Brake Disc problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

Rotors and pads get warped, causing vehicle to shimmy. Braking hard will not slow vehicle down, increasing stopping distances does not help to slow vehicle for a stop. Dealer was notified, problem progressed within 4,000 miles. Steering column vibrates and visibly moves when braking at highway speeds, this causes vehicle to move uncontrollably.

3/8/00~turned rotors new pads 12/15/00~new rotors new pads~11/18/01 turned rotors new pads.

Vehicle was in for service on 7-30-2001 and brakes were fine. On 24 Nov 2001, while driving 30 mph and applying brakes, vehicle was shaking and brakes were pulsating. Vehicle was towed to dealer, no brake pads were left and rotors had to be turned.

Brake pads replaced 10/00, failed 2/10, replaced pads and rotors2/01. Car was returned to repair shop 3-4 times because I felt the brakes were not working correctly. I was told that they were normal every time. Brakes locked up when I was driving 11/01. Back to shop at which time I had no front brakes. They replaced pads again. Took car to Chevrolet, 11/01 for brake inspection. I was told everything was fine. Brake lights now come on. Brakes skip when applied and the rear brakes are now making clicking noise when applied and sometimes when released the brakes stick. Took car back to Chevrolet , 11/01 and was told that my rear brakes are hanging up. Keep in mind that 2 weeks ago I was told that my rear brakes were fine. They did not have an explaination for the brake problem I have been having. I was told that the Malibu does have a braking problem, but usually is fixed after the brakes are replaced once. I've had this car for 12 months and have put about 16,000 miles on it. I've gone through 3 sets of pads and and the rotars have been replaced once. Most recent repair was about 2 weeks ago and I am now having more problems than I had before the repair.

Front brakes are not up to the job for this car. Dealer has no fix except to keep replacing parts . Gm should come up with a solution and fix these cars.

Brakes started making a dragging noise. Took to dealer,and they replaced rotors/calipers and brake pad.

They have replaced the rotor twice (at 15k and 32k miles) and it continues to warp after 10-15k miles. Service manager states it is a widespread problem but Chevrolet will not take responsibility.

Front brake pads wore out and rotors warped at 15,000 & 32,000 miles.

I brought my chervolet Malibu on 16 October 1999 it had 24,000 miles on it. Around March of 2000 I noticed that the brake was going soft , making squelling noises, shimmey,and shake when coming to a stop. I took in to the dealership they said they would replace the rotors and brake pads for free due to a program they had. The brakes were ok when I picked the car up but they never really seemed all very sharp to me. Whenever I braked I had to start early to make sure my Malibu came to a complete stop. That was March then less then two months later in may 2000 when my car had 38,000 miles the rotors gave out again. I took it to lynn layton chervolet they said my rotors had warped again. Grudgedly they replaced my rotors and brake pads again. But they said the next time they would charge me. "as through I wanted them to put defective rotors on my car. " now about a year late with an additional 14,000 miles my rotors have given out again. I was told by a mechanic that my rotors are supposed to last about 60,000 mile. When I get them fixed again it will have replaced my rotors and brake pads three times over a period of 19 months and 27,000 miles since I brought my care with 24,000 miles on it this is crazy. That averages replacing rotors and brakes pads once every 8000 miles!!!!!! are there any plans to do a recall or something to force gm to fix this major brake problem *****defective rotors. Thank you. . . Regina gamble.

Front end noise when applying brakes. At high speeds (50 mph+) serious shaking and vibrating of the front end occurred. Rf caliper locked onto warped rotor. Problem with rotors were experienced from day one. I've encountered others who have had similar problems with warped rotors on the Malibu. Emergency repair and replacement of calipers, front disc brakes and right front rotor was done at a non-warranty facility as this incident happened while travelling and the local Chevrolet dealer service dept was not opened on a Saturday.

Calipers will rip out pads, it starts with a grinding noise. Consumer had to replaces pads/ rotors and calipers 3 times. The consumer points out that three time failures of brake system at under 16000 miles was unusual.

When brakes are applied and while driving at any speed, there is vibration which has made vehicle very difficult to handle. Dealership cannot reproduce this problem. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Front brake rotors and pads are wearing out excessively within every 8,000 miles of wear. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

When applying brakes at over 40 mph vehicle shakes vigurously. Took to independent shop no repair needed at time said it was a manufacturer problem with discs.

I've had to have my brakes serviced three times in the first year and a half that I've had my car. They warped, so my dealer turned them down; they warped again, so they replaced them; then they warped again, so they turned them again.

