Dangerous brake rotor warpage every 16,000 miles like clock work. Causes weak brakes and extreme ware to front end moving parts. New top of the line rotors and pads will not cure problem. It is an engineering screw up. This is an ongoing engineering problem and why gm is going broke.
2001 Chevrolet Malibu: rotors or pads wearing out early
7 of the 720 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu describe rotors or pads wearing out early.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 21 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Rotors or pads wearing out early by model year
What owners say
Left and right hub bearing needed to be replaced. *ph steering wheel vibrates when braking due to front rotors having excessive runout and pads worn out evenly. Also, consumer heard noise coming from hub bearing, dealer replaced bearing.
The front brake calipers on this vehicle flex when the brakes are applied. This has resulted in uneven and premature wear of the brake pads. The pads were replaced twice, once at 17,000 miles and once at 30,000. The rotors were remachined at 17,000 miles, replaced at 30,000 miles and resurfaced at 33,000. The flexing of the caliper causes misalignmet of the guide pins, causing the caliper to hang up. As a result only the inner brake pad is stopping the car. There is virtually no wear on the outer pad. The inner pads show signs of overheating, which can cause the rotors to warp (pulsating), and brake fade in a panic stop. The constant flexing could also comprimise the intgerity of the aluminum calipers over time. Gm claims this is normal. I have checked the nhtsb web site and found 28% of the complaints filed for this vehicle were brake related and almost all could be attributed to this condition.
Brake pads wear out prematurely.
Brakes pads had to be replaced and rotors turned at 25k miles. Premature wear but dealer would not replace under warranty. Now at 46k miles car is again in need of brake pads.
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
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!
Service bulletins that may apply
- Service brakes, hydraulic
- This informational bulletin provides a revision for 01-00-89-010I to add the 2013 model year.
- ABS pump running when not needed
- Incorrect outer backing plate
- Tech 2 displays asterisk for the left front wheel speed sensor
- Revised brake system specifications
- The anti-lock brake system indicator is illuminated and diagnostic trouble code C1236 is stored
- Brakes caliper noise on apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu premature wear
Is rotors or pads wearing out early a common problem on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
7 of 720 owner complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu (1%) mention rotors or pads wearing out early. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
There are 0 recalls and 21 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
Won't start 86Stalling 59Fuel pump 26Overheating 23No deployment 16Check engine light 15ABS 14Fuel gauge 13Engine failure 12Knocking 11Brake failure 10Power steering loss 10Grinding brakes 9Loss of power 8Adaptive cruise 7Door locks 6Headlights 6Hesitation 6Ball joint 5Seat belt 5Steering lock-up 5Tire blowout 5
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