The front rotors (left and right) warp every 8-12 thousand miles causing sever vibration when braking at high speeds. This is a problem with all mailbus from 1997-2000 based on conversations with other malibu owners and dealer service technicians. The federal safety agency complain files show dozens and dozenns of the same complaint, yet no action by either the federal safety agency or chevy/gm. Do not understand why. Chevrolet should be forced to make amends to owners and replace trhe rotors with an improved design. My understanding is the 2000 model malibus have an improved rotor and heat dissipating front disc brake pads. The federal safety agency should have chevrolet refit 97-99 models with these new parts.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu brakes complaints
Page 7 of 14: complaints 161 to 190 of 376, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Replaced front brakes(rotors and pads) twice in under 33000 miles, radio replaced twice in under a year, heater core and blower replaced at 32000 miles, hazard button broke in under a year.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Premature fail of front rotors dealer will replace rotors but will charge for pads and additional labor. Wheel center covers present a condition (all 4) that may cause then to come off due to fatigue of supporting brackets. Rear glass weatherstripe shrink abnormaly causing water to enter inside.
Vehicle front rotors warped at 10,000 miles. Resurfaced rotors, warped again. Replaced chevrolet rotors with aftermarket rotors at 18,000 miles. Aftermarket rotors warped. Vehicle dangerous to drive. Chevrolet refuses to fix at their expense.
When I apply brakes at speeds above 60 MPH, front of vehicle starts shaking. At 70 MPH, vehicle is very difficult to control. I usually drive under 65 MPH and first noticed it when I took my first trip. On a recent trip, I had to brake on a steep hill, was going the speed limit at 70 MPH, and almost lost control. This is a safety hazard. It appears to have been be a defect from day one.
Almost as soon as I bought the car, rear lights began to go out sporadically, I've already had to replace the brake shoes twice (at 18,000 and about 44,000 miles), I had to replace the alternator at 37,000 miles, one seat belt clip plastic handle protector broke off, and I've had radiator leakage and air condition problems as well as radio reception being sporadic at best.
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.
Left seat buckle inoperable.
Front brake rotors failed causing pulsation while braking. Nlm
No summary listed for above vehicle.
At low speed braking it causes vehicle to virbate in the steering wheel and at high speed of 70 or more . Vehicle loses braking power. Dealer notified, and replaced front rotors. Problem reoccurred after 3-4 months. Please feel free to provide any further details.
Warped rotors causing vehicle to vibrate, steering to wobble, not to have complete control when braking.
Front brake pads and rotors are experiencing excessive wear, causing vehicle to vibrate when attempting to stop at highway speed. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.
The rotors were warped at 25,000 miles.
Rotors replaced twice before 20,000 miles and alternator replaced at 25,000. This car is a real lemon. Will never buy gm product again.
Faulty brakes heavy vibration to front end and steering wheel,during turning and stopping, dealer shaved rotors and replace brake twice, third time dealer wanted owner to buy new rotors
Abs light just came on when turned on car and never went off. When you hit the brakes the whole car shudders. Pulling away from a stop sign the right front axle just popped and broke, we were't even going 25 miles an hour.
Every year since I've owned the car I've had to have rotors replaced, so far under warranty. I don't want to have to start paying for what seems to be a regular failure of equipment.
While applying brakes while traveling 35-40 MPH, rear whee lock up. Dealer notified, and repairs were made. Feel free to provide further details.
Second occurance in 29,000 miles: car develops extreme shudder when applying brakes above 50mph. Potential safety hazard on wet/slippery roads common in ny area. Dealer replaced as "good will" but chevrolet will not acknowledge problem. The federal safety agency customer complaints are very high for this identical problem. Chevrolet should replace rotors with high performance rotors that will not warp or extend warranty to include front disk brakes for life of car..
Braking system failed causing an accident. Brakes failed to activate at speeds of 10mph causing the inability to stop the vehicle which subsequently caused an accident. Brakes were depressed as far as they could be and vehicle failed to stop. Had problems with brakes before. Shudderin sounds come from the front hood when applying brakes at any speeds. Feels like something rubbing in the front and bottom of vehicle.
Rotors have been replaced 4 x's, vehicle difficult to stop and vibration at 65mph is extreme. Owner of dealership refuses to return phonecalls.
While applying brakes, the car pulsates and jumps when coming to a stop. The car was taken in several times to have the rotars turned, then later replaced, then replaced again with 99 model rotars, the brakes are still pulsating to current date. The alternator went out while driving, lost all power to brakes, ABS system, and air bags. The alternator was replaced. Later had to have battery replaced due to alternator killing it. The A/C light would blink on and off, the compressor would cut on and off. Had to eventually replace the panel on the inside of the car after having a new compressor put on. The A/C panel seemed to have done the trick, though is has some new problems from the beginning. The bushings squeak and sqwauk while driving over bumps, they have now started in the rear of the car.
While driving & applied brakes, vehicle would start to shimmy & vibrate in the front. Took to dealer. Mechanic could resolve the problem first time. When vibration returned, took vehicle back to dealer & problem was resolved.
This is the third time in 40,000 I'm replacing the rotors. The steering shimmies, and the brake pedal pulses. The brakes are poorly designed. It's not my driving.
While driving about 55 MPH applied brakes, and brakes did not work, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. A technician said that this was a rotor problem, and rotors needed to be replaced.
Intermittently when brakes are applied vehicle experiences extended stopping distance. Also, premature failure of brake pads have affected the rotors. Dealer has inspected vehicle.
At higher speeds steering wheel shudders during braking. Dealer repaired at 17,000 miles, failing again at 25,000 miles.
Front rotors replaced at 8500 miles,resurfaced rotors at 14,470,replace both front rotors at 17,156 and are now starting to pulsate at 21,300.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history