While driving and applying brakes front end of vehicle vibrated severely. This problem has been occurring due to premature wearing of brake pads and rotors. Rotors on disc brakes warped causing brake pads to wear unevenly.

Consumer stated there was vibration when braking, dealer resurfaced the front rotors at 17068 miles, the dealer has since replaced the front rotors and pads twice, on the third occasion dealer informed consumer that they would not work on the vehicle under warranty, consumer then went to a local shop and had the rotors turned and the pads replaced.

Sever front shimmy when applying brakes replaced once occurring again at 52000miles, almost uncontrollable when slowing from highway speeds.

Initially, the indication that there was a brake problem was a squealing when applying the brakes. At the time, brake pads and rotors were replaced. Then, after an another 3000 miles, the vehicle developed a serious vibration upon braking. The dealer then ground down the rotor. The problem developed again when another 2000 miles were driven, and dealer replaced both front calipers. Another 3000 miles have been driven, and the car has again developed a serious vibration when braking, strong pressure must be applied to slow the vehicle, and when the brakes are applied the car pulls strongs to the right and becomes difficult to control. Dealer has not been able to fix this latest problem.

Both front disc pads were replaced and rotors resurfaced at 9210 miles, disc brake rotors were replaced at 10974 miles, vehicle experienced shaking while braking, at 14900 miles the front calipers, brake pads, and disc rotors have to be replaced again, consumer states brakes make multiple noises when applied.

At 13,000 miles, vehicle developed shimmy when brakes were applied, dealer turned front rotors. At 19,000 miles, shimmy returned, dealer replaced rotors under warranty. At 48,000 miles, dealer turned rotors again and pads replaced with the napa best pads, all at my expense. Now at 67,000 miles, shimmy is coming back. I feel that gm should acknowledge the problem and reimburse me for these expenses.

Front brakes at a high speed vehicle shakes a lot. In November of 1999 dealer could not remedy problem. In March of 2000 dealer replaced front brakes. Then, in may 2000 they were replaced. Late August, brakes had to be replaced again. Brakes and rotors were replaced on November 16,2000.

When driving above 35mph & would start to brake, vehicle would start to vibrate & shake in front. When vehicle was below 35mph & brakes were applied, it would not shutter or shake. Took vehicle to dealer at least 3 different times & had the brakes replaced. First time were pads/rotors & calipers. Second time were rotors & pads. When vehicle reached 36,000, nothing would be done for the brakes.

Vehicle has experienced continued front disc brake failure which caused brake pulsation, several replacements however unit is still experiencing problems.

Front rotors replaced twice. Front pads replaced once. Pads were not replaced with the first rotor replacement. For the second rotor replacement, I provided the replacement pads for them. Brakes seemed ok, untill the last service visit explaining to them the brakes were making a creeking noise when applied at low speeds. Since then, the brakes have been making a groaning/whineing noise when braking at high speed, with a noticeable brake pedal pulsation. I have not brought the vehicle back in to be checked. Because the warranty period is over, and I don't think I should be charged for a problem that was never resolved. I do alot of driving for my business, and I find this vehicle to be dangerous to drive at this point. Please help!.

No summary listed for above vehicle. ( dot number: tire size: p21560r15 ).

While driving the brakes are wearing down and had to be replaced every 6-8 weeks because of the whinnig in the brakes. Dealer was contacted and was aware of the problem, but there was no recall. Please provide any futher information.

Disc brakes and rotors have been replaced almost every 17,000 miles.

Premature wear of brake pads and rotors. Dealer has replaced rotors and pads 3 times. Manufacturer has been notified.

Every 4000 miles disc brakes pulsed and need replacing. 4 times and counting.

Brake pads and rotors are prematurely wearing out, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

When applying brakes a grinding or squeaking noise occurs, and the brakes are prematurely wearing. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Since purchase of vehicle brake pads and rotors replaced 4 times. Last about 4000 to 7000 miles. So far done under warranty.

A constant problem with front brake system, problem occurs every 7 thousand miles.

24000 miles when purchased. Had for a couple of months. Was told that rotors was already too thin to be turned when took to shop for warped rotors. Had to replace. 3 months later, same thing happens again. I've been living with the sounds and shakes because I can't afford to spend that kind of money every few months. Have searched the web to find out there is a lot of others with the same problem. Chevrolet has always been my #1 choice in cars, but these need to be recalled to make it right for all the loyal chevy owners abroad.