2018 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems
72 of the 709 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database7 of the 72 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2019: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 8
Half of the 25 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 18,000 and 83,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
709 complaints in all about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 8 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Malibu brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My vehicle acts as if it doesnt want to start after being at a red light or stop sign when my feet is released off the break it takes a few seconds to start back up. Also I have issues with check engine light coming on took it to auto zone and they received a code dealing with the wiring on the battery not the actual battery needing to…
On december 2, 2020 at approximately 545pm I was leaving the biloxi cspire store and as I drove about half a mile, the car completely went haywire. All the instruments went crazy and then I had no brakes at all and the car had no power..
Car went back to dealership monday because of problem I had last year. Lights comes on in dashboard : stabiltrack, engine icon, reduced steering, low fuel. On my way to work monday just made it out my driveway and started up the hill and the lights started flashing.
Receive intermittent 'shift to park' light on dashboard once car is placed in park and will not completely shut off. Driver must pull shift back to drive, then neutral then reverse and back to park before the 'shift to park notice shuts off' . If not repaired this can ultimately drain battery or even damage battery
Low fuel, engine light, service stability track, shift to park lights come on. The low fuel light comes on first. The next day the engine light comes on sometimes it stays on then goes off. This happens when i'm driving. I've had all the recalls done. ECM replaced. 2 weeks later the same thing. All dials go to zero.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 18V576000 HighAug 30, 2018 · 210,628 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu
Source: the same files- engine problems 289 complaints
- electrical problems 196 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 175 complaints
- fuel system problems 104 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 72 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (10% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the brakes on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 18V576000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 75,000 miles; half of them between 18,000 and 83,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.