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BrakesPart report

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Brakes Problems

Complaints
69about this part
Share
10%of 700 total for the year
Median mileage
62,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of the 700 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.. I was barely able to get the car in a safe spot and myself out of danger sitting in the middle of a busy road. I tried to turn and get off road and car had no brakes at all and no power. Then once I was able to get in a parking lot the car and safe. …”

NHTSA complaint #11383971, filed 2020-12, 83,000 miles

“I was recently getting on the highway in my 2018 Malibu and had absolutely noooo engine power for acceleration! Luckily I was able to get onto the median before I was rear ended by the fast moving cars! Simultaneously the 'engine power reduced', 'service traction control', and 'the 'transmission' service lights came on! Then as I was getting off the highway at the next exit, I went to stop at the light and I had noooo brakes! Luckily I pushed as hard as possible and got my car to stop without a second to spare! …”

NHTSA complaint #11195969, filed 2019-04, 15,000 miles

“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. Brakes had to be pushed ask the way to the floor for it to stop rolling back down the hill. I let it roll back to get the car out of street. The car wouldn't turn off when I pressed the start/stop button. Pressed the button again the car turns off but all lights are on in the dash. …”

NHTSA complaint #11373103, filed 2020-11, 13,500 miles

“Well I got in a wreck yesterday around 4 pm in city limits in bumper-to-bumper traffic and the lady had stop somewhat abruptly so I had to stop abruptly and my brakes locked up on me and this isn't the first time at these brakes have done this before just a second wreak I've had with this vehicle in eight months and I don't have wrecked vehicles this is all new so I want to get my car checked out see if there's something malfunctioning with my brakes because both times the brakes locked up on me when they should've stopped because I wasn't going to fast”

NHTSA complaint #11299183, filed 2020-01, 37,000 miles

“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. Slow take off after I've stopped at red light or stop sign. Is as if the transmission is going out. If I put on brakes they will throw me in the dash like I've crashed into something. When I take it dealership-no codes are found. Trying to turn car off, it says shift to park. …”

NHTSA complaint #11310588, filed 2020-02, 10,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202518%
202449%
202346%
202266%
202122%
20205025%
20192714%
20186910%
20177310%
201610412%
2015166%
20144513%
2013466%
2012748%
2011445%
201019915%
200915310%
2008899%
2007515%
2006706%
2005707%
2004646%
20036311%
20025510%
20018912%
200025027%
199930839%
199837639%
199711125%

Other parts of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Engine
281 complaints
Electrical system
192 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
171 complaints
Other or unknown
153 complaints
Vehicle speed control
114 complaints
Fuel system
101 complaints
Steering
42 complaints
Electronic stability control
21 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Suspension
13 complaints
Exterior lighting
9 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology