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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,665 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

brakes problem

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2020 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #19

Feb 132024

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

engine misfire, shift to park and transmission

- Overton, TX, USA

problem #18

May 252024

Malibu

  • miles
The brake pump in my 2020 Chevrolet Malibu LT 1.5 malfunctioned on 05/25/2024. My car had approximately 85,193 miles on the odometer when this occured. I was driving down the interstate on 05/25/2024 when I went to apply the brake pedal and it was completely stuck. I had to swerve into the grass on the side of the interstate to avoid collision. After I had the car towed home, I had a mechanic run a system diagnostic test on the car which showed an error/defective code for the brake pressure sensor.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #17

Mar 262024

Malibu

  • miles
Electrical issue, Continuously losing communication to EBCM causing the car to go haywire with warning lamps on the dash board and then it brakes on its own, while driving on the highway at high speeds. This is very scary and extremely dangerous and this could eventually cause a serious accident. This has been occurring for 3 months now. I-??ve had the car serviced 3 times within the last 3 months, costing me a lot of money but with no real resolution. Problem has been confirmed by independent Mechanics, they stated the codes are a loss of communication to all control modules, they then reset / reprogram modules, which is only a temporary fix because it always happens again.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #16

Jan 202024

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake vacuum pump locked up causing camshaft to twist and reluctant wheel to turn which damaged the engine. I'm being quoted $10,000 to fix which was actually $1,000 more to fix but they accidentally under quoted me and have to honor the original estimate. I don't have that kind of money and still owe almost $14,000 on the car.

- Bells, TX, USA

problem #15

Apr 152023

Malibu

  • miles
I was hearing a grinding noise when applying brakes so i had a mechanic change my brakes. He said they didnt need changing but i had him change them anyway. The noise didnt stop but we wasnt sure why it was making the noise. While driving down the highway, the break pedal became to hard to press. At that point I was in heavy traffic and had to use my emergency brake system to avoid collission with multiple vehicles. Upon taking my vehicle to the mechanic it was observed the vacuum pump had broken inside the motor. After the mechanic changed the part and cleared the broken parts out of the motor, within 6 months my breaks are acting funny again making loud noises when applying brakes. I'm terrified to drive long distances.

- Ruth, MS, USA

problem #14

Jun 242023

Malibu

  • miles
I was driving down the hwy and all of a sudden, my engine lost power and my brakes harden. I could not brake and nearly lost my life and my sons.

- Oxford , MS, USA

problem #13

Aug 252023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

UNKNOWN Coming off a ramp to slow down and brakes were hard. Have to press down to brake.

- Clayton, GA, USA

problem #12

Aug 282021

Malibu

  • miles
I purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu with 38,000 miles. I experienced a faulty air vacuum pump (first experience was at 45,000 miles and was replaced in August of 2021, two months after purchasing the vehicle in June of the same year), and then the replaced air vacuum pump again in February of this year (2023). This issue being brake related was unsafe. I experienced an intermittent reduced engine speed message on dashboard, with immediate reduction of speed down to 20 mph or less while driving. This made me and others unsafe. I experienced brake booster failure, among other issues stemming from all aforementioned. The car is now said by dealership to have indication of an internal engine issue and affected PCV lines dealing with a defective orifice (Kiriacopoulos, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 2:22-cv-10785, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan) The car remains at a dealership and has now been there for over 30 days. There was no warning lamps, messages prior to the air vacuum Pump/Brake booster issue. I got in the car to try driving, and it was hard to push the brake with foot, so for I knew something was wrong. In taking it in to service, was when it identified to be that issue. Those issues have been manufacturer inspected (dealership) and confirmed. I experienced these issues since purchasing the vehicle in June of 2021. I believe that GM knows of these issues and has put me at risk on the road, along with some other symptoms of the car failures that are also well documented, and that GM is aware of, with no recalls. These car parts/issues put me and others in further danger, the car's air vacuum pump and brake booster affecting car's ability to operate, damaging other parts (Johnson vs. GM).? Consumer rights to be protected and safe are at risk, not deserving to have faulty auto parts sold, further exacerbating issues with the car being dangerous on the road with defective brake related parts, and rendered inoperable.?

- Providence, RI, USA

problem #11

Jun 162023

Malibu

  • miles
Car demonstrates random full vehicle power loss while in drive mode both at stop and while actually in motion and driving. Vehicle had a catastrophic loss of all break power while going downhill. Luckily while leaving the Lincoln Memorial in DC driver was traveling slow enough and able to get vehicle stopped without immediate injury. Car brakes would not reengage without 3k repair to import/export value(see receipt). 2 days later check engine light returned. 2 weeks later dealer is still in discussion with GM to identify cause of engine failure.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #10

Jul 112023

Malibu

  • miles
Service ESC ABS I just had a 2009 Chevy Malibu and now a 2020 and I-??m having the same exact issues loss of power steering braking and at first my gas gauge was off check engine light came on now today -??Service ESC w ABS LIGHT-?? on dashboard

