1999 Chevrolet Malibu: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Dec 22, 2006 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 119,676 miles · TX

I purchased a 1999 chevy malibu in november 2003. I have replaced the brake pads at least 10 times ($20 each time), the rotors have been replaced 3 times ($70 each time). The brakes give you no warning they just quit suddenly which has almost caused several accidents. The ABS light always comes on and when this happens you can guarantee the ignition switch is about to lock up on you. The rear windows quit working, I hear a weird popping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving down the highway. The anti theft system has came on 6 or 7 times and will not allow me to crank the car(once it happened while my child was having an asthma attack and I was attempting to take him to the er). If you hit a bump in the road sometimes it sounds like a small explosion in the front end and causes the steering wheel to jerk uncontrollably for several miles. I have taken this vehicle to several mechanics who absolutely refuse to work on it because of the general fact that it is a 1999 malibu, now my ignition has completely quit, actually it hung in the start position and was making my starter grind and almost catch fire, this has happened several about 15 times, but usually after jiggling the key a few times it comes undone, but not this time. My dad had to take my battery off in order to make the engine die. So now my employer got so fed up with me being late or calling in because of my car problems that I was terminated. I am a single mom with 2 children, both have chronic asthma and have to be rushed to the er with severe asthma attacks all the time, and now I have no way to take them should the need arise. The parts are going to cost me $200 and the cost of labor and now I have no job. If you call chevrolet all they tell you is to take it to a dealer and let the mechanic look at it for a fee, and then they want to charge you more than I make in 2 months, and they never even ask you any personal info so there are no documented claims on your calls.

Filed Mar 12, 2004 · Brakes · 600 miles · OK

When the brakes are applied there is a grinding noise. Dealer has been contacted.

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · OH

Automatic transmission housing is coming apart due to the gears grinding together. This condition causes transmission fluid to leak. Vehicle had not been to a dealer for service.

Filed Oct 3, 2003 · Brakes · AZ

I experience constant brake grinding, and I had the rotors turned and the pads replaced twice over the past year. Recently, the calipers seized and the brakes did not work. The dealer claimed that there's nothing wrong -- two days after the pads, rotors, and calipers were replaced.

Filed Sep 14, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 30,200 miles · NV

At about 27000mi (3000mi. Service) I notified dealer of squeaking in front & rear suspension bushings. Dealer sprayed lube on rear (about $100)and notified me that they would have to lower complete front end to lube front, approx $200 more. Extended warranty didn't cover. At 30000 mi service dealer notified me I needed complete brake job. I inspected brakes while on lift. Mechanic said he made mistake! He said that he hadn't pulled wheels of yet. Said there was 80% left, repair invoice said 50% left. A little over a week later there was a puddle of trans fluid on garage floor & air conditioning smelled like urine when on, also switching itself from recirculation to fresh. Took car to dealer, they replaced switch, deductible $se on extended warranty, sprayed something in outside vent (mold they said?), and tightened trans cooling line, their fault! Three days later cooling leak, dealer replaced water pump, deductible $'s on extended warranty. Two weeks later the rear power window actuator (motor & cable assembly) quit! I might have used this window 12 times since I bought 99 malibu ls from champion chevrolet, reno,nv. New in 12/99! All things considered, I feels like they are sabotaging my vehicle to get back at me for discovering they lied about brake job! Also after reading your complaint list, I realize that I am not alone thinking that brakes, steering vibration, and reliability in general is poor on this vehicle.

Filed May 5, 2003 · Brakes · 55,007 miles · MI

Continual brake problems. Three complete front brake services including rotors and pads each time at 20,000 , 36,000 , and 55,000 miles. All service was performed by chevrolet dealers. After each service I have noticed a "grinding" noise, faint, at first but worsens gradually until replacement. Last dealer (simms chevrolet ortonville michigan) strongly suggested I call gm (which I have on the last two occasions) but they claim it is normal. I leased the vehicle for my wife to drive to work, but she will no longer drive it as she is afraid of a total failure.

Filed Jan 29, 2003 · Brakes · OK

There was a grinding noise coming from the vehicle. The dealer then stated there was a problem with the ABS drum.*jb ph

Filed Sep 17, 2002 · Electrical · SD

The air conditioner doesn't cool properly. It seems that once my car is getting cool the air conditioner will shut off and will blow warm air. There also is a short between the recirculating air button and the outside air button. The lights will blink on and off simultaneously without even touching the buttons. Sometimes an odor will come from the air conditioner. The rear-passenger door is hard to open. My rotors have been resurfaced and replaced. My brake pads have also been replaced but my brakes still grind and squeek.

Filed Jul 31, 2002 · Suspension · OH

Suspension is still having problems after three trips to dealership for repairs. Gm admits service alert, but remedy they suggest doe snot fix problem. When vehicle is moving at higher speeds on rough surface, car jerks, squeaks and feels generally less controllable

Filed Jul 25, 2002 · Brakes, Steering · MI

The consumer states that when applying the brakes, the vehicle will vibrate. The consumer takes the vehicle to the dealer every 4000 miles for the same vibration/squeaking and they just replaced the brake pads, and trimmed the rotors. The problem still occurs every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. *jb the consumer states that the vibration immediately caused the alignment to go bad and gets very hard to control the vehicle if driving at highway speed. *jb

Filed May 2, 2002 · Steering · MI

Power steering pump is making a grinding sound at any time, any speed. Dealer has replaced pump 3 times, remedies the problem only for a while, then the grinding sound comes back.

Filed Feb 12, 2002 · Airbags, Brakes · FL

Had coolant/oil leaking from valve cover/ intake manifold. Dealer replaced all 5 gaskets, oil and coolant. Only have 31,000 miles on the car. Also had resistor for fan control changed. Blower would not operate in position 1 or 2. One month ago in january, had transmission cooling leak. Dealer said it was "transmission internal wiring harness connector" leaking when I told them it was cooling line. Invoice shows changed harness, which I couldnt tell it was new because it was dirty, and changed gasket in cooling line. At same time had A/C blower control unit replaced. Ive had probelms with this vehicle since I bought it. Tires were "cupped" after first rotation. Dearler replaced 2 front tires under warranty. Now I have a problem with tires/wheels after each rotation when rear wheels are put up front. Said problem might be alignment, which is not covered under warranty. Also have had horn repaired due to inop. Dealer found wiring harness wasn't connected. Had control switch changed on power drivers seat. Drivers seat moves back/forth slightly when braking/accelerating. Passenger-side airbag was replaced due to "squeaking" when hitting bumps in the road. Had battery replaced due to acid leak eating off positive terminal. Had to leave car overnight at work brakes are due replacement due to "brake fade". Car is total disapointment. Would trade it in, but I owe more than vehicle is worth.