Hi everyone...

I have a 08 Malibu with 9K miles on it and my brakes started sqeeking BAD! Is this covered under warranty? I wouldnt think that the bakes should be doing this so fast! Thanks!!

I have an 08 LTZ with 6500 miles on it and just started noticing the same thing. It is not bad yet and only happens for a short time when stepping on the brakes, but it is anoying enough that I will call my dealer. I would think that the dealer should be able to take a look at it and cover it under warranty, but no way to know without a call. Let me know what you find out from the dealer? thanks bighitr

I have an 08 LTZ with 6500 miles on it and just started noticing the same thing. It is not bad yet and only happens for a short time when stepping on the brakes, but it is anoying enough that I will call my dealer. I would think that the dealer should be able to take a look at it and cover it under warranty, but no way to know without a call. Let me know what you find out from the dealer? thanks bighitr

I started noticing mine at around 8K and it has gotten worse. Just talked to the dealer and he asked me to bring it in to have it looked at. Said they "should" cover it because of the low mileage. So we'll see....

Mine have been making squeaking noises with light depressions on the brake since 4,500 miles, and its about to hit 11,000 right now. The squeaking seems to be just dirt, though I have not mentioned it to my dealer.

Mine have been making squeaking noises with light depressions on the brake since 4,500 miles, and its about to hit 11,000 right now. The squeaking seems to be just dirt, though I have not mentioned it to my dealer.

That is what he said it probably was, but I hate driving a brand new car with squeaky brakes. It's at the dealership right now, so I'll update the situation when I hear back.

The easiest way I've found to figure out if it is dirt or not is to take off one of the tires that is squeaking and get your water hose and spray it up in the brake and on the actual elements themselves.

Put back on the wheel, allow to dry (give it about an hour and a half on a fair day), and then drive with your head out of the window (or window down :P) . If you notice one wheel is squeaking and the other is not, your problem is fixed.

Generally wear items like the brakes are covered by a more limited 12k warranty, to account for any early on defects that aren't too wear related.

Hence, warped rotors, squeaking, etc. are covered for your mileage, or should be.

When are they squeaking? First thing when cold and moist in the morning at all? All the time?

Generally wear items like the brakes are covered by a more limited 12k warranty, to account for any early on defects that aren't too wear related.

Hence, warped rotors, squeaking, etc. are covered for your mileage, or should be.

When are they squeaking? First thing when cold and moist in the morning at all? All the time?

Brakes were squeaking at slow stops. Just got it back from the dealership and they said nothing was wrong, just dirty. Also said that these brake pads are hard so they might make some noise. Dont know why they would want that, but whatever. We'll see how they manage. Hopefully it doesnt come back. Thanks everyone!!

Brakes were squeaking at slow stops. Just got it back from the dealership and they said nothing was wrong, just dirty. Also said that these brake pads are hard so they might make some noise. Dont know why they would want that, but whatever. We'll see how they manage. Hopefully it doesnt come back. Thanks everyone!!

Yes, actually, various brake pad materials are "noisy" by nature, at least a little and in the right conditions. Ceramic comes to mind, depending on the brakes, in this regard.

If the dust builds up, it can happen as well. On our '08, if it's a cool morning, the first stop or two moving up the driveway will elicit a squeak as they're a bit cold & moist, but that's it. As long as the pads are thick and it's not shaking or pulling, you're generally fine.

One of the biggest problems car manufacturers have with Customers is complaints about squeaking brakes. The fact that squeaking doesn't mean anything just doesn't get through to the Customer. Millions of dollars are spent trying to get around something that is normal. If the Customer complains enough they will throw something on and hope he doesn't come back. When he gets a squealing brake come back one mechanic I know just replaces brand new pads with Ceramic pads even though he knows they will not stop a car as well.

Bill

One of the biggest problems car manufacturers have with Customers is complaints about squeaking brakes. The fact that squeaking doesn't mean anything just doesn't get through to the Customer. Millions of dollars are spent trying to get around something that is normal. If the Customer complains enough they will throw something on and hope he doesn't come back. When he gets a squealing brake come back one mechanic I know just replaces brand new pads with Ceramic pads even though he knows they will not stop a car as well.

