Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2004)

1,582 consumer complaints on file.

#10229769June 3, 2008
STEERING
I PURCHASED A CHEVROLET MALIBU IN THE YEAR 2004. THE CAR IS OVER 100,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE INCIDENT THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH THIS VEHICLE IS LIFE AND DEATH HAZARD IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CAR. I HAVE OWNED CHEVROLET'S SINCE I CAN REMEMBER AND MY DAD IS AN X-EMPLOYEE OF GENERAL MOTORS. THE SITUATION THAT TOOK PLACE WITH MY CAR IS WHILE IN AUTOMATIC DRIVE GEAR AND GOING TRAFFIC SPEED THE POWER STEERING UNIT SHUT DOWN AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE YOU ARE NOW DRIVING MANUALLY WITH THE STEERING IN THE CAR. THIS DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT WHERE MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR HURT! IF MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE I DON,T THINK THEY WOULD HAVE CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY BRUSHED ME OFF? THE COMPLAINT NO. I FILED IS [XXX]. I ALSO, WROTE A LETTER TO THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DIVISION OF GM IN DETROIT. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK ANYTHING AS OF YET! I HAVE NEVER OWNED A NEW VEHICLE THAT WHERE THE POWER STEERING UNIT SHUT DOWN IN DRIVING MODE. I THINK THIS COMPLAINT REPRESENTS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS CAR. I HAD GM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIXING OF MY CAR WARRANTY OR NO WARRANTY. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I MAINTAIN THE SERVICING OF THIS VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS I HAD 3 REPLACEMENTS ON MY GAS CAP ALSO BECAUSE OF DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP. THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE 1 DAY PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE COMPLAINT WITH GM. I WAS REALLY SHAKEN UP WHEN THIS POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DAY BUT IT WAS FRI. IN THE BEGINNING OF MAY. I CALLED GM THE NEXT DAY IN REGARDS TO THIS INCIDENT. SO, THE DATE MAY BE OFF YOU CAN CHECK WITH GM ON THE DATE I FILED THE TELEPHONE COMPLAINT. THANK YOU, [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229667June 2, 2008
STEERING
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES POPPING NOISES AND CAN BE FELT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE READY TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT SERIOUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229113May 28, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TURN SIGNAL BULB BURNING THROUGH THE PLASTIC CASING RESULTING IN INEFFECTIVE TURN SIGNALS. TOOK TO GM DEALER IN NOVEMBER 2007 AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS IN DECEMBER. TURN SIGNAL BULB BURNING THROUGH PLASTIC CASING ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS YET AGAIN RESULTING IN INEFFECTIVE TURN SIGNALS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228909May 26, 2008
STEERING
I HAD A SMALL VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 74,000 MILES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE STEERING COLUMN. I NOW HAVE 91,000 MILES ON MY CAR AT IT IS VIBRATING WORSE THEN IT EVER HAS BEFORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227611May 13, 2008
SEATS
WAS DRIVING ON EXIT RAMP ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY WHEN DRIVERS SEAT LURCHED TO THE LEFT. WHEN I GOT HOME AND INSPECTED THE SEAT I OBSERVED THAT A WELD HAD BROKEN IN THE LOWER SEAT FRAME COMPONENT ASSOCIATED WITH VERTICAL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR POWER SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227407May 12, 2008
STEERING
ELECTRIC STEERING WILL LOOSE POWER. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALS REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE. SECOND TIME THE DEALER PAID FOR THE PARTS BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR $ 225.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227520May 12, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS SEDAN WITH 66,000 MILES ON IT. IN MARCH WE HAD THE FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULB REPLACED, AND WITHIN A WEEK WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THEN ON MAY 1ST, WE WERE ON A TRIP WHEN THE REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT, SO WE REPLACED THAT. THE NEXT DAY THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT FOR FOUR HOURS, STARTED TO WORK AGAIN FOR A WHILE, AND WENT ON AND OFF AGAIN FOR TWO DAYS. WE BROUGHT IT INTO OUR DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WE SUSPECTED THAT THERE MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE SERVICE PERSON CALLED US TO REPORT THAT WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WHICH HAD BEEN CUT (SOMEHOW) AND IT WOULD COST A LARGE SUM OF MONEY. AS WITH ANY FEAR OF MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN AN AUTOMOBILE, WE GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO REPLACE IT. HOWEVER ON THE BILL IT ONLY STATES THAT THE BULB WAS REPLACED FOR A LESSER COST AND SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT HE HAD MENTIONED (WHICH WE NEVER EVEN KNEW EXISTED). WE ARE GOING BACK IN TO TALK WITH THE HEAD SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THIS. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY REPORTS LISTED HERE ABOUT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS. WE ARE REPORTING THIS TO CHEVROLET AND HOPE OTHER PEOPLE WILL CONTACT CHEVROLET AT SO THEY WILL BE AWARE OF AND LOOK INTO THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226423May 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WILL NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON APRIL 12, 2008. AFTER DRIVING OFF THE DEALER LOT, THE CONTACT MADE A STOP AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THEY ALSO WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE ANY PARTS TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,889. UPDATED 05/21/08 *BF UPDATED 05/20/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225775April 26, 2008
