Brake Electric Antilock problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

While driving 20 mph and making a left turn steering wheel locked up. Driver applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a rock. The driver was not hurt. The vehicle was towed by triple l towing. Consumer's daughter in law heard news of gm recalling 88,000 vehicles for a power steering defect, and relayed the news to consumer. Consumer contacted gm regarding the news and was informed that vehicle is included on the list. Also, gm said that they would send an inspector to check on to the vehicle. Consumer also reported information to her insurance carrier.

Front brakes pulsate with a violent steering wheel shimmy and front end shake. This is very dangerous at normal street speeds and highway speeds.

Brakes have gone out completely as soon as consumer pulled into driveway. Contacted dealer. Please provide further information.

Consumer states while applying brakes at 20-25 mph, the abs engaged and caused vehicle to rear end another vehicle, dealer and the manufacturer were not notified at this time. Nlm.

I have spent over $700. 00 on my brakes this year and it is always the same problem. I understand from several mechanics, including my own, that my Malibu is not the only one continuously having problems with the brakes. It is getting ridiculous. Nobody should have this many problems and not be able to drive the car they are paying for more than a couple of times a week. The last time my brakes got fixed 10/08/2001 I drove the car two days before the brakes quit working again. I think gm should do something about this before they get sued. My children are very important to me and I have to worry about their safety every time I put them in my car.

Abs system does not work properly, and there is extended stopping when applying brakes. Consumer states the brakes give, causing the extended stopping distance.

Brakes repaired at 12793, 28045, 35608 miles and still a problem.

Have had 4 problems with the brakes since I have owned this car. I talked to manufacturer and got no where with them.

Anti-lock braking system is defective, consumer is unable to keep brakes or rotors on vehicle. Dealer has yet to be contacted.

When hitting brakes car shaked. It has been repaired once, and currently, it's doing it again.

While driving about 55 mph applied brakes, and brakes did not work, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. A technician said that this was a rotor problem, and rotors needed to be replaced.

This is the second time we had to replace brakes and rotors. Vehicle makes a grinding sound.

While driving consumer applied brakes, and pedal went all the way to the floor . Also, there was a rattling/knocking noise coming from underneath the hood. Consumer took vehicle to repair shop twice for rattling/knocking noise, and it came back without improvement.

Brake rotors warp under normal driving conditions and must be replaced every 8,000 to 12,000 miles. Manufacturer refused to cover replacement cost for these defective parts on 6/26/2000. Rotors were examined and replaced by dealer (dean patterson, altoona, PA) at 9,821 miles, 16,434 miles, 26,673 miles, 35,604 miles and 50,320 miles. This car was purchased new, but has been through five sets of rotors in approximately two years. The car that was traded in when purchasing this vehicle had over 120,000 and still had the original rotors and drums on it, providing clear evidence that this is a Chevrolet design flaw. Dealer charged consumer $441. 99 for replacement of these rotors at 50,320 miles because of warranty expiration.

While driving at any speed and when applying brakes vehicle vibrates violently/ shudders, and pulls from side to side. GMC is aware of the problem, and has replaced rotors. This has happened 3 times before.

Rotors repaired at 25,000 now again at 33,000 they are bad again. B/pedal almost to floor to stop. Called service sorry it is normal wear/"depends how you drive. No reason for 2x failure in such a short time. Gm is covering up a poor quality produc.

The brakes continue to warp on our Malibu, causing excessive vibration when braking at high speed. Twice we have had to take it to have the front brakes adjusted while under warranty, and once again the brakes will need to be kept from warping. Seems to me the brakes are defective to begin with. My mechanic (broadwater automotive, glen burnie, 410-760-2626) contacted a gm parts source who said the fix would be a $500 job. Might a recall not be in order here? three times in 42k miles is a bit much.

While driving consumer steps on brakes pedal to stop vehicle or reduce speed. But, brakes will not stop, and sometimes increase the stopping distance.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

The abs braking system of the vehicle causing premature rotor failure. Yh.

While at 60mph car starts to shutter and it won't slow down properly. Also, within 30, 000 miles had to have brakes done. Dealer didn't help.

