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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #17

Nov 022002

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the brake rotors are worn causing extended stopping distance.

- Douglass, GA, USA

problem #16

Feb 012000

Malibu

  • miles
The rotors were warped at 25,000 miles.

- Succasunna, NJ, USA

problem #15

Jun 011999

Malibu

  • miles
Every year since I've owned the car I've had to have rotors replaced, so far under warranty. I don't want to have to start paying for what seems to be a regular failure of equipment.

- Independence, KY, USA

problem #14

Jun 152000

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rotors have been replaced 4 X's, vehicle difficult to stop and vibration at 65mph is extreme. Owner of dealership refuses to return phonecalls.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

problem #13

Jul 121999

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brakes pulsating, due to warped rotors

- South Lyon, MI, USA

problem #12

Oct 011999

Malibu

  • miles
Considered permature front rotor wear due to a improper cable routing early in the vechile's life. At approx. 6K miles, the brake pedal would not release properly. This caused the pads to remain engaged to the rotors and cause excessive wear. At 41K miles, both front rotors had to be replaced.

- Marysville, OH, USA

problem #11

Oct 121999

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake rotors have been changed four times & need to be changed again

- Morgan City, LA, USA

problem #10

Sep 141999

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
1.windshield wiper broke.2.rear brake failure due to warped wavy roders

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #9

Nov 231998

Malibu

  • miles
Brakes--left front rotor.

- Cardiff By The Sea, CA, USA

problem #8

May 201999

Malibu

  • miles
I am about to bring the car again in for warped front rotors only 2,000 miles after they were replaced. Is there a fix for this problem?

- South Burlington, VT, USA

problem #7

Aug 231999

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle has experienced mulitple problems with brake rotor warpage. Dealer actually replaced rotors at one time under warranty. Problem persists and car will receive rotor service again on 9/9/99. This is only a band-aid fix for rotors will continue to warp. Other vehicle owners of Malibu's are experiencing same problems. I've also noticed same problem with rental cars I have rented (Malibu's). Delaer refuses to address a permanent fix to problem.cingbtley

- Cicero, IN, USA

problem #6

Apr 301998

Malibu

  • miles
Purchased 4/18, on 4/30 took in for noise when braking. They resurfaced both front rotors said they were out of round.on 8/5/98 same problem they said front rotors were out of round and resurfaced them again. On 8/12/98 took back with same problem they replaced pads. 9/9/98 went back with same problem they installed booster assembly. Had noise when braking for some time was very disgusted with going back and forth finally 7/13/99 noise was getting worse and irritating they told me there was glazing and that I need to brake harder, to try for 1000 miles if not improve or if irriating me come back this was at 8,433. 9,455 sound got worse went back they said rotors out of round pads worn. They replaced front pads & resurfaced rotors. It has been one week and I keep holding by breath every time I brake. This is not right for a new car. I bought this car as my retirement car and am very afraid of the future with it. What can I do.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 271998

Malibu

  • miles
The front rotors on my Malibu have been replaced twice -- 1st @ 7,047 miles; 2nd @18,936 miles. At 28,028 the 3rd set is warped again, but Chevrolet will not replace them under warranty. 7,000 to 12,000 miles out of a set of rotors is not normal for predominantly highway driving. Our past experience has been 60,000 - 70,000 miles on other GM products. As to safety issues, with the warping when brakes are applied at highway speeds there is a great deal of pulsating & I believe this is affecting stopping distance.

- Ravenn, OH, USA

problem #4

Oct 011998

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brake pads and rotors failed.

- Cerritos, CA, USA

problem #3

May 181998

Malibu

  • miles
Although the problem with the rotors had manifested itself much earlier than the 11,000 mile mark I first reported, I did not know what the problem was because I never had a vehicle with ABS and I thought the vibration of my steering wheel was the result of ABS but it was getting too annoying to deal with and that was when I was told there was a problem with my rotors because my brake pads were not worn. Replaced the first time and within 5,000 miles was back again. Car's steering wheel would shake violently whenever the brakes were applied thereby diminshing my control over the steering. Went back to dealer and again, brake pads were not owrn-like new yet rotor warped. They replaced them but claimed it was actually my bad driving that must be the cause. I took exception to that being that I have been driving over 15 years and even owned a Chevy Corsica for 10 years and never ever had the rotors replaced. Needless to say-filed complaint with Chevy customer service dept because the dealer claimed if it should happen a third time-they would no longer replace rotors for free. I told them I was sure it would happen a thrid time because there was an obvious defect that they did not want to admit. Lo and behold! 5000 miles later and here I am again. Violent shaking of the steering wheel when I apply the brakes. Been thru this 2X already so I know that the rotors are warped again. And I'm sure there will be a fourth time-but that is when I will apply my rights under nys lemon law. I have owned a Chevy Corsica for 10 years and the Malibu replaced the Corsica-which I gave to my mom. And yet I never had to repalce the rotors in the Corsica yet the Malibu's rotors fail again and again and again and I have not even owned it for two years!!!

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #2

Nov 161998

Malibu

  • miles
Hello, I had gone to the dealership about 6 months ago to report a noise coming from the right front brakes and after they checked them out they told me that the car had organic brake pads and it was normal noise and that I still had 90% of my brakepads left so when I heard the noise 3 more times I didn't worry about it because I assumed that it was normal noise so when I was pulling out from work and heard this terrible noise coming from the right front side I made an appointment for my car and had to wait a week for it and when I did get it in they told me I needed to have the right front rotor replaced and new front pads and the rear brakes done. I then asked them why the rotor wasn't covered by warranty they told me that the rotor only had a 1 year or 12000 mile warranty yet I have looked at your website and have looked at numerous consumer complaints about this cars brakes I remember one where somebody had to have the rotor replaced 5 times so if you can look into this I would verymuch appreciate it so that somebody doesn't die from failing brakes. Thank you. Chris L seabury

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 291998

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Front rotos failed.

- Blue Islan, IL, USA

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