Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have had problems with my power steering over the years. But this was the worst it has ever been. I was driving 55 MPH on the highway. The roads were clear on this spring day. My traction control, brake light and check engine light came on. Then the power steering was chiming and the alert came on for that which effected my power steering. The instrument cluster was flashing on and off along with the gauges not working correctly. Then the instrument cluster went completely out. So the instrument cluster was replaced. A couple of weeks later, this all repeated again. So this time the ignition was replaced. After all that, the power steering still chimes and alerts still come on which makes it harder to steer. Then I have to stop the car, turn it off, wait and restart it. Then it is fine for a while. My mechanic says the only code that shows up is for the 14772 recall. …
Letter from senator nelson on behalf of constituent regarding steering problems on her 2006 Chevrolet Malibu; please send response directly to senator office and reference constituent. The consumer stated the front brake calipers failed to retract causing the brakes to overheat and catch fire. The mechanic stated it May have been due to a factory flaw as he had never seen both calipers fail together. The brake caliper seals were melted from heat and they were cracked/dry rotted letting the caliper sleeve rust. A month prior, the consumer noticed the power steering seemed stiff and the vehicle became difficult to steer, the consumer did receive a recall notice regarding a potential problem with the steering. On December 20, 2011 the consumer experienced another steering failure, slow acceleration, and overheating of the brakes. …
Took car to the Chevrolet dealership, for NHTSA id: 14V252000/GM safety recall: 13036, to correct the issues in the body control module which impacted the brake apply sensor. Now rear top brake lights no longer illuminate when the brake pedal is being pushed. Front low-beam headlights goes on and off while driving. Replaced both low-beam lights on 12/6/2014. Front low beam headlights still goes off and on intermittently. Also upon visual inspection, the turn signal blinkers have melted the yellow plastic inside the headlight. Brought back to the same Chevrolet dealership on 1/2/2015, for vehicle recall NHTSA id: 14V224000/GM safety recall 14152 to have the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket installed. I notified the dealership that I was having issues with the electrical system tied to the exterior lighting system. They could not provide me the reason for the fault.
I was driving on the interstate on my way home and my back breaks locked up and the tires and hubcaps started to burn. I had no immediate exit so I had to continue to roll slow. Once I exited the interstate my wheel was on fire. I put it out with an extinguisher. I asked the dealer and they said no recalls. I had to get the tow truck and he said it was not the first for my car make and model. I replaced the breaks, rotors and tires and 2 weeks later the same thing happened again. Only this time I was in a parking lot of a grocery store. Since then I have had a total break job and replace tires and hubcaps. My power steering locked up and it was very hard but was able to use manually. The manual said to shut off car and restart to reset the power steering. This was not safe and very scary.
One night when it was snowing, I was leaving work and three lights came on when I went to stop my vehicle. The ABS, traction control and service engine lights came on and I had trouble stopping my vehicle. After this little incident I noticed the brakes was not working properly. Took the car to auto zone and put it on the code reader. A code pooped up, but could not be told what it was. They said you would have to take it the dealer for them to tell you what the code is. I had to go to work, so didn't have time to take it there. Well I was driving down the road and the lights pooped back on and when I went to hit my brakes there was none. I hit a truck that stopped in front of me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) and the vehicle was repaired. Less than a month later, the torque sensor assembly and the EPS unit failed. After having the vehicle repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes), the vehicle began to feel as though the brakes were grabbing. The contact stated that it was difficult to accelerate from a complete stop and the brakes were smoking. The vehicle had not been back to the dealer. The contact felt that both recall repairs failed. The failure mileage was 45,500.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu Maxx years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (23), 2004 (20) and 2005 (19) model years. Brake complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu Maxx brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Chevrolet Malibu Maxx model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu Maxx brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › rotor (8 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.