Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (1998)

976 consumer complaints on file.

#10179523January 23, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THE ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM DISABLED THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TURNED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. WITH THE MOTOR DEAD, NEITHER THE BRAKES NOR STEERING WERE POWERED. COASTED TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE OUT OF TRAFFIC FLOW, TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. CALLED A TOW TRUCK BUT BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN. THIS ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS PROHIBITED THE CAR FROM STARTING FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY CANNOT FIX THIS. THEY SUGGESTED I USE A BACKUP KEY, BUT I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL KEYS INSERTED BOTH WAYS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THIS PROBLEM HAS STRANDED THE DRIVER TWICE AT WORK AND ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN MALL PARKING LOTS, ONCE LATE AT NIGHT. THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM, AND THEY CANNOT DISABLE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AS A WORK-AROUND. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THAT ONLY THE MANUFACTURER CAN SOLVE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178221January 9, 2007
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER, CHILD SEAT
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS AN EVENFLO DISCOVERY CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE CONTACT SAW A REPORT ON CBS TODAY RE: SAFETY RECALL ON THE EVENFLO DISCOVERY. ALSO, THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EVENFLO CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER DATE FOR THE EVENFLO CHILD SAFETY SEAT WASJULY 8, 2003. THE CONTACT STATED THE THAT RECOMMENDATION FOR THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT LOOSENED AND DIDN'T SECURE THE CHILD IN THE SAFETY SEAT. THIS INCIDENT OCCURREDS IN BOTH OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 EXTENDED CAB, AND A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175219December 5, 2006
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT CRASH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FRACTURED UPON INITIAL IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175102December 4, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON STATE RD. 1 AFTER WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 10:15 P.M. I CROSSED RAILROAD TRACKS AT ABOUT 32 MPH AND BOTH OF MY AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DISCHARGED. THIS FORCED MY REAR VIEW MIRROR INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE NOW ACTING ERRATICALLY AND FUNCTIONS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. THE SHOCK OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS IS MUCH LESS THAN THAT OF A SPEED BUMP AT 3 MPH. G.M. HAS FAILED TO SEND ANYONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER LETTING IT SIT AT A DEALERSHIP FOR 7 DAYS BECAUSE THEY ORIGINALLY STATED THEY WOULD. G.M. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE EXTENSIVELY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED G.M. SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE BRUSHING THIS OFF LIKE IT IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170618October 12, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ADD COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED COOLANT TO THE RESEVOIR. A WEEK LATER MORE COOLANT WAS ADDED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING. REPAIRS WERE DECLINED AND THE LEAKING BECAME WORSE AS ANOTHER LEAK WAS NOTICED FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168797September 20, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I PURCHASED MY MALIBU IN 2000 AS A USED VEHICLE. IT HAD 24,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS TURN AND REPLACED THE ROTORS ABOUT 5 TIMES. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE BREAKING SYSTEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT I HAVE REPLACED MINE ABOUT 32 TIMES IN 6 YEARS. I DRIVE A LOT OF HIGHWAY MILES AND THEREFORE DO NOT USE MY BRAKES AS OFTEN AS AN IN TOWN DRIVER. THE BRAKES START TO CHATTER WHEN APPLIED AND WHEN I GO DOWN THE ROAD AT CERTAIN SPEEDS THEY ALSO DO IT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CHEVROLET VEHICLE USE BRAKES LIKE THIS ONE. I HAVE A 1995 CHEVY CORSICA WITH 230,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE ONLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON IT ABOUT 10 TIMES. I ALSO HAD A CHEVY CAVALIER AND ALSO DROVE IT ABOUT 250,000 MILES AND DID NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON IT THAT MANY TIMES EITHER. I HAVE 230,000 MILES ON MY MALIBU. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OWNERS OF MALIBU'S AND ALL OF THEM SAID THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED TO OFTEN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166561August 25, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, THERE WAS A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. A PRIVATE MECHANIC REMOVED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, AND NOTED THAT THE SPRING FROM THE MACPHERSON STRUT HAD DETACHED AND DUG A GROOVE INTO THE SIDEWALL. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE STRUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163170July 22, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE HAD MY LOCK CORE IN MY 1998 CHEVY MALIBU LS REPLACED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES SINCE MY CAR WAS AROUND 30,000 TO 35,000 MILES. IT STARTED WHEN THE PASSIVE THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED IN MY CAR. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD COME ON. I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IT. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD ONLY FOLLOW THE PLANS ON HOW TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH I MENTIONED TO THEM THAT IT MORE THAN LIKELY WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE CAR. IT HAPPENS EVERY SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS WHERE IT WON'T START AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AT ME. