Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2003)

569 consumer complaints on file.

#10217581February 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IN MY VEHICLE CONTINUALLY MALFUNCTIONS, AND CAUSES ME TO WAIT 10 MINUTES IN ORDER TO START MY CAR. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING AND VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT IS INEXCUSABLE THAT GM ALLOWS THIS PROBLEM TO GO ON UNACKNOWLEDGED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217370February 7, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 30MPH CHANGED LANES AND SPED UP TO ABOUT 45MPM WHEN A CAR SWITCHED LANES AT THE SAME TIME IN FRONT OF ME JUS AS TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP. WENT TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE BUT MY CAR WASN'T REALLY SLOWING DOWN LIKE I WAS STILL PRESSING ON THE GAS. ENDED UP CRASHING INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR THAT CHANGED LANES IN FRONT OF ME. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS JUS AN AVERAGE ACCIDENT WHERE I WASN'T GIVEN ENOUGH TIME TO COME TO A FULL START SO ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS ARE STILL ON THE CAR. THERE WAS NO INJURY JUS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR AND AIRBAGS . *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217089February 6, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE CAR NOT TO START. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214393January 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER WAITING AND TRYING SEVERAL TIMES, STILL NOTHING. I HAD THE CARD TOWED AND LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WHICH MEANT THAT THE IGNITION WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD IT REPAIRED FOR $650. THIRTY DAYS LATER, SAME PROBLEM. ANOTHER 30 DAYS, IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN OVER 6 MONTHS NOW AND NOT PROBLEMS STARTING; HOWEVER THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT HAS COME ON ONCE WHILE DRIVING AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE CAR CAN CUT OFF IMMEDIATELY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT WAS A BAD TIME WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED IN APRIL. I HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN AT MY HOUSE FOR EASTER BREAK AND WE HAD GREAT PLANS...NEVER MIND! I DID CONTACT GM AND THEY ASSURED ME IF THERE WAS A RECALL THAT I COULD CLAIM MY EXPENSES FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213953January 3, 2008
TIRES
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-90-08-07
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212386December 20, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ANTI-THEFT LIGHT FLASHING ON MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212306December 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAD DIED ON ME 3 TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TWICE I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (JBA IN GLEN BURNIE, MD) AND THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT. I CAN'T DRIVE IT, BECAUSE I HAVE A 45 MINUTE COMMUTE TO WORK AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP HAVING IT TOWED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208082November 6, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM DISABLED MY CAR, AND I WAS UNABLE TO START IT. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS, AND MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YRS OLD WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT, SO I DON'T BELIEVE THIS AMOUNTS TO A WEAR-AND-TEAR RELATED PROBLEM. REPAIR COST WAS $200; NO PARTS WERE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205477October 12, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED HOT. THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE LEVEL. HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CARMAX AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205296October 9, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
I HAVE A 2003 MALIBU SEDAN, AND THE ALARM/HORN HAS A DEFECT. LAST YEAR WE HAD A HIGH POWER WIND STORM AND MY ALARM BLEW FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES (2 HORNS). THEY FINALLY DIED DOWN BY THEMSELVES. MY CAR WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE HIGH WINDS. I HAD TO TAKE FUSE #43 OUT TO MAKE THE HORN STOP BLOWING EVERY TIME I STARTED MY CAR. MY CAR NEED TO PASS INSPECTION, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WANT TO CHARGE ME $95.00 AN HOUR, TO DO AN EXPLORATORY DEAL ON THE CAR, TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER CAR REPAIR COMPANY TOLD ME THE COST WOULD BE $900.00, BUT COULD NOT JUSTIFY, WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO. THEY STATED IT COULD BE THE TURN SIGNAL OR IT COULD BE THE FUSE UNDER MY AIR BAG ON THE STEERING WHEEL. NO ONE CAN ACTUALLY EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT'S WRONG, BUT THEY WANT TO CHARGE THE HECK OUT OF ME. I DO NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY FOR EXPLORATORY EXAMINATIONS ON MY CAR. I AM QUITE SURE THE MANUFACTURER KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THIS MALIBU, AND CAN FIX IT WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS, I WAS NOT TOLD THE CAR HAD TWO RECALLS ON IT WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS VERY WRONG, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASE THE CAR, IF I KNEW OF RECALL PROBLEMS. NOW I AM STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT A HORN/ALARM SYSTEM. