GM to recall nearly 300,000 Chevrolet Cruze cars

DETROIT, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. automaker General Motors Co. says it will recall nearly 300,000 Chevrolet Cruze automobiles because of a faulty miscroswitch in their brake assist systems.

The vehicles affected are from model years 2011 and 2012.

GM said Cruzes with six-speed automatic transmissions and 1.4 liter turbo engines could experience "intermittent loss of brake assist," requiring drivers to hit brakes a bit harder to stop the vehicles, CNN reported Saturday.

"GM is aware of 27 alleged low-speed crashes but no injuries related to brake performance, which could include this issue," spokesman Alan Adler told CNN in an email.

The company said owners of affected vehicles can get replacement microswitches free of charge at GM dealerships.