Bill

This is my 3rd new car in 5 years and none of them have had the sqeaking brakes like this Bu does. My wifes Equinox doesnt squeal, my Nissan titan didnt sqeak and all the other cars on the road that I pull up next to dont make any noise, so obviously it isn't normal! The noise sounds just like the pads are going bad. When I purchase a brand new car I expect it to not sound like a beat up junker coming to a stop with the brakes squealing and squeaking. Its freakin embarassing! If Millions of dollars are spent each year on this, then it sounds like a lot of wasted money!

I have less than 4k on ours and I hear a slight squeek On damp mornings only. My ridgeline just turned 30K and the brakes are silent.

I understand that brakes are friction machines, and that sound is something that comes from friction just as gravity pulls you down, but you would think that there would be some material that they would have come up wit by now that is still efficient at stopping a vehicle as well as silent. I have been told that squeaking brakes are a sign of three things:

Poor material quality, they are worn (and thus rubbing "screaming bars" which produce a loud sound), or are dirty and the contaminants are what are making the noise when grinding.
Personally, aside from the latter two, only he former makes sense here since Repeated cleaning only temporarily solves the problem (only because they are probably too wet to make a sound).

This is my 3rd new car in 5 years and none of them have had the sqeaking brakes like this Bu does. My wifes Equinox doesnt squeal, my Nissan titan didnt sqeak and all the other cars on the road that I pull up next to dont make any noise, so obviously it isn't normal! The noise sounds just like the pads are going bad. When I purchase a brand new car I expect it to not sound like a beat up junker coming to a stop with the brakes squealing and squeaking. Its freakin embarassing! If Millions of dollars are spent each year on this, then it sounds like a lot of wasted money!


The problem you have is your perception that brake squeal makes a car sound like a beat up junker. Some of the best brake pads you can buy will make your car squeal like a pig being slaughtered. I do agree with you that the millions are wasted. That was the point I was making. All the manufacturers are doing is trying to satisfy misinformed Customers. By the way all makes and models have squealing brakes. Just because one car doesn't do it doesn't mean an identical one won't squeal. When brake pads are going bad you will be able to tell. The squealers on GM pads make a very distinctive noise that isn't like the noise the pads themselves make. They also make noise when the brake pedal isn't being pressed. If the pad is worn sufficiently it doesn't squeal. It grinds.

Bill

The problem you have is your perception that brake squeal makes a car sound like a beat up junker. Some of the best brake pads you can buy will make your car squeal like a pig being slaughtered. I do agree with you that the millions are wasted. That was the point I was making. All the manufacturers are doing is trying to satisfy misinformed Customers. By the way all makes and models have squealing brakes. Just because one car doesn't do it doesn't mean an identical one won't squeal. When brake pads are going bad you will be able to tell. The squealers on GM pads make a very distinctive noise that isn't like the noise the pads themselves make. They also make noise when the brake pedal isn't being pressed. If the pad is worn sufficiently it doesn't squeal. It grinds.

Bill

You're obviously a dealer or at one point was one. You have your own opinion, but you can see with other posts on here that no one agrees with you. It shouldnt be considered "normal" for a new car to, "squeal like a pid being slaughtered" as you put it.
Also, I have always been told that when a car's brakes grind... then you have a whole new problem, because it is now past the brake pads and onto your rotors, equaling more money to get it fixed. But that is also what the dealership wants.... wait for grinding and now the pads AND the rotors have to be replaced!

IMHO - Brake squeal has always been repairable. In most cases all it takes is some 'goo' on the back of the pads. There may also be small parts missing and/or mis-installed. Of course, a thorough cleaning is the first thing to do. Sometimes it just takes new pads even when they aren't 'worn out' they may well be warped, it doesn't take much more than one ABS stop to kill pads and/or rotors.

