This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
4crashes
7injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗16188 Special Coverage. Some vehicles may have a condition 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. Specifically, the brake lamps may either illuminate without the brake pedal applied, or turn off when the pedal is applied. If this condition occurs within the stated terms, dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to the BCM X2 (C2) connector and the BAS harness connector, and relearn the brake pedal home position. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Brake shudder and vibration plague this generation Malibu at various mileages. Owners have replaced rotors, pads, and had rotors resurfaced—none of it stuck. One brake system completely failed after the vehicle was parked on an incline with the engine off and key removed; it rolled forward with zero brake response and went off a cliff. Another owner, a police officer pursuing a robbery suspect at 53 mph, reported ABS failure with 80+ feet of uncontrolled skid and no steering response—he was airlifted to the hospital with severe injuries.
Brake lights malfunction in the opposite direction: they illuminate without brake pedal input and turn off when you press the pedal. Cruise control also quits working during these episodes. One owner found the brake control module would temporarily reset when physically manipulated. Multiple owners received recall notifications (campaign 14V252000) for the electrical and brake systems, but dealers couldn't get parts for months.
Some owners experienced uncontrolled lockup of the right front brake only during emergency stops, causing fishtailing and loss of control. One owner discovered a manufacturing defect—a clamp left on the brake line—that caused repeated brake and rotor damage. ABS and traction control failures led to at least one vehicle becoming a total loss.
Same Chevrolet Malibu brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Brake shudder and vibration during braking
Owners report severe shuddering and shaking of the vehicle when brakes are applied at any speed. Multiple owners attempted repairs including rotor replacement and brake pad replacement without resolving the issue. One owner had the rotors resurfaced by a dealer.
When: 90,000 miles on one vehicle; intermittent reports across various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Severe shudder and shake when brakes applied; Vehicle feels like it will come apart; Vibration when brakes applied
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor replacement, brake pad replacement, rotor resurfacing attempted without lasting success
Brake failure and loss of braking capability
Multiple owners experienced complete or partial loss of brake function. One owner parked on an incline with engine off and the vehicle rolled forward with unresponsive brakes, rolling off a cliff. Another owner lost brakes while engaged in police pursuit at 53 mph, with ABS reportedly providing no discernible difference from non-ABS equipped vehicles. One report of brakes not working while cruise control was engaged.
When: Various mileages; one case at low mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of brake response after parking; ABS failure during braking at 53 mph; Brakes did not work while cruise control engaged; Loss of steering control during braking
Codes mentioned: B0561 ABS System Disabled, C0561 System Disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Police vehicle required 80+ feet of skid distance; owner required air lift to hospital with severe injuries
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Two recalls received with no date for correction (narrative #2); recall 130360 mentioned but coverage disputed between dealers
Brake light switch malfunction and illumination without brake engagement
Brake lights illuminate on their own without brake pedal depression and turn off when brake pedal is pressed—the opposite of normal operation. This occurred multiple times while driving. One owner noted physical manipulation of the brake control module temporarily fixes the issue. Another owner reported brake light switch replacement at dealer failed to resolve the problem.
When: 12,000 miles to 97,000 miles; multiple occasions throughout 2020
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights illuminate without brake pedal depression; Brake lights turn off when brakes applied; Cruise control will not function during malfunction; Continuously illuminated brake lights that do not turn off
Repairs/costs cited: Brake light switch replacement attempted; did not resolve issue. Temporary fix by shaking or pushing brake control module in and out
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign related to brake control module (2014 recall mentioned by owner); recall 14V252000 issued for electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, and service brakes
Uncontrolled front wheel lockup during braking
Right front brake locked up during emergency braking, leaving a 4-foot skid mark while other wheels did not skid. Vehicle fishtailed during excessive brake application at 55 mph. Incident recurred multiple times. One crash resulted with driver injuries.
When: 52,000 miles on one vehicle; occurred multiple times over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Right front brake locked up with single skid mark; Vehicle fishtailed during braking; Loss of directional control during braking; Uneven brake application across wheels
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer checked but computer diagnostics showed nothing wrong
ABS and traction control failure
ABS failure caused vehicle to skid out of control. Another owner reported ABS failure codes along with fuel level sensor and other electrical codes. Vehicle became total loss after accident caused by ABS and traction control failure.
When: One case at 50,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS failure during emergency braking; Traction control failure; Vehicle skidded out of control; Service engine light will not reset; Service seat belt warning message
Codes mentioned: P0463 Fuel Level Sensor A Circuit High Input, B0561 ABS System Disabled, C0561 System Disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Owner notes repairs are very expensive
Brake line clamp left on during manufacturing
Dealership inspection found a clamp left on the brake line from manufacturing, which caused severe brake and rotor damage. Owner replaced brakes and rotors three times as a result of this manufacturing defect.
When: 30 days after purchase (purchased May 2006)
Symptoms owners cite: Severe brake damage; Severe rotor damage; Required multiple brake and rotor replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Brake and rotor replacement required 3 times; clamp discovered on brake line. Purchasing dealer would not fully assist with repairs after initial split-cost repair
Recall parts unavailability
Multiple owners received recall notifications (14V252000 and 14V224000) but parts needed for repair were unavailable for months with no specific date provided by dealers. One owner's VIN reportedly had changes made to it as of the NHTSA report date, suggesting possible recall removal or modification.
When: 2014 recall notifications on 2007 vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Parts unavailable for months; Inability to complete recall repairs; Vehicle unable to pass inspection and registration
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes hydraulic, vehicle speed control); Recall 14V224000 (power train)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaigns 14V252000 and 14V224000 issued; however, parts unavailable to complete repairs
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 22,300 and 113,903 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,300; a quarter make it past 113,903. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.