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2012 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

severe 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →

Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
2injuries

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had brakes trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?

It's a meaningful issue. 24 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 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 6,000 and 52,300 miles, with the median around 22,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,000; a quarter make it past 52,300. 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/2012/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.
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