Chevy recalling 293k Cruze models over potential brake failure

According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, General Motors is getting ready to recall around 293,000 Chevrolet Cruze models due to an issue with the power-assisted brakes. On 2011 and 2012 model year Cruze models equipped with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the six-speed automatic transmission (a combination that excludes the Cruze Eco), the brake booster can fail, making it harder for drivers to stop, requiring more braking effort than expected.

The article says that GM has reported 27 crashes from this problem but no injuries, and the fix for the issue seems to be a new power brake vacuum pipe. GM has not announced the recall and there is no official notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website as of this writing, but doing a quick check of customer complaints shows plenty of instances where Cruze drivers lost braking power.