Brake Disc problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

Dear ms. Radley and chevy, I am quite sure that you are aware of the numerous consumer complaints and problems associated with the brake system of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, but just in case I will expounded on the issue. My wife purchased the vehicle from your dealership on 22 Aug 98. Shortly thereafter we noted several significant problems with the brakes grinding and squeaking. The following are dates that the vehicle was brought in for brakes problems: 02/04/99 - 8k milesms. Radley, that makes a grand total of ten times the car has had noted brake problems with no resolution to the problem. There is a definite manufacturing problem with these brakes that I expect fixed. I had expressed concern over this issue when the brakes and rotors had to be replaced at 20k miles, apparently no one cared then as now. I have spoken with Chevrolet consumer complaint division, jeff merritt and ike chris about this problem at length and I must say the total lack of responsibility grows more evident. I have been told everything from driving habits to lack of service. This patronization is infuriating. The bottom line is Chevrolet knows full well that they placed a braking system designed for a chevy cavalier on the Malibu. Do not try and tell me that it is normal for rotors to warp and go bad every 20k miles; I do not accept that answer. When I called several garages and ask what vehicle requires the most brakes service and replacement rotors  the answer was malibu and alero. I called seven different shops in the area and two other chevy dealerships and received the same answer at each place. You may want to note the following complaints files at the national highway traffic safety administration, office of defects investigation, consumer complaints database. As of when I researched the database I discovered 865 consumer complaints 365 of which are brake related.

My 1998 Chevrolet Malibu has just over 40,000 miles on it and I just had to replace the brake pads and rotors for the third time (the first time was in September,1999 and the second was in April, 2000). This feels excessive to me, but chevy says it's normal wear and tear (strange that in having cars for the last 18 years I've never replaced them). I've tried to approach this throught the dealer and gm as well, but I get the blow off each time. It took 3 phone calls to chevy to find out about your website. They keep saying there's no problem with the model, but your somewhat "secret" website lists 123 people with the same complaint. If I call to have the car serviced for brake problems, the service rep has even guessed before me saying, "let me guess. . . A 1998 Malibu?" obviously the problems with the brakes are widespread if they can guess the make of my car. Although nobody in my family has been hurt yet, I hope something is done before that point is reached. Kris fitz.

Brakes need to be serviced for 4th time, this is a major safety issue.

Returned to selling dealer 06/13/2000, 18121 miles for repair of brake pulsation, especially violent at interstate speeds. Brake rotors were resurfaced and pads deglazed at my expense. Complained to service manager about being charged for repair on a car with 3/36 bumper to bumper warranty. Was told brake warranty was only 12/12000. Called Chevrolet and lodged a complaint, followed by a letter on 06/16/2000. Chevrolet rep gave me a complaint file #, c00624109. Now at 26000 miles, brake pulsation has returned. I have no reason to think this will not be constantly reocurring. At highway speed this is a safety problem. The steering wheel will shudder violently. I feel confident that some reengineering is possible and should be required.

5 months after I purchased this vehicle, the brakes would "squeal" when any pressure was applied. Took the car to dealer to be checked out. The pads were worn and the rotors were at/below min. Thickness. Rt 25. 04 & lt 24. 66 mm. Minimum thickness being 25. 0mm. Pads & rotors were changed and now here it is a little over a year later and I'm now getting a grinding noise and when I get to a complete stop, the whole car feels like its just going to fall out from under me. Will be taking it in again to be checked out but will be placing complaint with manufacturer, dealership, & state dcca.

With 58000 miles, the rotors have been replaced four times and I'm now on the third set of brake pads. Brake pedal travels almost to the floor, and even at a stop, with brand new pads and rotors, the car still lurches forward a bit as if the brakes can't completely stop it. Chevrolet agreed to replace the rotors for 100000 miles because I filed a formal complaint, however this time I took it to an independent garage who put heavy duty rotors on to see if that will help. Even that mechanic states that the brakes do not seem adequate for the car.

Had alignment done and wheels rotated and still had vibration when braking. Car won't start completely shut down on the road unexpectedly 3 times in 1 week. Loud noise in rear of car when traveling.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Premature fail of front rotors dealer will replace rotors but will charge for pads and additional labor. Wheel center covers present a condition (all 4) that may cause then to come off due to fatigue of supporting brackets. Rear glass weatherstripe shrink abnormaly causing water to enter inside.

Second occurance in 29,000 miles: car develops extreme shudder when applying brakes above 50mph. Potential safety hazard on wet/slippery roads common in NY area. Dealer replaced as "good will" but Chevrolet will not acknowledge problem. Nhtsa customer complaints are very high for this identical problem. Chevrolet should replace rotors with high performance rotors that will not warp or extend warranty to include front disk brakes for life of car. .

Front discs turned twice, replaced once, due to pulsing during braking, need service again. Repairs recurr every 10k miles. Fixed twice under warranty, once at owner's expense.

Rotors and pads failed at 22,000 and again at 30,000 miles. Dealer advised not covered by warranty. Reported this date to gm. Was advised no recalls of warranty work authorized. Will contact dealer to request a hearing with factory rep. I consider this a safety defect. Many complaints have been reported to your org for same defect. Please advise if recall or other action being investigated or is forthcoming. Thanks.

Front brakes needed replacment of pads and turning of rotors at 17000 and 24000 miles, no ususual use, just lousy parts.

Oct/99,front brake problems/brake pedal shudder,steering wheel shimmy/(severe over 55mph) at 7000 miles. Reported problem to dealer-was told normal wear/out of warranty-car is 13 months old. Had to have rotors turned/severe warping. Nov/00,11600miles. Same problem. Rotors and pads have to be replaced because of warping/excess wear. Car only driven 4000 miles in last year. Didnt contact dealer because of previous dismissal by service department manager.