At low speed braking it causes vehicle to virbate in the steering wheel and at high speed of 70 or more . Vehicle loses braking power. Dealer notified, and replaced front rotors. Problem reoccurred after 3-4 months. Please feel free to provide any further details.

It happened in a parking lot the brakes are out towed home.

Dealer claims at 23,000 miles front rotors and front brakes needed to be replaced which was causing a pulsation when applying brakes at any speeds. 8,000 miles later, defect reoccurred again, consumer contacted dealer, and was told rotors needed to be replaced with a new updated rotor. 13,000 miles later, defect has reoccurred for the 3rd time, and was being told by dealer, rotors and brake system needed to be replaced again even after dealer installed new updated parts. Dealer claimed front rotors had excessive run out.

Vehicle experiencing severe vibration and shimmy of the steering wheel whenever applying brakes. Problem was caused by continuous warpage of the front rotors. Rotors have been replaced five times within every 10,000 miles. Dealer/manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that replacing is the only thing they can do at this time. Please provide any further details.

Had nothing but front end problems, seems like dealer is not beleiving, may think its the operator.

Car is driven 90% of the time on interstates and long trips brakes not used much compared to normal driving I have never replace brakes before 80,000miles or rotors under 150,000 miles.

While driving would step on brake pedal, but brakes would not work. Had taken vehicle to dealer, and they said that vehicle was not under warranty. Could be fixed at consumer's expense.

Single mom of two, I am paying for a car that is supposed to be dependable and safe. I do not want to be a statistic because of someone who wants to save a buck! I chose the Malibu for the safety rating and was beside myself when I was told of the reoccurring, not repairable rotor problem. Then also after 36,000 miles I will get to pay for all rotor repairs since it will no longer be covered under the mf warranty. I used to have great respect for chevy. I realize how very unimportant I and my children are to them now. I can not afford to repurchase a new car and I pray that this problem will be resolved soon.

Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with vibration at high speed upon braking due to faulty rotors. Dealer is aware of the problem, and will replace all faulty rotors with upgraded rotors at consumer's expense.

We bought a 98 Malibu in Feb 99 w/20k miles. Soon after we noticed a slight vibration in braking. I had it checked and rotors are warped. I was told this was common in Malibus and that the problem has existed since they came out in 97. This was from the serv. Dept mgr at adams Chevrolet in raytown, mo he says he sees several Malibus every week for the same problem, and that it wasn't covered by warranty or manuf. Recall. Only if the problem begins withing 12k miles. It was as if I was just supposed to accept this. . Even though we paid $14,000 for this car. Gm brags that the car can go up to 100k miles without a tuneup , but they forget to tell you you'll have to have the rotors turned every year .

While applying brakes at highway speed of 70-75 mph it pedal pulsates. Also, steering wheel and vehicle vibrate. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on five occasions, and problem still occurring.

Abs not working. Break problems replaced at 19,000 miles and I am having problems again. Noise coming out of the front right tire. Rear view mirror fell off. ( dot number: tire size: 15 ).

I have had repeated problems with the brakes and rotors wearing out ai 11000 miles since purchasing this vehicle, every 10000 to 11000 miles when applying the brakes the steering wheel vibrates fiercely and the car pulls to the right. I have carriesthe car to coleman autoplex repeatedly for the problem while under warranty and since the warranty expired to no good effect. They care less now that they have sold the car!I have tried to get them to let me speak with the area rep, but they refuse me that priviledge also. I would like for both general motors and Chevrolet to be aware of my problem. I desperately need assistance. I have a 1988 delta 88 oldsmobille with 250000 plus miles on it and I have never had such brake/ rotor problems with it and I drove it back and forth to work as I do this vehicle with out barke problems. Thus my driving habits have not changed. I do not drive in stop and go traffic to and from work, I choose to work noghts to avoid that problem. Coleman tells me that the brakes wearout at 10000 miles because they are getting hot from my drive to and from austin TX which is 70miles one way. I disagree for gm products should be able to withstand such a short distance on a daily basis. Besides there are many people driving the same distance which find it ironic that I am having this problem! please help me?.

While driving about any mph and when starting to rain, consumer steps on the brakes, and the vehicle wanders from side to side. Sometimes consumer loses control of vehicle.