2021 Chevrolet Malibu Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 90 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving when coming to a stop, my brakes became stiff causing me to almost hit the vehicle in front of me. Also, the car has been stopping while I am driving and on busy roads when I am at a stop light and press the accelerator to proceed, the vehicle just stop and cuts off completely leaving me stranded while trying to restart the vehicle. Also the vehicle has a long crank before it starts. I have been without my vehicle for a month now and it’s very inconvenient due to these issues. It has been to the dealership where they quoted me over 8,000 to fix the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11696003, filed 2025-10“3 times now, the car has turned off while in gear or in motion. In an Arbys drive thru on a hill above a highway. Backing out of a parking spot in VA. And pulling through a busy intersection in VA. The safety hazard is that you lose power brakes and steering when a vehicle isn’t running, one could easily be unable to avoid a wreck. Also the general danger of your vehicle randomly shutting off. No warning lights appear before during or after this happens. …”
NHTSA complaint #11477685, filed 2022-08Related 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.
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 | 49 | 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 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
31 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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