Problems with 2000 Chevrolet Malibu SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I too, have many of the problems that other malibu owners have. my turn signals work intermittently, the brakes have been replaced 2x, in addition to rotors, etc. the battery blew up, but was replaced as was the ac turning off and on by itself. the one issue that is very concerning to me, is one familiar to you. my car cuts off at anytime while driving. it has done this to me on 2 separate occasions. nashville has 3 interstates running through it and i was on them both times this happened. it was very scary and dangerous. it is out of warranty and the shops that i have taken it to cannot replicate the problem. the mechanics at then shops told me that malibu's are by far some of the most troublesome cars on the road today. someone is going to be killed. you lose control and have no steering ability, what does it take to fix the problem. i can see from others that their problems are being ignored as well. when will gm acknowledge the problem. don't they watch the news and see what happened with the firestone recall, or the tobacco companies that kept secrets? it is time for someone to be responsible for their product. *nlm

Brake pads and rotors replaced in sept, 2002 and again in dec, 2002. brakes still scrub and squeal when braking. this is a problem that general motors i have been told knows about. why hasn't there been a recall. this makes for a bad reputation. i will never buy another malibu and maybe not even a chevrolet product.

Vehicle has had the brake rotors turned twice and replaced once due to excessive vibration while braking. consider the brakes system unsafe. the ac control head has been replaced. the upper strut mounts have been replaced to try and cure front end noise. front wheel hub and bearing have been replaced due to noise. engine is excessively noisy on startup with clicking and tapping that the dealer calls normal. turn signals failed. power window is intermittent. three spark plug wires have failed. radiator cap has failed. intake manifold gasket failed. car ruins tires. car is in for a check engine light right now (12-17-02) chevrolet will not do anything (ie:take the car back, replace it, etc.) how many problems do you have to have. ts

Numerous problems: brakes made noise when applied, vehicle jerked when at a complete stop,the vehicle shut down on the consumer three times, it started loud and hard, bounced while being driven and a bolt fell off from under the passenger seat, however the dealer stated the bolt did not belong to the vehicle. *ph also the rear passenger window was inoperative, and the battery was weak. *jb

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. *ak

This will be the 4th time to take vehicle in for turn signal problems. i have to use my hazards to get my turn signal to work. now neither one of them work. the first time i took it in they told me there was no way my hazards would make my turn signal work. this car is a piece of expensive junk. not to mention the brakes have been replaced also.*ak

While driving the brakes were squeaking and vibrating excessively. the vehicle was checked by the dealer who advised the consumer that the chevrolet malibu brake components have to be replaced every 15000-20000 miles. *ak the consumer stated that another repair facility repaired the brakes. the consumer didn't want parts that would fail every 15 to 25k miles. *scc

Dealer has replaced some parts, paid some labor, and blamed owner or/and normal wear for some defects. vehicle has been in and out of garage numerous times since purchase. all scheduled maintenance has been performed at dealership.no safety defect listed. *ak

Anti-lock brakes possibly failed. *tt

while driving down a hill there was extened stopping distance. also, rotors burned out aleast 5 times. dealer was notifed ,repair ed and replaced.*ak

Nar 02/10/2003. the consumer made several attempts to resolve the issues with his brakes. ever since the consumer purchased the vehicle, the brakes have squealed. the consumer was told the rotor needed to be replaced and the cv joint was leaking. *jb

I was involved in an mva back in 2002 because of turn signal failure. the dealership told me that a recall had been made but nobody ever notified me! also my when driving on the highway my vehicle steering wheel vibrates especially when i apply the brakes. i have been close to loosing control of my vehicle on two occasions when there is water on the roads. i replaced my rotors twice! i beleive this is a safety issue that should be looked at.and one more thing my ac control switch keeps turning on and off the compressor i dont believe this could be good for the compressor!. *ak

While driving 5 mph there was a noise from under the hood, once hood was raised consumer saw engine had fallen. dealer determined that brackets had broken, causing motor mounts to fall and engine to disconnect on both sides.*ak consumer had an extended warranty, however dealer would not pay for the labor and broken bolts. consumer states vehicle is also experiencing problems with the brakes. *slc

