there is a catastrophic compression leak down into the engine crankcase causing the misfire P0300 and the resulting excessive crankcase pressure causing the oil leak at the front of the engine and the expelling of air and oil from the dipstick tube and from the oil filler cap. This needs to be a warranty repair and the cost covered 100% by GM as it is a known defect with this engine since it has been first been used in their cars. Refer to: GM Bulletin: 18-NA-171 - [XXX] GM Bulletin: PIP5490D - [XXX] GM Bulletin: PIP5421 - [XXX] Reading through the extensive volume of posts on the #1 piston failure, GM/Chevrolet should have acknowledged this and a recall should have been issued and the warranty extended to cover an piston and/or piston ring failures with the 1.4 engine no matter what year or what vehicle it was installed in. I have additional links documenting the frequency of the piston and/or piston ring failure in the 1.4 engine: INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11634068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The rear brakes are gouging the rotors on both wheels. The car has less than 26,000 miles on it. Front brakes are still in excellent condition and and car is having no problem with braking except there is noise. Have not yet talked with anyone at a dealer. There is no indication of any problem except for the noise. However rear brakes and rotors will need to be replaced or braking will become an issue.
NHTSA complaint #11629384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I have been up there date for fixing this vehicle for the last 4 years when i bought it with 60k miles , I have replaced multiple parts so far from foil pump , wheel, coolant pipes and the container many times from constant leaking in the fuel pump, I have replaced the alternater twice by 70k miles , ABS system failed many times and no one can fix it , Lastly , my daughter was driving to school and while she was driving on the roundabout in the outer lane . She tried to turn the steering wheel t take the exit and everything got locked on her immediately from steering wheel and the break paddle caused he car shift to the curb and hit the side walk because it went out if control because the tire split out the wheel along with another piece from wheel behind the tire , almost killed my daughter on the seen . I had spent in this At least $10k and now it barely passed &100k Just unbelievable. This car is piece of trash no safety in this car now I parked the car and I’m trying to think what to do with it. I will take it back to the GM and the Chevy dealers and I’m complain because even the dealers for the GM and Chevy are the worst people to deal with and the worst customer service. They’re not helpful at all. I have went to local shops. They do better job but the thing is this car is piece of crap Replacing and go back. I am not spending any more penny on this car now I have to get a brand new car for my daughter to go to college she needs it better or don’t sell more cars. This has to be a trust immediately as my daughter career relying on transportation, And I am not claiming my insurance to fix the damage on my vehicle because my insurance will raise my premiums and there was no other car involved because she was on the roundabout on the side lane and she had to hit the curb because the car kept going and has no control but luckily she wasn’t going on the inside lane on the roundabout otherwise she’ll be hitting another vehicles from losing control
NHTSA complaint #11616989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11616229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I have a powerstop b992l brake shoe and hardware kit. The mfg date is 2023/12/04. The issue is that the drum adjusters are made in a way they do not turn freely, thereby the drums will not adjust. In the diagram pat b will not turn on part a. There are clear witness marks on the inside where the end fits on the ratchet pawl. I have the parts available for inspection as needed and can mail then as well as the box side with their information.
NHTSA complaint #11598242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Operating vehicle on German autobahn, 90mph, brake assist light came on, check engine light came on, vehicle loss turbo power, felt a shift in the transmission feeling, without notice as a slowly pulled into the gate guard at 30mph, I had zero brakes, loud metal noise and/vibration applying the brakes hard, I almost impacted the vehicle in front of me, vehicle was parked, vehicle would not start afterwards, had the brake assist light only come on when I backed out the driveway with a little noise riding the brake out the driveway but the light disappeared the same day. Vehicle was towed to the GM dealer in Pirmasens, was told that the brake booster failed, the cam, timing chain, and brake booster needs to be replaced and that my car was not under any recall yet research on the internet shows that others had te same problem with the Cruze.
NHTSA complaint #11593087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I bought my car used. I have replaced the Brake Pedal Position Sensor 3 times on my own and 1 time by Anderson General Tire. Sometimes when I go to brake, there is no brake and I have to push real hard with my foot and finally the car will brake. It feels as if my brakes go out and sometimes I have to pump the brake pedal. It happens also when I start my car after it's been sitting and I brake to shift into drive. My car says it doesn't have any recalls but I have been having this problem. My car has been serviced numerous times by Chevrolet immediately after buying it. I only had to stop taking it there because my warranty ran out and then they wouldn't cover the costs anymore. Codes that come up are P057D and U0140-71: Brake Pedal Position Sensor Circuit High and Brake Pedal Position Sensor Circuit High Voltage and Anti-lock Brake System (although this does not show on the dash).
NHTSA complaint #11587716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Runs like the black stallion with a stud of a hide [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11578614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The cars first started telling me randomly that it needed service to the stabilitrak and the. Would disappear, the next component was the anti theft activated and after turning car off..next time I tried to turn on, it acted as if battery was dead and locked my key in ignition. Fixed itself a couple hours later. Next time it gave me issues all of these components started to come on at same time while also causing power steering to come on and go out in the middle of driving which could have caused a horrible wreck (didn’t thank god) and also started flickering lights inside and outside of car, and the radio turned on and off as well…the car now will not turn on and acts as if battery is dead unless I use cables and have someone jump start my car…it definitely seems to be shorting out like the wiring isn’t working the way it should…I have now taken it to auto one and they tested battery and altinater and said both were in great condition, so I researched and have seen that my car make and model years from 2011-2015 have a recall on the negative battery cable not being crimped right enough but my car specifically isn’t included because it is past its warranty…which I’m sorry is ridiculous in every way no matter any warranty this was a mistake made by the manufacturer and it should be corrected on every car that is included in the years they specifically stated themselves they failed to do correctly when made…my car behaving this way and putting me and my family in danger is nothing that is our fault but the manufacturers and it should 100% be covered…I’m currently waiting to have it looked at by mechanic to reconfirm what I already know, and will know shortly that it is indeed the negative battery cable..I need this covered and corrected by dealer near me
NHTSA complaint #11568925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I want to know if there is a recall on GM cars with standard transmissions that have the shared master cylinder. That is when the clutch master cylinder and the brake master cylinder are the same part. When the clutch release cylinder leaks, you also lose brake fluid, and when the leak is bad enough, you lose your clutch and brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11565053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and was slow to accelerate. The stabili-trak control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to respond while driving uphill. There was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coil pack, turbo boost, spark plugs, an oil change, ABS, brake booster, and air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the low turbo boost. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #11543469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS system is failure. Stability, traction control. Catalytic converter failure, mileage reading failure.
NHTSA complaint #11542801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.