# Chevrolet Malibu brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 63 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (21) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 63 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Chevrolet Malibu (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (21). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Chevrolet Malibu brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 270 | 0% | | 2016 | 21 | 865 | 2% | | 2017 | 13 | 727 | 2% | | 2018 | 16 | 700 | 2% | | 2019 | 4 | 193 | 2% | | 2020 | 6 | 200 | 3% | | 2024 | 2 | 44 | 5% | 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. ## Chevrolet Malibu recalls related to the brake warning light **[18V576000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V576000)** (2018 models, reported 2018-08-30): 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. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Chevrolet Malibu owners report - "When I am at a stop light and try to accelerate on numerous occasions the parking brake release light comes on and it will not release and the car will not accelerate in drive or reverse. It has happened while driving and at stop lights on major highways. Once I shut the car off I have to wait for 10 minutes to..." -- owner of a 2024 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2026 - "The contact then stated that water had leaked from the inner lining of the roof and entered through the rear center brake taillight. The contact stated that the vehicle was saturated with water. As a result, the check engine warning light, parking brake light, and alarm system warning lights intermittently..." -- owner of a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2023 - "This part suddenly failing with no warning caused a complete brake failure within the car and posed a risk of injury or death to me and others." -- owner of a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, complaint filed 2022 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Malibu brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (18V576000) covering 2018 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Chevrolet Malibu years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Malibu model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 21 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 brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### 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 - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-malibu): 22 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-malibu): 53 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 ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints ## Chevrolet Malibu - [Chevrolet Malibu specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/chevrolet-malibu) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-malibu Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.