Three problems related to suspension have been reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the 2002 Malibu.
Vehicle front end shakes/wobbles severely when under hard braking situations down hill. Loud low rumble noise and pedal vibrations are evident. Shaking and wobbling is present through vehicle steering wheel requiring more strength and directional corrections to steer and guide the vehicle properly. Down hill braking could be severely impeded in normal driving or while towing a trailer. Panic stops and light braking situations on level ground are normal straight and true. Brake fluid level check okay and is clean. Abs system operating normally. Parking brake operating normally. Vehicle brake system and abs warning lights check okay. Vehicle has 4 new tires mounted and balanced on original factory rims. Tires are sized and inflated to vehicle manufacturers specifications. Cold tire pressure 29 psi in front and 26 psi in rear. Front left and right rotor surfaces are smooth and within normal specifications. Vehicle diagnosed as having warped front rotors. Front rotors appear to warp prematurely under normal load. Vehicle has had front rotors repaired and or replaced 3 times. Has been suggested that front rotors are not large enough to handle the size and capacity of the vehicle. Vehicles with the six cylinder engine option displace more weight upon the front axle creating excessive heat and wear on undersized disc brakes. Vehicle presented with 69,000 original miles.
I wanted to submit my complaint after receiving a recall letter about my former car. In December of 2013 I was driving on the road after it had rained. I lost control of the vehicle. Car went off the edge of the road. Was unable to control car through steering or braking. We slid down the hill fishtailing. Rear end hit signs which sent me into a spin and shattered the rear window. Front of car was stopped by several trees- cracking windshield/crushing front end. Deploying air bags. Car was totaled. My two children in the back seat had seat belt burn and cuts from glass. I had multiple bruises, cuts, burn from seat belt. Hit head and briefly lost consciousness. As a result it aggravated my chronic pain condition.
Consumer states that the steering wheel will not steer itself straight. The dealer has been notified. Nlm dealer was unable and unwilling to fix, consumer states vehicle will be traded soon. Tt.