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.
2003 Chevy Malibu has had recurring brake problems for the last 10,000 miles it has 33,000 miles. Brakes would grab and vibrate the front end. Finally was told that it needed new rotors and pads, it is driven on a regular basis and from all the other brake complaints I read about this needs to be investigated.
Front brake pads and rotors keep needing to be replaced. Car was purchased new in Sept of 2003, need new pads/resurfaced rotors at 13,000 miles and again at 28,000 miles.
Vehicle safety issue: 2003 Chevy Malibu has been into the dealer three (3) times for brake repairs. First complaint I was told brakes needed to "wear in", car one (1) week old. Second complaint, soft and pulsating pedal with poor stopping, rotors were "refinished", vehicle mileage 6,800. Third complaint, vehicle uncontrollable when stopping at highway speeds, dealer advised that rotors have "excessive run-out" and inner pads are "low". cost to repair three hundred and fifty dollars ($350), vehicle mileage 30,000. Dealer and General Motors refuse to admit the brake wear is caused by a safety defect in the braking system. No repairs have been made and vehicle was released from the dealer and is now unsafe to operate due to uncontrollable steering while brakes are applied.
On 5/24/05 I purchased a 2003 Chevy Malibu from Suburban Chevy. From the moment I test drove it there were issues with brake noise from the car's front tires. I also noticed that the pedal was very soft when the brakes were applied. On my first visit I was informed by the technician that it was brake rust from sitting in the lot and that it would burn off in a couple of days. A week later, I returned with the same noise and a pulsating steering wheel when the brakes were applied. This time another technician informed me that the rotors were incorrectly machined and that they would fix the problem. He also informed me that because the brakes were partially metallic, I would experience some noise. What he didn't tell me was that I would still experience the soft pedal and pulsating steering at slower speeds. To date the problem persists.
The contact states that she owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu ls. She purchased the vehicle in September of 2003. January 2004 she noticed a quivering pulsating brake problem. She took vehicle to the dealer, they cleaned the brakes and then they were fine. March 204 she took vehicle in for a regular Pennsylvania inspection and she had them check the brakes. They said they were excellent. May 12 2004 she had brake failure. The brake pads, shoes, and rotors had all burnt off the vehicle. So she had all of them replaced. She takes her vehicle in every four to five weeks for an oil change. Every other oil change she has brakes inspected, so it is about every 10 weeks. The last week of March she went in for another inspection everything, including the calibration on the brakes looked perfect. May 10th 2005 brake failure again, the brake shoes, pads, and the rotors burnt off again. The contact called three dealer in the pennsylavnia area and all the dealers stated that Chevrolet Malibu are known for brake problems. She called GM on May 10th, and they were only worried about how many miles on the vehicle she had, and told her to get brakes serviced more often. In a total of six weeks vehicle has burnt out the brake pads, shoes, and rotors.
- Pittston Township, PA, USA
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The vehicle's rotors warped and the brake pads wore out which caused the brakes to pulsate. The consumer requested reimbursement. This was a recurrent problem.
Front end rotors are very thin, heating up, and warping. Rotors has been changed two times since March of 2003. The consumer stated that the vehicle pulsated when brakes are applied.
I have not had any accidents or injuries but I have had to replace the brake pads and rotors twice since purchasing the vehicle 6/18/03. I was told the first time which was in January of this year that I had to have my brake pads and rotors replaced that it was because my brake pads were sticking and had worn completely away so they were replaced under warranty because it had occured before I had put 12000 miles on the car. The second time was in September and they had to replace the brake pads again, but after I took my car home I noticed that my car would shudder violently when braking so I took it back the first week of November and they had to repair/replace the rotors for the second time as well.
I have put 3 sets of brake pads and rotors on my Malibu. I had the right front hub assembly changed twice. My cars brakes throw off alot of brake dust and must be pushed way down before stopping.
When the consumer applied the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. A loud squeaking noise was heard when the brakes were applied. The consumer was able to drive to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the brake pads and rotors needed replacement. Please fill in additional information.
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.
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.
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.
2003 Chevrolet Malibu have problems with rotors. 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.
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 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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Carrollton, VA, USA