Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (1997)

443 consumer complaints on file.

#10491459January 4, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIPERS CROSSED OVER EACH OTHER AND STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT THEN MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND MANUALLY DISLODGED THE WIPERS HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LINKAGES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482296October 26, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
CAR GOES INTO LOCKDOWN FREQUENTLY BECAUSE OF THE THEFT ALERT SYSTEM AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WILL START. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND POTENTIAL HAZARD TO ANYONE IS OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED DEALERSHIP TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM AND THERE REPLY IS "WELL THE CAR IS OLD AND YOU NEED TO SEE ABOUT PURCHASING ANOTHER ONE". I GOT THIS REPLY IN 2007. I HAVE ALSO RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN CHEVY MALIBU'S, WHICH TO ME CONSTITUTES A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS WELL AS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442659January 6, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND WHEN THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED, THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE BECAME STUCK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE HAPPENED DUE TO A SPIKE IN VOLTAGE WHEN THE BATTERY WAS RECONNECTED WITH THE KEY LEFT IN THE RUN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,930.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398827May 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ARMS AND DISARMS RANDOMLY, CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT START OR STALL OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369571December 8, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING
INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1997 CHEVY MALIBU HAS STARTED TO GO BAD I KNOW ITS THE LOWER GASKET I CALLED CHEVY AFTER SEEING SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD CHEVY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT DUE TO IT BEING OVER TEN YEARS OLD WELL IT SEEMS LIKE WITH WAS A PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN AS SOON AS THEY SEALED THE MANIFOLD AT THE FACTORY I THINK GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS ITEM ONCE FREE OF CHARGE PER CAR ALSO MY RACK AND PINION SEEMS TO STICK ON MY LEFT SIDE I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CHECKED THE RACK AND PINION SEEMS THE BALL BEARING WANTING TO COME OUT OR IS GONE I TOLD GM I DON'T THINK THEY REPLACED IT WHEN THEY RECALLED IT AND THEY TOLD ME THE FIRST OWNER DID BUT WONT SEND ME PAPERWORK ON THE REPAIR OR THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361180October 19, 2010
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND VIBRATING ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TIRE SHOP AND AFTER INSPECTING IT THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS WARPED AND HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE BRAND NAME WAS LARAMIE, MODEL, PERFORMER HP, SIZE 235/60R15. THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRE WAS PURCHASE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND CONFIRMED BASED ON THE DOT NUMBER THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT ON RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,598.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341948July 8, 2010
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MPH AND ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL SPEED BUMPS IN THE ROADWAY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DRIVING OVER THE SPEED BUMPS THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ANTI-THEFT PATH LOCK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312785February 22, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVY MALIBU. RECENTLY, THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND DISABLING THE ENGINE. THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM PER THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ONLY OPTION I HAVE IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND RECONNECT IT. THIS ISN'T EVER CONVENIENT AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279791August 8, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR ENGINE OVERHEATING NOT DUE TO THERMOSTAT OR WATER PUMP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265876April 17, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVY MALIBU (54,000) MILES THAT SEIZED UP IN TRAFFIC DUE TO ANTIFREEZE IN THE OIL. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE (DEXA-COOL) USE BY GM HAS A LONG HISTORY OF CAUSING PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURES BY EATING AWAY THE GASKETS, WATER PUMPS AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ENGINE COOLING COMPONENTS. I?M NOT ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT SINCE MY PROBLEM HAPPENED LONG AFTER THE CLOSING DATE. I FEEL A NATIONAL RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED BY NHTSA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254753January 12, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUES TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS. I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU 3.1L. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253189December 30, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PIVOT HOUSING FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE WIPERS TO FAIL. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED AND THE RISK OF A CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). THE CONTACT PAID $380.68 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,986. UPDATED 1/26/09 *CN UPDATED 01/26/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242013September 12, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AUTOMOTIVE COOLING SYSTEM> VEHICLE BEGAN LOOSING COOLANT ON DRIVEWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLES ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM WAS CORRODED. AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE USE OF THE COOLANT DEX-COOL THIS WAS REQUIRED BY GENERAL MOTORS TO KEEP UP WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. NOW I FIND THAT THIS WAS THE WRONG THING TO USE AND I WILL BE OUT $1800 IN REPAIR WORK. I BELIEVE G.M. SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LARGEST PART OF THIS EXPENSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240773September 3, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238658August 18, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR HAS A THEFT SYSTEM IN IT WHICH ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DOESN'T LET ME START THE CAR . IT IS A 1997 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227398May 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, TIRES, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A REPLACEMENT,DISCOUNT OR FREE SERVICE ON MY 1997 MALIBU. I'VE HAD MY CAR SINCE 2004 AND HAD TO GET ANOTHER MOTOR IN 2005 WHICH IS NEEDED NOW .THIS CAR HAS PUT ME DOWN A LOT NOT ONLY PROBLEMS WITH THE MOTOR BUT THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND I HAD TO REPLACE THAT AS WELL AS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS THAT LAST ABOUT 2 OR 3 MONTHS. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY THEY ONLY WORK ON HIGH BEAM. I CAN'T FIND A MORE REASONABLE MECHANIC THAT'S WILLING TO REPAIR THE MOTOR THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE DUE TO THE TYPE WHICH IS A 2.4 AND A USED MOTOR COST ABOUT HALF THE PRICE OF A NEW ONE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225297April 21, 2008
AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
SITTING AT A RED LIGHT IN A COMPLETE STOPPED POSITION THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE STILL BEING DEPRESSED AND COMPLETELY WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I QUICKLY TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP AND AN ONCOMING VEHICLE STRUCK ME. TROOPERS AND OTHER PERSONAL CHECKED MY BRAKES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND SAID THAT THERE WASN'T ANY BRAKES. NO BRAKE PROBLEMS HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED PRIOR TO THIS. I WAS SEVERELY STRUCK BY THE OTHER VEHICLE WHICH COMPLETELY TURNED THE DIRECTION OF MY VEHICLE AND CAUSED TOTAL DAMAGE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS. THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD, THE OTHER DRIVE WAS CITED FOR HIS HIGH-SPEED HIT TO MY VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND IS A GREAT CONCERN OF MINE AT THIS POINT IN TIME AS WELL AS THE BRAKE FAILURE. I RECEIVED NOTICE IN DECEMBER 2007 FROM GM THAT THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT OF A PENDING DISTRICT COURT CASE (DELMAS FORD, EL AL. V. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, CASE NO. CJ-2002-424) WHICH MEANT THAT MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE SEAN BY A AUTHORIZED CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE THE 1997 CHEVY MALIBU'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE REPROGRAMMED. THIS REFERRED TO TSB #07-09-41-006 DATED AUGUST 2007. I HAD THE VEHICLE SEEN AS SOON AS THERE WAS AN OPEN APPOINTMENT ON JANUARY 7, 2008 AT RANDY MARION CHEVROLET PONTIAC BUICK. SO, UPON THIS ACCIDENT TODAY, I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE AFTER ALREADY HAVE THEM REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS AS WELL AS FAILURE OF THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. I AM ALSO CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY IN REGARD TO THIS MATTER. I UNDERSTAND THERE WERE OTHER ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THIS ISSUE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING AT ODD TIMES. AFTER A NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT OF THIS CASE AND HAVING THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS CHECKED AND FIXED AS INDICATED, I AM A FEARFUL AND CONCERNED CONSUMER OF THIS INCIDENT AS I HAVE TOTAL VEHICLE LOSS AND SUFFICIENT DAMAGES. YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD DEFINITELY WORK.......THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL AS WELL AS THE BRAKES LETTING GO MID STOPLIGHT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223326April 3, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE BYWAY AND TOOK THE INTERSTATE MERGE LANE WHILE INCREASING MY SPEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC I FELT A SNAP IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND GAS PEDAL, I THEN LOST THE DASH AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY OVERHEATED, I HAD NO REAL POWER TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS A LOOSE PUSH. BEING THAT I HAD MERGED ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS OCCURRED I HAD TO DRIVE AN ADDITIONAL 5 MILES TO THE NEXT EXIT. NOT EVERYONE HAS A CELL PHONE. WHEN I GOT TO THE NEXT EXIT I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO GET IT INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT, IT WAS HARDER TO TURN THAN MY FIRST TRUCK A 1959 FORD TWIN I BEAM PICKUP. I FORTUNATELY DIDN'T HIT ANY ONE OR ANYTHING. UPON RAISING MY HOOD AFTER PARKING THE CAR I AM APPALLED TO SEE THAT THE TENSIONER PULLEY AND ONE OF THE IDLER PULLEYS ARE GONE AND MY SERPENTINE BELT IS SHREDDED. I HAVE REPLACED THE PARTS BUT SINCE THEN I ALSO FOUND THAT WITHIN 5 MILES THE "DREADED" GASKETS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT, AND MINE WE ALREADY EATING FLUIDS IN SIPPS BEFORE THIS, WERE GONE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BROKEN PULLEYS SERPENTINE BELT ALTERNATOR WATERPUMP AND GASKETS NOT A MONTH LATER THE OTHER IDLER PULLEY THAT WAS UNAFFECTED IN THE FIRST INCIDENT WENT. WHEN THE FIRST TWO WERE REPLACED THAT DREADED SQUEAKING STOPPED FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS AND STARTED BACK UP AGAIN. SOMETHING MUST NOT BE STRAIGHT FOR ME TO HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE MOVING PARTS THAT RUN ON THE SERPENTINE BELT AND EVERYTIME ONE OF THEM GOES YOU LOOSE YOUR POWER STEERING AND THE CAR IS HARD TO TURN. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE FOR A GOLD FISH THAN A LIGHT BULB. EVERYTIME IT RAINS, OR SNOWS I HAVE TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS. THIS CAR IS THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. I HAVE THE FIRST IDLER PULLEY PART STILL THE REST OF THEM WERE LOST TO THE HIGHWAY THE THING IS MELTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210729December 3, 2007
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILS TO TURN PROPERLY. SHE COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE FAILURE ANY FURTHER; HOWEVER, IT IS THE SAME FAILURE STATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209364November 19, 2007
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY OF 2004 REGARDING THE LOWER RACK AND PINION STEERING. HE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THE TIME; HOWEVER, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE WHEEL BACK TO THE RIGHT AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND HIS FATHER, A MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DECLARED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE TO BE THE LOWER RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE RECALL REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 243,831. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Malibu