When driving and applying brakes vehicle started to shake and make a squeaking noise. It started to pulsate when driver applied brakes. Driver stated that she would be driving the speed of 320- to 25 mph .

Brakes pulsating. Rotors replaced under warranty.

Rotors on front disc brakes warp and cause severe vibration upon application of brakes at freeway speeds. Original equipment rotors were turned and then replaced within the first year. Second set of rotors have been turned and are now needing replacement at 24000 miles on vehicle. I am concerned about possible vehicle damage to steering and suspension components due to the severe vibration of the vehicle during braking.

Brake pads and rotors replaced at 9464 mi, pads (completely shot) at 26711 mi, pads and rotors again at.

Front of car vibrates when brakes are applied from a speed of 50 mph or more. The problem was prematue failure of the front disc brakes at 30400 miles (16% of warranty remaining). Munday Chevrolet had to turn rotors and replace brake pads which was not covered under the new car warranty. Gm customer service (case no. 990384225) was contacted about the problem and they said it was normal maintenance. There appears to be a defect in design, materials or workmanship. The NHTSA customer complaint data base contains numerous incidents of prematue 1998 Malibu front disc brake failures. Some of these occurred at less than 10,000 miles and as many as three times. Gm does not recognize these failures as covered under their warranty.

Car shimmies when brakes applied, had rotors turned and pads replaced at 28,000, now failing again, rotors warped and need replaced. Found many other owners of this make having same problem but manufecturer will not admit to defect or cover under warranty. What's the deal? are they not responsible for safety in these vehichles? please advise.

Replaced front brakes(rotors and pads) twice in under 33000 miles, radio replaced twice in under a year, heater core and blower replaced at 32000 miles, hazard button broke in under a year.

Pad/,rotors,tires replaces at 22,000 miles. Tires chopped and feathered. Rubbing began at 7,000. Told dealer on several occasions, finally at 22,000 problem was corrected. However, still gets grinding noise with brakes when roads are wet. Told dealer, they said that it was normal. (tiresize: r14)( dot number: tire size: r14 ).

The vehicle starts to pulsate when applying the brakes had problem fixed by dealer in the states now it has happened again at 28k miles. Why is this happening? and why is there not a recall on this problem?.

When applying brakes, the vehicle vibrates & shudders, the steering wheel also shakes. Had front brake pads replaced/resurfaces rotors in 3/99 and 10,000 miles later problem is back again.

Purchased 1998 Chevrolet Malibu from coleman autoplex in gatesville TX. Of which I have had a repeated problem with the rotors warping and the brake shoes wearing out every 6000 to 9000 miles repeatedly. This started in February of 1998 while the car was yet under manufactory warranty and is yet an on going problem. The dealer is not concerned with solving this problem! they only want tou to keep bringing the car back to them for repairs so that the keep getting the money to make their business flourish. The service manager the Malibu "has brakes wich are made of lesser durable mateerial than the more expensive general motors cars thus they wear out fast,the can't withstand being driven ack and forth to austin, TX. Which is 140 miles round trip, on a daily basis because of their poor quality". That is an awful statement to make about a gm product not to say even about a product that you beg people to buy from you!! there are numerous complaints such as mine on the web site so I am hoping that soneone that is in a position to help us will be exposed to this data and will choose to aide in a solution to our many complaints that will benefit those of us who are victims! thanking you in advance for your concern and support, arvella e. Calhoun.

After initial 2000 miles vehicle shimmies severely (steering wheels puses back and forth) when brakes are applied at highway speeds. Vehicle brakes unevenly when brakes are applied at slow speeds. Dealer failed to diagnose problem on first two attempts. On third attempt dealer diagnosed worn, pitted rotors after 4000 miles. Rotors replaced. After next 3000 miles condition recurred. Dealer found rotors worn and pitted again. Dealer resurfaced rotors. After next 3000 miles condition has recurred. Dealer refuses to repair under warrantee. This condition so severe that it could cause loss of control in slick road conditions. Also wonder how this condition might interact with abs system. I notice there are 6 similar complaints in your database for this particular model year.

The vehicle was also returned to an authorized dealer for the same type problems in may 1999, August 1999 and October 1999.

Rotors warp every 5,000 miles. Rotors turned twice then replace rotors.

Rotors warped 3x in 31,500m , replaced 2x, need again. Dangerous shimmy.

When consumer applies the brakes vehicle starts to shake. The steering wheel also shakes. Vehicle starts pulsating when she is driving between 30 to 35 mph . The vehicle will not stop.

I have had the front rotors turned twice and replaced once following brake pulsation and severe vibration.

Rotors out of round at 7000 miles resulting in a severe and dangerous shaking of the front end upon application of brakes, rotors replaced under warranty, failed again at 15000 miles, also front pads worn out by 15000 miles.

When driving at any speed there is a loud squeaking noise coming from vehicle. Brake pads are moving up and down, and there is vibration within brake pedal. Dealer replaced rotors and pads. Also, consumer had cruise control set at 70 mph, and as consumer was going around the corner, cruise control went up to 76 mph. When going down a hill or up a hill cruise control went up to a higher speed.

Warped rotors, bad pads, had pads replaced twice in 1998 and 1999 at n/c since bought the car. Need another set of rotors and pads at estimated cost of $600. 00. Average is every 10,000 miles.

Vehicle has had 4 sets of brakes & rotors, front control arms, rear suspension bar, paint flaked off front of car, front elec. Seat control, oil pan leak,.