Problems with 2001 Chevrolet Malibu SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

In the past 3 years we have had two sets of front calipers locke don the 2001 chevy malibu. both of these have caused replacements of both the calipers and the brake pads and rotors. *ak

Brakes have been replaced 4 times in last year. there have been continual failures with the rotors and calipers. when braking it appeared that the abs system that was designed to eliminate braking lock ups was engaging when it was not supposed to. brakes were wearing at an extremely high rate , which was warping the rotors which have been installed brand new. pulsating noise was common along with scraping and spongy brake pedal. in researching it appeared that the malibu had an extensive history of brake failures in a short time. several close calls due to brake failure. these cars need to be recalled and fixed before any further injuries or death occur. *ak

Dt*: the contact stated while getting an inspection, the rear wheel cylinders were leaking. the vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop who replaced the rear wheel cylinders. the front brake pads were replaced. updated 11/03/06*jb

2001 malibu has had front brake disc and battery replaced, 16804 miles on vehicle.. mechanic has now informed consumer that ignition switch needs to be replaced. *ts *jb

Tl*- the contact stated that the front brakes on his 2001 chevrolet malibu (50000 failure mileage) had to be replaced every six months for the last two years. the contact also stated that antifreeze leaks into the oil. this will be the third time that the intake manifold gasket has had to be replaced. the vehicle has been taken to a mechanic six times concerning these issues. the brake and manifold problems still exists. the current mileage was 130,000.

At 36,370 miles had to replace the intake manifold and gasket on 2001 chevrolet malibu. *bf the front rotors were replaced at 28,000 and the blower only worked on high speed. *jb

I have had the brakes and rotors replaced twice since buying the car in april of 2001. i took the car to jim butler chevrolet for the turn signal/flasher problem which was later recalled and i was reimbursed. i took it to don darr chevy which fixed a faulty switch operating the air conditioner/switching to outside air. i had the car towed to dobbs when it would not start, they said it was the fuel pump and assembly module. today,jim butler chevrolet replaced the lock cylinder and ignition switch because of the theft system light and the car not starting.but was unable to find the cause of the daytime running lights not working. oh! but they noticed a recall on the hazard lights and replaced it. they were the one who replaced it the first time. i also told them of the over crank/grinding noise after the car is started, happens occasionally. they could not duplicate, so no repair. i am not happy with this car or chevy because of all the problems and the expense it has caused and cost me. i used to hold chevrolet in high regard, but can no longer recommend anyone owning one.*ak

Consumer stated while applying the brakes pedal went to the floor. a loud grinding noise was heard coming from the front. consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. *ak

Third replacement of rotors and brakes within 3 years of owning car. *jb

the front disc brake rotors were warped to the point where they needed to be replaced on three separate occasions approximately 8k miles apart. *nm

While braking vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. dealership repaired the problem 5 times before, but problem recurred. *ak *nm

Front brakes wore out prematurely, dealer inspected vehicle several times, but problem recurred. *ak

Every 15,ooo miles brakes failed, and needed to be replaced. also, dealer stated wheel bearing malfunctioned. *ak

Premature brake failure - 29,000 miles and car need new rotors and pads. very light use, highway driving, no stop and go driving. *ak

Multiple repairs on braking systems of 2001 chevy malibus. *jb

At 47,000 miles my brakes began to pulsate violently when pressing the brake pedal. also the abs warning light came on. a metal on metal sound could also be heard. this car was taken to a repair shop where the rotors were turned, new pads were installed and the abs light was reset. at 90,000 miles the exact same thing occurred. this time the rotors and pads were replaced, new calipers were installed (they were binding) and the abs light was again reset. *jb

When driving at highway speeds the vehicle stalled. the vehicle also lost power steering but the consumer managed to pull over. problem had not been resolved. *ak two separated dealerships stated that there was nothing they could do to fix the problem until one dealer kept the vehicle for a week and stated that the vehicle experienced a "hicc up" and the vehicle was repaired. the left front wheel bearing was noisy and the left front hub was noisy. *scc the fuel pump and ignition switch and the consumer had not experienced any more problems with the vehicle. also the front rotors were replaced. *jb

The brake rotors are warped for 2nd time , it happened at 40,000 miles, and now almost a year later after they were turned the brake rotors are warped again! i have looked on the web sites of other owners, and the same complaint has been their! *ak

The car has experienced vibrations when applying the brakes. the front rotors were turned and pads replaced but this did not correct the issue. *ak

It appears that the brake caliper and brake system have some defects. i've had brakes replaces 3 times since february of this year (2003). checked the fluid level, hoses and lines. brakes failed once at slow speed 30 mph. haven't had a failure since, however, the system is eating up brake pads mostly on the left side.*ak