Have owned vehicle for 18 months and have replaced rotors, brake pads, and calipers on 3 separate occasions. dealer states normal wear and tear, but strange excessive heat on rotors to warp and crack each pair. steering column shakes when brakes applied. brake pedal goes to the floor with excessive braking distance. at other time, brake pedal is like manual braking with stiffness. vehicle will slide at normal braking on asphalt. quick defensive braking causes consumer to have difficulty maintaining lane due to violent shaking of steering column and brake pedal. calipers grabbing rotors when brake pedal applied causing immediate jerk right or left in the steering wheel. dt

I feel the disc brake rotors fail too rapidly and the pulsating could lead to complete brake system failute, better components should be used. *ak

The pads have worn excessively over a short period of time. the exsisting problem has caused the consumer to replaced the pads 12-14 time because of grinding down to metal ( 6 inches ). the brakes and rotors are frequently failing. the dealer was notified. nlm

Front brake pads and rotors replaced at 24,500 miles. outside pads not touched, inside pads completely gone. no warranty on this. said it was normal wear and tear. *ak

Consumer had received a recall notice on vehicle for abs brake failure. had to replace brake rotors for second time, but dealer could not honor the recall due to this vehicle not being included in recall due to vin. also, warranty had expired. please provide more information. *ak

Front end is making a loud ticking noise. when vehicle makes a right turn only there is a grinding sound. dealer has diagnosed vehicle for several problems that have not been fixed. all together vehicle has been in 4 times, once for wheel bearings, and three times for rotors. dealer was contacted. please add more information. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

When brakes are applied vehicle shakes violenty, and tstopping distances increases. problem occurs every 4-6 months. dealer was contacted. please provide more information.*ak

Brakes failed for the 2nd time accident occurred have not had car for 3 weeks, have been waiting for gm to send inspector. car is out of service for more than 15 days and gm has exhausted the time limit for action. i do not want this "death trap" (car) back. i also want to be credited for lease payments. i should not have to pay for manufacturer defects. *ak

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Consumer heard a grinding noise and felt pulsation when applying brake.s. dealer determined front rotors were warped and needed to be replaced.*ak

I purchsed the vehicle used in nov. of 2001. shortly there after, the brakes started experiencing excessive noise and vibration and mild pedal pulsing. i took the vehicle in and the dealer replaced/turned rotors and replaced pads. about a month later noise and vibration returned. i brought the car back, classic had the vehicle for the day then said there was nothing wrong. the noise and vibration dissappeared but returned intermittently about 2 months later. also the stopping distance has increased noticabley as of late. i am unsure to bring the vehicle back in to be told there is nothing wrong.

Brake pedal pushed all the way to the floor

Brakes have gone out twice,and still not being fixed properly. *ak

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.*ak

Bought my car new off show room floor and have had numerous problems since had it in for starting problems battery problems fuel problems window problems door lock problems engine noise engine oil leaks vibration problems brake problems dying problems popping noises in front end struts bottoming out rough ride and steering problems and so on too many to list all have had front end realigned stuts checked and repalced brakes checked and replaced wheel studs replaced fuel pump and float replaced pistons replaced battery replaced remote start system replaced alarm system replaced window regulator replaced front crank seal replaced alt checked and tested started checked still having fuel problems brake problems vibration ect had in this last week fo 6 days and when returned still having engine noise steering problems radio problems fuel problems and found impact mark on l/front of bumper one of dealers tech's hit something and now wanders to left left head light out of line and pushed back under fender hood out of line fenders bumpers driving lights and numerous other problems and damage possible that i am unable to detect at this time have contacted chevy and complained have talked with dealer and still no responsibility taken and statements of we might have bruised it it has been wrecked now i amd paying good money for junk and want refund of all costs to me and the car taken back engines should not need to be overhauled at 14000 miles the car is 2 yaers old and acts like its 20 need responese and info to help resolve problems trying to have returned under lemon law uniform conformity act and magnuson-moss act car has become instrument that is substantially impaired and whose opperation is frought with apprehension sincerly unhappy and hurt consumer is the highway safty devision interested and going to do anything for all of us who are having problems or are we out of luck ????????? response requested

Rotors on brakes have warped 3 times before 20000 miles! *ak

Brake pads have been replaced 4 times since 14,000 miles. the rotors vibrate and shimmy when applying the brakes. trying to get the dealer to investigate the problem is a hassle. they said that because i have my preventative maintenance done by my own personal *certified* mechanic and not at the dealer that i have voided my warranty on the rotors. they want to charge me $200 + for the replacement of the rotors. i have spoken with several other malibu owners who have had this same problem. it is my opinion that a recall should be mandated and enforced for this particular problem with this vehicle. i have never owned a car that i had to replace the brake pads every time i pulled into a gas station. thank you!

