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1998 Chevrolet Malibu brakes complaints

Page 5 of 14: complaints 101 to 130 of 376, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1998 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Brakes · NY

Rotors have warped 5 times, this is a normal defect for chevrolet, malibus, its about time someone did something about it.

Filed Aug 5, 2001 · Brakes · MD

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

Filed Aug 2, 2001 · Brakes · NJ

This car stinks. Do not buy it!!!!!! I purchased the car 4/98. After 8,000 miles the brakes started to pulsate. At 13,000 the rotors were replaced. I also had problems with the A/C vents getting stuck. The dealer ended up replacing the vent. The brakes stared to pulsate again by 20,000 miles and by 36,000 miles they needed to be cut. The A/C control head needed to be repalced after 43.000 miles. The A/C cycled on and off. Let me tell you that gm/chevy knows there are problems and still require you to pay for the parts until they find a solution. Anyway, two days after I had the A/C control head replaced, the A/C started to blow out hot air. Brought the car back to the dealer (royal chevrolet in new jersey) to find out what happened. They stated there was a hole in the condensor and it would cost $1200 for the part. I found it hard to beleive that something could fit thru the grill without damaging the grill and put a hole in the condensor. When I picked the car up, he threw the keys accross the counter, said it was in the back and walked away. Great customer service!!! 9 months past untill I had my regular dealer look at the car. He tightened a hose and replaced a seal and freon at a cost of $80. A big difference. I recommend them. (lynn chevrolet). I had the water pump replaced. A camshaft sensor was shorted and had to be replaced. (the check engine light kept coming on) I also replaced the hub bearing on both front wheels after 60,000 miles. Recently the A/C started to have the same problem. I called chevy because I feel I should not have to pay for reoccurring problems. They could care less about the consumer. They have your money already. Chevy told me the only dealer that could repair it on good faith was the dealer that installed the part the first time. The ones the tried to rip me off. Chevy just don't get it. They lost me as a customer. Don't buy this car unless you want poor customer relations.

Filed Jul 13, 2001 · Brakes · TN

Rotors needed to be replaced every 13000 to 15000 miles. There is a streaking noise, and the pedal goes all the way down to floor. Dealership is aware of problem.

Filed Jul 5, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · CO

Vehicle had experienced strong vibration in the steering wheel while driving due to rotors failure.

Filed Jun 29, 2001 · Brakes · OH

Brakes repaired at 12793, 28045, 35608 miles and still a problem.

Filed Jun 25, 2001 · Brakes · CA

Every 10 to 15 thousand miles brakes need to be replaced. When replaced with brakes, vehicle would go into exteneded stopping distance. Please provide further information.

Filed Jun 11, 2001 · Brakes · CA

Dealer claims at 23,000 miles front rotors and front brakes needed to be replaced which was causing a pulsation when applying brakes at any speeds. 8,000 miles later, defect reoccurred again, consumer contacted dealer, and was told rotors needed to be replaced with a new updated rotor. 13,000 miles later, defect has reoccurred for the 3rd time, and was being told by dealer, rotors and brake system needed to be replaced again even after dealer installed new updated parts. Dealer claimed front rotors had excessive run out.*ak

Filed Jun 7, 2001 · Brakes, Engine · AL

We have rotors replaced on this car twice in about 30dys dealer couldn't believe it. And the intake bolts were loose and it was losing coolant.

Filed May 25, 2001 · Body, Brakes · AL

A design flaw in the braking system caused the brake pads and rotors to wear prematurely, the new design creates too much heat for the rotors to dissipate therefore the rotors warp prematurely, this design flaw also causes vibration when braking from high speeds. Nlm

Filed May 16, 2001 · Brakes · CA

While driving would step on brake pedal, but brakes would not work. Had taken vehicle to dealer, and they said that vehicle was not under warranty. Could be fixed at consumer's expense.

Filed May 16, 2001 · Brakes · VA

Front brakes rotors are prematurely wearing, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed May 10, 2001 · Brakes · MO

Rotors keep failing prematurely. Consumer has replaced 5 sets of rotors. Cause unknown. Please provide further information.

Filed May 9, 2001 · Brakes · IL

Left front rotor has been replaced 10 times since purchase of vehicle, rubbing on pad.

