1st of all the motor was running g great! Then all of a sudden it started running rough and shaking. Was driving on the highway at 65 mph.no warni g lights or anything. Then a warning light came on for the brakes and it was hard to stop. The vacuum pump went out for the brakes and almost ended up in the ditch. Well put a vacuum pump on it and that fixed that problem but it was missing like crazy.…
2016 Chevrolet Cruze brakes problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
1injury
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2016 Cruze buyers should be aware of vacuum pump failures that rob the brakes of power assist and can delay or prevent brake engagement entirely—a serious safety defect that has caused crashes and injuries. Multiple owners report paying for vacuum pump or power brake booster replacement, and the pump failure can also fracture the camshaft, resulting in expensive engine damage.
Owners describe two main brake problems on 2016 Chevrolet Cruzes. The first involves loss of power brake assist: the brake pedal becomes hard and requires excessive force to stop the vehicle, sometimes so much that owners must stand on the pedal or use the emergency brake. This often happens suddenly after starting the engine and may recur intermittently. A "Service Brake Assist" or "Service Brake System" warning light typically accompanies this loss of assist.
The second issue is delayed or no brake response on initial pedal application. Owners report having to push the brake pedal all the way down to engage the brakes, or experiencing a complete lack of response for several seconds before brakes engage. This occurs while driving at low to moderate speeds and has led to loss of vehicle control, near-collisions, and in one case a crash with hospitalization.
Multiple narratives point to vacuum pump failure as the underlying cause. Owners and mechanics report that seized vacuum pumps have fractured camshafts and caused timing issues. One complaint notes the pump breaks inside the valve cover. The loss of vacuum from a failed pump directly results in loss of power brake assist. One unrelated brake complaint mentions cracked rear light housings allowing water intrusion that damaged converter output.
Same Chevrolet Cruze brakes reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of power brake assist
Vacuum pump failure prevents proper power assist function, forcing drivers to apply excessive pedal force. Owners report the brake pedal becoming suddenly hard and requiring standing on it to stop the vehicle. A 'Service Brake Assist' or 'Service Brake System' warning light illuminates when this occurs.
When: Occurs after engine start, sometimes intermittently over several months. One failure at approximately 108,000 miles; another at 2,135 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes very hard to press; Excessive force required to stop vehicle; Service Brake Assist or Service Brake System warning light illuminates; Loss of power assist feel; Brake pedal unresponsive until maximum force applied
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light (unrelated codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement noted in one case; power brake booster replacement mentioned in another. Vacuum pump failure also fractured camshaft, requiring both pump and camshaft replacement in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case (crash incident). Dealership in another case claimed vehicle was working as manufacturer designed it. No recalls or TSBs mentioned.
Delayed or absent brake engagement
Initial brake pedal application fails to engage brakes or engage with significant delay while vehicle is in motion. Drivers must push pedal all the way down or wait several seconds before brakes respond. Occurs both in forward and reverse driving.
When: Occurs while driving under 20 mph in forward motion; also reported when reversing. One complaint states it started several months prior and happened at least 6 times in one week.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal press does not engage brake immediately; Must push pedal all the way down to engage brakes; Delay of several seconds before brakes engage; Vehicle continues moving with foot fully on brake pedal; Intermittent occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed or specified by owners. Dealer had no answer in one case.
Vacuum pump failure with internal damage
Vacuum pump seizes or breaks internally, fracturing the camshaft and causing timing issues. Pump breaks inside the valve cover. One owner notes that other SUV models of various years have the same defective part (brake pump part number 12662789).
When: Approximately 108,000 miles in one documented case.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of brake function coinciding with vacuum pump seizure; Engine running rough and shaking after pump failure; Camshaft fracture; Timing issues; Cylinder piston breakage reported in one case following pump failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump and camshaft replacement required. One owner reports other vehicles needed motor replacement at 8,000 miles and sometimes twice in the same car before 18,000 miles.
Brake light housing water intrusion
Rear brake light housing has crack allowing water to enter and damage internal components.
Symptoms owners cite: Cracked rear brake light housing; Water leakage through housing; Damage to converter output
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 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 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 37,200 and 72,000 miles, with the median around 60,191. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,200; a quarter make it past 72,000. 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/2016/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.