The brakes on the malibu are a safety issue and gmc doesnt care. i have had the rotors done 5 times since 3000 miles. my dealer has had my car for a total of 19 days for repairs. there are numerous other problems with this car also. iam tired of being told i6ts not a safety issue, well it is to all of with children and other loved ones in the car. lets stop the politics and please do something for the consumer.*ak (tiresize: 215)

Ac automatically turns itself off switch replaces. whining sound occurs during ac/heat fan operation fan motor replaced. ac/heat directional controls work intermittently problem continues. transmission slipping upon slow acceleration reported 3 times 1st & 2nd times couldn't duplicate problem 3rd time in shop 30 days replaced multiple components. engine misfiring diagnostics indicated 3,6,2,5 cylinders misfiring replaced all ignition coil packs problem continues. turn signal buzzes and clicks hazard switch replaced. air leak around passenger side door reported 2 times 1st time couldn't duplicate 2nd time door realigned. brakes cause excessive vibrations upon stopping rotors and pads replaced at 24000 miles reoccuring at 38000 miles.*ak

Rotors have been turned and pads replaced three times within eight months, but problem has reoccurred. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

I have been having problems with my brakes on my 2000 chevrolet malibu since i purchased my vehicle. doug chevrolet keeps replacing the pads and rotation of brakes. on 7/23/01 my car will be in the service department for the same repairs. i spoke to gm's customer services dept on/around 7/11/01. i was told by a customer service rep at gm, doug cheverot will have to fix the problem with my car. on 7/16/01 i was told by doug chevrolet employer (s) gm knows there is a problem with brakes and they are not recalling chevrolet malibu's. i feel that with my problems i've been having with the brakes are just more than the pads and rotation of brakes. once my car is serviced i will be filing a dispute form with gmc. *ak

Brakes shimmied badly. apparent brake problem. dealer knew problem before i finished telling them of problem. dealer replaced warped brake rotors and brake pads. researched problem and discovered hundreds of same identical problem and complaints. concerned because other consumers are having same problem fixed over and over for defective design. i am concerned about the safety issue of the brake system on this car. *ak

Vibrating brakes. calipers and rotors ceazing up this will be the 6 time i ahve had to bring this car in for the same thing i am told that the alipers ceaze up which in turn wears the rortors down which in turn wears the brake pads down and nobody knows why. also had to replace fuel pump

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. *slc

Something wrong with the brakes. dealer can not duplicate. when you go to slow down thw brake pedal will sink and vibrate and give you a grinding noise for just a second. only happens right after start up. does not happen on a regular basis. *ak

Within three months dealer had to turn both front brake rotors, and gave no reason why this problem was reoccurring. *ak *slc

When trying to make a stop, there is grinding noise when the brakes are pressed. brakes wear out every 2-3 months(paying an expensive amount for brake shoes and rotors air conditoning switch malfunctions and you just cannot trade this car in because the value depreciates the same day you drive off the car lot.

While driving and upon applying brakes brake pedal went straight to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance that resulted in a crash. the vehicle was totaled. *ak consumer states air bag deployment hurt her. *slc

This is the 2nd time rotors have been replaced. 1st time rotors were replaced at 8,000, and 2nd time at 10,000 miles. consumer was driving home from dealer after being serviced, and when applying brakes, pedal went straight to floor. consumer drove back to dealer, and stated that it was normal for vehicle to do that. consumer didn't have any problems with brake pedal when first purchased. front end started dipping when the brakes were applied. consumer again had to find out why rotor problem keeps coming back.*ak

