2002 Chevrolet Malibu: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Feb 5, 2008 · Brakes, Suspension · 76,051 miles · UT

When the weather is wet or snowy, and there is possible slick spots on the road, the ABS is engaged even when you are pulling up slowly to the stop sign, or slowing down to arrive home, or even coming out of the driveway... What happens, is when doing those things in weather as described above, if you attempt to put the breaks on it makes an awful grinding sound and pushed back on you so you cant break... This has happened to me numerous times just backing out of my driveway... I pulled up to a stop sign behind someone this is right on my residential street so I was not speeding at all, it was a rainy day but the rain was light, I have brand new tires on my car too. As I pulled up behind my neighbors car to the stop sign, I was barely pushing down my break peddle when it pushed back at me and made t his deep sound I couldn't stop and I almost hit my neighbor. I went to my long time mechanic and he took it for a drive on a clear day.... He took it on some gravel and stopped hard well the breaks did the same thing. He said it was the ABS even though he didn't look at them. I think it is the wheel bearings. I have had many other vehicles in my life and non of them did that to me on wet or snowy days! I know it isn't normal and I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. I have 2 young children and if the ABS are going to be that stingy then my chances of crashing will be 99% higher!

Filed Jun 6, 2005 · Brakes · 62,706 miles · ND

Dt: front loaded calipers are not working properly. Inboard pads are worn at 100 percent, and the outboard are worn at 50 percent.tires were squeaking when brakes were applied, and then a constant squeek while driving. Continued driving makes it worse. Caller is concerned about not getting a warning light to tell her she has a problem. Caller was told a warning light will not come on for the brake pads being worn. If caliper is not fixed the pads will be worn at same rate. Tires plus told her this. Dealer told caller they never heard of calipers causing brake pad problems. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Brakes · ME

While applying the brakes pedal went to the floor. A loud grinding noise was heard coming from the front. Driver took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that that brake pads and rotorsa needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 15, 2004 · Suspension · GA

This is not a safety hazard, but the bushings on the front struts of the 2002 chevy malibu rattle and squeak starting around 30k miles and get progressively worse. Also the air conditioning control unit tends to go bad. Both are rather costly to fix problems didn't surface till after the 3/36 warranty was up.

Filed May 5, 2004 · Brakes · ME

Vehicle started producing a high pitched sqeak/squeal when turning to the left after 26000 mi. Took car to dealer and was informed that the brake pads needed to be repolaced and the rotors needed to be turned. Dealer advised that the brake pads went due to my driving habits, however none of the other new vehicles I've owned in the past 10 years have had to have the pads replaced until at least 50000 mi. Dealer disagreed and told me that I had to pay for the entire job, I arguaed again and finally got the dealer to at least pay for the turning of the rotors. Work has not been done yet due to scheduling problem.

Filed Apr 8, 2004 · Brakes · 31,000 miles · PA

Pulsating and grinding noises at 10,000. Dealer replaced rotors and pads under warranty. Same thing at 21,000. Now at 31,000, same problem. Now dealer says they can only turn rotors under warranty and I have to pay for pads and labor. Replacing rotors and brake pads every 10,000 miles is not normal wear and tear. There is something wrong with the brake system on these cars. Gm needs to fix the root of this problem on the malibu.