2017 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

71owner reports
59,555median miles
$1,134median quote
3involved a crash

Newest report Aug 15, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

71 of the 701 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

Tick what matches of 71 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 (7 reports) and the pads and rotors (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2017 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 2017 model year.

What owners paid

7 of the 71 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $700 to $4,000.

$700$1,134$4,000

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

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 40,000 and 72,365 miles, from the 27 reports that gave a mileage.

418

1019

620

1021

1222

823

524

1125

526

What owners wrote

“Driving down highway slowed down brake assist kicked in for no reason I was stuck in traffic not moving but maybe 2 mph brakes locked up got super hard codes read brake booster and vacuum pump. Screen went black âparking assist offâ came on dashboard earlier that morning but nothing seemed to be wrong with the car. Thank God I wasnât going faster I could have died!”
Filed Jan 19, 2023

“My vehicle has become harder to bake almost to the point that the brake doesnât work took my car to have it accessed and was told my brake booster is damaged and causing my car to barely brake it is extremely dangerous can cause harm to myself or my family”
Filed Oct 20, 2022

“Vacuum pump has stopped working properly causing it very difficult to brake. Autostop feature has stopped working properly due to this problem. This is the second time I have had issues with the vacuum pump.”
Filed Jul 25, 2022

“Component: Vacuum pump, booster which caused engine damage (cam shaft) Safety: Unable to stop which could cause a collision Confirmation: Chevrolet dealer confirmed the booster caused the vacuum pump to fail which also caused engine damage Inspection: GEICO is sending an inspector and Chevrolet also confirmed damage Warning Lights: No warning lights,”
Filed Jun 8, 2022 · 92,989 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 3 of 71 reports involved a crash and 2 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.