1998 Chevrolet Malibu: brake failure

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Brakes, Fuel system · PA

1998 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes to express discontent with local dealership. *tgw the consumer stated the brake was spongy, the ABS light illuminated and the AC worked erratically, depending on the blower speed and would sometimes quit blowing cold air and would start to blow warm air. The consumer stated the brake fluid was very low. The dealer was unable to find any brake fluid leaks. However, two months later while driving, the brake pedal went to the floor, because the fluid had leaked out again. The brake lines were replaced. In addition, to the brake line issue, the sway bar was broken, a fuel line was leaking and the left rear strut had failed.

Filed Apr 12, 2005 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · PA · crash

When pulling out of a friends home on a dry 60 degree night, my son proceeded less than a block to a flashing red light. Before getting to the light, he applied the brake (the car behind him saw the brake lights) and the car would not stop. He had a total brake failure. When he realized that he would soon be in the middle of the intersection with an oncoming vehicle, he accelerated to try to get out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. However, he still was hit near the rear of the back door (on the drivers side) and the car was spun into a pole on the other side causing extensive damage - the car has been declared a total loss. Fortunately, the occupants were both uninjured, but had he not accelerated it could have been quite a different story. Right now, the insurance company is pushing for us to have it moved to a junk yard to avoid the storage fees. *ak *bf

Filed Apr 29, 2004 · Brakes, Steering · PA · crash

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. *ak 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.

Filed Jun 3, 2003 · Brakes · SC

Brakes failed.

Filed Mar 23, 2003 · Brakes, Suspension · VA

Brake pads, rotors, and calipers continually failed on chevrolet malibu. This has been going on since car was new. Pads, rotors, calipers, and ball joints have all been replaced - pads and rotors as often as every 6000 to 12000 miles. Dealers and independents have worked on it with the same result: more failures. There are hundreds of complaints about these problems for malibu's just from this year's model and many more for other years. The federal safety agency has never investigated even though brake failure would seem to be significant. My tax money is not working hard enough.

Filed May 21, 2002 · Brakes · KY

While driving, applied brakes and without warning brakes failed. Consumer had to repair brakes twice under 15000 miles.*ak

Filed Feb 7, 2002 · Brakes, Engine · VT

Since I have owned this car I have had to change the brakes 10 times. I have had to replace the rotors twice. I have had to replace the calipers on both sides in the front and the wheel bearing on the passengers side once I have had repeated problems with the brakes since I purchased this car. In august of 2001 I had to replace the head gaskets as anti-freeze was leaking into my oil. My anti-lock brake light will come on out of the blue while traveling at speeds of 50 MPH I am becoming very concerned about this matter. I have spoke to about 35 malibu owners and they are all having the same problems. One owner had only 10k miles one her car at the time her brakes failed.

Filed Apr 10, 2001 · Brakes · NH

Front brake pads and rotors are prematurely wearing,cause unknown. *ak the dealer replaced the brakes free of charge but could not explain why the brake failure keep on happening. This was the third failure.

Filed Mar 29, 2001 · Brakes, Engine · MO

Brakes failed to work properly when they were applied. Tires would go flat every 3 days. Had them checked for holes or cuts, nothing was found. Engine had stalled out while driving due to blown head gaskets.

Filed Mar 17, 2001 · Brakes · TX

The brake lines come out of the master cylinder and go to a hydralic valve on the antilock brake valve which is located under the battery and corrosion has gotten into and on this valve assembly which has caused rear brake failure the valve is located in a very bad place to control such an important part of the operations of a vehicle. This problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible before there is failures of brakes on these vehicles. When the acid has been there long enough it will eat away at the brake lines completly and cause major accidents whith the loss being more than money or property.

Filed Mar 6, 2001 · Brakes · OH

The brakes failed, causing them to make squealing noise, the front pads were replaced, rotors machined and calipers serviced, the consumer request reimbursement. Nlm

Filed Oct 13, 2000 · Brakes · FL · crash

Experiencing ongoing problem with intermittent brake failure due to extendedn stopping distance, been in / out of dealer shop on eight occasions. At present, vehicle was involved in a rear end collision because of extended stopping distance while applying brakes. Please feel free to provide any further details.