Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Cruze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power after 45 minutes. The RPM increased, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The driver was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that after driving for 45 minutes, the vehicle lost power and went into LIMP Mode. The transmission had seized in fifth gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the speed control sensor had failed. The contact was informed that the speed valve and transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The car began to shake uncontrollably on the freeway at 55/MPH . The car then marked "Engine Power is Reduced", causing the car to no longer accelerate more than 5-7/MPH. This is a very dangerous situation because it can cause a terrible accident on the road since it's a random inconvenience. I have heard that many of these types of cars "Chevy Cruze" seem to experience the same type of problem. With that being said it's safe to say that as an owner this situation is far out of my control and it's definitely a collective problem with the type of car and make that it is. I ask for this to be immediately looked into.
Check engine light, traction control light, tire pressure light came on. Message on dash reported reduced engine power, service stabilitrak, and car slowed to 16 no more than 20mph and would not go any higher.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While driving with the cruise control set to 75 MPH, the vehicle traveled at 80 MPH independently. Additionally, while reversing at very low mileage, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and reversed into a pole. The contact was able to drive away from the scene without any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact believed that the vehicle had a "mind of its own" and would erroneously perform in ways that it was not designed. The contact requested the Bluetooth be removed from the vehicle and inquired about having the GPS removed, as she believed that the transmitter was the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was contacted, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. While the vehicle was idling at a complete stop and upon pulling into the driveway, the contact applied the accelerator pedal, but it suddenly fractured. The failure caused the contact to slightly bump into the rear of the preceding vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact attempted to reverse the vehicle, but the accelerator pedal was completely fractured. The insurance company towed the vehicle to the dealer and were awaiting instructions from the manufacturer to repair the vehicle. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse, the vehicle drifted and accelerated independently, causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. The contact shifted into drive and crashed into the garage and the toolshed from their residence. A police report was filed. There was one injury reported that required medical attention. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,300.
I received my Chevy Cruze in November of 2014 used with aprox. 59K miles. April 7th driving down a highway at 55-60mph it suddenly started slowing down and would not accelerate. It would jerk and the engine would rev like if you were to be idle and in park and press the gas that's the sound it made. I did not notice the check engine come on or any other lights as I was trying to control my car. The speedometer and RPM indicator started acting erratically while doing so. The gauge would go up and down and the car was slowing down. The steering also became very soft. If I were to take my pinky finger and turn the wheel it would have moved that's how soft it was. All this happened multiple times during a 30 minute time period. After I slowed down and tried going over 30mph it would start to act up again. While this was happened I only had 66K miles. …
"transmission defect" a year ago I brought my 2012 Chevy, Cruze to be inspected for stalling problems (hesitates) when increase in speed and jerks especially driving up a hill. I had to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic to indicate why it was hesitating when driving. Mechanic could not find code indicating any problem with the trans. Today, I'm without my vehicle for more than a week because my transmission went out in the middle of the road as I was driving. General motors is only willing to pay a third of the cost to get it repaired. I want restitution.I should not have to pay for something I warned them about a year ago when I still had a warranty at the time. If a mechanic doesn't see a code reading, it does not justify charging the customer after the complaint was reported. I have receipts showing proof of documentation indicating what I was bringing it a year ago. …
I was driving and the reduced engine power, service stabili track, check engine warnings came on. My car would only accelerate to 5mph. Luckily I wasn't on the freeway, was only going 20 MPH and almost home. Very dangerous. I put an end code reader on it and it's a p2135 code, throttle positioning sensor. I have been reading Chevy Cruze forums as well as in Chevy forums in the past week, a minimum of 1000 people that I can see have had this issue. Many have been in accidents because of this. Its occured in mainly Chevy Cruze but also impalas, GMC vehicles. I took it to the dealer and I need a new throttle body, there is no special coverage although its occured in thousands of vehicles if not 10s of thousands! It's dangerous! There is a special coverage for pedal accelerator fracture but they say mine is fine and not related to throttle body. …
I was driving in subdivision at 20mph and vehicle went into limp mode. It had a message saying engine power reduced, service stability track and check engine light was on. It would not accelerate more than 5mph. This is very dangerous! Luckily I was not going 70 on the freeway. I've been reading on Chevy forums and GM forums of this happening to thousands of people. Many got in accidents because of reduced acceleration to 3 or 5 MPH. I took it to the dealer it has a p2135 code and is die to a bad throttle body and throttle positioning sensor. The Chevy manufacturer is not willing to do anything about it although it's a known issue to Chevy and GMC cars from many years of vehicles, from what I've read 2009 to current year. Mine is a 2012 Chevy Cruze lt. …
Acceleration complaints in other Cruze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 6% of the model year's 865 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Cruze acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Cruze acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration 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.