Brake Disc Rotor problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

I purchased my Malibu in 2000 as a used vehicle. It had 24,000 miles on it. I have repeatedly had to replace the front brakes on this vehicle. I have had the rotors turn and replaced the rotors about 5 times. There is definitely a problem with the breaking system. I understand that brakes need to be replaced but I have replaced mine about 32 times in 6 years. I drive a lot of highway miles and therefore do not use my brakes as often as an in town driver. The brakes start to chatter when applied and when I go down the road at certain speeds they also do it. I have never had a Chevrolet vehicle use brakes like this one. I have a 1995 chevy corsica with 230,000 miles on it and have only had to replace the brakes on it about 10 times. I also had a chevy cavalier and also drove it about 250,000 miles and did not have to replace the brakes on it that many times either. I have 230,000 miles on my Malibu. I have talked to several owners of Malibu's and all of them said that they had problems with the brakes needing to be replaced to often.

The front brake rotors on my 1998 Malibu (with 113,000 miles) are warped and must be replaced. Three prior sets also warped, at 18,000, 29,000, and 91,000. After the first problem I sent a complaint to the office of defects investigation at NHTSA. It was assigned odi #735425. I never heard anything back. I note there are over 200 complaints about Malibu rotors warping on the NHTSA website. Isn't there some manufacturer liability for this?.

Front brakes & rotors continuously need replacing (5 times in 4 years).

While driving at any speed and with no warning brake rotors wore out, causing extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.

I have a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. I have had numerous front brake problems. . . From them wearing out prematurely to the rotors warping. At around 5,000 miles I went to the dealer because the rotors were warped and they were subsequently resurfaced. At around 13,000 miles I had to have the rotors replaced because they were warped (the were replaced with after market rotors). Although warping did occur after the rotors were replaced with a non oem part, it did not occur as often and as badly. About one month ago I had the front brakes resurfaced and bendix pads placed. Warping started after a few days that the breaks were done. The mechanic informed me that it was not the rotor that was at fault. It was the entire brake design of the Malibu. The brakes simply cannot hold back the weight of the car on such small rotors. Because of the relatively small surface area of such small rotors, they tend to heat up way to early causing severe brake fading. . . . The reason why I brought the car to the mechanic to have the brakes done to begin with. Today, as I was driving in light traffic, as I applied the brakes at around 25 miles an hour, it felt as if I wasn't pressing the brake at all and I rear ended a vehicle causing a lot of damage to my vehicle. . . Somewhere around $2,500 worth. After allowing the car to sit for about a half hour I decided to test the brakes by applying them in the same manner as before. . . And the vehicle stopped as it should. The only possible explanation is brake fade do to the rotors overheating. I'm extremely upset at Chevrolet and at NHTSA because they have not done anything to remedy this major well known issue with this vehicle. These vehicles need to recalled immediately in order to prevent serious accidents from occurring. What if the object in front of my vehicle was a person and not just another car.

The front brake rotors have warped and had to be replaced for the second time now. The first occurrence was approximately 20,000 miles. The second occurrence was at 37,500 miles. The warped rotors cause extreme difficulty in maintaining control of this vehicle under all braking conditions, especially on rough roads. I also wonder what problems may arise with the abs reading the wheel speed/position under braking with a pulsing condition.

Have taken vehicle to dealership due to problems with brakes. Mechanic indicated brakes were wearing excessively due to warped rotors. This was second set of rotors. They, too cannot be turned, had worn too thin to be used.

I have had the car back to the dealer 4 times for the same problem. The rotors. May 99, 9800 mi, Feb 00, 18247 mi, may 00, 23,236 miles and now today 35,500 mi. The first 2 times they shaved the rotors and the third time they replaced them. However they never put on new pads. Now today they tell me I need new brakes. They car is doing the same thing it did other time. At a speed of over 50 mph it shimmies. There should definetly be a recall on the brakes. The tires all had to be replaced as they split. Also I have water coming into the left tail light and puts out the bulb. ( dot number: ).

Front brake rotors failed causing pulsation while braking. Nlm.

Vehicle experienced front rotor failure and is having difficulty with vibration.

I had the car serviced each 3000 miles as recommended by the owners manual by Chevrolet dealers in the area I was in at the time service ws required. Tom bannen Chevrolet , 2340 gallatin pike north, madison, TN. Has been that dealer since September 1999. I was charged for service which was to include inspection of the various parts of the car. Scheduled tire rotatation was done every six thousand miles as directed in the owners manual and brake wear was never reported to me . With out warning both front brake assemblies went out and both rotors were so warped and scored as to be unserviceable. I wonder if the rotors used in this model is defective.