Since i purchased my new 2000 malibu on 12/18/99, to today 5/9/01, i have replaced the front rotors 3 times. counting the original set, this makes it 4 sets of rotors that my car has gone through, under 19,000 miles. my warranty is good until 36,000 miles, so i contacted the chevrolet customer assistance center (1-800-222-1020) and told them that i wanted to know if this issue was going to be covered after the warranty ran out due to the timely changing of the rotors so many times in so little mileage. the replacements were on 4/11/00 (5,440), 8/31/00 (10,775), and 5/8/01 (18,394). each of these times the dealer has told me that my brakes and brake pads were fine, but that the rotors were warped. the chevy # told me that this was probably due to something i have done or my driving habits/conditions. i don't believe this in that my brakes haven't worn out yet, but the rotors keep going bad. i am very disappointed in their passing the blame, instead of correcting the problem or extending the coverage of an issue that is countlessly repeated on your site and the newsgroups from 1997 to present. chevy has the slogan, "chevy, we'll be there." they don't show the fine print of: "we'll be there, unless we blame you and don't decide to resolve a known issue." i would like feedback on this issue, especially since i believe this should be a covered issue, and don't believe that i am causing a problem that seems to be very routine every 5-8,000 miles like everyone else is experiencing. thank you. *ak

I bought my 2000 malibu brand new in september 1999.... my engine was pinging and making all kinds of noise, even when warm.... brakes are very hazardous to public safety... i have been to the dealer numerious times for rotor and pad replacements and even gm's so called new thicker and improved rotors they installed on my car was just as bad as all the other ones ... i almost lost control of my car when i was traveling 65 miles per hour on our local highway when i was almost had a wreck due to complete failure of my brakes... my car vibrated so badly and did not slow down...at all!!....i thought i had 2 front tire blowouts... i pulled over on the expressway and my tires were fine it was my brakes...... i went straight to a local autozone and purchased new rotors and pads....gm needs to issue a recall asap before someone gets seriously injured or killed!......i have called gm and made a complaint and was told no recalls were made..... another issue im having is it takes 3 or 4 times to get my car started ... not sure why my car is having all of these problems but it is at a local gm dealership as i type this .......i hope they will be able to fix the noise from the engine and my cd player that goes in and out of power and sometimes wont release my cd's .... i have given up on gm brakes. *ak

Front disc brake rotors are warping again after being replaced at 12000 miles. when brakes are applied steering wheel vibrates excessively. dealership is denying any responsibility of repair. *ak the fuel pump failed and was fixed at the consumer?s expense. the tires became worn out and were replaced. the front rotors were turned. *yh

The rotors re bad and the car isn't even a year and miles under 36,ooo. someone i know has the same exact car and it is only a few months older... same problems. then there is a person with an alero which is made by gmc and it's under a year old with bad rotors too... i think it is a manufacturer's defect. rotors usually last 3-5 years.... now me and 2 others have had our new car under a year and experienced shaking at interstate speeds and while braking.. because the rotors are bad... i think that nhtsa should really look in to this befor someones brakes go out i think it may have something to do with ceremic brake pads- ie>> them wearing on the rotors there is no way that 3 new cars with good drivers should be needing rotors. why are these cars tearing up rotors. please help us before we have to pay hundreds of dollars on new cars. *ak

Consumer would step on brake pedal to stop or reduce speed, but could feel a vibration on steering wheel. also, vehicle will pull to the left. this problem had happened, and vehicle had been taken for repairs many times for brakes.*ak *slc

Purchased 2000 malibu new, brakes/rotors began to pulsate at 5200 miles dealership turned rotors. vehicle returned to dealership at 7000 with same problem, same fix by dealership. vehicle returned to dealership at 9000 and brakes/rotors replaced with "new type/heavy duty parts". vehicle returned to dealership at 12500 with similar problems...dealership could not duplicate my problem. vehicle back in for the 5th time at 17000, same problem, dealership had vehicle for 2 weeks and state brakes/rotors are within "specs" and there is nothing they can do. chevrolet customer assistance does not care nor does the regional service manager who looked at the case i filed with chevrolet. i am expected to deal with this problem according to the service manager where i purchased my vehicle. i need help and so do other people who purchased a problem vehicle and to manufacturer has little idea why this problem occurs.*ak

Earlier brake pad failure; should get better than ~9100mi per set of front pads. *ak