Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Sent the car to fix recalls and they said it has another problem and want to charge to fix the steering recall N140772 problem. They said is not free.... Do not know if the other recalls were repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 10 MPH around a curve, the brakes did not respond and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when depressed. The traction control light became illuminated and the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained an injury to the right arm that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000.
I'll start by saying my vehicle had approximately 84,000 miles on it when this issue occurred a few weeks ago and is very well cared for and maintained. While driving on the highway at night I noticed that my break lights were not coming on when I pressed the break (I didn't see them illuminating the car behind me). While stopped in traffic I noticed that if I pressed the break pedal as far as it could go the lights would come on. The breaks lights then started working properly for about 15 minutes, then they started working in reverse order (breaks not pressed and light switch on, breaks pressed and break lights switch off). I brought the vehicle into a Chevy dealer to have this issue looked at, and referenced that it was showing the symptoms described in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control), 14V224000 (power tran), 15V064000 (steering) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the power train, stabile-trace control, emergency brake indicator, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The brake pedal became hard to depress. The contact stated that a friend replaced the brake pads however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. …
I was driving on the interstate on 11/18/2012, when a car cut across all three lanes. It had not been raining, and the roads were dry, but when I applied my brakes to avoid hitting the car that cut me off, my wheels locked up sending me fishtailing at 70+ MPH. I slid into the center lane, striking a vehicle on my right rear corner panel. I then repeatedly tried to pump my brakes and turn into the skid to regain control of the vehicle, and each time the wheels locked up again. After failing to regain control of my vehicle I hit the center guard rail, still going 60+ MPH, collapsing the whole left side of my vehicle. After skidding to a stop, my "service airbag" warning came up on my center dashboard display, without even deploying. My car has been deemed totaled by insurance, and is no longer safe to drive. …
In sept 2014, I had my 2006 Malibu repaired under GM recall 13036. At the end of June 2015, I noticed that my brake lights were malfunctioning. I took my car to a local mechanic for repair, which was the same work that was done for the recall. At the end of July 2015, the malfunction return again. I contacted Chevy via email and phone, and was first told that there wasn't a recall for this problem. I called again and explain that I was having the problem described in recall 13036 (" these fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed"). I was then told that there was a recall, but that mine was "closed" since I had already had it done once. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the brake lights illuminated without depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to james martin Chevrolet (6250 woodward ave, detroit, mi 48202, [phone]) to be serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electrical stability control), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was determined that the warranty was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Brake lights illuminate when brake pedal is applied. Will go off when foot is taken off of pedal, but will go back on and stay on when pedal is not applied. This happens both when in neutral and in park and the car is stationary. I believe the problem is where increased resistance in the body control module (BCM) connection system can result in voltage fluctuations or intermittency in the brake apply sensor (bas) circuit that can cause brake lamp malfunction. The brake lamps illuminate without the brake pedal applied. Recall on this problem dated March 2017, # 13036. This recall problem and number does not show up in the NHTSA database.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the recall. The vehicle failed to pass inspection due to a service brake lamp malfunction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Traction feature fails when braking. The brakes will not operate properly causing the vehicle to continue to travel forward although the brake pedal is being pressed. This happens most often when braking on an incline or in wet conditions. It happens whether the speed is fast or slow. Have brought vehicle to graff Chevy for recall repair, but continue to have problems. Had brake pads and rotors checked by Firestone who stated that neither of these needed repair, and therefore, are not adding to or causing the problem.
Brake complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the model year's 1,117 complaints. The component named most often is conventional › mechanical › linkage and cable (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.