2013 Chevrolet Malibu: brake failure

Filed May 19, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · KY

While driving my 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (2.5L), I experienced a sudden and severe failure of the braking system. [Insert exactly what happened here—for example: 'The brake pedal suddenly went completely to the floor,' 'The brakes unexpectedly locked up,' 'The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking power,' or 'The brake warning lights illuminated right as the brakes failed']. This occurred while traveling at approximately 25 mph on a one-lane road. This total/partial loss of braking power created an immediate safety hazard and a high risk of a crash. The vehicle had to be shifted into manual, then safely coasted to a stop. No prior warning signs or brake issues occurred immediately leading up to this event.

Filed Jan 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · KY

The engine light came on, later while driving the car shuts down engine reduced speed, engine power reduced. I have to restart the car and sometimes that dont help. Also the (ABS) light came on service stabilitrak, my anti brakes went out

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MN

There is a recall on the brake booster on the 2014 Malibu manufactured in 2013 my car is a 2013 and I have the same issue.i have had multiple things wrong.I was driving and had no brakes at all I had to push hard and it finally stopped. Hazardous to drive now until fixed.i feel it should be covered as it is the same issue on the 2014

Filed Mar 19, 2024 · Brakes · KY

Brake booster blew out due to a defect in the brake booster vacuum pump causing me to have no brakes.

Filed Nov 12, 2019 · Brakes · 70,000 miles · NY

While driving through a parking lot in farmingville, ny on 11/8/19, as I attempted to come to a stop, the pedal went to the floor and I realized I had just lost my brakes. To make matters worse, I was heading toward a steep downgrade which would have sent my car right into traffic on a busy, 6 lane highway. Thankfully I managed to stop the car beforehand. I find out today that the brake booster in my car failed -- as it has in several 2013 chevrolet malibus. Ive owned the vehicle just going on 7 months now and always keep up with the maintenance. I would like to know why there is not a recall on the 2013 chevrolet malibu for the brake booster -- which I can say, firsthand, is extremely dangerous. So between towing the vehicle and now having to replace this part, im out about $1200. I hope to receive a timely response. Thank you so much! (incident report as told by my daughter, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Sep 23, 2019 · Electrical · 82,452 miles · IN

While driving 385 miles from home the dashboard battery light comes on. We had just replaced the battery 1 month prior to this event. Turned the center screen to the volt meter to watch the car slowly drain the new battery. The voltage would go down, then go up, but never as far as it was before the decline. Pulled the car into a supercenter parking lot and lost all power steering, all power brakes, there was absolutely no warning this was going to happen, thank goodness I got off the freeway. At 80 MPH there would have been no control. We had just enough engine to limp the car into a parking space and avoid getting hit by other cars in this busy parking lot. Bought new battery tester, new battery, and tools to the sum of $250.00 make necessary repairs in parking lot. I had no choice, we were stranded far from home in 97 deg. Heat. Turned north to head home, while watching the car devour a brand new battery. Once again the volt meter from 14.4 volts to 13.5, then back to 14.3 to 13.4 the new battery was going to have a short life. We made it 50 miles on the freeway and the volt meter was down to 11.8 from a new 14.4 when purchased. Turned to the nearest town 35 miles east. Worried the car was going to shut down on a two lane highway traveling at 80 MPH. Hoping the steering would not go out with out warning again. The scariest situation I have ever been in, there was no where for us to go if it did. Made it to a local auto parts store, just to find out that in 85 miles the car had drained the new battery we got a jump start and limped to a local hotel. Once again having to pullout onto a busy highway with no steering, no brakes, and no way home. We called a family member and they set off on the 5 hr drive to come tow us home. We rented a car dolly and pulled our broken car the entire way home. It sits in the drive way as I type this giving no codes for me to follow.

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 89,000 miles · TX

I recently paid my vehicle off and I am experiencing several electrical issues. The emergency brake went out and "service emergency brake light is on". There's no connection. When I hit a pothole in the road while driving, my radio screen blacks out. Then I can hit another bump and it comes back on. When I park, my ignition does not release my key. I have to turn the steering wheel several times and put it in drive then back in park several times to get the key to release. After doing this several times my key broke off in the ignition and I was stranded and had to walk home over two miles. Has anyone else complained of these issues with the 2013 malibu? I couldn't pass my recent safety inspection due to the brake issue and I was inconvenienced again as a result of these issues.

Filed May 16, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 9,000 miles · MI

I was driving my son to work and I lost all power to my vehicle. I had no brakes, power steering and my engine light came on and battery light came on as well. I managed not get in a accident and get into a parking lot. Thank god. My backlights have had issues as well they have stayed on and have cuased me to get pulled over by the police.