Brake Disc Rotor problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

I have a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu with chronic brake problems. In the 5 years I've owned it, I've had to replace the brake shoes and surface the rotors every year (and replace rotors once) because of a vibration in the front brakes. Chevrolet refuses to cover this abnormal behavior under warranty and requires that I pay for the repair every time.

2000 Chevrolet Malibu, 20,000 miles - dealership informed me that they had to replace the front brake rotors again. This is the third set of rotors. It is not covered under warranty (I bought extended warranty) and there are no recalls. This is a problem specific to Malibu's of this time period. 3 sets of brake rotors in 20,000 miles? unheard of and absolutely qualifies for a "lemon part". This should be paid for by gm, but instead it is a profit stream for them. Can you help?.

The dealer replaced the front brake pads and rotors at 29,000 miles, now 5,000 miles later at 34,000 miles the brake pads had to be replaced and the rotors resurfaced again. I feel the parts being used are defective. I also feel this is a safety hazard. I looked at the complaints against the same year make and model vehicle I have which is a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu and there are numerous complaints on the brakes. Isn't it time some one did something about this problem so many consumers are having?.

I purchased a used 2000 chevy Malibu with 18,000 mile in March of 2002. The car was taken back to the dealership a week later due to problems with the brakes/rotors and the brakes/rotors were replaced. I continue to have problems with the brakes and rotors. In the 2 years I have owned this car, I have replaced the brakes and rotors 2 times and replaced the brakes 3 times. This is totally ridiculous. My car only has 54,000 miles. I contacted the Chevrolet customer service line and was told this was a wear issue and not covered by warranty. I feel a recall is warranted as this is obvioulsy a defect with this make and model.

2000 chevy Malibu service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor.

I believe there is an engineering defect in the design of the brakes that causes premature wear of the rotors, which could lead to brake system failure. This problem is well documented by customers, service facilities and gm dealers. Gm goes out of its way to discourage relevant discussion of this problem, choosing instead to ignore it. In three years, I have had to replace my rotors 5 times with 87,000 miles on the car. It is expensive and highly unusual for rotors to wear out so quickly. Every mechanic/technician I have spoken with says the exact same thing: the rotors are engineered extremely thin due to the caliper design. In order to fit the rotor in place - it must be so thin due to the design of the brake system that to begin with it is barely within safety specifications. If not extremely vigiliant, rotors can warp quickly - causing a cascading effect that is also well documented. I strongly believe this situation needs careful scrutiny. Gm needs to acknowledge and develop a remedy for this situation.

While braking the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance due to the front brake rotors wearing. Also there was a vibration when depressing the brake pedal. The dealership was notified, but the problem was not resolved. The dealership told the consumer they would replace the rotors when the vehicle was first purchased, but they never did.

Front brakes (rotors) replace at 22,000miles the brake pads out lasted the rotors - that can't happen ??? it seems they(gm) have some type of design problem.

Brakes and rotors are faulty. The car makes rattling noises when brake is applied and is dangerous and there should be a recall. The car shakes excessively when brake is applied on the interstate and steering wheel shakes also.

2000 Chevrolet Malibu. Brake and rotor failure.

Vehicle has had the brake rotors turned twice and replaced once due to excessive vibration while braking. Consider the brakes system unsafe. The ac control head has been replaced. The upper strut mounts have been replaced to try and cure front end noise. Front wheel hub and bearing have been replaced due to noise. Engine is excessively noisy on startup with clicking and tapping that the dealer calls normal. Turn signals failed. Power window is intermittent. Three spark plug wires have failed. Radiator cap has failed. Intake manifold gasket failed. Car ruins tires. Car is in for a check engine light right now (12-17-02) Chevrolet will not do anything (ie:take the car back, replace it, etc. ) how many problems do you have to have. Ts.

While driving the brakes were squeaking and vibrating excessively. The vehicle was checked by the dealer who advised the consumer that the Chevrolet Malibu brake components have to be replaced every 15000-20000 miles. The consumer stated that another repair facility repaired the brakes. The consumer didn't want parts that would fail every 15 to 25k miles.

I was involved in an mva back in 2002 because of turn signal failure. The dealership told me that a recall had been made but nobody ever notified me! also my when driving on the highway my vehicle steering wheel vibrates especially when I apply the brakes. I have been close to loosing control of my vehicle on two occasions when there is water on the roads. I replaced my rotors twice! I beleive this is a safety issue that should be looked at. And one more thing my ac control switch keeps turning on and off the compressor I dont believe this could be good for the compressor!.

Front end is making a loud ticking noise. When vehicle makes a right turn only there is a grinding sound. Dealer has diagnosed vehicle for several problems that have not been fixed. All together vehicle has been in 4 times, once for wheel bearings, and three times for rotors. Dealer was contacted. Please add more information.

