The reluctor ring which sends the signal to the abs and stability control system has delaminated from the wheel bearing to which it is attached. First it happened on the right rear wheel and necessitated replacement of the wheel bearing because the abs system is non functional. Now it has happened in the right front wheel. The abs and stability control are non functioning until I replace the…
2013 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems
moderate 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Malibu has serious brake system defects including power booster failures that can leave you with no brakes at highway speeds, brake pedals that stick in warm weather requiring manual pulling, and brake assist that engages on its own without warning. Multiple failures are common, and some owners hit the problem multiple times within a few years.
Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu consistently describe brake system failures that start early and recur repeatedly. The most critical issue is power brake booster failure—owners lose braking assist entirely, with brake pedals going to the floor and requiring massive force to stop. Several owners have experienced booster failures multiple times, sometimes within months of each other. One owner lost brakes at 65 mph on a highway; another at 50 mph; a third booster failed for the third time within 18 months.
Brake pedal sticking is a seasonal problem tied to warm weather. The pedal stays depressed after braking, forcing drivers to manually pull it up with their foot to release the brakes. This causes brake lights to stay on, sluggish acceleration, and rapid uncontrolled deceleration. One owner reported this recurring every year for three consecutive summers despite dealership repairs including brake pedal assembly replacement.
Brake assist engages on its own without driver input, causing severe vibration, steering wheel shimmy, and sudden stops. Several owners report the vehicle becoming unsafe. One owner mentioned hissing sounds from the pedal and a burning smell. Some also cite fluid leaks from the vacuum pump and premature wear of brake pedal pivot bushings. Rear calipers fail prematurely and repeatedly. ABS reluctor rings delaminate at the wheel bearing, disabling ABS and stability control systems.
Same Chevrolet Malibu brakes reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake booster failure
Power brake booster loses vacuum and becomes inoperable, resulting in loss of braking assist or complete brake failure. Multiple owners report the booster failing multiple times or repeatedly within months or years.
When: Various mileages from 35,600 to 91,000 miles; most commonly reported within 5-7 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Hard brake pedal requiring excessive force to stop the vehicle; Loss of braking power or complete brake failure; Hissing noise from brake pedal area when depressed; Pedal goes to the floor with minimal resistance; Inability to stop vehicle or dramatically increased stopping distance; Booster fails multiple times in short intervals (3 months to 2 years apart)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement; cost reported as $529 to $1,200 total (including towing); one owner cited $70 rebate from manufacturer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported a recall on the part existed from 2013 but was never applied to their vehicle; dealer refused to perform warranty replacement; manufacturer offered $70 rebate in one case
Brake pedal sticking and not releasing
Brake pedal remains depressed after braking or fails to return to the up position naturally, causing brakes to remain engaged. The problem is temperature-dependent, occurring primarily in warm or hot weather conditions.
When: Occurring seasonally in warm/hot weather (80+ degrees); first reported as early as a few months after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sticks down and will not return up on its own; Requires manual pulling of pedal with foot to release brakes; Brake lights remain on after car is turned off; Vehicle slugs down or loses acceleration power while brakes remain applied; Rapid deceleration if accelerator is released; Problem recurs annually during warm months; Brake lights stay illuminated even with car off and key removed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships have replaced brake pedal pivot bushing, brake pedal arm, side retainers, and brake pedal position (BPP) sensor and retainer; parts cost approximately $70 with labor totaling approximately $1,300 in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty covered repairs in at least one case; problem persists after multiple repairs even after initial relief from symptoms for one year
Brake assist system engages on its own
Brake assist activates without operator input, causing sudden braking force that reduces acceleration power and can trigger multiple wheel vibrations and steering wheel shimmy.
When: Reported in 2015; occurring intermittently while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake assist engages spontaneously without driver pressing brake pedal; Loss of accelerating power and need for increased throttle force; Car comes to rapid complete stop if accelerator is released; Severe vibrations from all four wheels; Loud disturbing noise from wheels; Steering wheel vibrates back and forth; Vehicle becomes unsafe to operate
Codes mentioned: 71-1466326393
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repairs attempted twice but problem persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Customer Care Center contacted; case number 71-1466326393 assigned; no resolution documented
Brake fluid leak from vacuum pump
Brake fluid leaks out of the vacuum pump assembly, causing loss of fluid and braking performance degradation.
When: At approximately 91,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal hesitates to respond when depressed at highway speed (65 MPH); Stopping distance delay; Burning odor from brakes; Brake fluid spilled over vacuum pump under hood; Fluid immediately leaks out after being added to vacuum pump
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired; fluid leak documented but not serviced
Brake pedal position sensor malfunction
Brake pedal position sensor becomes loose or fails, causing erratic pedal position signals and resulting in improper brake engagement and release.
When: Multiple occurrences; one owner reported it starting seasonally after initial repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Erratic brake pedal positioning; Brakes not operating properly; Brake control inconsistency
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pedal position sensor and retainer replaced at dealership; symptoms subsided initially but recurred in subsequent summer
ABS reluctor ring delamination
Magnetic reluctor ring attached to wheel bearing delaminates and separates, disabling the ABS and stability control systems.
When: Reported at 9 years of ownership; initially right rear wheel, then right front wheel
Symptoms owners cite: ABS system non-functional; Stability control system non-functional; No warning until reluctor ring fails
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel bearing replacement required due to non-functional ABS system; reluctor ring delamination not separately repairable
Electronic parking brake and rear caliper failures
Rear calipers fail prematurely and repeatedly; electronic parking brake actuator stops working, displaying 'service parking brakes' warning.
When: Multiple failures; out of warranty when latest failure occurred
Symptoms owners cite: Service parking brakes warning light illuminated; Electronic parking brake actuator non-functional; Rear calipers fail repeatedly
Repairs/costs cited: Parking brake cables replaced; two rear calipers replaced under warranty; dealer attributed later failure to corrosion of actuator assembly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under warranty for calipers; out of warranty repairs denied
Rear hub sensor failure
Right rear hub sensor fails, causing ABS and traction control systems to malfunction.
When: At 49,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light illuminated; ABS light illuminated on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Right rear hub sensor replacement; cost $390
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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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 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 35,616 and 83,000 miles, with the median around 50,860. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,616; a quarter make it past 83,000. 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/2013/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.