Service Brakes Problems of Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

I am reporting a potential safety concern involving the brake vacuum pump in Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. I have seen multiple reports from owners describing vacuum pump failures, brakes becoming difficult to press, and brakes reportedly stopping working. Some owners have reported having to replace their vacuum pumps multiple times, while others have described serious safety incidents involving brake problems. I am concerned that these reports may indicate a recurring safety defect that could put drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk. A vacuum pump failure that affects brake assist could make it difficult to stop a vehicle safely and potentially cause a serious crash. I became aware of these reported safety concerns on October 13, 2026, after seeing multiple Chevrolet Malibu owners discuss these problems. This specific vacuum pump failure has not happened to my vehicle personally. I am submitting this report to bring these concerns to NHTSA’s attention and request an investigation into whether the affected Chevrolet Malibu model years have a safety defect that warrants a recall to prevent further crashes, injuries, or deaths.

See all problems of the 2023 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Brake pedal assembly on 2024 Chevrolet Malibu became loose and wobbly under normal driving conditions at 36,300 miles. Dealer refused warranty repair. ".

See all problems of the 2024 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

I was driving on the tollway at 75 mph when I saw stopped traffic ahead of me, and when I tried to apply the brakes, they went from soft to hard and completely stopped working; I had to swerve across lanes into the grass to avoid a massive accident and to save my life, as well as the lives of my passengers and the people who would have been involved. The vacuum pump had completely blown up, causing the brakes to fail, and it also destroyed my camshaft, so I lost engine power as well. I looked it up online and it is a very common issue that gm needs to address because of how severely dangerous it is.

See all problems of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

I was driving in town through a stoplight when I noticed my brakes stopped working. Also when I had stopped the car still in drive and the car had shut off completely in the middle of the road and was not able to turn back on. The car would keep trying start but none were successful. My car also stated that there was reduced power to the engine and the car would hesitate to gain speed as well. My safety and others were put to risk because my brakes stopped working so I could’ve caused an accident. When we trying to find what was wrong with it through a code reader we had noticed the piece had shattered inside of the engine. No insurance, police or manufacturer has inspected the issue.

See all problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, the following morning while waiting at the school drop-off line with her foot on the brake pedal, there was an abnormal boom, and several warning lights illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. The occupants inside the vehicle assumed that the vehicle was struck from behind. The vehicle attempted to surge and revved and started to choke and shut off. The vehicle was shifted into park and the ignition key turned to the off position. The vehicle was restarted but failed to move. The engine, traction control, and the radio were blinking. The vehicle was shifted to first gear but was moving slowly. The vehicle stalled and was restarted, but the failure recurred. The engine light remained illuminated, but the screen was dimmed. The vehicle was turned off. The contact associated the failure with TSB: 21-na-045. The dealer was called and a voicemail was left. The vehicle was driven to the service center and the contact waited for 20 minutes to allow the vehicle to cool down and then restarted the vehicle. The gear shift indicator was not lit. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The radio started to work later. There was an abnormal hot odor. The contact was concerned about a fire. The local dealer responded and advised the contact not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure after the vehicle was test driven. The dealer confirmed there were no previous crash with the vehicle. There was one fault code displayed. The dealer stated that there might have been a backfire from the engine. The approximate failure mileage was 105,100.

See all problems of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Due to the vacuum pump failing during driving, metal shards broke inside of the car and went into the engine destroying it completely. Now I need a whole new engine.

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond and seized, causing the contact to engage the parking brake. The contact was able to pull over while awaiting tow truck assistance. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that a Lexus engineer retrieved the edr; however, there was no failure found with the braking system. The failure mileage was 120,000.

