Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2004)

1,582 consumer complaints on file.

#10163089July 21, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE 2004 CHEVROLET WAS THE FIRST YEAR MANUFACTURED WITH A ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN. IN APRIL 2005, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS MAKING A NOISE AND WAS TIGHT RESULTING IN DIFFICULT STEERING FOR SHARP TURNS. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. IN JULY 2006, THERE WAS A SECOND FAILURE TO THE STEERING COLUMN, IT LOCKED UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162958July 20, 2006
STEERING
WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND SOMETIMES WHEN ACCELERATING THERE IS A CLUNK SOUND FROM THE BOTTOM LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. AT FIRST WE COULD HARDLY HEAR IT AND AS THE MONTHS PASSED ON IT GOT WORSE. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 31, 2004. THEY SAID GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE MANUFACTURING PARTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THEY GAVE ME A GM DOCUMENT WITH ID#1764730 AND STATING THAT THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER. I THINK I MAY HAVE A LEMON BECAUSE EARLIER THE POWER STEERING STOPPED AND THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE STEERING SYSTEM. IT IS NOW FIVE MONTHS SINCE I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. THE CAR NOW SOUNDS LIKE THE FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OFF WHENEVER WE SLOW DOWN AND IT SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE MORE THAN 23,000 MILES, WHICH I CONSIDER FAIRLY NEW, AND SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS 500,000 MILES ON IT. MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH IN OUR 60'S AND BELIEVE ME WE ARE NOT HOT RODDERS. PLEASE HELP US TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161691July 6, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN
IN TWO OCCASIONS I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING .THE CAR A CHEVROLET MODEL MALIBU YEAR 2004 WAS TRANSPORTED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER(NORWOOD CHEVROLET) IN WARWICK RI. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A STEERING COLUMN SHIFT-TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE.GM ADMITTED THAT THEY HAD AN INTERNAL RECALL. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AS PER GM CUSTOMER RELATION MANAGER.THE BILL WAS 610.48 DOLLARS.THEYNEVER REFUND ME BECAUSE THE NEW MANAGER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS LIFTED.PLEASE EVALUATE AND ADVISE ME WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU . *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161457July 5, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVING DOWN THE ROADWAY AND MY CHILD WHO IS 4 IN THE BACKSEAT OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THERE IS NO REAR CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON THE 2004 AND 2005 CHEVY MALIBU'S. YET 02 HAD THEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161503July 5, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A DETECTION OF GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. DURING THE INSPECTION, THE GAS TANK WAS REMOVED AND THE GAS LINE ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE TANK WAS OBSERVED TO BE RUPTURED WHICH CAUSED GASOLINE TO SPEW UNDER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161354July 4, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB THREE TIMES IN THREE MONTHS. THE FILAMENTS ARE OK BUT THE CONNECTING WIRE ON THE BULB IS BURNT THROUGH. IT APPEARS THAT THE BULB DO NOT SEAT PROPERLY INTO THE SOCKET AND VIBRATION CAUSES THE CONNECTION TO ARC. I EXPECT THIS PROBLEM TO CONTINUE UNTIL THE SOCKET IS REPLACED BY THE DEALER (ASSUMING I CAN CONVINCE THE DEALER TO DO SO UNDER WARRANTY). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161274July 3, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1. POWER STEERING FAILURE 2. NOISE IN STEERING 3. NOISE IN STEERING STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED IN EACH INCIDENT, NOW MAKING CLUNKING NOISE AGAIN. DEALER SAID ITS "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. NOISE IS GETTING WORSE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161575June 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, STEERING, STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2004 MALIBU ANTI THEFT LIGHT AND RADIO LOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATES, PROBLEM WITH SEAL ON THE REAR LEFT WINDOW. *TS THE STEERING WAS STIFF, THE MOLDING ON THE LET REAR WINDOW CAME OUT OF PLACE WHEN THE WINDOW WAS ROLLED UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES, THE TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GAUGE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY WHEN USING THE REMOTE. THE VEHICLE STARTED BY ITSELF AND ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160560June 23, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING. THE ISSUE HAS GRADUALLY WORSENED. NEW AXLE SEALS WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL PERSISTS. . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160129June 19, 2006
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DURING MY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE (DELPHI SAGINAW STEERING SYSTEM, 3900 E. HOLLAND AVE., SAGINAW, MICHIGAN 48601), I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONDUCT A SCREW "STRIP-OUT" STUDY ON THE ELECTRIC MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLY OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM OF THE GENERAL MOTOR'S EPSILON PLATFORM (MY 2003.5 - 2006 MALIBU). THIS STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN MAY OF 2004 AT DELPHI'S PLANT 1, EPS ASSEMBLY. THE STUDY INCLUDED TEN PRODUCTION MOTOR AND TEN PRODUCTION CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE ASSEMBLED ON THE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT AND PROCESS(ES). THE CONTROLLER IS ATTACHED TO MOTOR BY THREE M 5.0X 0.8 SCREWS. THE RESULT OF THAT STUDY CONCLUDED THAT FOUR OF THE TEN MOTOR/CONTROLLER ASSEMBLIES HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THE SCREWS FULLY STRIPPED WITH LESS THAN 50% OF THE DESIGN INTENDED RETENTION AND WITH TWO ASSEMBLIES WITH TWO FULLY STRIPPED SCREWS. THIS REPORT WAS SHARED WITH MY IMMEDIATE ENGINEERING MANAGER WHOM THEN REPORTED TO SEVERAL OTHER PRODUCT ENGINEER