This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet Cruze brakes problems
severe 56 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
56
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
8crashes
2fires
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 56 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 8 model years of Chevrolet Cruze in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel pressure situation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze brake system exhibits multiple failure patterns that recur across these 56 complaints. Most common is a soft, unresponsive brake pedal that requires excessive force to stop the vehicle—owners report the pedal dropping to the floor or feeling spongy, with braking most unreliable in reverse, at low speeds, or during cold starts. Several owners describe near-accidents or actual collisions when brakes failed to respond or provided insufficient stopping power.
Dealers and GM cite recall 12213 / NHTSA campaign 13V360000 (issued August 2013, finalized April 2014) targeting the electric vacuum pump and brake booster. However, many owners report that after receiving the recall repair, the same brake problems recur—sometimes within months. Others never received parts because they remained on back order, leaving owners driving unsafe vehicles for extended periods.
Secondary issues include brake pedal position sensor failures (triggering check engine codes P0240, P057D, U0140-71) and faulty emergency brake cables that fail to retract, creating friction that overheats brakes. One vehicle experienced a passenger-side fire at 188,000 miles after brake failure at highway speed. Pedal geometry problems also appear in early complaints, with brake and accelerator pedals positioned so close together that drivers' feet hit the throttle while braking. Dealers frequently cannot replicate failures, and repair attempts—replacing boosters, pumps, master cylinders, and sensors—often fail to resolve the underlying issue.
Same Chevrolet Cruze brakes reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Vacuum Pump / Brake Booster Failure
After recall service (GM Recall #12213 / NHTSA 13V360000), or independently, the electric vacuum pump or brake booster malfunctions, causing partial or complete loss of brake power assist. Brake pedal falls to floor, requires excessive force to stop vehicle, or brakes fail to respond until high pressure applied. Owners report repeated failures even after repair attempts.
When: Occurs within first few years of ownership; common after cold start, in reverse, or after vehicle sits idle. Some failures appear shortly after recall repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal drops to floorboard when depressed; Brakes feel soft or spongy, require excessive pedal pressure to stop; Vehicle continues rolling or creeping forward despite brake application; Brake failure intermittent, hard to recreate at dealer; Problem worse at low speeds, reverse, or cold start; ABS may activate on dry pavement; Emergency brake required to stop vehicle
Codes mentioned: P0240, P057D, U0140-71
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace electric vacuum pump, brake booster, vacuum pump switch, booster kit/retainer/cylinder/valve kits, master cylinder, brake pump. Many repairs fail to resolve issue. Parts frequently on back order.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Recall #12213 / NHTSA Campaign 13V360000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); Recall issued August 2013, but parts unavailable for extended period. One-year/20,000-mile warranty on recall repairs only. Dealers often unable to diagnose or replicate failures.
Brake Pedal Position Sensor Malfunction
Brake pedal position sensor fails, triggering check engine light and causing erratic brake behavior including hard engagement, soft pedal feel, or inability to brake properly. Often requires repeated replacement, and sensor failure not always covered under warranty.
When: Occurs as early as 3,000 miles; commonly fails repeatedly after first replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated (code P0240, P057D, or U0140-71); Brake pedal soft or unresponsive; Engine lurches or surges when stopped with brake applied; Brakes fail to respond normally until high pressure applied; Sensor requires replacement multiple times
Codes mentioned: P0240, P057D, U0140-71
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pedal position sensor replacement (approximately $500 out of warranty). Owners report replacing sensor 3-4 times with limited success. Some owners repair on their own.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered after warranty expiration. No recall issued specifically for sensor failure, though related to recall 13V360000.
Emergency Brake Cable Malfunction
Emergency brake cable fails to fully retract when disengaged, leaving brake partially engaged during normal driving. Creates friction against brake pads and wheels, causing overheating and potential brake failure. Owners report part on extended back order from GM.
When: Typically appears within first few years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: E-brake engages slightly when disengaged; Friction felt in brake pedal when driving; Brake pads wear prematurely; Brakes may smoke during extended driving; Vehicle rolls backward slightly on hills after e-brake released
Repairs/costs cited: Emergency brake cable replacement; parts on 4-week back order through GM due to recurring problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM states not a safety issue, but refuses to expedite part availability. Parts remain on extended back order.
Brake Pedal-Accelerator Pedal Interference / Geometry
Brake pedal and accelerator pedal positioned too close together or brake pedal drops abnormally low, causing driver's foot to hit accelerator while applying brakes. Results in unintended acceleration and loss of braking control.
When: Occurs from very early ownership (50 miles on one vehicle); intermittent.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal drops below accelerator level when depressed; Foot hits accelerator pedal while braking; Vehicle lurches forward when braking intended; Brake pedal geometry causes accidental throttle application
Repairs/costs cited: One owner improvised by taping wood block atop brake pedal to raise it 1.5 inches. No manufacturer fix documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but no recall or design change issued.
Brake Fluid Loss / Coolant Contamination (Secondary Issue)
Brake system fluid loss reported alongside brake failure complaints. One complaint also mentions concurrent coolant leak from faulty water pump, suggesting possible cross-contamination or systemic leak issues affecting brake hydraulic system.
When: Ongoing throughout ownership; one owner adding coolant every 2-3 weeks.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake fluid loss; Low brake pressure; Coolant leak (related complaint)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced faulty water pump on one vehicle, but coolant continued leaking. No brake fluid leak source identified in complaints.
Front Rotor Overheating (Load-Dependent Brake Failure)
Front brake rotors overheat and turn bright red during hill descent or heavier braking, indicating brake fade and possible brake failure under load. Vehicle very difficult to control on downhill sections.
When: Reported at low mileage (12,000 miles) during downhill braking.
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes fail to respond when going downhill; Front rotors visibly overheated (bright red color); Vehicle difficult to stop on hills
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; owner concern but vehicle not serviced for this issue.
Fire Risk from Brake/Oil Leakage
Vehicle experienced brake failure and dashboard smoke at highway speed (45 mph), eventually resulting in passenger-side fire and total loss. Recall notice mentioned low oil leak causing fire, but vehicle never repaired before failure occurred.
When: At 188,000 miles; brake failure occurred at 45 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal locked while attempting to slow down; Smoke from dashboard; Brake failure at speed; Fire on passenger side of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss after fire. Fire department report filed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 13V36000 recall issued (Service Brakes, Hydraulics); also mentioned low oil leak causing fire risk. Vehicle never received recall repair before failure.
Synthesized from 56 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 56 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 47 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 20,033 and 89,000 miles, with the median around 42,795. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,033; a quarter make it past 89,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Chevrolet/Cruze.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.