Brake Disc Problems of Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

Sever vibration when brakes are applied. One rotor was changed while vehicle was under warranty. Now there is 50,000 miles on the car and no warranty and the problem is back. This was a problem the dealer was aware of and should have replaced the other rotor also.

See all problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Purchased car 5/06 ,returned to the dealer 30 days later with with severe brake and rotor damage. I have since then replaced the brakes and rotors 3 times, and my car was a another dealer who found that a clamp was left on the brake line which caused all of the damage. Purchasing dealer was norm reeves Honda , huntington beach,CA , and servicing dealer community Chevrolet, burbank CA. The purchasing dealer would not assist me with the repairs after the initial repair which I split the cost of the repairs.

See all problems of the 2007 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Front brakes wore out prematurely, dealer inspected vehicle several times, but problem recurred.

See all problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

When applying brakes vehicle shakes and rattles. Dealer notified.

I purchased a 2001 Malibu LS used back in Feb 2002. I have had nothing but problems with the breaks making a grounding noise when I come to slow stops. As time goes by it seems to be happening more and more oftern. At first it was only when I would be in drive thru lines waiting or the brake noise would come and then go away for awhile. The noise is like a grounding or metal rubbing noise. When you press on the brakes it sound like the brakes are going to snap off. I have brought this car into two difference repair shops and they all stated that this problem is due to how chevy made the brakes. They tell me something about they now use metal on the brakes and when the brakes get hot they make this noise. I can turn the car on and usually within 15 minutes the brakes start making the noise. I had the brakes oiled, brakes pads repaired and nothing takes the noise away. From what I am told and from what I have read from other peoples complaints is that this is a very common problem and if you get the brakes replaced eventually it will start again. Many people have wondered why no recall has been issued. Like someone else stated what does it take for a recall to be issued. A death or injury due to the brakes. I am lucky compared to what other people who have had the brakes fail. I don't know how much more I can take of hearing the noise. I contacted the chevy customer service via email and all they told me was to take it to a dealer and have it looked at. Since they can't inspect the car they have to rely on the dealers. Not once did they ever admit to any problems with the brakes. I paid alot for this car and I should have to deal with brake problems. I went back to the dealer many times but they were not helpfull. I won't go back anymore to the dealer because I have spoken to other people who bought cars from there and they had nothing but problems. I just want this brake issue to be resolved.

Dear ms. Radley and chevy, I am quite sure that you are aware of the numerous consumer complaints and problems associated with the brake system of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, but just in case I will expounded on the issue. My wife purchased the vehicle from your dealership on 22 Aug 98. Shortly thereafter we noted several significant problems with the brakes grinding and squeaking. The following are dates that the vehicle was brought in for brakes problems: 02/04/99 - 8k milesms. Radley, that makes a grand total of ten times the car has had noted brake problems with no resolution to the problem. There is a definite manufacturing problem with these brakes that I expect fixed. I had expressed concern over this issue when the brakes and rotors had to be replaced at 20k miles, apparently no one cared then as now. I have spoken with Chevrolet consumer complaint division, jeff merritt and ike chris about this problem at length and I must say the total lack of responsibility grows more evident. I have been told everything from driving habits to lack of service. This patronization is infuriating. The bottom line is Chevrolet knows full well that they placed a braking system designed for a chevy cavalier on the Malibu. Do not try and tell me that it is normal for rotors to warp and go bad every 20k miles; I do not accept that answer. When I called several garages and ask what vehicle requires the most brakes service and replacement rotors  the answer was malibu and alero. I called seven different shops in the area and two other chevy dealerships and received the same answer at each place. You may want to note the following complaints files at the national highway traffic safety administration, office of defects investigation, consumer complaints database. As of when I researched the database I discovered 865 consumer complaints 365 of which are brake related.

