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 ↗2019 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Malibu | 6 |
| 2016 Malibu | 54 |
| 2017 Malibu | 40 |
| 2018 Malibu | 40 |
| 2019 Malibu (this page) | 15 |
| 2020 Malibu | 26 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 15 brakes complaints filed for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
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.
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
Owners of 2019 Chevrolet Malibus consistently report brake vacuum pump failures between 60,000 and 95,000 miles. The pump either slowly degrades, making the brake pedal stiff and hard to depress, or fails suddenly without warning, leaving the vehicle with no braking power. In several cases, owners had to coast into ditches or use the parking brake and gear shifting to stop the car when the brakes became completely unresponsive.
The most severe complaints involve the pump rupturing or exploding internally, sending shards into the engine and damaging the camshaft, timing chain, and crankshaft. When this happens, the vehicle loses power, stalls, and won't restart. Dealerships have quoted engine replacements costing around $5,000, along with the $1,700 vacuum pump replacement. One mechanic told an owner the pump itself is defective and has no reliable aftermarket alternative, and that the failure could happen again.
Multiple owners report fault codes P0556 (brake booster pressure sensor), P0014, and P0017. Chevrolet has issued TSB #21-NA-268 for this problem on 1.5L engines, but owners say the manufacturer provided no assistance, claimed their VINs weren't covered by recalls, and denied warranty help despite having stated bumper-to-bumper coverage. A handful of owners also report rear caliper sticking issues that recur within weeks, with GM claiming calipers are wearable parts outside warranty scope.
Same Chevrolet Malibu brakes reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Brake vacuum pump failure with hard pedal
Brake vacuum pump malfunctions causing brake pedal to become stiff and difficult to depress, reducing braking effectiveness. Multiple owners report the pump either fails completely or begins to degrade, leading to loss of power assist and requiring full force on the pedal to slow the vehicle.
When: Between 60,000 and 95,000 miles; typically sudden onset without warning
Symptoms owners cite: Stiff, hard-to-depress brake pedal; Reduced braking effectiveness; Vehicle fails to stop immediately when braking; Increased stopping distance; No prior warning lights in some cases; Check engine light may illuminate
Codes mentioned: P0556 (Brake Booster Pressure Sensor failure), P0014, P0017
Repairs/costs cited: Brake vacuum pump replacement required; costs not specified in most narratives. One owner reports $1,700 for pump and camshaft replacement after failure damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet TSB #21-NA-268 documents this issue for 1.5L engines. Manufacturer was contacted by multiple owners but provided no assistance; one owner noted VIN not included in recall; warranty claims for caliper issues denied despite bumper-to-bumper coverage claimed.
Brake vacuum pump catastrophic failure with engine damage
Brake vacuum pump ruptures or fails explosively, with shards or fragments damaging internal engine components including camshaft, timing chain, and crankshaft. This secondary damage renders the engine inoperable and often requires complete engine replacement.
When: 60,000 to 87,370 miles; sudden, during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine Power Reduced message displayed on instrument panel; Hard brake pedal; Loss of braking ability; Engine loses power and stalls; Vehicle will not restart; Loss of motive power
Codes mentioned: P0556 (Brake Booster Pressure Sensor failure), P0014, P0017
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement: $1,700 reported. Engine replacement: $5,000 reported in one case. Another owner reports dealership quoted new engine due to loss of cylinder compression and timing chain damage from pump fragment debris.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted in multiple cases; no financial assistance offered. Chevrolet TSB #21-NA-268 documents this as known issue for 1.5L engines but customers report their VINs not covered by recall.
Brake booster pump failure without restart capability
Brake booster pump malfunction causes immediate brake system failure during driving. Vehicle loses braking ability and, in some cases, loses the ability to restart after being shut off or stalling.
When: 63,455 miles and other mileages between 60,000-95,000; sudden failure
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed to floorboard with no braking response; Complete loss of braking power; Vehicle coasts to stop; Engine stalls and will not restart; No warning lights prior to failure in some cases
Codes mentioned: Brake booster back-up pump failure code (specific code not detailed), P0556
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in reported cases. Owner states brake booster pump replacement needed but repair not completed or costs not cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no assistance provided. One owner noted vehicle VIN was not included in recall despite reference to unknown recall.
Rear caliper hang-up and sticking
Rear brake calipers stick or hang up, causing dragging and hard braking. Issue recurs after previous repair or has repeated multiple times within short intervals.
When: Multiple occurrences within weeks to months; frequency suggests design or material issue rather than wear
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes become hard to depress; Rear calipers stick or hang up; Repeated failures within short timeframes
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in narrative; scheduled for oil change visit. Owner disputes GM claim that calipers are a wearable part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Corporation claims calipers are wearable parts not covered under bumper-to-bumper warranty; customer reports being given run-around on warranty coverage questions.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and slowing for a traffic signal, the brake pedal was stiff and could not be depressed. The contact stated he heard a grinding noise coming from the front tires. The contact stated that he was able to slow the vehicle by shifting to low(L) and using the parking brake. The contact stated that the check…
Had brakes trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 73,932 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2019/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.