2019 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 178owner reports
- 10,000median miles
- $1,210median quote
- 11involved a crash
Newest report Sep 3, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
178 of the 1,029 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2019 Malibu Hybrid.
Tick what matches of 178 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (38 reports), the pads and rotors (15 reports) and the master cylinder (9 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2019 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.
What owners paid
11 of the 178 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $140 to $2,154.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,800 and 35,800 miles, from the 120 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“IT'S BEEN 3 TIMES I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THE BRAKES AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE DIAGNOSIS THAT RETURNED p25a2 AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR FIXING SOMETHING THAT WENT WRONG SINCE MANUFACTURING MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 6,000 MILES IT SKIDS A LOUD SOUND IS HEARD DOWN AND WHEN I BRAKE FOR A LITTLE MORE AND I CRASH 3 TIMES”
Filed Jul 10, 2024 · 6,000 miles
“Pressed the brake and service ESC/ service Brake Assist/ Check Engine/ ABS/ lights came on. Speed was restricted to 43 mph, speed was restricted to 62 mph. Cruise control was disabled. Brake Pad monitoring system read incorrectly. Took it to dealership for further inspection.”
Filed Oct 25, 2022
“I had to use my brakes hard because someone pulled in front of me. It drove fine for 10 miles afterwards on the interstate. I parked and turned the truck off but when I returned and turned the truck on the dash read ABS , Traction Control, EBS need service or failed as well as 43 miles per hour maximum speed. The power brakes do not work and the truck will not drive more then 43 mph.”
Filed May 5, 2022
“Service Trailer Brake System - warning code is displayed every time the vehicle is started and must be dismissed. This does not allow for safe towing and braking. Social media has displayed numerous other Chevy Trucks with this problem and have stated "cheap wire harness." This needs to be replaced by the manufacture for using cheap materials.”
Filed Oct 27, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 11 of 178 reports involved a crash and 4 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 152 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 144 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 130 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 117 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 101 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 46 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 35 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 30 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 26 reports