2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS from North America - Comments

20k - Rotors warped - Dealer turned them

35k - Rotors Warped - Replaced Rotors and Pads myself. - No break problems since

37k - Environmental controls switch broke. Fan speed 1 and 2 don't work.

39k - Faulty pass-lock on ignition switch

42k - ABS hub sensor replaced. Tires replaced.

61k - Hazard and turning indicator problems. Some intermittent hesitation during acceleration (unsolved)

65k - ABS light came on again - pulled fuse - not replaced

72k - replaced bushing on front right tie-rod assembly myself

80k - Theft-lock system disabled

97k - Front wheel bearings need to be replaced, just detected an engine coolant leak.

My previous car was a Pontiac Sun fire. I loved that car. Lots of factory recalls, but I personally had no problems with the car.

The Malibu has had nothing, but problems since day one. I didn't have the stomach to go through all the brake trouble, so I decided to replace the pads and rotors Myself. I have not had any break problems since.

I have had many cars in my life, and drove them all to 100k+, but not once have I ever had to replace the wheel bearings. My next car is a Honda.

Most of the problems mentioned are regular. Tires replaced, signals faulting, brakes... it comes with wear and tear. It has to be taken care of and not driven like a race car.

I have had similar problems with my 2000 Malibu. I think the problems we're experiencing with brakes and rotors go far beyond normal wear and tear. Mine went bad before I ever hit 25,000 miles.

People have trouble with their car brakes because people

think they know how to drive properly. I'm driving my 2000

Malibu bought new and with 45,365 on the original brakes.

80% of my driving is city of Chicago stop and go driving.

This is a city of stop lights and stop signs galore. My secret? Anticipation Driving. When approaching a stop light

and it is red, I do not jam on the brakes 50 feet from the light, but take my foot off the gas pedal a half block from the light and cost to the light at a reduced speed while putting lite pressure in the brake pedal. Same thing with stop signs. Hard braking is the reason for brake

failure and break ware.

Another good way to save your brakes in city driving, is to lock the transmission out of o/d, it utilizes engine braking, so you have to use your brakes even less, and it will also save your transmission, as it eliminates gear hunting between 35-45 MPH.