STRUCTURE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, STEERING
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR - LEFT TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK - CAR IS ALIGNED AND STILL WANTS TO GO LEFT (ELECTRICAL STEERING ISSUES I AM TOLD) - ADJUSTABLE PEDALS DO NOT ADJUST - VISOR MIRROR IS BROKEN - *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224738April 16, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
FRONT LEFT TURNING SIGNAL IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE BOUGHT MANY LIGHT BULBS REPLACING LIGHT BULB AFTER BULB. EVERYTIME I CHANGE THE BULB IT WOULD WORK BUT AS SOON AS I DRIVE FOR LITTLE AND TURN THE SIGNAL IT GOES OUT AGAIN. SEEM AS THOUGH IT MAY HAVE A SHORTAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223794April 9, 2008
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TOOK CAR IN FOR SEMI ANNUAL SERVICE, CAR IS JUST OFF WARRANTY (105,000 KM APROX 62000 MILES). SERVICE LIGHT FOR THE POWER STEERING CAME ON, BUT NO LOSS IN STEERING. WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT UNTIL FAILURE HAPPENS, LEAVE IT BECAUSE IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY AND NOT THE CONSUMER. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS PAYING FOR REPAIRS, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224017April 8, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO A DIRT MOUND AND BLACKED OUT. WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETACHED. THERE WAS SMOKE AND SOME FLAMES PRESENT AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS, SMELLED SMOKE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO PARK. THE SEAT BELT ALSO BROKE, THREW THE CONTACT INTO THE REAR SEAT AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER INTO A FIELD AND WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH AND THE PASSENGER HAD MINOR INJURIES. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED NORMALLY. PICTURES AND A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. RK UPDATED 5/5/08 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10223270April 3, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CAR HAS HAD RATTLE NOISE FROM FRONT END SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP WITH 32K ON IT. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 61K ON IT. STEERING RACK HAS WORN TO THE POINT WHERE IT JAMS AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. RATTLE NOISE HAS TURNED IN TO CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR NOISE IT WAS RETURNED "NO PROBLEMS FOUND". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222468March 27, 2008
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222112March 24, 2008
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THREE WEEKS AGO, NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH STEERING ON 2004 MALIBU MAX. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON MARCH 18TH THE STEERING FAILED AND FORTUNATELY WE WERE GOING SLOW AND GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO A PARKING LOT AVOIDING ACCIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO NOW STATED THE LOWER ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY OF THE STEERING FAILED. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THE STEERING FAILED WHILE GOING SLOW AND ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN A POSITION TO BE TOWED. TOTAL REPAIR COST $675. IN ALL MY YEARS I HAVE NEVER HAD A STEERING FAIL AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND PARTS WEAR OUT, BUT THIS IS BAD WHEN IT IS NOT ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED UNTIL COMPLETE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222181March 24, 2008
STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR ICON LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY ON THE DASHBOARD. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,011 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,300. UPDATED 04/08/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221412March 17, 2008
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,224 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220264March 6, 2008
STEERING
2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX HAS MAJOR FRONT END PROBLEM. HARD TO STEER, ALWAYS PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT, SEEMS LIKE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING AT TIMES, CLUNKING NOISE WHEN STATIONARY AND TURNING WHEELS AND WHEN MOVING GOING OVER BUMPS. AT 33K MILES HAVE BEEN TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS HAVEN'T BEEN DONE YET WAITING ON OTHER ESTIMATES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220190March 5, 2008
STEERING
MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO MOVE ON ITS OWN EVEN AT IDLE. THIS HAPPENED FOR A DAY, THEN I LOST MY POWER STEERING AS I TRIED TO TURN LEFT IN A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN. NOW I CANNOT STEER LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ON AND YOU SEE "POWER STEERING" IN THE INFO BOX ON THE DASH. I AM UPSET THAT I AM FINDING MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND CHEVY/GM HAS NOT MADE THIS ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL. I WILL BE EVEN MORE UPSET IF I RUN INTO THE SAME ISSUES THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD BY HAVING THEIR STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED 2 AND 3 TIMES ONLY TO CONTINUE HAVING PROBLEMS!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219956March 3, 2008
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, LOST POWER STEERING. WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED ENGINE. POWER STEERING RETURNED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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