See all problems of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

While driving my 2022 Chevrolet Malibu on the freeway, I experienced a loss of braking. This created a serious safety hazard because I was unable to stop the vehicle normally. The vehicle had previously displayed a check-engine warning. I brought the vehicle to the Chevrolet dealer. The dealer is requesting approximately $4,000 for repairs and has refused to perform the turbo-related recall/special coverage repair unless I pay for those repairs. I am requesting that NHTSA review this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect and review whether the braking problem may be related to the known turbo/engine issue break vacuum pump is broken and diagnose by the dealer . Check engine light was on prior to incident due from turbo charger failure.

See all problems of the 2022 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

See attached document for complaint.

See all problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

I have a failed vacuum pump which caused my braking ability to be 100% reliant on my own strength to be able to “safely” stop the car. This is an ongoing and common problem with gm yet they have not recalled or given any solution. This is unsafe and should be illegal. I have now an underwater car loan and still a non-drivable car because not only do I have to repair the vacuum pump but also the camshaft exhaust as well as timing chain. All of these repairs are things gm willingly hides from customers if they already knew this was an issue.

I was driving and all of a sudden all the warning lights start going off on my vehicle’s dashboard and the car jerks back and forth while decelerating. This has happened twice on the highway putting me in danger of crashing or making cars around me crash. On a seperate occasion my brakes failed, causing the car to jerk abruptly in traffic, thankfully I was able to pull over. Some times the car will limit my speed to below 60mph for “safety” reasons. The same set of issues have happened to me at least six different times. Every time I take it into the dealership for repair they always charge me for something new saying they finally fixed it and yet I always keep coming back for the exact same thing. This car is not safe to drive and I’ve taken it to two dealerships with two very Smart teams of people and none of them have been able to figure this out.

The esc light came on, air conditioner fan speed went high then low and my screen flickered out momentarily. The esc light came on three more times, 10-15 seconds each time with no lights remaining on after and no other changes. The next time I drove, when turning the esc light came on and the steering locked up for about 5 seconds.

See all problems of the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

My 2020 Chevrolet Malibu experienced a sudden and severe electrical failure after driving through normal roadway water. Immediately afterward, the vehicle displayed multiple safety?critical warnings including loss of power steering assist, electronic stability control (esc) faults, brake control faults, and reduced propulsion. A gm dealership inspected the vehicle, scanned the modules, and found more than a dozen network and chassis?related diagnostic trouble codes, including: b3979, u0164, b1325, b3122, u0121, c0196, c0460, b1011, b097b, b3205, c056e, c056d, u0420, u1510, c0545, u0422. These codes indicate failures in the steering system, brake control module, stability control system, body control module, and multiple can?bus communication networks. The dealership confirmed: – no physical damage – no evidence of collision or impact – no evidence of flood damage – the suspected failed component is the electric power steering rack (gm part 85621696) – the part is not available, meaning the vehicle cannot be repaired – I would be responsible for diagnostic and repair costs this is a major safety concern. The vehicle can lose steering assist, stability control, and braking support without warning. The inability to obtain the required steering component makes the vehicle unrepairable and unsafe to operate. I am reporting this because this appears to be a systemic electrical/network failure affecting critical safety systems. I believe this defect poses a significant risk to drivers, passengers, and other motorists. The attached photo is a is a picture of the printout the Chevrolet dealership service manager provided to me.

I have brought my vehicle to preston hood Chevrolet on two occasions for two major issues. Failed breaking system started as when I am at a stop light the car won’t move and the brake light and ignition light comes on and it won’t move when I press the gas! I almost had an 4 car pile up. Now it is stalling when I am driving on the street! see the uploads. The first time they said it was a speed sensor and the second time they said it was the wrong tire size. . My onstar diagnostic report says failed braking system. It also says critical oil level and yet they said they performed a multi point oil inspection. Look at the uploads. Does gm want a fatal accident lawsuit? why doesn’t a dealership know how to repair my vehicle? I was told by 2 dealerships there is no remedy for the gm back up camera. They would not fix my broken back up camera.

