2000 Chevrolet Malibu: rotors or pads wearing out early

Filed Oct 31, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · OH

2006 chevrolet malibu. Consumer complaint on lemon law. Consumer believes his vehicle falls under the lemon law specifications. *kb the consumer stated the defective caliper design caused premature wear of the calipers and rotors. After replacing the factory supplied calipers, the premature rotor and brake pad wear ceased. The intake manifold was replaced several times. Once the new gasket material was implemented the intake gasket no longer leaked. The safety hazard light control assembly on the steering was replaced three times because the dealer replaced defective components with additional defective components it was finally determined the hazard light switch was covered under a special agreement with the federal safety agency, however, gm refused to honor the agreement.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 7,000 miles · TX

Intermittently when the brake pedal was applied, the brakes grabbed so hard that the entire vehicle vibrated severely. When this occurred, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. This resulted in extended stopping distance. The brake rotors warped. On one occasion this failure caused lost of control, in which the consumer almost crashed into an 18 wheeler, but was able to pull over to the medium. The dealership has acknowledged that there was a problem with the braking system, but was unable to correct the problem, and was now refusing to work on the vehicle. *ak there was a rattle under the hood at the firewall area while the vehicle was in motion, the hose assembly was found rubbing under the vehicle, both front rotors had wore thin, the fuel pump sender did not hold the correct amount of fuel pressure, there was an open circuit in the 24x crank sensor, there was a rattle in the front suspension due to weak front lower control arms which were noisy (the right lower control arm was replaced), the coolant level sensor shorted, the water pump assembly leaked coolant, there was a vibration at highway speeds, hardware was bad and was loose in the caliper, rotor pulsation which was replaced per bulletin, the turn signal was inoperative, and the A/C had internal damage and would cut on and off.

Filed Dec 22, 2003 · Brakes · GA

I believe there is an engineering defect in the design of the brakes that causes premature wear of the rotors, which could lead to brake system failure. This problem is well documented by customers, service facilities and gm dealers. Gm goes out of its way to discourage relevant discussion of this problem, choosing instead to ignore it. In three years, I have had to replace my rotors 5 times with 87,000 miles on the car. It is expensive and highly unusual for rotors to wear out so quickly. Every mechanic/technician I have spoken with says the exact same thing: the rotors are engineered extremely thin due to the caliper design. In order to fit the rotor in place - it must be so thin due to the design of the brake system that to begin with it is barely within safety specifications. If not extremely vigiliant, rotors can warp quickly - causing a cascading effect that is also well documented. I strongly believe this situation needs careful scrutiny. Gm needs to acknowledge and develop a remedy for this situation.

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Brakes, Tires · 28,000 miles · NY

While braking the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance due to the front brake rotors wearing. Also there was a vibration when depressing the brake pedal. The dealership was notified, but the problem was not resolved. *ak the dealership told the consumer they would replace the rotors when the vehicle was first purchased, but they never did. *cb

Filed Jul 30, 2003 · Brakes · 45,950 miles · FL

Right front tire on 2000 chevrolet malibu came apart on outer sidewall while driving at 60 MPH. Initally no cause could be found. The tread and inner sidewall appeared to be ok. After installing the space saver spare and driving about 100 miles home at 50 MPH the tire and rim were immediately inspected. The tire was so hot you could barely hold your hand on it. The rim was hot enough to burn fingers. The brake on that wheel was not completely releasing and was causing the extreme heat build-up. The outside on the tire appears to have gotten so hot that it literally fell apart. The brake pads on this vehicle had been replaced at about 38,00 miles and this side had worn more than the other, but no problems could be found to account for the abnormal wear. The brake on this wheel appears to work nornally most of the time and then periodically not release completely and cause the heat to build -up and the abnormal pad wear. There was no warning from the tire or vehicle that this was about to happen except for a slight humming noise from the front of vehicle a couple seconds before failure. I consider this an extreme safet hazzard because it occurs with no warning and then is usually blamed on the tire. Either it was defective or had improper pressure.

Filed Jan 9, 2003 · Brakes · 3,000 miles · MA · crash

Vehicle has had numerous problems with defective rotors. At 3000 miles rotors warped and needed to be serviced. Rotors have been serviced or replaced 5 times since vehicle purchase. Problem was occurring every 3000-6000 miles. *nlm. Also, has had two accidents.

Filed Jul 16, 2002 · Brakes, Visibility · MN

Brake pads uneven wear and warped rotors replaced at 13,696 I had same problems at 23,260 dealer inspected and stated ok returned vehicle again at 42816 and diagnosis was same as 1st time now not covered under 3 yr/36 due to mileage. Had to replace windshield washer pump at 42,000 miles and AC/heater control head at 50, 102. Vehicle is 2 years old and not covered due to mileage. Items replaced do not have anything to do with wear or mileage of vehicle.

Filed May 28, 2002 · Brakes · MI

Vehicle vibrates when appling brakes and making noise. Brakes and rotors keep prematurely wearing out. Had repaired 7 times. Dealer contacted.

Filed Nov 7, 2001 · Brakes · MI

Although the dealer says that the brakes are designed to produce a slight clicking noise when the pads begin to wear, no such noise was heard. With only 23,450 miles on car, the pads on one side of the rotor wore down cutting grooves into that side of the rotor while pads on other side of same rotor had a way to go before being worn down. I understand this same problem occurred on the chevrolet s10 and for which the s10 was recalled. Dealer said it is not uncommon for rotors to go bad soon as pads wear out on the malibu. It is ridiculous to have to pay for rotors each time the pads go bad, especially at only 23,000 miles.

Filed Aug 26, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · AZ

While driving, vehicle was hesitant after stopping, transmission would begin to shift every 4 seconds, dealer stated that a piece of metal from the front pump of the transmission had come off and sent pieces of metal circulating through the entire transmission, consumer was told that since the transmission was sealed that it was not anticipated that the metal pieces would affect the other systems of the vehicle, dealer made repairs and one mile down the road transmission began acting poorly again, consumer took back to dealer who stated that transmission was stuck in second gear, dealer replaced transmission. Oxygen sensor failed. Rotors warped and were causing vibration, dealer replaced pads and rotors. Battery leaked acid into engine compartment. Coolant cap was defective and replaced.

Filed Jul 3, 2001 · Brakes · AL

Front rotors warped, and were replaced by dealer with 20,182 miles. Again, brakes were warped, dealer turned front rotors, and advised consumer that it was simply a wear and tear item. *ak

Filed Apr 18, 2001 · Brakes · GA

When braking steering wheel was shaking really badly. Dealer replaced warped rotors. Then, on 1 april 2001 dealer turned rotors, steering wheel was shaking again. Braking distance was normal.