This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 40 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 79,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Malibu | 14 |
| 2015 Malibu | 6 |
| 2016 Malibu | 54 |
| 2017 Malibu | 40 |
| 2018 Malibu (this page) | 40 |
| 2019 Malibu | 15 |
| 2020 Malibu | 26 |
5crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 40 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.
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 bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides diagnostic/repair information to correct customer concerns of a Crank No Start or Extended Crank, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated or Possible Increased Brake Pedal Effort.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The brake vacuum pump on the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu 1.5L fails repeatedly and without warning. Owners report the camshaft-driven pump shattering mid-drive, robbing the brake booster of vacuum and making the brake pedal rock-hard or completely inoperable. When it breaks apart, metal fragments scatter into the engine block, oil system, and valve cover, turning a $500 part replacement into a $2,000–$3,500+ repair bill that includes fluid flushes, camshaft inspection, and sometimes full engine replacement.
The failure pattern is brutal: brake pedal goes stiff on the highway; Engine Power Reduced message lights up; vehicle limps or stalls; owner has to use all body weight to barely slow the car, triggering collisions in some cases. Worse, the problem recurs. One owner replaced the pump four times in 2.5 years. Another had it fail, get fixed, then fail again eight months later—the second time destroying the camshaft badly enough to require engine replacement.
No warning lights alert drivers before the pump gives way. Dealership repairs sometimes fail to resolve electrical symptoms (shift-to-park messages, limp mode). GM's PIP5835 bulletin documents the issue on 1.5L engines across 2016–2022 model years; the 2017 has a recall but the 2018 doesn't, despite having the identical engine. Goodwill assistance is reportedly denied even when customers cite the technical bulletin.
Same Chevrolet Malibu brakes reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Vacuum pump failure causing brake booster loss
The camshaft-driven vacuum pump fails or shatters, eliminating vacuum supply to the brake booster. The brake pedal becomes extremely stiff and requires excessive force to depress or becomes inoperable. Loss of braking assist creates immediate safety hazard.
When: Failures reported across 15,000 to 180,000 miles, with clustering in 50,000–130,000 mile range
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes very stiff or rock-hard; Brake pedal travels to floorboard with excessive pressure; Loss of braking ability or severely reduced stopping power; Engine Power Reduced message displayed; Vehicle enters limp mode or fails to accelerate; No warning lights prior to failure in many cases
Codes mentioned: P0365 (camshaft position sensor), P1101 (vacuum pump code cited in recurring failures)
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement $500–$2,106 reported; owners cite metal debris in engine requiring fluid flushes (oil, coolant, transmission fluid) and camshaft/crankshaft/valve cover inspection or replacement. Estimated total repairs: $2,106–$3,536.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: PIP5835 TSB documented for 2016–2022 Malibu 1.5L LFV engine; NHTSA Campaign 18V576000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 19V642000 (Electrical/Fuel/Engine) referenced in narratives; goodwill assistance reportedly denied despite known defect; mileage-based coverage denials reported.
Vacuum pump disintegration causing camshaft and engine damage
Vacuum pump internal failure results in shattering or fragmentation. Metal pieces disperse into engine block, oil lines, valve cover, intake/exhaust camshafts, reluctor, and crankshaft. Secondary damage cascades, requiring engine replacement or major component overhaul.
When: Multiple occurrences reported at 83,000–120,000 miles; recurrence in same vehicle at 8-month intervals documented
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding or loud knocking/banging noise under hood; Metal debris visible in oil and coolant; Engine stalls or fails to restart; Check engine light illuminates; Reluctor slip causing ECM shutdown; Loss of brake function concurrent with engine damage
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (cause codes not always specified in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported vacuum pump failure recurred twice, second failure requiring full engine replacement after metal fragments destroyed camshaft and reluctor. Parts replacement: valve cover gasket, camshaft, crankshaft inspection, oil and coolant system flush, transmission fluid replacement. Costs escalate rapidly; engine replacement cited in escalated failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No factory protection or housing documented to contain vacuum pump debris. Owner notes 2017 model has recall for same issue but 2018 does not, despite identical powertrain.
Recurring vacuum pump failure in same vehicle
Vehicle experiences multiple vacuum pump failures within short intervals (2–8 months apart). Repeated replacement does not resolve underlying defect; subsequent failures occur with same severity.
When: Documented at multiple intervals spanning 2.5 years; recurrence after engine replacement also reported
Symptoms owners cite: Brake booster loss recurring after pump replacement; Hard brakes returning within 2 months of repair; Engine Power Reduced message recurring; Check engine light (P1101 code) cycling on and off; MAF sensor fault codes concurrent with pump codes
Codes mentioned: P1101 (vacuum pump code)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced vacuum pump 4 times; another experienced failure at 8 months post-repair and again after engine replacement. Cost per replacement $500 each; cumulative out-of-pocket burden substantial. Part availability delays reported (camshaft sensor not in stock).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No design change, supplemental parts, or preventive program mentioned; warranty coverage reportedly exhausted on repeat failures.
Brake pedal stiffness with electrical limp mode or shift-to-park message
Brake pedal becomes stiff or inoperable concurrent with electrical faults: Engine Power Reduced, limp mode, Shift to Park messages, and dashboard light cascades. Vehicle may fail to shift or restart. Cause unclear in some narratives but vacuum pump failure confirmed in others.
When: At 18,000–130,000 miles; one case at 18,000 miles very early failure
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal stiff or hard to depress; Shift to Park warning message persists despite vehicle in Park; Engine Power Reduced and StabiliTrack lights illuminate; Vehicle fails to start or restart; Brake pedal lubrication attempted but failure recurs; Chemical or hot-brake smell detected; Gear shift becomes unresponsive or unlit
Codes mentioned: Shift to Park (electrical fault indication)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis initially blamed brake pedal lubrication; repair attempt with lubrication failed. Subsequent diagnosis identified brake pump system fault. One case involved brake pump system replacement but chemical odor and Shift to Park message persisted; vehicle left unrepaired at dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership repair attempt (brake pump system replacement) unsuccessful; vehicle remained at dealer.
Loss of brakes during active driving resulting in collision
Complete brake failure during driving—pedal becomes inoperable or unresponsive—resulting in crash into other vehicle or fixed object. Air bags deploy; occupants sustain injuries.
When: Failures at 15,000–75,000 miles; rapid onset during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal failure without warning light; Vehicle fails to decelerate or stop despite pedal application; Collision with other vehicle or fixed structure; Air bag deployment; Occupant injury (fractures, whiplash, seat belt injuries)
Codes mentioned: No codes reported prior to collision; post-collision diagnosis identified vacuum pump or engine vacuum failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not repaired post-collision (declared total loss or pending diagnosis). One owner sustained fractured foot and whiplash; another occupant sustained pelvic and seat belt injuries.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case referenced prior repair under NHTSA Campaign 18V576000; failure recurred despite prior recall service.
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Antilock Braking System
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 40 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 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 37,000 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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/2018/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.