** i don't have all the above info available at this time. bought 11/01- hit pothole 12/01, replaced two passenger wheels(bent) and complained of "thumping" noise. dealer 2x claimed not to hear noise. car would not start on numerous occassions starting 5/02. paid 111.00 for rental while dealer inspected. dealer found nothing. next week, failed to start again, 800# tech advice told me about "anti-theft" was acting up and gave me procedures to start car. "anti-theft" system has since quit working. auto in "very minor" fender bender" in 10/02, that week driver door hinge started "crackling", hanging up. insurance company body shop said "no relation" to minor accident. hinge has completely broken and not working at all since then. 7/03 driver power window "fell down" upon attempt to open as normal with power button. other problems have been/are: rear passenger speaker doesn't work, interior light doesn't always work, "" blinkers/emer. flashers"" have quit working properly about 4 to 6 months ago. (this is very dangerous since i live 'up' a blind driveway on a high speed road)?!! 1st week i had the car i noticed motor rattled pretty loudly upon start up. questioned dealer and was told this was "lifter bleed down" and dealer was waiting on gm for remedy, if available. i bought this car as used with new warranty in place, about 23,300 miles on 36/36000 new car warranty as well as bought a 1500.00 extended 5yr/100000 warr. any suggestions, very ticked off and don't know where to turn.

The dealer replaced 5 sets of brakes and rotors on the vehicle within the past two years. *jb

Vehicle would vibrate when applied the brakes. dealer was notified replaced five times pads/ rotors turned three times and replaced one. but problem still recurring. please send copy. and further information.*ak

When applying brakes vehicle shakes and rattles. dealer notified. *ak

Problems with 2001 chevrolet malibu's brake equipment. *mr the brakes were not covered under warranty but were replaced twice by the dealership, once at 13500k miles along with resurfacing of the rotors and the replacing the r/f caliper, and again at 7855k miles later. the last incident occurred when the consumer exited the expressway when a loud metal to metal sound was heard. the brakes were down to the floor and in order to stop, the consumer had to continually pump the brake pedal. *scc

Abs light goes on and stays on. took to dealer on two different occasions, hubs had to be replaced apoximately. 2003 and jan. 2005. *ak

I purchased a 2001 malibu ls used back in feb 2002. i have had nothing but problems with the breaks making a grounding noise when i come to slow stops. as time goes by it seems to be happening more and more oftern. at first it was only when i would be in drive thru lines waiting or the brake noise would come and then go away for awhile. the noise is like a grounding or metal rubbing noise. when you press on the brakes it sound like the brakes are going to snap off. i have brought this car into two difference repair shops and they all stated that this problem is due to how chevy made the brakes. they tell me something about they now use metal on the brakes and when the brakes get hot they make this noise. i can turn the car on and usually within 15 minutes the brakes start making the noise. i had the brakes oiled, brakes pads repaired and nothing takes the noise away. from what i am told and from what i have read from other peoples complaints is that this is a very common problem and if you get the brakes replaced eventually it will start again. many people have wondered why no recall has been issued. like someone else stated what does it take for a recall to be issued. a death or injury due to the brakes. i am lucky compared to what other people who have had the brakes fail. i don't know how much more i can take of hearing the noise. i contacted the chevy customer service via email and all they told me was to take it to a dealer and have it looked at. since they can't inspect the car they have to rely on the dealers. not once did they ever admit to any problems with the brakes. i paid alot for this car and i should have to deal with brake problems. i went back to the dealer many times but they were not helpfull. i won't go back anymore to the dealer because i have spoken to other people who bought cars from there and they had nothing but problems. i just want this brake issue to be resolved. ...

After researching the service bulletins section of this website, i have come to realize that i have complained/had serviced about 85% of the same problems that are listed on your database. i purchased this car new, from everett chevrolet, wa in 2000. since the purchase. date, i had chevy do the following: new brakes (all the way around - once, front rotors/pads - twice), all new pistons, transmission replaced, miss on #1 cylinder - replaced 1 failed spark plug, left rear door squeaks when open/shut - lubed (has happened 3 times now), front left noise from struts/brakes - not able to verify as of yet (possible strut problem/lube), fan in dashboard has a sound in the middle (just above the cd player/radio) like there is a piece of paper caught in the housing (confirmed after 4 complaints, faulty fan motor), passenger front seat squeaks when occupied (dealerships have not been able to duplicate./fix), rearview mirror rattles while driving at highway speeds (tightened, still does it in hot weather). bottom line, this is my first new car purchase and i am having serious doubts about keeping the car - as it only has 21,405 miles on it. with the 3/30 warranty. coming up in oct. 2003, i am very much afraid that i have purchased a lemon and not looking forward to spending anymore time/$$$ on this vehicle. any suggestions? *jb

The brake caliper was designed, the caliper piston over heated, which caused the piston to expand. *jb

Excessive brake repair:front and rear since vehicle was purchased on 9/12/01 to 3/31/03: brakes serviced on 12/14/01-machine front rotors and rear drums, 3/14/02-replace front brake pads and rotors machine rear drums, 8/12/02 r&r rear drums & machine r&r rear brake shoes & lube backing plate, 3/31/03 front brakes needed clean and adjust rear brakes. mileage was respectively: 5836, 12450, 21975, 33533. all brake work done by dealer. independent brake inspection on 4/3/03 shows front brakes needed and 20/1000ths left on rear drums. this will be the third set of brakes put on this vehicle before the manufacturer's warranty expires. also rear drums are within 20/1000ths of drum spec discard prior to manufacturer's warranty expiration.