While driving my 2017 Chevrolet Malibu lt equipped with the 1. 5l turbocharged engine, the brake vacuum pump failed due to the pump’s mechanical drive/tang shearing. The failure resulted in loss of vacuum assistance to the power brakes, creating a significantly harder brake pedal and a serious safety concern because braking assistance can be reduced and stopping may require substantially more effort. After removing the failed pump, I found that part of the pump’s drive mechanism had sheared off and had to be retrieved from the camshaft area. I am retaining the failed pump and broken component. I am requesting that this failure be investigated as a potential safety defect because a failure of a component responsible for brake-assist vacuum can affect the vehicle’s ability to stop safely.

While coming down mcclure pass in colorado my brakes failed. The the car went to engine power reduced mode. After getting the car to an independent mechanic I was told that the vacuum pump failed and exploded the parts into the camshaft. After 2 days of repairs I was finally able to get my car back to working order. This could have been a fatal car accident coming down a mountain pass. I was able to get stopped safely because I know the road. I had just driven 700 miles over eisenhower pass, vail pass, glenwood canyon, and then the final pass being mcclure pass where it failed. I bought this car brand new and I probably won't buy another chevy after this. This was a terrifying experience that I will have lasting trauma from.

I was driving back home and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I started driving, but my car was jerking a little too much. I pulled over and turned my car off. When I cut my car back on my brake became very hard to the point I had to push down extra hard to stop my car. I started back driving home once I realized my car needs to be turned completely off and sit. While I'm driving I see a message on my dashboard saying "engine power reduced. " luckily I made it home safely with no wrecks, but when I had to brake my car was still moving jerking while in place. Also when I made it home and turned my car off I heard a fan like noise that eventually stopped.

I have a 2017 chevy Malibu 2. 0 t. The incident involved the braking system. I was driving and as traffic came to a stop, I pressed the brake to stop and my brakes gave out. I immediately lifted my foot and press extremely hard on my brake pedal and was able to stop though the stopping distance was much further and nearly caused an accident. I have now taken the vehicle to a chevy certified dealer and it has been identified as a brake vacuum pump failure. Gm has had many issues with the brake vacuum pump across many of its models.

Randomly when I press the brakes the brake lights don't turn on. Other times they work fine. All of the light bulbs are good. All three brake light don't turn on randomly. I have almost been rear-ended on numerous occasions. No dash lights came on. And I have not had it inspected yet just my girlfriend pushing the brake pedal to test the lights. One day they work another they don't then another day they work again.

See all problems of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Vacuum pump failure causing hard brake pedal which made near to impossible to brake safely and properly that lead to timing chain issues.

See all problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The brake vacuum pump broke, causing my brakes to go rock hard and pieces fell down into the camshaft, causing engine damage.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving on the interstate and attempting to exit the ramp at 40-45 mph, the brakes failed. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 18v576000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, confirmed there was no recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

There have been numerous days that I press brake to start car in which it does not start. I wait until it will. The trunk seems unaligned as there's more gap on right side. Carpet in front floor is not correct as I have to tuck under trim by door constantly. Backup camera seems distorted and has been not correct in lines to park but remains distorted by the unclear view and awkward angle. While driving at times it feels like going into another gear and it's an automatic. The breaking at times is very hard and pushing passengers forward.

While driving my 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (2. 5l), I experienced a sudden and severe failure of the braking system. [insert exactly what happened here—for example: 'the brake pedal suddenly went completely to the floor,' 'the brakes unexpectedly locked up,' 'the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking power,' or 'the brake warning lights illuminated right as the brakes failed']. This occurred while traveling at approximately 25 mph on a one-lane road. This total/partial loss of braking power created an immediate safety hazard and a high risk of a crash. The vehicle had to be shifted into manual, then safely coasted to a stop. No prior warning signs or brake issues occurred immediately leading up to this event.

