2002 Chevrolet Malibu service brakes, hydraulic problems

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER DRIVERS WOULD SWERVE AROUND HER AND ASSUME THAT SHE WAS BRAKING, WHEN IN REALITY, SHE WOULD BE IN ACCELERATION OR DRIVE MODE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ECM AND THE SENSOR APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH FOR ONE YEAR. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 40,000.”

“OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED IN 2006. JUST HAD TO DO IT AGAIN 12/5/08. CHEVY SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THE BRAKES FREE OF CHARGE. I USE MY CAR DAILY. *TR”

“FROM THE FIRST DAY I HAD THIS CAR, THE BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY IN THE FIRST FEW USES OF THE BRAKES, ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR MISSES OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES NOT ENGAGING AND SOMETIMES NOT RELEASING-A THUMPING SOUND IS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKE CYLINDER PISTON RELEASES. *TR”

“WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET OR SNOWY, AND THERE IS POSSIBLE SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD, THE ABS IS ENGAGED EVEN WHEN YOU ARE PULLING UP SLOWLY TO THE STOP SIGN, OR SLOWING DOWN TO ARRIVE HOME, OR EVEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY... WHAT HAPPENS, IS WHEN DOING THOSE THINGS IN WEATHER AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IF YOU ATTEMPT TO PUT THE BREAKS ON IT MAKES AN AWFUL GRINDING SOUND AND PUSHED BACK ON YOU SO YOU CANT BREAK... THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES JUST BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY... I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN BEHIND SOMEONE THIS IS RIGHT ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET SO I WAS NOT SPEEDING AT ALL, IT WAS A RAINY DAY BUT THE RAIN WAS LIGHT, I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES ON MY CAR TOO. AS I PULLED UP BEHIND MY NEIGHBORS CAR TO THE STOP SIGN, I WAS BARELY PUSHING DOWN MY BREAK PEDDLE WHEN IT PUSHED BACK AT ME AND MADE T HIS DEEP SOUND I COULDN'T STOP AND I ALMOST HIT MY NEIGHBOR. I WENT TO MY LONG TIME MECHANIC AND HE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE ON A CLEAR DAY.... HE TOOK IT ON SOME GRAVEL AND STOPPED HARD WELL THE BREAKS DID THE SAME THING. HE SAID IT WAS THE ABS EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T LOOK AT THEM. I THINK IT IS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND NON OF THEM…”

“I HAVE HAD MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2002. AFTER RUNNING FINE FOR A FEW YEARS, IT BEGAN TO DEVELOP RECURRING PROBLEMS. THE WHEEL BEARINGS (BOTH FRONT) HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ALONG WITH THE CALIPERS. *TR”

“I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAD THE THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COME ON AND PAID $700 TO FIX THAT. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD...$500. I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK AND PAID $800 TO FIX THAT. EVERY TIME I GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED TOO, UNTIL THE LAST TIME WHEN THE CALIBERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL $900. NOW I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING MY PIECE OF JUNK. *TR”