2020 Chevrolet Malibu Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 25%of 200 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,274miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, 25% of the 200 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,274 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brake vacuum pump locked up causing camshaft to twist and reluctant wheel to turn which damaged the engine. I'm being quoted $10,000 to fix which was actually $1,000 more to fix but they accidentally under quoted me and have to honor the original estimate. I don't have that kind of money and still owe almost $14,000 on the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11568789, filed 2024-01“My car has been malfunctioning it keeps saying shift to park when it’s park and it show esc system issue and then the brakes stop working it has been going on and off took it to Lou bachrodt Chevrolet and they couldn’t fix the issue. I have done research online and it shows the same”
NHTSA complaint #11692539, filed 2025-10“December 12, 2025 I had to drive 20-30 miles an hour the car would not break I had to use parking break. When I would try to Stop it would continue to roll. The pedal was Hard! This is very dangerous and other cars have crashed There are also class action lawsuits regarding just this! Vehicle vacuum pump The Bill was $5200 I am asking for reimbursement! Vehicle vacuum pump engine light on tire sensor light on Saw there have been more cases”
NHTSA complaint #11710815, filed 2026-01“The problems listed in my vehicle are the following • U0073: Control Module Communication Bus A Off • U0100: Lost Communication With Engine Control Module • U0121: Lost Communication with Electronic Brake Control Module • U0140: Lost Communication With Body Control Module • P0700: Transmission Control Module Requested MIL Illumination I believe this is due to a bad design in the wiring. Also the electric brake vacuum broke which is a common problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11607742, filed 2024-08“Electrical issue , Continuously losing communication to EBCM causing the car to go haywire with warning lamps on the dash board and then it brakes on its own , while driving on the highway at high speeds. This is very scary and extremely dangerous and this could eventually cause a serious accident. This has been occurring for 3 months now. I’ve had the car serviced 3 times within the last 3 months , costing me a lot of money but with no real resolution. …”
NHTSA complaint #11580161, filed 2024-03Related service bulletins
- 11017173Mar 21, 2025This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11004762Jun 29, 2024This service bulletin provides diagnostic/repair information to correct customer concerns of a Crank No Start or Extended Crank, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated or…
- 11000550May 3, 2024This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- 10253061Mar 4, 2024This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 4 | 6% |
| 2022 | 6 | 6% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 50 | 25% |
| 2019 | 27 | 14% |
| 2018 | 69 | 10% |
| 2017 | 73 | 10% |
| 2016 | 104 | 12% |
| 2015 | 16 | 6% |
| 2014 | 45 | 13% |
| 2013 | 46 | 6% |
| 2012 | 74 | 8% |
| 2011 | 44 | 5% |
| 2010 | 199 | 15% |
| 2009 | 153 | 10% |
| 2008 | 89 | 9% |
| 2007 | 51 | 5% |
| 2006 | 70 | 6% |
| 2005 | 70 | 7% |
| 2004 | 64 | 6% |
| 2003 | 63 | 11% |
| 2002 | 55 | 10% |
| 2001 | 89 | 12% |
| 2000 | 250 | 27% |
| 1999 | 308 | 39% |
| 1998 | 376 | 39% |
| 1997 | 111 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
59 complaintsElectrical system
57 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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