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #9

Mar 282023

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

About 3 months ago, I started experiencing the shift to park problem where my car would turn off completely and would be still and solid but the car wouldn't register being in park.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #8

Apr 282023

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
While driving on many occasions the last incident happened Friday April 28th 2023. My 2020 Malibu lost all communication on 231 Hwy. All dash gauges went haywire power dropped on vehicle RPM was accelerated but vehicle speed would not change engine light and traction light came on. I then had to pull over brakes made a loud thud noise when stopping. Turned vehicle off sat for about 15 minutes and restarted my vehicle engine light was still on but I was about four miles from home turned my hazard flashers on and made it home. When the car loses power it gives me NO warning at all it just happens. I've taken it to both Chevy dealers in my area Mr. [XXX] at Gilland GMC Ozark, Al explained to me that yes he saw the codes where car lost power and because they couldn't pinpoint the problem GMC had to be called and he was told that GMC has a team of engineers working on the Loss of Control problem but at this time they don't know anything. I'm risking my life on every day driving this vehicle in which I do have an extended warranty on but they can't fix what they can't find but yet KNOW for Fact that there is a problem. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Midland City, AL, USA

problem #7

Feb 102023

Malibu

  • miles
This vehicle was purchased on February 10, 2023 under false pretenses, deceit, and fraudulent activities by Frank Leta Honda of Missouri. Frank Leta Honda and its Salesman failed to disclosed that this vehicle was in a major accident prior to me purchasing it. The front-end bumper and the front quarter-panel on the passenger side were damaged. This car was re-painted with non-factory paint, and it shows. Most importantly, the procedure and process required in painting a vehicle was not followed. I even questioned the salesman whether or not this vehicle was in a major accident, and the salesman said, "no." I had taken this vehicle to two professional auto body businesses, and two owners/auto body workers informed me without me asking that the vehicle had been in a major accident. Can you please give me a report on whether or not the previous owners of this vehicle reported an accident with this vehicle being involved in, and the original color of this vehicle. The dealer is calling it red. However, this vehicle is a deep dark burgundy.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #6

Nov 222022

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 55,634 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu E2. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at the stop sign, the auto START/STOP mode engaged, however the vehicle failed to restart upon releasing the brake pedal. The message "Engine Reduced Power" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed and the camshaft reluctor was in improper position. The dealer diagnosed that the vacuum pump and camshaft needed to be replaced. The parts were replaced. However, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated while driving at 80 MPH and merging lanes, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly and the message "Engine Reduced Power" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Vandergriff Chevrolet (1200 W Interstate 20, Arlington, TX 76017), who informed the contact that he would need to tow the vehicle to the first dealer to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle back to first dealer for additional diagnostic tests. The failure mileage was approximately 55,634.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 202022

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to slow the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the oil change service light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the vacuum pump and engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #4

May 062021

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
This is an intermittent issue and hard to reproduce on demand. I have evidence in the form of multiple videos that may be provided anytime. Videos can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zubc5ilgahayvxa/AABf3M1mLBikxQswv17Yn-YQa?dl=0 In the middle of driving on freeways, highways, or regular roads, the car will quickly slow down to a very low speed, around 5 mph causing other drivers to have to quickly swerve out of the way before wrecking into me. The power steering will also intermittently fail, as it becomes difficult to turn the wheel during these times. The car will also not accelerate at my will like it should at this time. Check engine lights will show up, as well as other warning notifications on the dash board. Some of the warnings include "Service Power Steering. Drive with Care", "Fuel Level Low", and "Service ESC". The car will also intermittently show all gauges in the zero/off/empty position. The car will also say "Shift to Park" when trying to turn it on, even though it is already in shift. I have sent the car back to the dealer 5 times to date and am about to pick it up again today as they have called me and said "it's ready" again. Each time they take the car, they do not address the issue. The first time I took it in, they just performed a recall repair for the camera and suggested the problem may be fixed from that. They claim they cannot fix something they cannot reproduce but I suspect they do not want to spend the time/hours/money it will take to figure out the problem since it is still under factory bumper-to-bumper warranty. It is still under factory bumper-to-bumper warranty but Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena TX refuses to repair anything and claim there is no evidence of the problem even though I've emailed them multiple videos of the problems happening. Auto Nation in Houston TX is who has the car now. It was recommended to me by General Motors to try another dealer. This is where I'm at currently with the situation.

- La Porte, TX, USA

problem #3

Aug 282021

Malibu

  • miles
P0556 code and brakes are hard to stop. 40,016 miles on the car

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 252021

Malibu

  • miles
The brake pedal is hard. The car does not want to stop. The brake booster is not working. The car only has 40,000 miles

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #1

Jun 012021

Malibu

  • miles
Speed reduced, reduced engine power, hard breaking and noise, engine light one, all gages flash, service esc! On dash

- Yorktown , IN, USA

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