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SIT IN THE CAR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR UP TO 20 MINUTES. I LIVE THE UPPER MIDWEST AND IF IT WAS ON A REALLY COLD OR HOT AND HUMID DAY, THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF YOU STAY WITH YOUR CAR. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET IT FIXED AND FIXED RIGHT? OR HAVE GM STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162212July 12, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES FOR NO REASON. AFTER GETTING IN THE CAR, WE TRY TO START IT; IT TURNS OVER, BUT WILL NOT START. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL KEYS INSERTED BOTH WAYS. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED AT WORK SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AWAY FROM HOME BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE OF THIS. IT COST $ 180 EVERY TIME TO HAVE IT RESET BY THE DEALER. A NEW SYSTEM IS $450, BUT NO GUARANTEES IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. FROM READING WEB SITES, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161289July 3, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
HAVING TROUBLE WHEN TURNING VEHICLE. SOMETIMES THERE IS A MAJOR DELAY WHEN TURNING LEFT FOLLOWED BY A JERK TO THE LEFT. SOMETIMES IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS TO HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT THEN EXTREMELY EASY TO TURN TO RIGHT AS THOUGH UNASSISTED. I HAVE A RECALL FOR 98 MALIBU BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE . I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE CONSIDERING THE TROUBLE I AM HAVING WHICH IS JUST LIKE OTHER 98 MALIBUS THE CAMPAIGN # IS 03V527000 EFF. 12/11/03 GM RECALL# 03062. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159973June 16, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CODES C1286 AND C1214. THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. I'VE ALREADY HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS DONE BECAUSE THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WERE ON. THE TRACTION CONTROL FOR THE RELAY CONTACT OR COIL AND STEERING SENSOR BIAS MALFUNCTION IS PULLING UP. THE CAR HAS TOO MANY PROBLEMS IN 3 MONTHS I'VE HAD IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159277June 7, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME THE BRAKES LIGHT FAIL. THE LIGHTS OVER HEAT AND SMOKE THEN EXPLODE CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED NOR HAS THE MANUFACTURER BEEN ALERTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159038June 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
ON COUNTLESS OCCASIONS MY 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU FAILED TO START BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS STARTING. I FEAR FOR THE TIME WHEN THIS SYSTEM CAUSES THE ENGINE TO CEASE WHEN I AM DRIVING AND IN DANGER OF LOOSING CONTROL. I KNOW THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM--HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED ONLINE ALONE. CAN'T YOU PERSUADE GM TO CORRECT AND ADRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE INJURIES AND/OR LOSS OF LIFE OCCUR--TO SAY NOTHING OF THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS ARE CHARGING AFFECTED DRIVERS TO ATTEMPT SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158045May 22, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS SEEMS TO BE AN ANTI-OWNER SYSTEM ALSO. SINCE 1998 WHEN THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW, THE IGNITION CYLINDER OR THE IGNITION SWITCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN BECAUSE OF ONE OF TWO REASONS. EITHER THE KEY WON'T TURN OR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T LET ME START THE CAR. I DRIVE OVER 50 MILES EACH WAY TO AND FROM WORK AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET STRANDED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME SHOULD I HAVE TO STOP SOMEWHERE DURING MY TRAVELS. IT'S ONLY BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE IT WAS REPLACED AND AGAIN THE LIGHT IS COMING ON.... AT $300+ FOR EACH REPAIR SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, IT'S GETTING A LITTLE EXPENSIVE. IF THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART AND THAT'S NOT REASON ENOUGH TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND FIND A SOLUTION THEN WHAT IS? I REALLY LIKE THE CAR BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156777May 4, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REPEATEDLY HAVE TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHT BULBS BECAUSE TAIL LIGHTS FILL WITH WATER EVERY STORM OR WHEN WASHED UNTIL THEY FINALLY BURN OUT. MECHANIC SAYS HE SEES THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER WITH MALIBU'S. ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM?*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154643April 5, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
REPLACED WHEEL BEARINGS (COMMON GM PROBLEM, NO GREASE NIPPLE). HAVING FUEL PROBLEM (GETTING TOO MUCH). NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END (SOUNDS LIKE COIL SPRING). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154127March 27, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
1998 MALIBU REAR SPRING BROKE OFF. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STRUTS AND SPRINGS NEEDED REPLACING. *TS ***NAR****JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152003March 6, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND TURNING THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE NOISE IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149537February 6, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK ON A REGULAR BASIS AND IT SEEMS EVERY TWO MONTHS THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS NEED REPLACING. I KEEP REPLACING THEM BUT IT IS NOT WORKING. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE ONE MINUTE THEY WORK. DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND IT IS NOT WORKING. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS? THERE SHOULD BE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147365January 10, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE THAT ALLOW COOLANT TO LEAK. WATER CAN MIX WITH OIL OR CAN GENERATE OVERHEAT OF THE ENGINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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