2016 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 22, 2026INBrakesEngineOther / Unknown

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

   NHTSA complaint #11745818 · source
2. Filed Jun 11, 2026KYBrakesEngine

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

   NHTSA complaint #11743632 · source
3. Filed Apr 28, 2026144,000 miTNCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 55 MPH in a rain storm and making a right turn, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights had illuminated, and the driver suddenly lost control of the steering and crashed into a tree. During the incident the driver sustained a concussion and neck and shoulder injuries which later required medical treatment. No police report was filed. The vehicle was later towed to the local…

   NHTSA complaint #11734304 · source
4. Filed Dec 26, 2025ALBrakesElectrical System

   On December 16, 2025 the check engine light and service stabiltrek warning light appeared on my 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid. On December 17, 2015 I took the car the Capital Cheverolet service dept who has been servicing my car regularly for the past five years. They performed a complete diagnostics on my car that determined I need to "replace the EBCM with brake pressure modulator valve" and said it would cost over $2800.00. Upon further research I discovered that the same make…

   NHTSA complaint #11707104 · source
5. Filed Dec 24, 2025FLBrakesElectrical SystemSteering

   The vehicle went into shift to park and will not turn off. This is a known problem with ALL GM vehicles that hasn’t been fixed or offered a warranty for. It’s dangerous and causes the car not to move shut off in traffic and drains the battery. My car currently isn’t working due to this issue and the repair to fix is too much with no assistance from GM for a known defect. My car was almost hit because of the car had to be towed because it’s unable to be moved.

   NHTSA complaint #11706991 · source
6. Filed Dec 13, 2025ILBrakesElectrical System

   My 2016 Malibu has a severe EBCM-related safety defect causing all four brakes to drag and overheat (reaching 240°F), leading to unstable handling. This condition mirrors the 2016 Malibu EBCM recall (GM Recall 39440). I sought help from GM. A GM-certified dealer-Monken in Centralia, IL performed a “diagnostic scan” which documented the core hydraulic failure: a constant, uncommanded 6.839 psi residual brake line pressure when the pedal was released. (A healthy system should…

   NHTSA complaint #11704816 · source
7. Filed Oct 26, 2025WIBrakes

   Car suddenly stopped dead cold while driving on a highly driven road. No power. Several attempts were made to get off the main road and drive to a close neighborhood. Finally started and at every stop sign the car grinded during stopping and threw me backwards in driver's seat. Needed a tow. .

   NHTSA complaint #11695664 · source
8. Filed Oct 6, 2025ILBrakes

   My 2016 Chevy Malibu Limited is experiencing Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) failure symptoms that match Recall 39440, even though my VIN is not listed in the recall. Details of the problem: -The brakes would randomly feel like they were sticking and the car being held back -Brake lights would remain on -Car would float all over the road -ABS and StabiliTrak warning lights illuminated in the dash once. -ABS and ESC functions stop working, leaving only based braking…

   NHTSA complaint #11691669 · source
9. Filed Jul 30, 2025OHBrakes

   When I was driving my car with my child in it my break tightened up and I couldn’t apply them to stop I had to let my foot off the gas and let my car slow its self down safely. When I got my car home my husband looked at it and found out that my vaccum pump had went out and part of it broke off in the engine. This is very unsafe and this needs to be investigated because people can’t know when the vacuum pump is going to go bad this issue lays on gm and Chevy to make sure the…

   NHTSA complaint #11677384 · source
10. Filed Jul 6, 2025MIBrakesEngine

    Brake booster pump failed ( gm part # 12704586 ) Causing limited braking and severe damage to internal engine components, camshafts ,timing chain have been damaged This is a ongoing problem in which i have had this pump replaced at my expense several times. The problem stems brake booster pump is lubricated using the engine's oil . Booster pump has a small screen to filter oil, this filter can easily become clogged resulting in booster to run dry and grenade into top of…

    NHTSA complaint #11671410 · source
11. Filed Dec 8, 2024CABrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    The car has a seat belt electrical problem it makes sound once in a while indicating for the driver to put their seat belt on. Also there is issues with the brake sensor. The #1 issue is the Transmission Accumulator Pressure Pipe, when it breaks all your transmission oil pours out from the bottom of the vehicle. The part is about $20 but if not installed right you will think that your transmission is dead but it's not.

    NHTSA complaint #11629477 · source
12. Filed Nov 22, 2024102,000 miAKCrashBrakes

    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked overnight on an incline with the front of the vehicle facing forward, the contact stated that the electronic parking brake unexpectedly released, and the vehicle rolled away and crashed into the neighbors vehicle, causing damages to the headlights and the bumpers of both vehicles. The contact stated that there was no one inside the vehicles during the crash. The vehicle was not…

    NHTSA complaint #11626928 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology