# Chevrolet Malibu aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 22 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (6) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 22 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the Chevrolet Malibu (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (6). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Drive to a shop this week: If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. ## Chevrolet Malibu aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 5 | 270 | 2% | | 2016 | 6 | 865 | 1% | | 2017 | 2 | 727 | 0% | | 2018 | 3 | 700 | 0% | | 2019 | 2 | 193 | 1% | | 2020 | 3 | 200 | 2% | | 2022 | 1 | 99 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Malibu aBS warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Chevrolet Malibu has 19 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Chevrolet Malibu page](/vehicles/chevrolet-malibu) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Chevrolet Malibu owners report - "Multiple warning lights come on (ESC, ABS, power steering, check engine), the gauge controls flutter, my gear shift clicks on and off, the car has even shut down on me in the middle of traffic, wouldn't start, wouldn't shift, basically wouldn't move at all even when it did start. How would a bcm shut down my whole..." -- owner of a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2026 - "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" -- owner of a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2023 - "The air bag, check engine, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that she received messages from the mobile App informing her to check the air bags. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer..." -- owner of a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2023 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the aBS warning light means The ABS light means the anti-lock brake system has found a fault and turned itself off. Your regular brakes should still work, but the wheels can lock up in a hard stop, especially on wet or icy roads. The most common cause is a failed wheel speed sensor. If the red brake warning light is also on, the problem may affect normal braking and you should stop driving. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (most common) 2. **Damaged sensor wiring or tone ring** (common) 3. **Low brake fluid** (less common) 4. **ABS module or pump failure** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [ABS warning light](/warning-lights/abs). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Malibu abs light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Chevrolet Malibu years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2018 Malibu model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 6 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet Malibu with the abs light on? Drive to a shop this week. If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. Stop driving and have it towed if the red brake light is on too, the pedal is soft or sinks, or the car pulls hard when braking. ### How do I check if my Chevrolet Malibu has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Chevrolet dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Chevrolet Malibu warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-malibu): 53 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-malibu): 63 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-malibu): 666 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chevrolet-malibu): 14 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-malibu): 134 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-malibu): 110 complaints ## ABS warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ram-1500): 280 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-wrangler): 180 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-silverado): 89 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-accord): 72 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-grand-cherokee): 58 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-traverse): 53 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-sonata): 42 complaints - [Toyota Prius](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-prius): 40 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/gmc-sierra): 37 complaints ## Chevrolet Malibu - [Chevrolet Malibu specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/chevrolet-malibu) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-malibu Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.