YearToAvoid

2019 Chevrolet Malibu Brakes Problems

NHTSA logged 28 brake complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 15% of its 190 total complaints for the year. Owners report brake failure, loss of stopping power, and hard or locked pedals, with a median failure mileage of 64,227. No brake-related recall is on file.

Brakes complaints
28
15% of 190
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
64,228 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal suddenly locks up or becomes extremely hard to press, increasing stopping distance.
  • Pedal is depressed fully to the floor but the vehicle fails to stop as intended.
  • Steering wheel shakes or pulls to one side when brakes are applied, sometimes tied to loose lug nuts.
  • Grinding noise from the front wheels accompanies a stiff or unresponsive brake pedal.
  • Brakes become unusually tight or hard right after the engine momentarily shuts off and restarts.
  • Some drivers had to shift to low gear and use the parking brake to slow down after pedal failure.

When 2019 Chevrolet Malibu brake complaints were filed

First complaint May 13, 2020, latest Sep 16, 2026.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2020Jun 2022Nov 2022Mar 2023Sep 2023Aug 2024May 2025Jun 2026
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2022 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2019 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 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 28 brake complaints for the 2019 Malibu, which is 15% of the 190 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for brakes on the 2019 Malibu.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2019 Malibu?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2019 Malibu is 64,227 miles.
Did the 2019 Malibu brake problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this brake complaint set shows 3 crashes and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.
What do owners describe as the main brake symptom on the 2019 Malibu?
Owners most often describe a hard or locked brake pedal and reduced stopping power, sometimes needing the parking brake or low gear to stop the car.

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.