Pulling out of a driveway consumer hit another car, and vehicle would not stop. Cause unknown. Please provide any furhter information.
2001 Chevrolet Malibu brakes complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 89 of 89, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer states brkaes does not have sufficient braking power. When brakes are applied on hills, the brake pedal goes to the floor, there is an odor as if plastic was burning. Consumer has to pump brake pedal several times in order to stop vehicle. Dealership could not duplicate.
Odor associated with brake failure.@-day rest and brakes appeared to be okay. Am afraid to drive because this could happen again. I was on highway when I sensed faulty braking power. Off highway on hilly road brakes went aout completely and there was an odor like burning plastic. I had car towed to broome chevrolet-oldsmobile on saturday. It stayed there until monday when service shop opened. It was there for two days. The only thing I can get from the service manager is that they road tested it 3 times and they could not duplicate the problem. I tried to find out exactly what they had done to determine the possible cause. He did not know what his mechanics did except rod tested it and looked through the wheel. He could not define what looking through the wheel meant. I asked if they took a logical approach to solving the problem. He could not answer this. I gave some examples, such as, the brakes were engaged for some reason. They got hot and chemicals in the materials vaporized and thius the odor. Now what caused the brakes to lock. Then he said that he knew that the brake peddle would floorboard if the brakes got hot. He also said that hard braking would cause that and slow driving and braking would do that inferring that I did tht. I told him that I did not hard brake and I did not ride the brakes. I also said that if slow driving and braking would cause the problem I had then most everybody driving in the citu would experience what I did. I called general motors customer assistance office and got no help. I aske for sources (telephone numbers) where I could find out about similar problems and where I could talk with knowledgeable people on the subject. All I got was that theyb could not replace every part; she had not numbers; that the ca wass road tested by threer people at broome (she had called and talked with the service manager. I had given her the number.). My wife will not drive the car, because the problem could happen again.
Front brakes rotors and pads went bad prior to 29,173 miles. Called dealer about problem, told them 25,000+/- miles was too soon for brakes to wear. Dealer said they make brakes different now. Dealer would not replace them under warrenty. Ended up replacing them at my own expense myself. Brakes still scrape when moving vehicle at 5 MPH. At 55-60 MPH and press the brake pedal hard vehicle will shake vigorously pulling the steering wheel out of hand. Have not driven my vehicle since march 2002. Trying to sell it. Almost had it sold when the person buying the car talked to the dealer that sold me my car. The salesman at the dealer said to her that he wouldn't think of selling her a malibu and that she should stay away from them. The salesman said that the malibu has a lot of problems, mostly the brakes and is basically a lemon. Chevrolet knows about the brake problem on earlier models (98-00), but has yet to correct the problem. Now I have a car I can't drive or sell!
The rotors have been replaced twice due to warpage whivh causes the vehicle to vibrate hile braking, the consumer believes this is a design flawwarped front brake rotors was turn down by the service department.
When driving brakes pulsate erratically. Has to apply full pressure to pedal before stopping vehicle. Please provide any further information.
Front brakes pulsate when vehicle stops. Brakes had failed and dealer stated the problem could reoccur. *ak consumer states he is hearing a clunk noise in right front wheel area and brake noise in front when braking, vibration is worse after 30 miles of stopping, dealer replaced pads and resurfaced rotors; also, intermittently humming type noise during acceleration.
Vibration and pulsating when applying brakes, grinding noise can be heard. Dealer replaced front rotors and pads. Rotors were replaced a second time in october 2001 for premature wear. *jg
This is a government agency. These cars are purchased as fleet vehicles. I have not had a problem at all with laqua chevrolet, they have fixed these vehicles anytime there has been a problem. What I am very concerned with is, these brakes were just replaced last month and we are on the third set of brakes and rotors, and they had to be replaced again this month.. Is there anything I can do regarding these 8 vehicles? I only sent you one of the VIN numbers, I have 7 more vehicles with the same problem. Thank you for your time and consideration to this matter. Nlm
When braking vehicle would shake. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated it was tires. Consumer went to firestone, and had tires replaced. However, problem reoccurred. Dealer wont look at vehicle. Please provide any further information.
While driving, vehicle shakes erratically. It vibrates from inside. Also, had new struts put on rear. *ak consumer stated that driver side head lamp out of adjustment, front brake pads make noise, engine makes tapping noise when first starting, there was a shimmy in vehicle while driving due to struts leak.
Vehicle stalls while driving, dealer can not remedy the problem, oil pan experienced a leak, service engine light and check engine light illuminated.
On the 22nd of october my vehicle had lost its brakes while traveling down a hill. My immediate response was to apply my emergency brake which did stop my car but also proceeded to cause it to crash. Upon investigation by my ins. Co. (nationwide ins.) they found that both front brake hoses had frayed on the malibu which had caused me to lose my brakes. Further action will be taken to be reimbursed for my vehicle which is now considered totalled. My concern is that this does not happen to other owners of the same type vehicle and I am further requesting a recall on the hoses of the malibu. A report is available from my ins. Co @[xxx]harrisburg, pa [xxx] thank you, [xxx]. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Brakes are spongy. There is a lot of play in the brakes. When applying brakes has to press down hard to stop. Brakes sound like metal to metal rubbing when applying hard. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated couldn't get vehicle to duplicate itself.
Front brake rotors warped and braking effected. Front brake rotors had to be replaced. This should not happen to a new car with 5,200 miles. Service dept said this is not a uncommon problem. Brakes rotors should be made better!
After vehicle sits for awhile, the brakes grab and squeal, dealer has replaced the front brake rotors and pads, rear brakes are noisy, dealer replaced rear drum assembly, cleaned and adjusted rear brakes, and greased backing plates, brake problem is not remedied.
Engine pings with no reason, rotors are looking bad early on.
While traveling at 50-55 MPH and when depressing brakes consumer heard a popping noise, and there was extended stopping distance rotors have been replaced 4 times. Please provie further information.
Item#1) brought vehicle in for service for engine noise. Advised pistons needed replacment. Advised car was "safe to drive". Pistons on national backorder. Left copy of service repair order with saleswoman and advised her to contact general manager of dealership and chevrolet of problem. Item#2) brakes, brought in vehicle for service on 02-14-2001 for brake instability on wet pavement. Advised brakes were "normal" after test drive. No on hoist inspection was performed . Brought in vehicle on 03-21-2001 for brakes and engine noise. Advised brakes were "normal" again, no action was taken regarding brakes after road test by dealership. Pistons needing replacment constitutes a failure of major drivetrain components and this vehicle will not be construed as "safe". A replacement vehicle must be provided or refund of all expenses and return of trade-in vehicle which was reliable.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history