Consumer heard a grinding noise and felt pulsation when applying brake. S. Dealer determined front rotors were warped and needed to be replaced.

Rotors on brakes have warped 3 times before 20000 miles!.

Within three months dealer had to turn both front brake rotors, and gave no reason why this problem was reoccurring.

This is the 2nd time rotors have been replaced. 1st time rotors were replaced at 8,000, and 2nd time at 10,000 miles. Consumer was driving home from dealer after being serviced, and when applying brakes, pedal went straight to floor. Consumer drove back to dealer, and stated that it was normal for vehicle to do that. Consumer didn't have any problems with brake pedal when first purchased. Front end started dipping when the brakes were applied. Consumer again had to find out why rotor problem keeps coming back.

Since I purchased my new 2000 Malibu on 12/18/99, to today 5/9/01, I have replaced the front rotors 3 times. Counting the original set, this makes it 4 sets of rotors that my car has gone through, under 19,000 miles. My warranty is good until 36,000 miles, so I contacted the Chevrolet customer assistance center (1-800-222-1020) and told them that I wanted to know if this issue was going to be covered after the warranty ran out due to the timely changing of the rotors so many times in so little mileage. The replacements were on 4/11/00 (5,440), 8/31/00 (10,775), and 5/8/01 (18,394). Each of these times the dealer has told me that my brakes and brake pads were fine, but that the rotors were warped. The chevy # told me that this was probably due to something I have done or my driving habits/conditions. I don't believe this in that my brakes haven't worn out yet, but the rotors keep going bad. I am very disappointed in their passing the blame, instead of correcting the problem or extending the coverage of an issue that is countlessly repeated on your site and the newsgroups from 1997 to present. Chevy has the slogan, "chevy, we'll be there. " they don't show the fine print "we'll be there, unless we blame you and don't decide to resolve a known issue. " I would like feedback on this issue, especially since I believe this should be a covered issue, and don't believe that I am causing a problem that seems to be very routine every 5-8,000 miles like everyone else is experiencing. Thank you.

3rd set of rotors in 11275miles, no one at Chevrolet seems to care. Dealer admits there is a problem with Malibu/alero rotors, but Chevrolet customer care--don't.

Front rotors warped, and were replaced by dealer with 20,182 miles. Again, brakes were warped, dealer turned front rotors, and advised consumer that it was simply a wear and tear item.

Rotors replaced at 20000 miles. Rotors defective. 4 months later rotors worn down again additional brake damage. Dealership wants me to pay for it. Say norm wear & tear.

Whole front of car was vibrating to a point of almost losing control. Due to rotors being defective. Contact me. (469)384-4595.

Car shakes and brakes pulsate and make a loud thumping noise when depressed from a high speed.

Consumer states vehicle would vibrate whenever the brakes were being applied, consumer took vehicle to dealership to be inspected and was advised that rotors were warped and brake pads also needed to be replaced, when consumer took vehicle in again for the same problem within five months, consumer was told that manufacturer is having a problem with this particular vehicle but has been unable to correct the problem.

When braking steering wheel was shaking really badly. Dealer replaced warped rotors. Then, on 1 April 2001 dealer turned rotors, steering wheel was shaking again. Braking distance was normal.

Rotors need to be fixed/replaced. Told this is not covered under warranty since this is normal wear and tear (as per the dealer.

When applying brakes there was a pulsating feeling through pedal all way up to steering wheel. Then, a grinding sound. Dealer replaced front rotors 5 times. Consumer managed to have Chevrolet take vehicle back.

When braking steering wheel shakes, there is vibration and brakes squeak. Dealer has replaced front rotors 8 times due to warping.

Excessive wear of front brake rotors and rear brake drums. Vehicle had front rotors replaced on three occasions, but problem still reoccurring. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

Rotors failes 3 times in 18,701 miles/Chevrolet won't commit to help.

Ongoing problem with excessive wear of rotors. This was the third set of replacement. Dealer notified, and performed repairs. But was unable to correct the problem at this time.

Front of vehicle shakes when brakes are applied. It has been repaired twice. Rotors were replaced & resurfaced once. Dealer did not seem to have another remedy for problem.

While driving at any speed and applying brakes, the front end will vibrate violently. Dealer has been notified. Mechanic stated rotors needed to be replaced, it will be covered at consumers expense because there was 36000 miles on vehicle, and consumer bought vehicle brand new. Consumer states that the vehicle had been taken in early 2001 with the same problem.

Vehicle vibrates when appling brakes and making noise. Brakes and rotors keep prematurely wearing out. Had repaired 7 times. Dealer contacted.