When driving on the expressway, when ever I brake the front end shook really hard, took the car in, rotors where warped, so the dealership replaced them. Back on the road the car shook even hard in the front end took to dealership and they fixed the problem and replaced the pads and now I have really loud sound when I stop and when I am on the express way there is a vibration when I go over 70mph. I have had this car a year and it has been in the shop more than 7 times for front end work from the lower control arms being replaced to the struts being defective and the gm rep I consault with tries to be helpful but the car is unsafe.
2003 Chevrolet Malibu brakes complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 63 of 63, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While braking brake pedal went to the floor, causing vehicle to shimmy. Dealership repaired the problem twice, but did not resolve the problem.
Problems with vehicle's brakes. *mr *sc
Dealer replaced at 12,000 miles the fronts rotors and pads, at 23,000 miles fronts rotors and pads were replaced, at 25,000 miles rotors were resurfaced and replaced the pads, and at 27, 000 miles dealership indicated the needed resurface the front rotors and replaced the pads once again.
I have had to replace not only the brake pads but the rotors as well, every 20,000 miles dealer tells me it's the way I drive. It just so happens that I drive for a living and I'm sorry it's the product!
Consumer had to change brakes 3 times. While driving consumer heard a grinding noise in the front of vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer the first time, and they replaced the brakes. Then, brakes malfunctioned again, and consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer. This time they turned the rotors, and put on new brakes. The same type of noise was heard again. This time, when she took the vehicle to dealer for checking and repair, they replaced the master cylinder/calipers/ rotors, and put on another set of brakes on the vehicle. After consumer picked up the vehicle from dealer brakes still were not working properly. Consumer took the vehicle back to dealer, but was told by dealer it was just a matter of tightening up some screws.
While depressing the brake pedal consumer heard a grinding noise which caused the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer to be inspected, and mechanic determined that front rotors wore out. Consumer stated that the rotors had been replaced three times within one year.
2003 chevy malibu. 18,000 miles, had to replace front brake pads and have rotors turned. I was charged $200 for 2 hrs labor through a chevy dealer, but I feel the brake pads should have lasted longer. When I questioned the dealer, they said that most of the malibu's and several other cars had soft brake pads and had to be replaced early. They were replaced with a thicker brake pad. How come they didn't use these to start with?
Brakes were replaced at 13,700 miles. Now consumer think she need to replace the brakes again. *ph
While driving at 50 MPH and when depressing the brakes vehicle shuddered violently and the pulled to the right. This problem occurred on many occasions, and the consumer felt that lost of control was imminent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the front brake pads. Afterwards the vehicle performed worse than prior to repairs. *ak the rotors were warped. *sc
When the brakes were applied there was a grinding noise and metal scraping against metal sound. Took vehicle to mechanic, and mechanic indicated that they were using genuine parts from dealer, and the parts only lasted 12000 miles, and in some cases 6000 miles.
Rotors on my 2003 malibu have been turned twice. There are only have 7000 miles on my vehicle. Affinity tires are too noisy. Cupped at 5000 miles.
When depressing the brake pedal consumer heard a grinding noise which caused extended stopping distance. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected. The mechanic informed the consumer that the front rotors wore out.
Manufacturing safety issue - chevrolet malibu 2003 front wheel assembly hubs rotors, and brakes. Continuous problems. Dealer and general motors refuses to correct. Rotors warped, causing brake pads to wear out. Turned twice already. Left hub replaced. Now experiencing same problems again with braking. Dealer refuses to repair during november 28, 2003 visit.
2003 chevrolet malibu have problems with rotors.*mr the consumer was also told the vehicle had a defective brake lamp switch which caused parts to actually melt because the brakes stayed engaged while driving. One month later the vehicle was back to experiencing the same problem, the consumer stated when he attempted to make a u-turn, the tire did not turn they grabbed the road and sat there just bending the pressure of the turn and the vehicle bucked. *jb
Brakes started to make a rubbing noise which progressed to a squeaking noise. Also, brake pedal would go down to the floor to stop the vehicle. Dealer has replaced brake pads/front rotors/ brake booster/calipers, and brake lines, but the problem still exists. *ak the front driver window failed to roll up, the engine light illuminated, the A/C control was inoperative and cooling properly, the vehicle pulled to the right while driving down the road, the vehicle overheated. *jb
2003 chevrolet malibu brake pads and rotors need replacement after 8,000-25,000 miles due to rust and wear. Brakes were "excellent" at 10,871 miles, then needed replacement at 16,350 along with new rotors.
The breaks on my 2003 malibu sedan seem to not be as responsive as other vehicles I have owned. You have to press the breaks harder than normal to bring the car to a stop. This is a major issue with the malibu's and as I do more research, I have found numerous people that have had to replace breaks many times with similar results.
When the brakes were applied there was a delay before vehicle would stop. Dealer inspected vehicle 22 times, and problem still occurring.
Complete front brake failure with no warning.
Chevrolet 2003 malibu - the car was leased in march 2003. The brakes were failing and the car was taken back to the dealer. They could not detect any problems since no lights came on in the car. The problem occurrence is unpredictable. Brakes become very hard and car doesn't stop, steering wheel vibrates, car does not accelerate, consumes a lot of gas. Problem detected was brake pedal remained down even when it wasn't being used. The car was brought back to the dealer three times before the defect was detected by the service manager. The car was reportedly repaired (readjusted switch for proper release of brake, replaced ft pads and rotors due to excess heat on ft brakes), but after a week, the problem represented itself. The car is now (8/21/03) at the dealer for repair (4th time it goes in). The manufacturer customer service is giving me a difficult time admitting that the car has a serious defect. They are trying to convince me that the symptoms the car presents may not signify that the problem is the same. I totally disagree because, it is the same problem. My husband and I were almost killed on the nj turnpike due to this problem. I have asked them to take back the car but I have had little success. I am hoping that this complaint will spark an investigation. The dealer mentioned that this exact problem was found on the avalanche models.
When the brakes were applied the vehicle vibrated and the pedal traveled to the floor. *ak *scc the brakes on the vehicle locked up when the consumer attempted to make and turn, and the consumer's vehicle hit another motorist.
I have had serious brake wearing issue, in one years time a total of 40,000 mi I used 3 sets of brakes pads for this car.I had have brake calipers changes, in front (loaded) and rear wheel cylinders, (2), and new drums for rear brakes. *ak brake continued to be a problem and have had completely bleed the system at chevrolet dealer. Now I have turn signal problems. They work when they want to. Due to my busy work schedule I have been unable to have repair done. Chevrolet repair hours are limited. My commute is long over 60 miles one way. It is often very difficult due to turn signal failure at critical moments.
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