1) leaking coolant from intake manifold into engine, required gasket replacement and coolant / oil change 2) turn signals work intermittently, had to replace turn signal switch 3) a/c does not work, blows hot air, dealer unable to repair 4) brakes weak, vibrate. replaced with after market components (powerslot rotors and performance friction carbon metallic pads) 5) automatic door locks inoperative, dealer unable to repair 6) poor fuel mileage, best is 28 mpg highway (cafe violation??) 7) starter failed, replaced with rebuilt unit. *nlm

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.

When the consumer applied the brakes the pedal went to thee floor causing the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance. *nlm

The front and rear brakes had to be replaced frequently.*jb

Brake pads wear out prematurely. *ak

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. *jb

I have a '01 chevrolet malibu, my fuel injector went out of car, antifreeze chamber leaking (replaced), turn signal unit went out. abs system had to be replaced, went out..all under extended warranty. all under 60,000 miles. dealership (bobb chevrolet) oh has no recalls on this car, i believe this should be listed as a lemon.*ak

We had bought a 2001 chevy malibu in nov 2002 . and it is now april of 2004 . we have had the car 16 months and we have went through 5 whole brake jobs . we had recently had our brakes done in feb of 2004 with 65,000 miles and it cost us $557.00 and we had replaced the pads,shoes ,rotors and calipers . by the time we had 5,000 miles on the brakes they were gone so we had to do the whole process over again . another $600.00 brake job . we have had to replace the hubs twice and i feel we have bought a lemon and the dealer dose not want to talk to me . i feel that there are some major problem that need to be fixed dealing with the brakes and the front end on these cars . i feel the safety of my children riding in this car . i would like to know if there is anything that can be done . i would like the problem fixed or a replacement car . we can not put anymore time/$$$in this car when the brakes go every two months or 5,000 miles . please help. *jb

I purchased a 2001 chevrolet malibu in april 2001 vin [xxx] and have had the following work/problems with the brake system repaired at capital chevrolet where i purchased the vehicle. dateproblem/repairsmileage nov 2001abs warning light on, brake pads, rotors 7,754 jan 2002front suspension9,080 mar 2002front suspension12,000 may 2002brake pads & rotors14,555 july 2002abs warning light on17,170 oct 2002brake pads & hub21,055 nov 2002abs warning light on, rotor, hub kit22,005 oct 2002rotors21,310 dec 2002caliper & brake pads24,066 from the information above, i can generally get about 7,000 miles on the brake pads. i have contacted general motors customer service department (request # [xxx]) and was able to get an extended warranty on the vehicle in june 2002 after several complaints, however the brakes have needed repair several times since my original concerns. i am concerned about what happens if there is a catastrophic brake failure? my recent conversations with gm customer service department have been less than cordial. i have considered trading in the malibu and purchasing another vehicle, but the trade in value offered for the malibu is not acceptable. my question is: what kind of assistance does your office of defects investigation offer? i firmly believe there is a serious safety issue with the brake system on my vehicle and general motors bears the responsibility for correcting the defect or replacing the vehicle. thank you. ts information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

While driving, the left front hub cap detached from the rim. the consumer noticed that the six lugs: nuts were hot. a technician told consumer that the heat from the front brakes melted the plastic hub cap which caused them to loosen and fall off. *ak the right front brake also overheated and caused the hub cap to fall off. *ph *nm

2001 chevrolet malibu experiencing problems with brakes, turn signals, cooling system and theft deterrent light. *mr the consumer experienced the following: a continuous brake problem with the rotors, the theft deterrent light illuminated, so the dealer replaced the ignition cylinder the signal lights worked intermittently and the dealer replaced the hazard switch. the right side hub assembly was replaced. there was water in the oil, therefore the intake gaskets were replaced due to leaking. *sc *jb

Consumer states that the rotors and brakes were replaced at 18000 miles. consumer feels there is something causing brake and rotors to wear so early. please provide any further information. mr

pulling out of a driveway consumer hit another car, and vehicle would not stop. cause unknown. please provide any furhter information.*ak

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. *ak

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. *tt

While applying her brakes the pedal went all the way down to the floor. and there were vibration coming from underneath the vehicle. please provide additional information. dealer is aware of the problem. ts

while trying to apply brakes the vehicle will accelerate. consumer has to put vehicle in neutral position when applying brakes. contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything. *ak

There was extended stopping distance and vibration in the steering wheel when the brakes were applied, also a grinding noise. the rotors were replaced twice, and the brake shoes and pads 6 times. brakes need to be replaced every 10000 miles. *jb

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. *yd

Bought 2001 chevrolet malibu new on march 14,2001 engine started knocking around 35,000 miles. has gradually gotten worse. sounds like a diesel. it is either piston slap or bad lifters. dealer would not fix issue at the time. car continues to run. also this vehicle has poor brakes. replace rotors and shoes at 12,000 miles at dealer. replaced rotors again at dealer at 30,000 miles. currently has 111,000 miles on vehicle and is in excellent condition. would like gm to fix engine issue at little or no cost. brake issue is better with aftermarket parts. *tr