BTW - If you hear 'grinding' you are already looking at much more than just pad replacement, generally you've worn down to the rivets in the pads by then which means the rotors are damaged too....

You're obviously a dealer or at one point was one. You have your own opinion, but you can see with other posts on here that no one agrees with you. It shouldnt be considered "normal" for a new car to, "squeal like a pid being slaughtered" as you put it.
Also, I have always been told that when a car's brakes grind... then you have a whole new problem, because it is now past the brake pads and onto your rotors, equaling more money to get it fixed. But that is also what the dealership wants.... wait for grinding and now the pads AND the rotors have to be replaced!

I am not and have never been a dealer or have ever been involved with one other than buying a car from one. I have been racing Corvettes for the last 16 years and have learned a lot about brake pads, rotors, etc over the years. As I said some of the most expensive pads you can buy will make the brakes squeal. I even know one mechanic who forestalls customer complaints about brake squealing by installing ceramic pads on every car he does a brake job on even though those pads will not stop a car as well. You get what you want but not what you need.

Bill

Hey everyone , on my 08 I had the same problem it has 15K on it now and it was sqeaking pretty bad at almost every stop I took , kinda embarassing so I talked to the dealer he said that they are covered up to 30K so I took it in and when I got it back the tech said that mine was the 7th one with this problem and it is that the brake fluid is leaking into the master cylinder and causing the squeaks and it helped fix the other 6 including his that he bought as well... but i got it back it seemed fine for a bit and then it started again...so now i got to make a new apointment and hopefully get it fixed finally this week , I'll keep everyone updated.

Several cars I owned had slight squeaking in certain conditions, so some of that is normal.
However, I don't think it means ALL squeaking is normal....I would go by how much of it is there or if it's weather related and if it goes after a bit of driving.
Btw, I had a lot of squeaking last Friday when I was in extremely slow traffic for about half an hour. But day after everything was ok. Also heard some minor squeaking couple of times before getting out of a parking lot at work...So, so far, it doesn't bother me much, but if it gets louder and more constant then I'd start worrying about it.

the tech said -- the brake fluid is leaking into the master cylinder and causing the squeaks and it helped fix the other 6 including his that he bought as well...

This explanation doesn't make sense. The master cylinder has brake fluid in it. If fluid is leaking past the seal on the master cylinder piston you would have a problem stopping the car and squeal would be the very least of your issues.

Bill

Not a mechanic at all but he could have said fluid not sure waiting for friday to come to tell them to have a look at it , it sqeaks everytime I stop now , kinda annoying.

If it Rains/Snows the night before, You'll get a squeek for the first couple of stops. Its caused by Rust on the Rotors.
Brake Fluid leaking into a Master Cylinder? Would cause the Pedal to go to the floor. There are Pistons inside the Master Cylinder that push the fluid. Which Pushes the Calipers to close. Obviuosly with the ABS system controlling the amount of fluid(Force) to each wheel. A leak would cause the Pistons to move. But not push the fluid. Depending on the severity.
The Squeek could be "Glazed" Rotors. Over time they develop a coating on the Rotor surface. Caused by heat and pressure.

Mine is still squeaking as well. Dont know what else to do but take it back to the dealer again. I have to take it back at some point for rattling in the steering wheel column. So probably just knock it all out at once. Darren... let me know what they say. Thanks

Will do B-Ran , it's going in friday so i'll let ya know what happens.

i had my replaced by the dealer, there is a recall on the original brake pads (to hard of a compond) and they put on softer ones to eliminate this.

So I Had my brakes checked today I got someone to take it in for me and the Mechanic said that he cleaned the brakes off etc , I just got home going to take it for a ride see if it went away or not , let everyone know what happens.

I noticed the other day that the brakes where grinding very badly. I live in Maine so I thought that it must be just dirt. I took of the front drivers side wheel and took a look. It actually looks as thought the outer pad is fine but the bad on the back side of the rotor is non existent. There is no pad there at all from what I can tell. Has anyone had this issue? 08 LTZ 28000 miles. Inside rotor surface is grooved pretty well.

i had my replaced by the dealer, there is a recall on the original brake pads (to hard of a compond) and they put on softer ones to eliminate this.

