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severe 115 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Of the 115 brakes complaints filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Of the 8 model years of Chevrolet Cruze we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 115.
Owners have filed 115 brakes complaints against 1 active recall — roughly 115 complaints per campaign.
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.
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Cruze has a documented history of brake assist failures linked to a faulty microswitch in the vacuum system (Recall 12213/13V360000), but repair attempts often fail to resolve the issue permanently or are denied on technicalities. Multiple owners report brake failure at highway speeds and near-collisions; many say brakes worked fine before the recall "fix" and failed again shortly after, leaving them to pay out of pocket while dealers and GM deny coverage.
Brake failures on the 2012 Cruze fall into a clear pattern: the pedal either won't depress, becomes rock-hard and unresponsive, or delivers no stopping power when pressed. Owners describe being unable to stop at highway speeds, having to pump the pedal multiple times, or needing to apply extreme force just to creep forward in parking lots. The problem is especially bad in reverse and on cold starts.
GM issued Recall 12213 in October 2013 for a faulty microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, and later Recall 13V360000 for brake assist loss. Dealers replaced the microswitch at no charge—but numerous owners report the exact same failures came back within months or years. When they returned to the dealer, they were told the recall had already been done, their VIN wasn't eligible, or they were out of warranty and could pay for diagnosis and repairs out of pocket. Some spent $2,500 on repeat repairs (master cylinder, brake booster, vacuum pump) only to have brakes fail again. A handful of crashes and near-misses resulted, though most owners managed to avoid collision by using the emergency brake or steering hard. The core issue remains: dealers and GM deny further coverage even though the symptom is identical to what the recall was supposed to fix, leaving owners stuck with an unsafe car.
Same Chevrolet Cruze brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Brake pedal fails to depress, becomes extremely firm, or requires hard stomping to engage brakes. Owners report the pedal feeling locked or blocked, with little to no stopping power on initial application.
When: Typically at low speeds (under 35 mph), during cold starts, in reverse, or after the vehicle has been parked. Intermittent and recurring.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal will not push down or feels blocked; Pedal extremely firm with no braking response; Must stomp or pump pedal multiple times to get brakes to work; Extra pedal force required to stop vehicle; Pedal sinks to floor without stopping effect
Codes mentioned: 13V360000, 12213, 12213A
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replaced ($2,500 total for multiple repairs); brake booster replaced; microswitch in power brake vacuum pipe assembly replaced; brake vacuum pump replaced; vacuum boost hose assembly replaced. Parts cited as unavailable or on backorder for weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V360000 (2013); Recall 12213 (Brake Vacuum Micro Switch, October 2013); Recall 12213A (June 2015). Replacement of microswitch in power brake vacuum pipe assembly. Many owners reported repairs were claimed as already completed or VIN not eligible despite same symptoms. Warranty coverage denied post-recall or after 3 years/36,000 miles.
Complete or near-total loss of braking assist while driving, requiring emergency measures to stop. Vehicle continues forward when brakes are depressed, sometimes resulting in collisions or near-misses.
When: While driving at highway speeds (35–55 mph) and at low speeds; intermittent occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle continues forward when brake pedal is pressed; No deceleration or braking response; Loss of brake assist requiring extra force; Emergency brake also fails to stop vehicle; Must pump brake multiple times to stop
Codes mentioned: 13V360000, 12213
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump, power brake vacuum system, and motor switch replacement attempted. Collisions occurred in at least two complaints; additional crashes into parked vehicles in parking lots.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V360000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Recalls began October 2013. Dealers instructed to replace microswitch in power brake vacuum pipe assembly. Many owners stated recall VIN did not match despite same symptoms, or were told recall had been completed but failures recurred.
Brake pedal does not return to normal position after depressing, sinks entirely to the floor, or lacks firmness. Often occurs after light depression or during light braking, causing brake lights to remain on continuously.
When: During light braking, after cold start, intermittently when moving from park to drive
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal does not come all the way up after light depression; Pedal sinks to floor without stopping effect; Lack of pedal firmness; Brake lights stay on continuously
Codes mentioned: Brake pedal position sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pedal position sensor replaced; brake vacuum assembly diagnostics; dealer unable to replicate issue in many cases.
Owners report that after having recall repair completed (microswitch replacement), the same brake failure symptoms return within months to years, with dealers denying further warranty coverage or recall applicability.
When: Months to years after initial recall repair; common at cold start or in reverse
Symptoms owners cite: Hard brake pedal upon cold start; Brake failure same as pre-repair symptoms; Intermittent loss of braking assist
Codes mentioned: 12213, 13V360000
Repairs/costs cited: Original microswitch and other components replaced under recall; failure recurred. Subsequent repairs at owner expense cited as: brake booster replacement, brake vacuum boost hose assembly, or master cylinder. One owner quoted $2,500 in total repairs after recall failed to fix problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 12213 and 13V360000. Dealers often claimed recall had already been performed or VIN not eligible. Warranty denied after initial recall repair period (typically 1 year). Dealers stated no additional recalls exist. GM part number 13460776 became obsolete and now supplied as sub-assembly with additional parts.
Brake pedal becomes abnormally hard and unresponsive specifically when reversing, with pedal requiring extreme pressure to slow or stop the vehicle. Problem occurs frequently during backing but not always when driving forward.
When: Primarily when reversing; occurs on level ground; often worse when air conditioning is running or on cold start
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal extremely firm when backing; Car continues rolling despite brake application; Requires extreme pressure to slow or stop in reverse; Happens frequently, sometimes multiple times per trip; Problem worse on hot days or with A/C running
Repairs/costs cited: Brake adjustment attempted without lasting effect. Dealers unable to duplicate issue. Vacuum switch and vacuum system diagnostics; no clear resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vacuum switch replacement attempted; dealers claim no recalls apply. Problem persists post-repair.
Brake pedal and/or vehicle vibrate excessively when brakes are applied at speeds over 35 mph. Brakes overheat and vibration is felt through pedal when stopping suddenly.
When: At speeds over 35 mph; when braking suddenly
Symptoms owners cite: Front brakes vibrate when applied over 35 mph; Brakes overheat; Vibration felt through brake pedal; Problem persists after brake pad and rotor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Front brake pads replaced twice; front brake rotors replaced. Problem persists despite multiple service visits and parts replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer could not duplicate problem initially. After multiple visits, pads and rotors replaced. GM will not acknowledge vehicle has a problem.
Vehicle randomly lurches forward a small distance while parked or rolling when brake is applied. Brake pedal goes to floor without gripping. Issue occurs when shifting from park or when vehicle is stopped.
When: When shifting from park to drive or reverse; when backing out of driveway or parking space; occasionally while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches forward while stationary with brake applied; Car rolls despite brake pedal depressed; Brake pedal goes to floor without gripping; Brake lights randomly come on when engine off
Codes mentioned: Brake pedal position sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes adjusted; brake pedal position sensor replaced. Brake vacuum assembly inspected. Issue persists despite repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #PI0928/NHTSA ID #10052020 and TSB #PIC-5862/NHTSA ID #10053904 reference similar 'lurching' issue.
Synthesized from 115 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The vehicle sporadically will not stop despite flooring the brake while in reverse. Most recently, I pulled the parking brake, put the vehicle in park and then back into reverse gear. The problem corrected itself.
It's a meaningful issue. 115 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
Across the 98 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 21,198 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,198; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.