1998 Chevrolet Malibu: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Sep 2, 2004 · Brakes · 55,422 miles · CA

For some reason the front disc brake pads wear prematurely.(they last about a month or so of in-frequent driving).at about every third pad change,I've had to replace both front rotors.ak

Filed Jun 10, 2004 · Brakes · MD

The front brake rotors on my 1998 malibu (with 113,000 miles) are warped and must be replaced. Three prior sets also warped, at 18,000, 29,000, and 91,000. After the first problem I sent a complaint to the office of defects investigation at the federal safety agency. It was assigned odi #735425. I never heard anything back. I note there are over 200 complaints about malibu rotors warping on the federal safety agency website. Isn't there some manufacturer liability for this?

Filed May 12, 2003 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · NY · crash

I have a 1998 chevrolet malibu. I have had numerous front brake problems...from them wearing out prematurely to the rotors warping. At around 5,000 miles I went to the dealer because the rotors were warped and they were subsequently resurfaced. At around 13,000 miles I had to have the rotors replaced because they were warped (the were replaced with after market rotors). Although warping did occur after the rotors were replaced with a non oem part, it did not occur as often and as badly. About one month ago I had the front brakes resurfaced and bendix pads placed. Warping started after a few days that the breaks were done. The mechanic informed me that it was not the rotor that was at fault. It was the entire brake design of the malibu. The brakes simply cannot hold back the weight of the car on such small rotors. Because of the relatively small surface area of such small rotors, they tend to heat up way to early causing severe brake fading....the reason why I brought the car to the mechanic to have the brakes done to begin with. Today, as I was driving in light traffic, as I applied the brakes at around 25 miles an hour, it felt as if I wasn't pressing the brake at all and I rear ended a vehicle causing a lot of damage to my vehicle...somewhere around $2,500 worth. After allowing the car to sit for about a half hour I decided to test the brakes by applying them in the same manner as before...and the vehicle stopped as it should. The only possible explanation is brake fade do to the rotors overheating. I'm extremely upset at chevrolet and at the federal safety agency because they have not done anything to remedy this major well known issue with this vehicle. These vehicles need to recalled immediately in order to prevent serious accidents from occurring. What if the object in front of my vehicle was a person and not just another car.

Filed Mar 27, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 173,527 miles · FL

The odometer read incorrectly. The water pump and belt failed. The wiper regulator failed. The tensioner pulley failed. The vehicles rotors warped and the master cylinder failed. *nlm

Filed Oct 19, 2001 · Brakes · AR

Brake pads/rotors and calipers are prematurely wearing out, cause unknown. *jg

Filed Sep 17, 2001 · Brakes · OH

Brake rotors warped causing vehicle to jerk whenever brakes were applied. Would be very hard to maintain control when it happened. Took to dealership and had rotors replaced under warranty 1st time. At 38,000 miles the same problem of warped rotors. Dealership will not replace. Claimed rotors were too thin to be turned.*akdealer turned rotors on follow-up visit, oem front brake pads were also replaced, both at customers expense.

Filed Aug 27, 2001 · Brakes · OH

The front brake rotors have warped and had to be replaced for the second time now. The first occurrence was approximately 20,000 miles. The second occurrence was at 37,500 miles. The warped rotors cause extreme difficulty in maintaining control of this vehicle under all braking conditions, especially on rough roads. I also wonder what problems may arise with the ABS reading the wheel speed/position under braking with a pulsing condition.

Filed Aug 22, 2001 · Brakes · KY

Have taken vehicle to dealership due to problems with brakes. Mechanic indicated brakes were wearing excessively due to warped rotors. This was second set of rotors. They, too cannot be turned, had worn too thin to be used.

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 · VA

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

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 Apr 27, 2001 · Transmission · MI

Front wheel bearings are prematurely wearing, cause unknown. *ak