Chevrolet Malibu brake problems, 2016–2025
335 of the 2,995 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2025 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2016 (106), 2018 (72), 2017 (72). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Chevrolet Malibu brake problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 9% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 6 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 49 | 25% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 26 | 13% | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 72 | 10% | 75k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 | 72 | 10% | 60k | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 106 | 12% | 60k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 12 · 2019: 39 · 2020: 24 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 41 · 2023: 52 · 2024: 40 · 2025: 53 · 2026: 37
Across the model years, half of the 135 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 32,000 and 86,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Stability track warning randomly appears while driving and spontaneously causes total brake failure and the brakes fail to slow or stop vehicle. It has newer brakes but it’s very dangerous to drive. Currently being sent to Chevrolet dealership
The check engine light came on and we brought it to the shop where they said the code is for the electronic brake system modulator. It is also causing the ABS to malfunction and be hypersensitive. There is a recall for the same make/model/year of vehicle, except the month before her car was manufactured.
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..
Was driving down road my 2017 malabu started slowing down on it's on I tried to stop at a stop sign and the breaks did not work car died and will not restart. Code indicates break booster car is in yard
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 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.
Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Malibu
Source: the same files- engine problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- electrical problems
- fuel system problems
- stability control problems
Every system, every model year: Chevrolet Malibu problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Chevrolet Malibu years have the most brake complaints?
2016, 106; 2018, 72; 2017, 72. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (25%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Chevrolet Malibu?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 18V576000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 63,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 32,000 and 86,000. 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.