See all problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Have owned vehicle for 18 months and have replaced rotors, brake pads, and calipers on 3 separate occasions. Dealer states normal wear and tear, but strange excessive heat on rotors to warp and crack each pair. Steering column shakes when brakes applied. Brake pedal goes to the floor with excessive braking distance. At other time, brake pedal is like manual braking with stiffness. Vehicle will slide at normal braking on asphalt. Quick defensive braking causes consumer to have difficulty maintaining lane due to violent shaking of steering column and brake pedal. Calipers grabbing rotors when brake pedal applied causing immediate jerk right or left in the steering wheel. Dt.

See all problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

I feel the disc brake rotors fail too rapidly and the pulsating could lead to complete brake system failute, better components should be used.

Front brake pads and rotors replaced at 24,500 miles. Outside pads not touched, inside pads completely gone. No warranty on this. Said it was normal wear and tear.

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.

See all problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

When braking vehicle would shake. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated it was tires. Consumer went to firestone, and had tires replaced. However, problem reoccurred. Dealer wont look at vehicle. Please provide any further information.

Front brakes rotors and pads went bad prior to 29,173 miles. Called dealer about problem, told them 25,000+/- miles was too soon for brakes to wear. Dealer said they make brakes different now. Dealer would not replace them under warrenty. Ended up replacing them at my own expense myself. Brakes still scrape when moving vehicle at 5 mph. At 55-60 mph and press the brake pedal hard vehicle will shake vigorously pulling the steering wheel out of hand. Have not driven my vehicle since March 2002. Trying to sell it. Almost had it sold when the person buying the car talked to the dealer that sold me my car. The salesman at the dealer said to her that he wouldn't think of selling her a Malibu and that she should stay away from them. The salesman said that the Malibu has a lot of problems, mostly the brakes and is basically a lemon. Chevrolet knows about the brake problem on earlier models (98-00), but has yet to correct the problem. Now I have a car I can't drive or sell!.

My 1998 Chevrolet Malibu has just over 40,000 miles on it and I just had to replace the brake pads and rotors for the third time (the first time was in September,1999 and the second was in April, 2000). This feels excessive to me, but chevy says it's normal wear and tear (strange that in having cars for the last 18 years I've never replaced them). I've tried to approach this throught the dealer and gm as well, but I get the blow off each time. It took 3 phone calls to chevy to find out about your website. They keep saying there's no problem with the model, but your somewhat "secret" website lists 123 people with the same complaint. If I call to have the car serviced for brake problems, the service rep has even guessed before me saying, "let me guess. . . A 1998 Malibu?" obviously the problems with the brakes are widespread if they can guess the make of my car. Although nobody in my family has been hurt yet, I hope something is done before that point is reached. Kris fitz.

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

No summary listed for above vehicle.

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.

Although the dealer says that the brakes are designed to produce a slight clicking noise when the pads begin to wear, no such noise was heard. With only 23,450 miles on car, the pads on one side of the rotor wore down cutting grooves into that side of the rotor while pads on other side of same rotor had a way to go before being worn down. I understand this same problem occurred on the Chevrolet s10 and for which the s10 was recalled. Dealer said it is not uncommon for rotors to go bad soon as pads wear out on the Malibu. It is ridiculous to have to pay for rotors each time the pads go bad, especially at only 23,000 miles.

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.

Brake pads have been replaced 4 times since 14,000 miles. The rotors vibrate and shimmy when applying the brakes. Trying to get the dealer to investigate the problem is a hassle. They said that because I have my preventative maintenance done by my own personal *certified* mechanic and not at the dealer that I have voided my warranty on the rotors. They want to charge me $200 + for the replacement of the rotors. I have spoken with several other Malibu owners who have had this same problem. It is my opinion that a recall should be mandated and enforced for this particular problem with this vehicle. I have never owned a car that I had to replace the brake pads every time I pulled into a gas station. Thank you!.

Brakes need to be serviced for 4th time, this is a major safety issue.