Justin, do you have anymore information on this? As in a part number? Mine has been squealing since 5,000 miles, my deaf dealer has looked at it three times and said they can't find anything. I have 20,000+ miles now, they'll probably admit it after denying warranty coverage. Obviously others are seeing this too. I thought it was only me.

When I went to my dealer about my brakes squeaking , the guy brought it back and said he can't hear any squeak , so i got in and let it coast and tapped the breaks and it was sqeaking , he said " Oh I probally couldn't hear it , I had the music on" lol

When I went to my dealer about my brakes squeaking , the guy brought it back and said he can't hear any squeak , so i got in and let it coast and tapped the breaks and it was sqeaking , he said " Oh I probally couldn't hear it , I had the music on" lol

My dealer couldn't hear it either - I asked what did they do to try to listen for it, did they roll down the window? (Not that you couldn't hear it with the windows up.) They said it was too cold to roll down the windows to listen for it. I give up.

What causes Squealing brakes? One of the biggest causes is a pad vibrating in the mount, even ever so slight movement of the pad can cause it to vibrate and create a squeal, too hard of a compound as well, glazing of the pads and rotors and debris. Is there an ACTUAL CURE to these, well as far as pad compound it's not always a cure in fact it can make things worse one way or another. Glazing is something that happens as the brakes wear, and depending on how it's driven, hard braking, severe braking can cause glazing sooner. The only thing to do with glazing is to scuff the pads and rotors with an emery cloth. Will the glazing come back, more than likely it will, not much can be done about this. Oh and for the fact that Bill posted that squealing is normal, he's right about some squeals that occur with brakes, some you'd never notice when it comes to using the brakes. Companies have spent lots of dollars trying to find that proverbial brake pad that offers the best pedal feel while being quiet and still have problems with creating a silent pad. I've worked in a repair shop doing brakes on all kinds of cars and it doesn't matter the make or model but more than often the mid size and smaller cars are more prone to squealing brakes, the braking systems are more compacted on these models compared to some of the older mid size cars built over the years. Brakes also build up heat and with how the cars have gotten smaller the brakes have been made to fit those chassis with overall size. Compare say an older Malibu (RWD) to any of the Malibu's made from 97 on up. The rotor is thicker than these later cars which means there's more surface area to dissipate the heat generated by the brakes as they get heated up from use. Today's cars brake systems don't seem to last as long as older models, I've seen cars come in with less than 10,000 miles needing brake pads. The longest I've seen a set of pads last, and this is on a 83 S10, was around 80,000 miles and that is a combination of more city and some highway driving.

Well I just took mine in this morning for a tire rotation (setting at 6100 miles) and I mentioned that the brakes have been squeeking during slow stops. After looking at the back brakes, the dealer mentioned that they had premature brake wear (the front were fine) and I have an appointment for next Monday for brake diag. Hopefully they will get to the root of the problem.

Did you ride with the Park Brake on?

Nope, the Park/Emergency brakes is not on. I'll see what the technician has to say Monday.


Did you ride with the Park Brake on?

general motors covers brakes up to 36k miles. this is not necessarily a blanket rule, so some dealers may argue with you about this. however, if you push the subject, the rep will be forced to get involved and theyll cover it. now as far as the squeeks are concerned, there is relief. gm has a bulletin on this condition. the squeek comes from the front brakes. there is an updated set of brake pads that they install, and they also burnish the rotors to break the surface of the pad so as prevent breakin glaze. the bulletin covers a brake vibration, not a squeek, but we technicians know what the purpose really is. the bulletin number is 08-05-23-002. this will correct your noise. it did on mine, and many others that ive performed this correction on. most maintenance and wear items are only covered to 12k miles, but brakes are an exception due to squeaking, vibration issues being rampant.