The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the brake pedal became inoperable and was difficult to depress, resulting in extended stopping distance. During the failure, the air bag warning light illuminated and an abnormal odor emanated from the brakes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, and it was determined that the power brake booster failed and required replacement. The mechanic confirmed the failure and confirmed that the brake pedal felt spongy when depressed. The failure mileage was approximately 88,140.
Chevrolet Malibu spongy pedal problems
27 of the 19,367 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Malibu describe soft or spongy brake pedal, most of them for the 2020 model year.
- owner complaints
- 27
- worst model year
- 2020
- typical mileage
- 84,697
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20205
- 20192
- 20184
- 20172
- 20163
- 20131
- 20062
- 20031
- 20013
- 19992
- 19981
- 19971
Often reported together
Brake failure 5ABS 5Check engine light 4Grinding brakes 2Start-stop 1Loss of power 1Engine failure 1Airbag light 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0556 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start, with several unknown warning lights illuminated immediately before the failure. The contact stated that the brake pedal was extremely firm while attempting to shift into neutral(N). The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the message "Brake System Failure" was displayed. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff and difficult to depress. Within 3 to 4 seconds, the brake pedal pushed back against the foot. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ESC had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the Auto START/STOP function was inoperable. The failure mileage was approximately 74,356.
While driving, the brakes became hard and the vehicle was difficult to stop. The brake pedal required excessive force, brake assist was reduced, and the stopping distance increased, creating a serious safety hazard. The check engine light had been illuminated for approximately two years before the brake failure occurred. In January 2024, I reported brake-related concerns to a Chevrolet dealership while the vehicle was under warranty, but the root cause was not diagnosed. In November 2025, after the brake pedal became hard, an independent repair facility inspected the vehicle and determined the brake problem was caused by a failing engine vacuum pump. They advised that the vehicle be repaired by a Chevrolet dealership. By January 2026, the brake condition had worsened to the point that the vehicle was no longer safe to drive and had to be towed. A Chevrolet dealership later confirmed that the engine vacuum pump had seized and damaged the camshaft, requiring replacement of both components. The vehicle remains inoperable. The failed vacuum pump caused loss of brake assist, resulting in a hard brake pedal, reduced braking ability, and an increased risk of a crash. I believe this represents a serious safety defect because failure of the vacuum pump significantly impairs the driver’s ability to stop the vehicle safely. I understand GM has issued service information regarding vacuum pump failures on this engine, and I am submitting this complaint because I believe other drivers may experience the same dangerous brake failure.
Vacuum pump failure causing hard brake pedal which made near to impossible to brake safely and properly that lead to timing chain issues
While driving the brake pedal became hard to push out of no where. Once the car got to the shop it stopped cranking. The shop is stating that the brake vacuum pump is the cause of the brake pedal messing up, and that it also caused other engine damages estimating $3000.00
Brake pedal hardened due to vacuum pump
I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern with my 2018 Chevy Malibu related to the brake booster vacuum pump. My vehicle has exhibited dangerous symptoms, including a hard brake pedal and reduced braking power, which I’ve now learned may be connected to a known defect affecting 2013–2022 Malibu models. These issues have significantly compromised my safety and that of others on the road. I’ve had to deal with sudden braking difficulties, and the repairs have caused financial stress I was not prepared for. I am now aware of the pending class action lawsuit (Johnson v. General Motors LLC) that details this same problem.
Brake pedal became hard to press down and could not stop car without having to jam down on the pedal. Per dealership the vacuum pump malfunctioned causing metal to enter engine
Driving normal. Upon application of brakes, brake pedal became stiff and brakes did not function normal. Had to apply immense pressure to stop and it sounded like brakes kept locking up. Vacuum pump that supplies vacuum for engine with turbo to function, along with the brake booster to be able to apply normal braking power, was destroyed. The inside of the vacuum pump is in pieces and part of the bushing that connects into the engine was broken. Caused by faulty vacuum pump, or faulty cam shaft. If this had happened while in traffic, it is likely a crash would have happened. Damage caused to the vacuum pump resulted in metal pieces in the engine block as well.
I was driving my small child to school and my car had a service message pop up that said engine power reduced and then my brake pedal became stiff to the point where I could not push it down at all to stop at a red light. Luckily by quick thinking I push down my emergency brake to avoid from hitting other cars. From doing research this is not the only complaint about this same similar situation on this car (2018 Chevy Malibu LS) It's ridiculous. It's going to cost me over $2000 for parts and for labor.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Recall number 18V576000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2.5L engine with the auto stop/start option. The affected vehicles may experience a complete loss of brake vacuum assist, disabling the hydraulic boost assist. As such, these vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- If the hydraulic boost assist is disabled, slowing or stopping the vehicle will require additional brake pedal effort and a lengthened stopping distance. Both of these effects increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic brake control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. General Motors number for this recall is 14201.
Recall number 14V247000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured February 7, 2014, through March 31, 2014, and equipped with 17 inch front brake rotors. The affected vehicles may have had brake rotors intended for the rear of the car accidentally installed on the front. The rear rotors, while the same diameter, are thinner and may result in a front brake pad detaching from the caliper.
- Risk
- If a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake rotors, and install the correct rotors with new brake pads, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick) or 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14128.
Recall number 14V240000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Some of these passenger vehicles have an electronic control unit (ecu) that may calculate a higher than actual vehicle speed because of an erratic rear-wheel speed sensor signal, and cause ABS activation where it is not needed or needed ABS activation to be extended during braking as the vehicle speed drops to about 3 MPH.
- Risk
- Unexpected ABS activiation could increase stopping distance up to about 11 feet dpending on the grade of the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the ABS controller. Owner notification began on june 16, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.
Recall number 04V190000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Malibu spongy pedal
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have soft or spongy brake pedal problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2020 (5 complaints), 2018 (4 complaints) and 2001 (3 complaints).
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