2017 Chevrolet Malibu: brake failure

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Brakes · IL

I have a 2017 Chevy Malibu 2.0 T. The incident involved the braking system. I was driving and as traffic came to a stop, I pressed the brake to stop and my brakes gave out. I immediately lifted my foot and press extremely hard on my brake pedal and was able to stop though the stopping distance was much further and nearly caused an accident. I have now taken the vehicle to a Chevy certified dealer and it has been identified as a brake vacuum pump failure. GM has had many issues with the brake vacuum pump across many of its models.

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Brakes · MS

the brakes failed the vacuum pump went work while driving the car

Filed Aug 7, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · MO

On Thursday, [XXX] my [XXX] son was driving my chevy malibu coming down the hill to get home when the brakes went out. He could not stop the vehicle and had to pass our neighborhood and let the vehicle slow itself down. He was able to get stopped and turned around and made it home. Saturday, [XXX] we decided maybe it needed new brakes and took it for new brakes. New brakes and rotors all the way around did NOT fix the problem. The brake was like hitting a brick and would not stop the vehicle. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and they found that the vacuum system for the brakes went out. He also noticed that cam shaft was cracked. Upon research through the internet I found that this problem is common and a class action suit has been filed against GM for the same problem. I am unsure why this is not a recall as its a safety issue and my son could have been injured or injured someone else. This has been an EXTREMELY expensive repair for us! When they went to replace the cam shaft there were several parts of the cam shaft just blown all over the engine. We still have not found all of the missing parts. This has caused most of the seals to have to be replaced as well. I do not have a repair receipt yet as the vehicle is still in the shop INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 16, 2023 · Brakes · MI

Brake failure, turning into my parents driveway I had to swerve to miss a truck and drove in the yard because of it. It has been diagnosed a faulty brake vacuum pump that caused this failure. I am getting it looked at by a mechanic of Friday and hope that this issue didn't cause further problems with the engine/camshaft. From doing research it seems that many other people have experienced the same issue with the same year vehicle (2017 Chevrolet Malibu). I have also in the past had to get my car fixed by a GM mechanic for the issue of the car giving the "reduced power mode" and basically shutting off while driving down the street. That has now been fixed but was also an issue GM was aware of but I never received a letter or anything about the issue or that there was a recall on it.

Filed Jun 26, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · FL

This vehicle has been in the shop multiple times for the vacuum pump brakes to be replaced by the dealership. This is the 3rd time that the time the car will be taken to the dealership for the car to have the vacuum pump replaced, due to almost being in a major accident the 2nd time in the middle of a 4 way intersection because the brakes went out and the vehicle had to be towed. The brakes continues to lock up and is a danger to our safety. This car has been reported to General Motors to made as a recall. This car is consider a LEMON at this point and I would like for someone to contact me at [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Brakes · MD

While pulling out of my driveway in my 2017 Chevy Malibu, my brake pedal pulsed a few times and the pedal would not fully compress. Granted, I was barely moving but the issue made be very nervous. By the time I reached my stop sign, approximately 100ft, the brakes worked normally. This same issue has happened at least a dozen times and, thank fully, never while I was driving at posted speed limits. My OnStar has sent me email notifications acknowledging an ABS issue was detected. After the 3rd time this incident occurred, I did some research and found quite a few owners experiencing this exact issue and some whose brakes failed while driving at speed causing accidents! I have complained to GM, but they are sticking to not knowing anything about this problem and not covering any portion of the repairs. I got the standard canned response that GM will notify owners if and/or when a recall is issued. I am hopeful additional owners will complain so GM has to do something about this.

Filed Jul 15, 2021 · Brakes · 70,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed going downhill, the brakes failed to engage when the brake pedal was depressed, almost causing a collision. The vehicle struck a curb however, the driver was able to maneuver the steering wheel to go uphill and park the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact to not take the vehicle in for diagnosis. The dealer instead referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that he would be contacted after reviewing the information that was provided. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed May 11, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 72,365 miles · CA

This is my second complaint and possibly the last, in my first complaint I reported the problem with the car after showing a stability track warning light then slowing to a 20 MPH velocity in a snow storm , then my adventure with the vacuum pump shattering , thus no vacuum, no brakes, on the highway going 70 MPH. After that scare , it had a crank no start problem. That's where I ended my first complaint . Part 2, I collected my stimulus money and had my 2017 chevy malibu ls towed to a chevy dealership. After the service manager asked me for the spare fob, I asked him could that be the problem the batteries went low and the fob keys had to be re-programed. He stated probably, I went home hoping it would be something minor. 3 weeks later I get a call from the service manager that he wanted to go through the diagnostic inspection results with me, I ask him was it something minor, he said we haven't been able to work on the crank, no start problem cause you have low compression on one of you engine cylinders you need a new engine, that's not minor 72,365 miles, new engine , estimate $8,224.80. Still paying the bank for it..this generation malibu's are not even close to good. I own a 1994 chevrolet silverado with 135,000 miles bought it brand new, runs great, the cost cutting is being sacrificed for quality, and us consumers are getting the low end.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · CA

When exiting off the freeway traveling approximately 65 MPH the brakes failed to stop the car. Brake pedal became solid making it impossible to stop or even slow the car down. Engine light popped on and when diagnosed, the following codes appear: brake booster pressure sensor, worn/damaged vacuum lines, corroded/damaged connector, damage/faulty wiring, defective brake booster, defective PCM.