While driving on 12/28/2022, my brakes suddenly became very difficult to apply pressure- almost causing a cramp in my calf because I had to press down so hard. Took the car to a repair shop, only for them to tell me my brake pads are fine. It turns out the problem is with the vacuum pump associated with that part of the car. Looked online to see if this was a common problem and as it turns out,…
2017 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems
severe 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 38 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 2017 Chevrolet Malibu has a well-documented vacuum pump and brake booster defect that can cause sudden brake failure at highway speeds, leaving owners unable to stop or slow the vehicle. Multiple owners report the pump breaking apart inside the engine, causing secondary engine damage, repeated failures, and repair costs exceeding $3,000; Chevrolet has not issued a recall despite a filed class action lawsuit and clear safety risk.
The 2017 Malibu brake complaints center on a vacuum pump defect that kills brake assist without warning. Owners describe the brake pedal becoming a brick wall—some need both feet to press it down—and several report losing all stopping power at freeway speeds (65 MPH and above). The pump fails by breaking apart internally; fragments enter the engine, cracking the camshaft and forcing replacement of multiple seals. Repair bills run $900 to $3,410, with many owners citing secondary engine damage that wasn't apparent until the shop dug in.
The pattern is repeated failures: one owner replaced the pump twice and booster three times in a short period. Another reports the pump freezing and tearing apart, scattering pieces throughout the engine. Multiple owners cite a class action lawsuit already filed against GM for this defect in 2016–2018 Malibu models.
Brake failure occurs without warning lights in many cases—the pedal just goes hard or quits working. A few owners describe the related "Reduce Engine Power" limp mode kicking in during braking, compounding the hazard. One collision resulted from unintended acceleration when brakes were applied; injuries required hospitalization.
Owners report dealerships initially denying the problem, some service advisors later acknowledging it's widespread and saying GM should cover it at no cost. Follow-up has been inconsistent. No recall has been issued despite the clear safety risk.
Same Chevrolet Malibu brakes reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
The brake vacuum pump fails or becomes defective, eliminating vacuum assist to the brake booster and rendering the brakes extremely hard to depress or non-functional. Owners report the pump breaking apart internally, with fragments entering the engine and damaging the camshaft and seals. Multiple owners report repeated failures requiring replacement several times.
When: Varies; reported between 50,000 and 121,000 miles. Some owners experience failures multiple times on the same vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes extremely stiff and difficult to push; Brakes fail to engage when pedal is depressed; Loss of braking power at highway speeds (40–80 MPH documented); Brake pedal pulses or feels spongy; Hard grinding noise from brakes; Check engine light illuminates; Engine damage visible (cracked camshaft, broken internal pump components)
Codes mentioned: P0556 (Brake Pressure Sensor), Brake booster pressure sensor codes, ABS fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite costs of $908–$3,410 for vacuum pump replacement, brake fluid exchange, ABS service, and secondary engine/seal repairs caused by pump failure. One owner reported being quoted $1,134 initially but charged $3,410 total due to extensive secondary damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners report GM denying coverage initially and refusing to issue recall. Multiple owners mention a class action lawsuit filed against GM for this defect in 2016–2018 Malibu models. Some dealership service advisors acknowledged the issue is widespread and stated GM would cover repairs, but follow-up was inconsistent or denied.
Hard Brake Pedal / Loss of Brake Assist (Brake Booster Failure)
The brake booster loses function, whether due to vacuum pump failure or independent booster defect, causing the pedal to become rigid and the vehicle to stop with extreme difficulty or not at all. Owners report needing to press with all their strength, sometimes nearly standing on the pedal.
When: Occurs across a range of mileages, sometimes triggered during specific driving conditions (highway driving, freeway exit, parking lot entry).
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes rigid and will not compress easily; Extreme force required to depress brake pedal; Vehicle decelerates slowly or not at all when brakes applied; Brake pedal travels to the floor without slowing the vehicle; Brakes lock up despite pedal pressure
Codes mentioned: Brake booster pressure sensor fault, P0556
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced as part of vacuum pump repair or standalone booster replacement. One owner reported replacing the booster three times and the pump twice within a short service history.
Engine Stalling / Reduced Engine Power (Related to Brake System Failure)
Vehicle experiences unintended deceleration, power loss, or stalling, sometimes triggered during braking events or co-occurring with vacuum pump failure. Owners report 'Reduce Engine Power' messages and inability to maintain speed. One owner notes the vehicle shuts off during auto-stop cycling.
When: Reported at highway speeds (40–65 MPH); also occurs during low-speed driving and at traffic lights.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly decelerates from highway speed (60+ MPH) to 20–40 MPH; Engine stalling while driving or at traffic lights; 'Reduce Engine Power' warning illuminated on dashboard; Check engine light on; Vehicle fails to restart or restarts intermittently; Loss of power during auto-stop cycling
Codes mentioned: ABS fault, Powertrain fault, Throttle sensor fault
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners report this issue is known to GM; one owner states they previously had the 'reduced power' problem fixed by a GM mechanic but never received a recall notice.
Unintended Acceleration During Braking
Vehicle accelerates forward when the brake pedal is depressed, creating an immediate collision risk. One owner report describes the vehicle accelerating despite brake application, resulting in a crash with injuries.
When: Reported at undisclosed and highway speeds.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates forward when brake pedal pressed; Brake pedal depression does not slow or stop the vehicle; Collision or near-collision results
Repairs/costs cited: One collision resulted in two vehicles being totaled and hospital treatment for whiplash injuries.
Brake Lights Inoperative
Rear brake lights fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed, creating a visibility hazard to drivers behind.
When: Reported at approximately 50,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake lights do not illuminate when pedal depressed
Repairs/costs cited: Brake light bulbs or wiring replaced at dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed VIN not included in recall.
Brake Pedal Pulsing / Spongy Feel
Brake pedal pulses or feels spongy and does not fully compress. ABS faults are detected. Issue resolves or improves briefly during the initial stop but recurs.
When: Occurs during low-speed driving (pulling out of driveway, parking lot entry).
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pulses when depressed; Pedal does not fully compress; ABS fault detected and logged (OnStar notification received); Issue intermittent—sometimes does not occur at posted speed limits
Codes mentioned: ABS fault
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denied knowledge of the problem and refused to cover repairs; owner received standard response that a recall would be issued if needed.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while pulling into a gas station the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The contact stated that she was informed to top off the fuel and the vehicle was able to restart and drive with no further issues. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart several hours later. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or…
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 38 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 47,000 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 85,000. 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/2017/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.