7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$520
Average Mileage:
89,800 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. GM needs to issue recall (3 reports)
  3. replace rotors and pads (3 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #10

Oct 252013

Malibu AL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,000 miles

I heard the grinding and took it to get the brakes checked. They told me I needed new rotors and brake pads. They charged me $517.00. Then I heard and felt the grinding again and took the car to a different mechanic, (the first mechanic could not figure out what was wrong with my brakes the second time I took it to them) and they said I needed new calipers. I paid $336.00. And a third time I heard and felt the grinding again. I have no more money to fix it. What's wrong with the brakes?

- forcada, Yucca Valley, CA, US

problem #9

Jan 102008

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

In late October 2007, I had my front brakes replaced. By January 2008, the left front break was getting really bad. When we took the tire off to chance the brakes, we discovered the rotor had been completely cut out! We could not believe that this happened in such a short time. I naturally blamed the mechanic for "not replacing both breaks". But after reading the other complaints, I am not so sure that the brake WASN'T replaced in October. I do not make alot of trips in my car either, just around town and to my parents who are 20 mile round trip! So it's not like my breaks were supposed to need to be replaced at that point in such a short time! I'm getting very angry the more I read the complaints and realize that I too have or have had those problems!

- Tracey S., New Bern, NC, US

problem #8

Aug 232002

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

HOLY CRAP! i have replaced my brake pads AND rotors EVERY YEAR since i have owned this car! the inside of the brake pad is the only place that it is worn. LUCKILY i have gotten the better brake pads and rotor..... and not payed for the cheaper ones..... with doing this i have a "life time guarantee" and that means that i can only have them replaced one time for "free" while i pay a lot more i don't have to pay for them the following year. not quite a LIFE TIME warranty but that's how even the parts stores stay in business i guess! (i think they are ALL out to screw ya!)this is something that i brought up with the dealer and since this falls under basic wear and tear of your vehicle they said that I have to replace.EVERY YEAR IN AUGUST I AM FIXING MY DAMN BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS! THIS IS CRAP!

- sarahny, East Rochester, NY, US

problem #7

May 092007

(reported on)

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

I replaced my brake pads before they were worn but my rotors were still bad. What a joke.

- Chuck M., North Liberty, IA, US

problem #6

Nov 102007

(reported on)

Malibu 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

My brake pads and rotors would wear every 3,000 miles. I dont slam on brakes either, I'm a relaxed driver. everytime i was changing the oil i would be replacing both the pads, and rotors. In one year i changed my brakes 4 times. I got so sick of the cost, i learned how to do it myself. I would always hear a grinding noise when i used my brakes. I would check them and they still looked new. After 2 weeks the car would pulsate, as if the rotors were bad. but they were not warped, and were never too warm. I ended up putting all new pads, rotors, and calipers on and that only helped for a little while. There should be a recall.

- jbdover, Phoenix, NY, US

problem #5

Oct 122007

(reported on)

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

The brake problems repeated through out warranty and beyond until I replaced the calipers. GM claimed that the pads and rotors were a wearing part and were not covered under warranty. I contest as the calipers (covered under warranty) were the CAUSE of premature failure. The problem went away only after I paid to replace the calipers with my own money. Then the premature brake wear miraculously disappeared. GM still refused to reimburse. Then the other problems started happening. I advise anyone to stay away frmo GM cars. I have spent thousands of dollars and numerous hours on repairs and wasted phone calls.

- kosik, Ashtabula, OH, US

problem #4

May 072006

(reported on)

Malibu

  • 58,000 miles

At 58,000 miles, I am going to have to have significant brake work done for the THIRD time! I have spent $400 twice before for new brakes and rotors on the front, and the problem is back again, less than a year and a half after the last time. I have never owned a vehicle that went through brakes like this. It's a known problem- there are several Technical Service Brochures (TSB) distributed to dealers by GM regarding the brake issues. Why doesn't that warrant a recall? None of my brake issues were covered by warranty.

- maryqsack, East Lansing, MI, US

problem #3

Oct 252006

(reported on)

Malibu LS 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

In July of 2006, I was having problems with my front brakes making a serious dry grinding noise. So, I had the rotors and brake pads replaced. This was about a 400.00 expense.

Sometimes, I still hear some squealing noise upon stepping on the brakes.

- Shelly H., Santa Rosa, CA, US

problem #2

Jun 202006

(reported on)

Malibu

  • 30,000 miles

brakes/rotors barely last 10,000 miles without being have to be replaced

- cheryls, Saginaw, MI, US

problem #1

Apr 172006

(reported on)

Malibu

  • 87,000 miles

Three times about 30,000 apart pads & rotors were put on

- clax105, White Lake, MI, US