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO GO INTO MY STEERING WHEEL TO CHECK THE FUSE FOR $95.00 AN HOUR, MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203644September 21, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE. USING ORIGINAL KEY AND NO TAMPERING OCCURRED PRIOR TO PROBLEM. THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WENT ON RANDOMLY 3 WEEKS AGO, BUT WAS ON ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES AND NEVER ON AGAIN PRIOR TO THIS NO-START. ABLE TO RE-SET THE SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, BY WAITING 10 MINUTES FOR THE COMPUTER TO RE-SET, BUT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE WHEN PARKED IN CERTAIN AREAS (MALLS DURING THE EVENING, ETC). HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ENOUGH THAT IT GETS TO BE VERY INCONVENIENT, AND IN NEED OF REPAIR. REPAIR CAN ONLY BE DONE AT A GM DEALER - WHICH IS VERY PROFITABLE FOR THE DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202991September 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
COOLANT IS LEAKING, MECHANIC SAID IT IS OUR LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT HAS FAILED. ALSO HE SAYS TO FLUSH OUT THE DEX COOL BECAUSE IT IS A HORRIBLE COOLANT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202933September 13, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT
CAR WOULD NOT START SO HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP THEY SAID COMPUTER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG AND IT STARTED FOR THEM. THEY SAID MAYBE A WEAK FUEL PUMP. DROVE IT FOR A WEEK AND SAME THING HAPPENED. HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. DROVE IT FOR 2 DAYS AND SAME THING. NOW THEY SAID IT WAS THE ANTITHEFT THE WHOLE TIME. OUT OF POCKET TOTAL EXPENSE WAS $1300.00. THERE SHOULD BE RECALLS ON THIS STUPID THING I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER SO I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $650 TO FIX THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN THE MEAN TIME THE CAR IS NOW RUNNING BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY "RESET" THE COMPUTER. I TOLD THEM I WOULD TAKE MY CHANCES WITH IT AND DROVE OFF AFTER PAYING THE $85 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. WELL 2 WEEKS LATER IT DOES NOT START AGAIN. I CALL AAA AND THE TOW COMES OUT AND THE DRIVER TELLS ME IT'S THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, WAIT 10 MINUTES AND THE CAR WILL START. LOW IN BEHOLD IT WORKED. SO WHY DIDN'T THE DEALERSHIP TELL ME THIS IS THE PROBLEM. FUNNY THEY TOLD ME THE "RESET" COULD LAST 3 WEEKS, A YEAR, OR FOREVER... BUT THEY STILL WANTED TO MILK ME FOR $650. SO I DO A GOOGLE ON THIS AND FIND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE PROBLEM. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH GM IF THEY KNOW THIS PROBLEM EXIST AND DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM WITH A RECALL OR A FIX! I WILL NEVER BUY A GM CAR AGAIN!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203756September 13, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, SUSPENSION
2003 CHEVY MALIBU ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR WOULD DRIVE ON ITS OWN WITHOUT PUTTING HER FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. **NAR**KB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL WHICH STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BE INSPECTED ONLY. AFTER HAVING CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING ON IT S OWN, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD AN INTERNAL MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED OF A RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE LEFT FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT WERE WORN. THE LEFT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS NOISY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200060August 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU, THE COOLANT STARTED TO SLOWLY LEAK OUT, THEN PROCEEDED TO LEAK FASTER WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, WE COULDN'T SEE WHERE THE COOLANT WAS GOING. I CALLED MY OLDER BROTHER EVERY WEEKEND, AND HIS 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WAS IN THE SHOP GETTING A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED, HIS GRAND PRIX, AND MY CHEVY MALIBU HAVE THE SAME ENGINE, I ASKED WHAT HAPPENED, AND HE SAID THAT HIS COOLANT STARTED LEAKING, HE COULDN'T SEE WHERE IT WAS GOING SO HE TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES MADE BY GM WAS THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS FAULTY. I HAVE LOOKED IT UP ON LINE,AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN CANADA AGAINST GM FOR THIS PROBLEM, AS WELL MANY PEOPLE SAY (INCLUDING MY MECHANIC) THAT THE DEX COOL IS VERY BAD FOR YOU VEHICLE. ANYWAY, MY BROTHER GOT HIS CAR TO THE MECHANIC TOO LATE, AND AFTER SHELLING OUT 700 TO FIX THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, HE ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY 5900 TO REPLACE HIS 2001 GRAND PRIX ENGINE. AS IT TURNS OUT MY MALIBU HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WE HAVE YET TO REPLACE IT, IT IS WORTHLESS, THE MECHANIC WHO IS CHEVY CERTIFIED, SAID THAT THE COOLANT HAS GOTTEN INTO OUR OIL, AND THE ENGINE IS WORTHLESS, WE DON'T HAVE THE 5900 TO SHELL OUT FOR A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM TWICE, THE FIRST TIME I TALKED TO A REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE, AND HE SAID THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE GASKET, IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT THEY AREN'T GOING TO RECALL IT, THE SECOND TIME I TALKED TO THEM THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH ME ANY FURTHER. