Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard before the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact's wife had also informed him of the brake failure while she was driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was a recall repair for the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V360000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and that the manufacturer only guaranteed a one year or 20,000 miles for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that only a free one time repair would be performed. The failure mileage was 99,178.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm and difficult to depress. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed as brake pump failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer, awaiting the brake pump part for replacement. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was over the 100,000 miles warranty and that the recall for the brake pump had expired in 2018. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, extra effort was needed to depress the brake pedal while stopping the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V360000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was 210,000.
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).
Last month the car started ti show me this errors Stabili Trak Control and Traction Service Control, I keep getting them driving on the highway, every road I drive, the steering wheal just becomes stiff and its hard to maneuver , the Air Condition turns off itself and the car has a big vibration , like there is an earthquake outside, I have been calling General Motors to tell them about the problem but they are telling me there is nothing they can do. There are times when I get in the car trying to get to work and the car won't start, the car would show me the errors and would not clear for hours, it's a nightmare.
I drive daily taking 2 freeways. I stopped at the traffic light and the car felt like shaking. Stabilitrack warning and traction control warning light and messages appeared on the screen and also the check engine light turned on, and ABS too. Break pedal was really hard to push and breaks were not working (i was not reducing speed at all) and it felt like the engine loose power and the car felt rough while driving. I was approaching to another traffic light and it was a red light so I prepared to decrease my speed and stop to wait for the green light. When I placed my foot and pressed the break pedal, it was hard. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 45 MPH, attempting to slow down the brakes began to lock. There was smoke coming from the dashboard of the vehicle. The driver pulled over and was able to stop the vehicle by applying excessive pressure to the brake pedal. The driver and the passenger of the vehicle were able to get out of the vehicle by kicking the doors to force them to open. Once the passenger was able to get out of the vehicle the passenger side of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. There were no injuries and no medical attention was needed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving approximately 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal approaching a stop sign, the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle that was traveling eastbound. The vehicle was launched over the median westbound lane and landed in a ditch. The seat belt failed to retract and caused the contact to sustain head injuries and bruises. Medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was pushed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The 2011 Chevy Cruze eco has been having a couple issues from there being a small oil leak coming from the engine it drips more after driving and also another little leak toward the back of the car then also my stablitrak and traction control issues kept me from getting out of an accident because my wheels didn't move the way I planned too, the radiator fan also has been working harder then usually it non stop is blowing very hard to keep the car cool. Last under the car the bottom trays have some oil building up and building up
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the contact crashed into a fence. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic after the crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
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.
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.
Brake complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 10% of the model year's 732 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Cruze brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-360 (power assist, Aug 15, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Cruze brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 2 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.