2016 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

102owner reports
64,000median miles
$2,500median quote
11involved a crash

Newest report Jun 22, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

102 of the 836 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

Tick what matches of 102 reports

grinding or squealing

pulsing or shaking when braking

pedal goes soft or to the floor

pads or rotors replaced early

a brake warning light

the car did not stop in time

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the booster (16 reports), the ABS module (12 reports) and the pads and rotors (6 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Malibu

EA86-006opened Nov 27, 1985

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 1978 to 1981

Brake backing plate. Closed nov 28, 1988.

NHTSA summary

SUMMARY:GM IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN (85V-048)INVOLVING 2,136,826 VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS LIMITED TO VEHICLES BUILT ATCERTAIN ASSEMBLY PLANTS WHICH, ACCORDING TO GM, OVERTORQUED THE BRAKEPIPE NUT,THEREBY OVERSTRESSING THE WHEEL CYLINDER SUPPORT AREA OF THEBACKING PLATE.ANALYSIS:FRONT BRAKES PROVIDE SUFFICIENT BRAKING FOR PASSENGER CARSIN MOST NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. ALL AFFECTED TRUCKS ARE INCLUDED INTHE CURRENT RECALL.IN MOST CASES THE PROBLEM IS DISCOVERED DURING BRAKEMAINTENANCE.THE RECALL APPEARS TO COVER THOSE GROUPS OF CARS WITH THEHIGHEST FAILURE RATES.STATUS:ANALYZING GM IR RESPONSE AND NEW COMPLAINT DATA. DRAFT CLOSINGREPORT BY 5/15/88.===

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

9 of the 102 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $700 to $4,500.

$700$2,500$4,500

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 29,000 and 93,000 miles, from the 59 reports that gave a mileage.

115

416

517

818

2319

1120

921

722

1423

1024

725

326

What owners wrote

“I am having to replace the VACUUM PUMP for the second time. Each time the pump breaks it spreads contaminants inside the camshaft compartment causing further issues. This is a common problem according to the many complaints I've seen on auto sites. This should be a recall.”
Filed Sep 14, 2024

“The electrical chip in my EBCM has a malfunction and the brakes will grab and grind at random times. Also at the time electronic stability control will mess up increasing the risk of a crash. Other malibu vehicles with the same year have had a recall on these parts. Mine however was not included but has the same malfunctioning part.”
Filed Aug 8, 2024

“Brake Booster vacuum pump failed and pieces broke off in the engine.. it failed in the middle of driving with my [XXX] daughter.. the brakes padel was hard and was hard to stop.. could have caused a real bad accident even caused death if happened while driving.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
Filed Jul 26, 2024

“Brake booster vacuum pump failed and pieces of the pump broke off and in the engine..”
Filed Jul 19, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 11 of 102 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.