I went to a local time shop to have my oil changed and tires rotated. The tech than informed me that they rear brakes are in need of replacing soon, but the fronts are still fine. Is this normal for the rear to go out before the fronts? I only have 30780 miles on my car. What wold cause this? Should I put on ceramic pads on the rear?

Thanks,
Chris.

Not really, I always thought that about 70% of braking was done with the front and 30% in the rears. Were you able to get under there and see for yourself?

Odd for the rears to go out first unless the brakes aren't adjusted right.

I had the same issue/non-issue, with my silverado. The rear disk brakes wore out twice as fast as the fronts. I have been told that this is normal for the four wheel disc set ups. I never had any breaking issues with that truck and I have not noticed any with the Bu. If you have had to reaplace them at 30K I guess I should pull a wheel and take a look.

The tech had me come out and take a look and it did look like they was not a lot of pad left.

I have been told that this is normal for the four wheel disc set ups.

That is not normal.

Everytime the parking brake is applied, the top part of the caliper piston turns a little to take up the slack. It sounds like the parking brake mechanism is binding or not releasing fully. Be sure to have it checked out.

On second thought, it's actually the bottom part of the piston that turns. Anyway, I suspect the slack adjustment mechanism is off.

I had the same issue/non-issue, with my silverado. The rear disk brakes wore out twice as fast as the fronts. I have been told that this is normal for the four wheel disc set ups. I never had any breaking issues with that truck and I have not noticed any with the Bu. If you have had to reaplace them at 30K I guess I should pull a wheel and take a look.
What year was that Silvy? They have changed some in the past few years (my 07 has drums in the rear, and my 04 had discs) so I'm stummped.
The tech had me come out and take a look and it did look like they was not a lot of pad left.
Good thing you got to see, not bashing on techs in general but there are some tricky ones out there.
Everytime the parking brake is applied, the top part of the caliper piston turns a little to take up the slack. It sounds like the parking brake mechanism is binding or not releasing fully. Be sure to have it checked out.
If not adjusted right the parking brake will eat up pads quick, ask me how I know.

What year was that Silvy? They have changed some in the past few years (my 07 has drums in the rear, and my 04 had discs) so I'm stummped.

Good thing you got to see, not bashing on techs in general but there are some tricky ones out there.

If not adjusted right the parking brake will eat up pads quick, ask me how I know.

I had an 04 1500 crew 4wd. Changed out the rear pads, rotor and Parking brake at 70K. The truck (owned by a buddy of mine now) now has 90K on it with the original front pads and rotors. I know it was not a parking brake issue on that truck since the parking brake was actually an internal drum within the rear rotor. I am not sure about these bu's since I have not yet had the oportunity to take this car apart. My dad's Tahoe was the same way, he changed out the rear brakes at around 65K and is still running his fronts at ~80K. I think with ABS the ratio between the front and back are not like they used to be. BTW, I can't remember the last time I pushed in that peddle all the way on the left. Not too many hills to park on out here. Just my 2cents but I don't see an issue with the rear pads going first.;)

I can't say that experiences with pickup trucks and SUVs are applicable to the Malibu. Front wheel drive sedans have most of the weight in the front and thus the front brakes will do more work (~2/3). There are no design allowances for towing either. Since I do not see appreciable differences in the size of rotors and pads between the front and rear, I don't see how the rear brakes could go before the front. In any case, a competent tech will be able to tell what's going on once the car is on the lift.