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH THREE KIDS, AND A FULL TIME JOB, AND FULL TIME SCHOOL, I HAVE A CAR THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT THE SALESMAN TALKED ME INTO, HE TOLD ME "A MALIBU WILL LAST YOU A VERY LONG TIME," AS IT SITS IN MY PARKING LOT WHILE I AM LEFT RIDING THE BUS, AND MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT DOES NOT RUN, DUE TO A PROBLEM THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199503August 14, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS FINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY PASSLOCK SENSOR FAILED. TO REPLACE IT WAS $1200. I DON'T EVEN HAVE AN ALARM ON MY CAR JUST THE FACTORY INSTALLED THEFT SYSTEM. I FEEL IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE CAR MANUFACTURER, NOTHING I DID TO THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198866August 8, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197754July 29, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
MY CAR STALLED ON MY DAUGHTER AND I, RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE MY THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE HAD TO PAY $115.00 JUST TO PUT ON THE MACHINE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY IGNITION SWITCH HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A TUNE OF $515.00 PLUS TAX, WELL MY CAR STOPPED ON MY DAUGHTER AND I HAD TO PUSH IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND STILL WOULD NOT START. I'M TIRED THEY'RE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL(2003 MALIBU). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197761July 29, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
MY DAUGHTER DROVE MY CAR TO WORK. IT WOULD NOT START AFTER A TRIP TO MALL. SHE WAS LEFT STRANDED DUE TO A CHEVROLET MALIBU DEFECTIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED IN A STRANGE CITY, AND IT IS STILL THERE. THE MAJOR CONSEQUENCE OF THIS BREAKDOWN IS THAT A 19 YEAR OLD GIRL WAS LEFT VULNERABLE IN A MALL PARKING LOT. IS IT A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD AFFECT HER? I THINK SO. I AM FEELING VULNERABLE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER 'SAFE' TO DRIVE. HAS THIS ISSUE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA? WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME? WHY DOES GM FEEL THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE? A PATTERN OF BREAKDOWN HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, AND A SOLUTION, WHETHER MONETARY OR IN REPAIR, SHOULD BE OFFERED. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE BEING INJURED FROM A SECOND- HAND INCIDENT AS A RESULT OF 'EQUIPMENT FAILURE' TO MAKE GM NOTICE? THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING WITH THIS 'SHUTDOWN' OF THE CAR. AS A MOTHER, I CANNOT LET MY CHILDREN TAKE THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. IN GOOD FAITH I PURCHASED THIS CAR, EXPECTING A RELIABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A KID-CAR FOR COLLEGE THIS YEAR. HOW CAN WE SEND OUR CHILD OFF AND ALWAYS WONDER IF A CALL WILL COME IN FROM HER THAT SHE IS STRANDED ON A DESERTED ROAD THAT SHE HAS TO TRAVEL TO GET TO SCHOOL?AAA SHOULD BE FURIOUS ABOUT THE MAGNITUDE OF CALLS FOR DESIGN FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A MORAL ISSUE HERE, AND I BELIEVE THAT GM IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE 'HUMAN' FACTOR OF CAR SALES. THE RIGHT THING TO DO WOULD BE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, ADDRESS IT AND FIX IT LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE USED TO BE AND MOVE ON. I WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR IN ORDER TO HAVE A RELIABLE CAR AGAIN. I AM NOW WORRYING THAT MY 2001 MALIBU WITH ANOTHER DAUGHTER OUT OF STATE WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. A CAR THAT COULD NOT START ON A WHIM DOES NOT OFFER PEACE OF MIND TO ME. DO THE EXECUTIVES AT GM DRIVE CHEVROLET MALIBUS? WOULD THEY LET THEIR CHILDREN DRIVE A CAR LIKE MINE? PS. WHY DON'T YOU LIST 'WEBSITE' UNDER THE REFERRAL SOURCES? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197156July 22, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
GOT IN MY CAR, PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT TO THE START POSITION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED THE PROCEDURE FROM THE MANUAL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AND IT DID NOT WORK. IT'S A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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