NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
292 reportsClear category filter41,000 miles · Sep 16, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
ON AUGUST 30,2002 I WAS IN A CURVE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND UPON BRAKING THE CAR SLID AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE ACCIDENT ON THE THIRD TIME A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR AND TOLD …
Read full complaint
ON AUGUST 30,2002 I WAS IN A CURVE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND UPON BRAKING THE CAR SLID AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE ACCIDENT ON THE THIRD TIME A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS AND DRUMS WERE OUT OF ROUND AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAD 41000 MILES ON IT AND HAD ALREADY HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED TWICE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039021
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE TO DO A FRONT BRAKE JOB ON MY 99 MALIBU ABOUT TWICE PER YEAR BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS STARTED AFTER THE ORIGINAL BRAKES STARTED DOING THIS AND HAS CONTINUED. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE BRAKE ROTORS NOT WEARING EVENLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10036930
39,733 miles · Aug 22, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IN MARCH 2003 I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT 39,733 ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET. MALIBU. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS WERE EATEN AWAY BY THE ROTORS. NOW, AUGUST 2003, MY PADS ARE EATEN AWAY AGAIN WITH LESS THAN 12,000 MILES ON THEM. I AM AFRAID THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD MANY MALIBU OWNERS AND AUT…
Read full complaint
IN MARCH 2003 I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT 39,733 ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET. MALIBU. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS WERE EATEN AWAY BY THE ROTORS. NOW, AUGUST 2003, MY PADS ARE EATEN AWAY AGAIN WITH LESS THAN 12,000 MILES ON THEM. I AM AFRAID THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD MANY MALIBU OWNERS AND AUTO MECHANICS TELL ME THERE IS A VEHICLE WIDE PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS AND PADS, YET GM (CHEVROLET) WON'T HELP CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIRING (AGAIN AND AGAIN).*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033334
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ROTORS ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 6 MONTHS. I HAVE SPOKE WITH MANY MALIBU OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DO. SO WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10031151
60,000 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT 20,150 MILES, 29,853 MILES, 44,379 MILES, AND 60,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED CHEVROLET WHO STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. *AK THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AND THE UPPER BEARING STRUT PLATE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *PH *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10029410
52,000 miles · Jul 25, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR! BOUGHT CAR 2/17/2001.....-8/15/2001 HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR....2/24/2002 HAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAKAGE, COST WAS 600.00.....06/20/03 HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY DUE TO LEAKAGE AND CORROSION AROUND POSITIVE CABLE.......7/24/03 HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND HAVE …
Read full complaint
HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR! BOUGHT CAR 2/17/2001.....-8/15/2001 HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR....2/24/2002 HAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAKAGE, COST WAS 600.00.....06/20/03 HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY DUE TO LEAKAGE AND CORROSION AROUND POSITIVE CABLE.......7/24/03 HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND HAVE ROTORS TURNED FOR THE SECOND TIME....I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS!!!!! CAR NOW HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT... THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A GOOD CAR!! :)*AK
NHTSA ODI #10029147
42,708 miles · Jul 23, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE SEALS FAILED CAUSING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. HAD TO HAVE CALIPERS REPLACED AS WELL AS DISC/PAD & DRUM/SHOE REPAIR/REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029043
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
INTERMITTENTLY ABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10024150
24,000 miles · Jun 14, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
ALL MALIBU'S SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, LOW MILES HIGH MILES, ECT BRAKES ARE REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR WITH MINIMAL MILES EACH TIME, HEAD GASKET LEAKS, ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE, BATTERY TWICE, ELECTRICAL SHORTS TWICE, IGNITION SWITCH HANDLES TERRIBLE, NOT SAFE, CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HIGH RATINGS, LYIN…
Read full complaint
ALL MALIBU'S SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, LOW MILES HIGH MILES, ECT BRAKES ARE REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR WITH MINIMAL MILES EACH TIME, HEAD GASKET LEAKS, ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE, BATTERY TWICE, ELECTRICAL SHORTS TWICE, IGNITION SWITCH HANDLES TERRIBLE, NOT SAFE, CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HIGH RATINGS, LYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BUY JUNK. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023072
17,000 miles · Jun 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DISC BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALMOST EVERY 17,000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022983
NHTSA investigations
5RQ04005 · Turn Signal Failures
Opened Jun 18, 2004 · Closed Nov 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA03021 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Nov 4, 2003 · Closed Oct 19, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension:front
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Suspension
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
PE03031 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Jul 14, 2003 · Closed Nov 4, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension:front
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
DP02008 · Engine Coolant Boils Over
Opened Sep 3, 2002 · Closed Sep 24, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA00010 · Stop Lamp Assembly Overheat
Opened Mar 27, 2000 · Closed Aug 9, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available