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 2018 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to reduce speed. As a result, he collided with the vehicle in the right lane on the rear driver's side. No air bags were deployed. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine vacuum pump, resulting in a lack of vacuum for the brake booster. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number 18V576000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the contact had to pump the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. Additionally, the "Shift to Park" warning message was displayed even after the vehicle was in PARK. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer initially diagnosed that the brake pedal needed lubrication. The dealer lubricated the brake pedal; however, the failure recurred with a chemical odor detected. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the brake pump system and shift gear were faulty. The dealer replaced the brake pump system however, the chemical odor was still detected and the "Shift to Park" warning message was displayed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shifted into Limp Mode. The contact stated that she pulled over and when the gear was shifted to park (P), the brake vacuum pump failed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to her residence. The contact stated that an independent mechanic went to her residence and diagnosed the vehicle. The independent mechanic retrieved DTC: P0365 for the camshaft position sensor. Additionally, the contact was informed that shattered pieces of the brake vacuum pump dispersed into the camshaft. The contact stated that pieces were also found in the oil lines. The contact stated that the brake vacuum pump was repaired; however, the camshaft sensor was not yet replaced due to the part not being available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
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 failed to start with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the braking system failed, and the brake pedal became firm while depressed. The "Engine Power Reduced" message was displayed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, causing the vehicle to decelerate. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the braking system vacuum booster pump had failed and needed to be replaced, along with the camshaft and crank case which were damaged during the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 107,000
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal depressed and it traveled to the floorboard as the vehicle failed to stop without warning. After the failure occurred, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart upon parking the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where they discovered that both the vacuum pump and camshaft sensor were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 79,000.
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 was contacted, confirmed there was no recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up. Additionally, the brake pedal was applied but was hard to depress. The engine power reduced message was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V642000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline, engine) was completed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed and the vehicle would not properly accelerate above 30 MPH. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop, and the pedal was firm when depressed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
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 180,000.
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Brake complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of the model year's 700 complaints. The component named most often is power assist › vacuum (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-576 (caliper, Aug 30, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 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.