2018 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V576000Aug 30, 2018210,628 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

  Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 26, 2026ILBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11767199 · source
2. Filed Aug 3, 2026MSBrakesEngineOther / Unknown

   I own a 2018 Chevy Malibu. At approximately 57,000 miles, the original engine experienced a vacuum pump failure that resulted in catastrophic engine damage. The engine was replaced by General Motors under the vehicle's warranty. I then drove the vehicle for approximately another 52,000 miles with the warranty replacement engine. At that point, I experienced a sudden loss of braking while driving. My vehicle was again diagnosed with a vacuum pump failure, and the vacuum pump…

   NHTSA complaint #11754547 · source
3. Filed Jul 16, 2026KSBrakesEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11750766 · source
4. Filed Jun 9, 2026150,000 miFLTowedBrakesEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11742983 · source
5. Filed Mar 23, 2026180,000 miSCBrakes

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11726455 · source
6. Filed Feb 3, 2026NYBrakesEngine

   The Vacuum pump continues to go out causes code P1101. I have replaced it 4 times and people just in my town are fighting this code for dear life like me! It causes our brakes to barely work and make it completely unsafe to drive as the check engine light goes in and out for MAF sensor. It’s not safe. It needs to be recalled. It doesn’t matter if i buy the most cheapest part or expensive part. It has happened on multiple occasions where i replace it and within 2 months, its…

   NHTSA complaint #11715185 · source
7. Filed Jan 6, 2026111,000 miAZTowedBrakesEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11709076 · source
8. Filed Dec 1, 2025FLCrash1 injuredBrakes

   The brake booster unit, vacuum pump , brake light switch failed and malfunctioned and it is available. My safety and others on the road was at risk due to brakes being stiff and hard as a brick. Possibly nearly hit an other vehicles on the road. No warning lamps or other symptoms prior to the failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11702328 · source
9. Filed Nov 22, 2025UTBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   After diagnostic troubleshooting from DTCs on a check engine light, it was discovered that the brake vacuum pump connected to the engine was completely nonfunctional. Previous symptoms included stiff brake, loss of brake power at random brake periods which could have cause and accident with other drivers, and finally malfunctioning sensors attributed to the exhaust system. This also led the vehicle to be unable to pass state regulated Emissions testing because of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11701025 · source
10. Filed Nov 17, 2025OKBrakes

    The vacuum pump for the brake assist is made from bad metal which can break and screw up the camshaft, chevy knows of this problem they have a recall for the 2017 model but not the 2018 which they both have the same exact problem, they need to take care of this it is a major safety issue, I have no brakes and it could potentially ruin my engine.

    NHTSA complaint #11699805 · source
11. Filed Oct 4, 2025OHBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSuspension

    The rear knuckles on these cars are constantly going bad and the parts are expensive and so is the labor. So we have to pay a fortune to fix a common issue that GM should be recalling and fixing for the people who buy these vehicles. It's crazy how common this issue is and it's still not recalled. If you hear a clunking/rattling noise coming from the back of your car then it's almost certainly a knuckle problem.

    NHTSA complaint #11691400 · source
12. Filed Jul 28, 2025NCBrakesOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

    I was informed the vacuum pump went bad and rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle would lose acceleration, shut off during auto stop and caused me to block traffic. The brakes also locked up, which almost caused me to crash in a residential neighborhood. I tried to see if there was a recall on this but I was told the recalls were handled in January of 2020 but I started driving the vehicle between July and August of 2020. This incident I'm reporting just happend 3…

    NHTSA complaint #11676690 · 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