YearToAvoid

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 114 brake complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 14% of that year's 835 total complaints. Median mileage at failure is 72,000 miles. No brake-specific recall is tied to this year.

Brakes complaints
114
14% of 835
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
72,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake booster reportedly failed multiple times, causing a loss of stopping power while braking at a stop light.
  • Brake pedal stuck down after release, keeping brake lights illuminated until the pedal was manually lifted.
  • Owners describe brakes grinding during normal stops.
  • Some drivers reported sudden loss of power, power steering, and braking ability at highway speeds, accompanied by warning lights.
  • Brake assist reportedly engaged on its own, forcing the driver to press harder on the accelerator to maintain speed.
  • In humid conditions, some owners said the brake pedal would not rise back up and brakes seemed to seize, producing a burning smell from the tires.

When 2013 Chevrolet Malibu brake complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 30, 2012, latest May 19, 2026.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter102012 Q32015 Q22016 Q42018 Q12019 Q22020 Q32023 Q12025 Q3
114 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2016 Q4 (10).

Brakes recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010367 (27%)
  2. 2011209 (21%)
  3. 2012186 (21%)
  4. 2013114 (14%)
  5. 201464 (18%)
  6. 201528 (10%)
  7. 2016166 (20%)
  8. 2017120 (17%)
  9. 201886 (12%)
  10. 201928 (15%)
  11. 202051 (26%)
  12. 20212 (2%)
  13. 20226 (6%)
  14. 20233 (4%)
  15. 20242 (5%)
  16. 20251 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 114 brake-related complaints for the 2013 Malibu, which is 14% of the 835 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
No related recalls are listed for the brake system on the 2013 Malibu in NHTSA data.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2013 Malibu?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for brake complaints on this year is 72,000 miles.
Did the 2013 Malibu brake issues cause crashes?
NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 0 fires linked to brake complaints for the 2013 Malibu, with no reported injuries.
How does the 2013 Malibu compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2013 Malibu's 14% share of complaints tied to brakes is lower than the 2010 model (27%) and 2020 model (26%), but higher than the 2015 model (10%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.