MANAGERS OF THE EPS GROUP IN SAGINAW, MICHIGAN. IT WAS UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT PLANT 1 HAD AN ASSEMBLY ISSUE WITH THIS PROCESS AND THAT THERE WAS NO EFFECTIVE CONTAINMENT PROCESS IN PLACE TO SCRAP ALL SUSPECTED STRIPPED ASSEMBLIES. THE FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION FROM MY MANAGERS THAT I UNDERSTOOD WAS THAT UAW ASSEMBLY MEMBERS WERE INQUIRED TO AGREE AMONG THEMSELVES A BUILD SEQUENCE FOR THE CONTROLLER FASTENING PROCESS SO THAT THE COMPONENTS COULD BE REDESIGNED FOR BETTER ASSEMBLY. THIS ITEM WAS NOT PURSUED BECAUSE IT WAS UNCLEAR TO WHICH PARTY (THE ASSEMBLY PLANT OR THE PRODUCT ENGINEERING GROUP) WAS TO CHAMPION THE NECESSARY CHANGE. THE RESULTANT FAILURE MODE IS POSSIBLE MIGRATION OF THE CONTROLLER FROM THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS MIGRATING MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING AND/OR VEHICLE FIRE DUE THE POWER (MOTOR) PHASE LEADS "SHORTING OUT ". MORE INFORMATION IS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH COMPLIANT (PER MARTINA AND DEBRA OF NHSTA 19JN06). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159510June 10, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I PURCHASED MY 2004 MALIBU ON THE DATE LISTED AS INCIDENT DATE. AFTER BRINGING HOME AND DRIVING A BIT, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT FLOOR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159409June 9, 2006
STEERING, STEERING:RACK AND PINION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE EITHER A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE PRESENT IN THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED HOWEVER THERE IS NO FIX FOR THESE PROBLEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158968June 5, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL/LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I REPLACED THE AMBER BULB THREE TIMES IN THE SPACE OF 3 MONTHS. THE FILAMENTS WERE FINE, BUT THE PART WHERE THE BULB MEETS THE ASSEMBLY WAS BURNED. ON MAY 20TH, THE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158676May 31, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS FIRST OCCURRED 12/7/04 AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 04050A (RECALL). VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON 2/20/06, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL, ENGINE STALLED AND BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON INTERSTATE FREEWAY ON 2/27/06, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL AGAIN ON 5/11/06. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO MAKE SAFE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158559May 30, 2006
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM. AFTERWARDS THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE TURNING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT THE KNOCKING CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION IS BEING REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157905May 19, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
I BOUGHT A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU IN AUGUST OF 2004. SINCE THAT TIME ALL 4 SIGNAL LIGHTS AND ONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAVE BURNT OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LEFT REAR SIGNAL LIGHT IS NOW INOPERABLE. MAKING THIS THE 5 TIME I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. I HAVE ASKED THEM (CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT) TO CHECK THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EVERY TIME AND EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. SEVERAL TIMES THE WORK INVOICE COPY SAID, "REPLACED SIGNAL LIGHT BULB" THERE APPEARS TO BE A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO. ALTHOUGH NO FIRE HAS OCCURRED, I FEEL THAT THERE IS DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT UNEXPECTEDLY STOPS OPERATING BECAUSE YOU ARE UNABLE TO SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS THAT YOU ARE TURNING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157822May 18, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DEFOGGER SYSTEM PULLS AIR FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC, THE POLLUTED AIR FROM THE OTHER VEHICLES IS PULLED INSIDE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157768May 17, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
NOTICED FRONT END SHUTTER WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. TOOK CAR TO DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY AND DEALER SAID EXCESSIVE RUST IN BRAKE PADS. ALSO DEALER SAID FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. DEALER TURNED ROTORS AND CLEANED. CAR HAD ONLY 28K MILES ON IT. DROVE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND PROBLEM CAME BACK. TOOK BACK TO SAME DEALER AND HE SAID ROTORS FINE JUST EXCESSIVE RUST AND BRAKE DUST. NOTHING HE COULD DO. CAR HAS 34K MILES ON IT AND IN THE RAIN, APPLIED BRAKES AND WHOLE FRONT END SHUTTERED AND ANTI- LOCKS WERE GRINDING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. NOW CAR HAS 42K MILES AND TOOK TO MIDAS, THEY SAID FRONT ROTORS SEVERELY WARPED AND PADS WORN AWAY. THEY COULD TELL SOMEONE TURNED DOWN ROTORS ONCE AND DID BAD JOB. HAVE TO REPLACE FRONT ROTORS WITH DIFFERENT STYLE ROTORS AND NEW PADS. COSTS $500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER ANY OF IT EVEN THOUGH EXISTING PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156892May 5, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BOUGHT CAR APRIL 2004, EVERY FEW WEEKS TO ONCE A MONTH CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR NOISES. SINCE 4/05 DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS 3 TIMES, CALIPERS AND STRUTS REPLACED, AND STILL WITH A VIBRATING IN STEERING WHEEL AND WINDY NOISE. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE BRAKES YOU HAVE A GRINDING NOISE, LIKE A METAL SOUND, VERY LOUD CAN HEAR OVER THE RADIO. DEALER SAYS WINDY NOISE IS NORMAL FOR NEW PARTS. STILL VIBRATING FEELING IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE BRAKING FROM OVER 50 MPH. DEALER NOW SAYS PARTS ARE NOT COVERED BY GM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156797May 4, 2006
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE BRAKES VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TIE ROD HAD BROKEN AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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