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The brake pedal on my vehicle intermittently becomes stuck in the fully raised position and will not depress when I attempt to apply the brakes. When this occurs, I am unable to slow down or stop the vehicle, creating an immediate and serious safety hazard. The problem happens without warning and has occurred multiple times while driving at various speeds. When the defect occurs, the pedal feels locked or jammed, and I have to use extreme force or pump the pedal repeatedly before it finally releases. This delay in brake response puts me, my passengers, and other drivers at risk of a crash. The issue is unpredictable and does not appear to be related to weather, temperature, or driving conditions. I have not made any modifications to the braking system. The defect has occurred both during normal city driving and while approaching intersections. Because the failure prevents the brakes from engaging at all, I believe this is a critical safety issue that requires investigation.

I am writing to report a serious and dangerous issue that occurred with my 2020 Chevrolet Malibu lt on April 27th 2026. While driving on the interstate after work, my vehicle suddenly experienced a failure that made it extremely unsafe to operate. The brake pedal became extremely hard to press, and the vehicle did not want to slow down or stop properly. This created a very dangerous situation while I was driving at highway speeds. Additionally, I noticed that nearly all of the engine oil was gone, which is extremely concerning and may be related to the failure. Based on these symptoms, it appears the vacuum pump may have failed while the vehicle was in motion. This issue placed me at significant risk of an accident and could have resulted in serious injury. I am requesting an immediate investigation into this matter and assistance with repairs. I would also like to know if there are any recalls, known defects, or extended warranties related to this issue. Please advise on the next steps as soon as possible, as the vehicle is currently unsafe to drive.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? yes how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the car stalls and/or shuts down while in use has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? yes were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem before the failure, and when did they first appear? use purchase date 3/31/2026. First sign of issues 4/3/2026.

To whom it may concern, ?I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect regarding my 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. This defect resulted in a life-threatening incident while I was driving on the highway, during which my vehicle failed to stop as required. ?while operating at highway speeds, the brake pedal became extremely hard to depress, making it nearly impossible to decelerate or bring the vehicle to a complete stop. This sudden loss of power assist forced me to manage an incredibly dangerous situation in high-speed traffic. Based on the symptoms, I am concerned that the brake booster vacuum pump has suffered an internal failure, a documented issue for this model year where oil sludge or debris causes the pump to seize. ?in addition to the physical resistance of the pedal, I am concerned about the reliability of the electronic brake control module (ebcm). The failure experienced on the highway demonstrates that this vehicle is unsafe for public roads, as the force required to engage the brakes in an emergency is far beyond safe operating standards. ?I request that the NHTSA investigate this brake failure and determine if a mandatory recall is necessary to prevent similar incidents from resulting in catastrophic collisions. ?please contact me if you require further information thank you [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that the brake was inoperable, and the contact was unable to properly stop the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the mileage requirements for special coverage were not met. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The brake booster vacuum pump went out in my car it broke which caused hard breaking while driving vehicle. When the brake booster vacuum pump broke a piece of it damage my camshaft as well as my timing chain in my motor.

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph on the freeway and depressing the brake pedal to slow down, the brake pedal was difficult to depress, and the vehicle failed to immediately stop. During the failure, the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was slowly driven to the residence and parked. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 85,547.

Hard braking, reduced engine power.

While driving the brake pedal became hard to push out of no where. Once the car got to the shop it stopped cranking. The shop is stating that the brake vacuum pump is the cause of the brake pedal messing up, and that it also caused other engine damages estimating $3000. 00.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the brake pedal suddenly became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that excessive force was required to depress the brake pedal. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floorboard while stopping the vehicle. The contact then stated that after pulling into a parking lot, the contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Car started shaking in the middle of driving it about 30 mph and all the electrical like door locks were going up and down car wasn’t accelerating and an alert came up for stabilizing wheels I believe. It happened for about a couple seconds and then everything went back to normal and randomly happens while I’m driving. Check engine appeared and went to the mechanic shop I usually go to and found out I had ebcm and ecm modules bad. Do some research on the car and noticed it had a recall back in 2014 for ebcm. The problem has resurfaced.

See all problems of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.