Vibration and pulsating when applying brakes, grinding noise can be heard. Dealer replaced front rotors and pads. Rotors were replaced a second time in October 2001 for premature wear.

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.

Rotors have been turned and pads replaced three times within eight months, but problem has reoccurred. Feel free to provide any further information.

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

Brakes shimmied badly. Apparent brake problem. Dealer knew problem before I finished telling them of problem. Dealer replaced warped brake rotors and brake pads. Researched problem and discovered hundreds of same identical problem and complaints. Concerned because other consumers are having same problem fixed over and over for defective design. I am concerned about the safety issue of the brake system on this car.

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.

The rotors re bad and the car isn't even a year and miles under 36,ooo. Someone I know has the same exact car and it is only a few months older. . . Same problems. Then there is a person with an alero which is made by GMC and it's under a year old with bad rotors too. . . I think it is a manufacturer's defect. Rotors usually last 3-5 years. . . . Now me and 2 others have had our new car under a year and experienced shaking at interstate speeds and while braking. . Because the rotors are bad. . . I think that NHTSA should really look in to this befor someones brakes go out I think it may have something to do with ceremic brake pads- ie>> them wearing on the rotors there is no way that 3 new cars with good drivers should be needing rotors. Why are these cars tearing up rotors. Please help us before we have to pay hundreds of dollars on new cars.

Purchased 2000 Malibu new, brakes/rotors began to pulsate at 5200 miles dealership turned rotors. Vehicle returned to dealership at 7000 with same problem, same fix by dealership. Vehicle returned to dealership at 9000 and brakes/rotors replaced with "new type/heavy duty parts". Vehicle returned to dealership at 12500 with similar problems. . . Dealership could not duplicate my problem. Vehicle back in for the 5th time at 17000, same problem, dealership had vehicle for 2 weeks and state brakes/rotors are within "specs" and there is nothing they can do. Chevrolet customer assistance does not care nor does the regional service manager who looked at the case I filed with Chevrolet. I am expected to deal with this problem according to the service manager where I purchased my vehicle. I need help and so do other people who purchased a problem vehicle and to manufacturer has little idea why this problem occurs.

Brakes are spongy. There is a lot of play in the brakes. When applying brakes has to press down hard to stop. Brakes sound like metal to metal rubbing when applying hard. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated couldn't get vehicle to duplicate itself.

Returned to selling dealer 06/13/2000, 18121 miles for repair of brake pulsation, especially violent at interstate speeds. Brake rotors were resurfaced and pads deglazed at my expense. Complained to service manager about being charged for repair on a car with 3/36 bumper to bumper warranty. Was told brake warranty was only 12/12000. Called Chevrolet and lodged a complaint, followed by a letter on 06/16/2000. Chevrolet rep gave me a complaint file #, c00624109. Now at 26000 miles, brake pulsation has returned. I have no reason to think this will not be constantly reocurring. At highway speed this is a safety problem. The steering wheel will shudder violently. I feel confident that some reengineering is possible and should be required.

5 months after I purchased this vehicle, the brakes would "squeal" when any pressure was applied. Took the car to dealer to be checked out. The pads were worn and the rotors were at/below min. Thickness. Rt 25. 04 & lt 24. 66 mm. Minimum thickness being 25. 0mm. Pads & rotors were changed and now here it is a little over a year later and I'm now getting a grinding noise and when I get to a complete stop, the whole car feels like its just going to fall out from under me. Will be taking it in again to be checked out but will be placing complaint with manufacturer, dealership, & state dcca.

With 58000 miles, the rotors have been replaced four times and I'm now on the third set of brake pads. Brake pedal travels almost to the floor, and even at a stop, with brand new pads and rotors, the car still lurches forward a bit as if the brakes can't completely stop it. Chevrolet agreed to replace the rotors for 100000 miles because I filed a formal complaint, however this time I took it to an independent garage who put heavy duty rotors on to see if that will help. Even that mechanic states that the brakes do not seem adequate for the car.

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.