Brake problems once again. Supposedly fixed 3 different times. Have had rotors shaved, realigned, replaced, brake pads replaced, have had brake problems within the first 10000 miles the car was driven up until now.

Premature rotor wear , dealer has replaced rotors three times, car vibrates violently at speeds over 50 when brakes are apllied.

When car reached 9000 miles there was pulsation in the brakes which made it difficult to stop. Rotors have been replaced twice since consumer has owned vehicle.

Premature wear of brake rotors. Dealer has replaced the rotors 6 times. Manufacturer has been notified. Dealer now refuses to cover replacement costs under warranty.

Vehicle front rotors warped at 10,000 miles. Resurfaced rotors, warped again. Replaced Chevrolet rotors with aftermarket rotors at 18,000 miles. Aftermarket rotors warped. Vehicle dangerous to drive. Chevrolet refuses to fix at their expense.

Rotors warped and were replaced at both 20,500 and 33,100 miles. They were turned down twice before 22,500 miles. Vehicle was pulsating at 60mph or higher before. I am afraid this will be a recurring safety issue and the vehicle is almost out of warranty. Do I have any recourse?.

Consumer had rotors resurfaced, then replaced. Currently, rotors need to be replaced again. When applying brakes front end shakes.

My 1998 Malibu is having major problems with warping rotors! I have 29,000 miles on my car and have had the rotors turned twice and replaced twice! the first incident took place before 10,000 miles! the maintenance manager blames this problem on my driving. What can be done?.

Front rotors turned once, then 3 months later, replaced. Now, 4 months after new rotors put on, the pulsating and steering wheel shaking is back.

Warped front rotors replaced for third time at 35000 miles. Chevy has covered the repairs but will not provide extended warranty coverage. They state that this is the expected life for rotors (approximately 12000 miles) based on local driving conditions. Rotors on my previous cars have lasted 40000 miles or more. I found dozens of similar complaints in the database. There seems to be a general problem with the brake system that chevy should recognize and correct before the faulty brakes cause accidents. I should not have to pay for new rotors every 12000 miles.

Vehicle rotors continually experienced excessive wear which causes vibration problems.

Rotors failed prematurely. Nlm.

While applying the brakes at any speed, consumer felt vibration in the steering wheel. Vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the consumer that the rotors were warped. Had the rotors replaced three times since owning vehicle. Currently, another set of rotors were needed.

Rotors "defective". "out of round". First reported 7/5/99, "pulsation" noted when bakes applied,(first noted about 3-4 months previous?) dealership did not replace, "cut rotors". . 2nd incident, "pulsation " in brakes when braking at high speeds?, 16,090 mi. . 5/23/00. . "rotors replaced". . . 3rd incident noted in June 2001, 26,000 ("no work done" dealership did not find "problem") brakes pulsating. . Rotors cut again! at 32,969, 5/21/02, "would not replace". . Cost $83. 00. . Reported to gmac. . 800 222 1020.

Front rotors replaced at 8500 miles,resurfaced rotors at 14,470,replace both front rotors at 17,156 and are now starting to pulsate at 21,300.

Rotors have warped twice within 20500 miles. Other Malibu owners have the same complaint. While I haven't been injured because of this, it should not be occurring so frequently. Chevy wanted to charge me to turn the rotors down the 2nd time, only 4000 miles after they were first turned down. This should not be happening. If I weren't astute enough to catch it early, it could be a real safety hazard.

There was a vibration in the steering wheel when driving, dealer resurfaced front rotors, then replaced them at 20000 miles. At this time rotors need to be replaced again.

Front brake rotors have failed and been replaced twice due to warping and vibration. Nlm.

Brake rotors keep warping. Rotors have been replaced three times within 33,000 miles. Dealer claims cannot determine what is causing the brakes to warp.

Purchased vehicle in Feb. Of 99. In two weeks, had to replace rotors. In sept. Of 99, had to replace rotors again. Dec. Of 99, tech suggested to shave rotors and turn drums. All this within 23,000 miles. This is sickening.

First failure resulted in resurfacing of rotors under warranty. Problem reoccurred approx. 5,000 miles later. Rotors to be replaced under "good will policy".

Front rotors were grounded at 8000 miles, when braking vehicle shimmied and brakes squealed. Rotors have since been replaced and grounded again 4 times. Dealer stated rotors needed to be grounded every 6000 miles.

Every time when brakes are applied they vibrate real badly. Had brake rotors resurfaced.

Front brake rotors have been replaced on four occasions and turned once from 12,000 miles to present mileage by dealer, problem has reoccurred.