Filed May 7, 2001 · Brakes · PA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed May 3, 2001 · Brakes · KY

At various speeds brakes applied and vehicle would shake, and jerk steering wheel out of driver's hand. Took to dealership, and had rotors refaced/turned and resurfaced. Also, had new brake pads due to warped rotors.

Filed May 3, 2001 · Brakes · NC

Brakes go out every 10,000 miles.

Filed May 3, 2001 · Brakes · PA

When applying brakes they were making noise. Dealer replaced pads twice and calipers once. Brakes making noise again at this time. Braking distance is normal.*ak ABS light illuminated.

Filed Apr 28, 2001 · Body, Brakes · LA

Air conditoin panel has gone out twice and has been replaced now it is going out a third time. @ had replace brakes twice in one year and also replace the roters, rear suspension makes a noise a craking souns like the shocks are bad. Transmission problems ,car will not shift out or change gear. It has been put on the computer 2 times and no code is showing up in the transmission. Please help I have had problems with this car since day one. And I have no extended warrenty.

Filed Apr 26, 2001 · Brakes, Tires · NJ

I have had the car back to the dealer 4 times for the same problem. The rotors. May 99, 9800 mi, feb 00, 18247 mi, may 00, 23,236 miles and now today 35,500 mi. The first 2 times they shaved the rotors and the third time they replaced them. However they never put on new pads. Now today they tell me I need new brakes. They car is doing the same thing it did other time. At a speed of over 50 MPH it shimmies. There should definetly be a recall on the brakes. The tires all had to be replaced as they split. Also I have water coming into the left tail light and puts out the bulb.*ak( dot number: )

Filed Apr 23, 2001 · Brakes, Engine · VA

Vehicle making squeaking noise when coming to a stop, consumer was advised by technician that front brake pads were due for replacement and front rotors were worn out, lubed caliper slides and set caliper clearance, inspected cleaned and adjusted rear brake shoes.

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 Apr 10, 2001 · Brakes, Seat belts · CA

When traveling and applying brakes, they make a grinding noise when making a turn. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak transmission mounts were replaced. Safety belt fixed 2 times. Power steering hoses and lines replaced, parts were missing from steering gear assembly.

Filed Apr 9, 2001 · Brakes · CA

I have reported to the dealer of my r/f caliper problem. The brake pads on the r/f side are all the way to the warning tab of the brakes. I feel the pads should be replace because the caliper wore them down prematurlly.

Filed Apr 6, 2001 · Brakes · MI

Recurring warped rotors after tire rotations; only ~38,000 miles and problem has occurred 3 times already; first 2 times, dealers replaced rotors and pads; 3rd time (vehicle out of warrenty) dealer says bad tires are the cause, but resurfaces rotors anyway- symptoms disappear with no change to tires (only difference is resurfaced rotors), so how can it be bad tires. Problem symptoms are always the same; severe pulsation when applying brakes above ~60-65mph, and severe vibration in steering wheel. Brakes are an important safety component on automobiles. Please take some action regarding this problem -- obviously I am not the only one experiencing these problems, and at least some dealers do not appear to be being completely honest here.

Filed Apr 1, 2001 · Brakes · ME

The ABS system attempts to modulate after approx 5 miles of driving. This modulation lasts for an extended period of about 15-20 seconds and happens only while braking. This creates a period of poor braking and extended breaking distance, resulting in several near misses. After the extended modulation, the ABS indicator light comes on and the ABS system is disabled. Once the vehicle ignition is turned off the system clears and the light goes out. This has happend 10-15 times with increased frequency.sed.

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 27, 2001 · Brakes · MI

Consumer had rotors resurfaced, then replaced. Currently, rotors need to be replaced again. When applying brakes front end shakes.

Filed Mar 20, 2001 · Brakes · TX

While driving ABS and brake light came on, and brakes got hard. It was hard to stop at 45 MPH. Took to dealer, and they said acid was dripping onto brake line and it corroded anti-lock valve. Consumer has replaced brakes and drums numerus times beford finding problem was with the dripping of acid.

Filed Mar 19, 2001 · Brakes · KY

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.

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