Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2004)

1,582 consumer complaints on file.

#10134264August 25, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE START, WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO START THE VEHICLE FROM THE KEY REMOTE. ON FRIDAY 8-19 THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" CAME ON BRIEFLY WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED BUT DID NOT COME BACK ON AFTER I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY 8-22-05 AFTER MAKING A STOP, SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, AND GETTING OFF THE CAR THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND STAYED ON FOR APPX A MINUTE, IT THEN SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. THIS CYCLE REPEATED FOR ABOUT 8 MINS OR SO ON ITS OWN. I GOT BACK ON THE CAR AFTER DROPPING MY CHILD OFF AT SCHOOL AND DROVE AT HWY SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE ON, AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF HWY SPEEDS THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF AND WAS NON RESPONSIVE. I GOT OFF THE HWY PARKED AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. AGAIN THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN, THIS TIME STAYING ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPT REPLACED THE KEYLESS ENTRY MODULE AND REPROGRAMMED THE BRAKE ECU AS THEY SAID THE KEYLESS MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO START USING THE REMOTE START FEATURE. THEY ALSO SAID THE BRAKE MODULE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BE NON RESPONSIVE. THIS MALFUNCTION CONCERNED ME GREATLY AS THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGED KEPT UNTIL THIS HAPPENED AND I NO LONGER TRUST TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE IN FEAR OF POSSIBLE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FROM THE ENGINE STARTING ON ITS OWN WHILE IN THE GARAGE, SPECIALLY AT NIGHT WHILE ASLEEP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133723August 22, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
POOR GAS MILEAGE, GAS CAP IS RATTLING LOOSE DUE TO RATCHET PIECE COMING APART, RATCHET PIECE REPLACED AND ONE WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133827August 22, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHEN THE JACK GAVE IN UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR CAME CRASHING TO THE GROUND.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133828August 22, 2005
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
DT: WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE THE JACK THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WHILE HE HAD THE VEHICLE RAISED UP. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL JACK THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. IT COLLAPSED WHEN HE HAD THE TIRE OFF AND WAS TRYING TO PUT THE SPARE ON. IT COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130730July 31, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY HAD NO RESISTANCE. IT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK SO THERE WERE NO CONSEQUENCES. IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAUSE APPEARS TO BE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER WAS MISSING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130618July 29, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
LEFT TURN SIGNAL INOP. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. FAILURE AGAIN WITHIN AN HOUR OF LEAVING DEALERSHIP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126295June 22, 2005
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE HAS A DISLOCATION OF THE SC JOINT, STERNUM AND THE COLLAR BONE. CAUSED BY TELESCOPING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RECEIVING A CALL, AND CALLER EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT SHE COULD NOT BE REACHED UNTIL AFTER 5:30 PM. SHE SPOKE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND MANY OF THEM VERY RUDE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT BE REACHED UNTIL AFTER 5 PM AND THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD TELL HER BECAUSE IT WAS AFTER GM BUSINESS HOURS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10125933June 20, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE HORN IS NOT WORKING. CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW HOW LONG SHE HAS BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT A HORN. SHE NOTICED IT ON SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2005. THE CONTACT HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. GM STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE FOR HER. EVERY SINCE GM CLOSED THE FILE FOR HER ACCOUNT SHE WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125989June 20, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CHEVROLET MALIBU MODEL USES INFERIOR BRAKE ROTORS CAUSING ROTORS TO BE WARPED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY UPON INSTALLATION ON VEHICLE. UPON TAKING DELIVERY OF 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN JULY 2004 IT WAS IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WAS WARPED CAUSING UNSAFE BRAKING CONDITIONS AND A GENERAL UNEASYNESS WHEN DRIVING. CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALER, AND ONLY OFFER ON THIS BRAND NEW CAR WAS THE RESURFACE THE ROTORS. THIS FIX, WHILE TEMPORARILY EFFECTIVE, TO ME IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ON A NEW FROM THE FACTORY CAR. THE SAME CAR HAS 18000 MILES NOW, AND THE PROBLEM HAS AGAIN RESURFACED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE FAIRLY WIDESPREAD. I HAVE NOT RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED YET, BUT THIS IS ISSUE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE HAVE BEEN CAUSE BY POOR DRIVING HABITS BY THE USER. I HAVE ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE THAT WENT OVER 50000 MILES ON IT'S ORIGINAL ROTORS AND EVEN AT THAT POINT THE ROTORS WERE NOT WARPED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125521June 16, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING VEHICLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 13,890 MILES, MADE APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE, WORK WAS DONE ON CAR, DROVER 150 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALERHAS H MY CAR FOR THREE WEEKS NOW AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY HAD TO HAVE AN EGINEER FOR THE MANUFACTURING PLANT COME WORK ON THE CAR. TODAYS DATE IS JUNE 16 2005, I AM GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS MATTER I JUST WISH THE MANUFACTURE WOULD BUY THIS CAR BACK. SO I CAN BUY ANOTHER CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124353June 6, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MAILBU LS AND IT HAS BEEN ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING AND W/OUT ANY NOTICE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN BROKE. AND ON TODAY I TRIED TO RETRIVE A REPORT ON-LINE TO FIND OUT IF THIS CAR HAS GIVING ANYONE ELSE A PROBLEM AND IT SURE HAS. ABOUT A COUPLE MONTHS BEFORE I PURCHASE IT HAD BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP GETTING SERVICE. I NO THAT IT THIS IS NOT VERY SAFE BECAUSE I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AND I HAD TO TURN SO DEEP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT RIGHT ON THE SPOT THAT I COULD HAVE GOT HIT FROM THE FRONT AS WELL. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT WHO KNOWS THE NEXT TIME SO I WILL LIKE IT TO BE NOTED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124373June 6, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY IS NOT RELEASED FROM IGNITION UNLESS SHIFT LEVER IS PUT AGAIN BACK IN DRIVE AND THEN PARK AFTER CAR IS OFF. GM HAS REPLACED BOTH IGNITION COMPONENTS AND SHIFT COMPONENTS BUT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM SINCE CAR WAS NEW, MALIBU 2004 LT, AND IT MEANS SOMETIMES HAVING TO LEAVE CAR WITH KEY IN IGNITION IF CAN'T REMOVE IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122590May 31, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATES THAT VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE CAR WILL DIE WHILE IT IS IDLING. WHEN GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND TURNING IT OFF AND THEN GET TING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE IT WILL NOT START AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CD PLAYER WILL NOT WORK, AND SOMETIMES WHEN HE TRIED STARTING VEHICLE THE TRUNK WILL OPEN. SO IT HAD BEEN SEVERAL DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10123684May 31, 2005
AIR BAGS, STEERING:COLUMN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MORE THAN ONCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THE CAR WAS SERVICED BEFORE FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD 3 RECALLS, THE HORN FUSE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BLINKER IS CURRENTLY OUT. THE STEERING COLLAR HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEW CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122190May 26, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX, WHICH HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WORK IN AUTOMATIC MODE, EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. UNFORTUNATELY THE SOLAR SENSOR THAT ACTIVATES THEM "THINKS" THE SKY IS BRIGHT WHEN IT IS VERY OVERCAST. FOR THE MOST PART NOT A PROBLEM, AS YOU CAN TURN THE LIGHTS ON MANUALLY. UN-FORTUNATELY, THE DASH-BOARD LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN YOU DO THIS, UNLESS THE SENSOR "THINKS" IT'S DARK. TO REMEMDY THIS, I PUT SOMETHING OVER THE SENSOR, BUT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO, AND IF I DON'T, EVEN THOUGH I CAN SEE IN FRONT OF MY CAR, I CAN'T SEE HOW FAST I'M GOING, TACHOMETER, BATTERY METER READINGS, ETC. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, THEY REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE 3 TIMES, TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED, I WENT TO PICK IT UP, SAME THING HAPPENED. WE GOT INTO ANOTHER MALIBU, AND IT HAPPENED WITH THAT CAR AS WELL. IN OTHER WORDS THE SYSTEM IS WORKING THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS WORKING CORRECTLY. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS I CAN NOT SEE DASH INDICATORS WHEN I NEED TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON MANUALLY. I ALSO OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, AND THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST. I'VE ALSO OWNED A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, AND THIS PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST. MY FRIEND OWNS A 2004 GMC YUKON WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, AND IT DOES NOT EXIST ON THAT EITHER. IT APPERS TO BE ONLY WITH THE THE 2004 (AND POSSIBLY ABOVE) MALIBU, AND POSSIBLY ONLY THE MALIBU MAXX. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121747May 20, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY MALIBU LS, IT IS NOT YET 18 MONTHS OLD AND I HAVE TO BRING IT IN FOR THE 2ND STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT THIS MONDAY. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR/WORSE PROBLEMS WITH STERRING. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, A LOUD THUDDING SOUND WHEN TURNING TH WHEEL DURING RIGHT TURNS (THIS IS WHAT MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING), I HAD MY 2ND STEERING COLUMN PUT IN MY CAR IN NOV 04, WHEN MY CAR WAS 10 MONTHS OLD, I NOW AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM/SOUND AGAIN AND NEED TO BRING IT IN FOR A 3RD STEERING COLUMN, MEANING IT CAME WITH A DEFECTIVE ONE, WAS EVIDENTLY REPAIRED WITH A DEFECTIVE ONE AND WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN 6 MONTHS FROM NOW. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY DEALERSHIP, FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY AND WAS TOLD BY BOTH THAT HAVE ONLY ISSUED "BULLETINS" FOR MECHANICS. I FEEL A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. SO, TO WRAP THIS UP, I HAD MY CAR FOR 10 MONTHS AND NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN (11/04) NOW 6 MONTHS LATER I WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUSE DEFECT AND FEEL FREE CONTACT ME IF I CAN ASSIST ANY FURTHER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118873May 20, 2005
SUSPENSION, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. *AK ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE DEALER THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER SHIFTED THE TIRES, THEN IT SEEMED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. *SC THE REAR VIEW MIRROR CRACKED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120526May 10, 2005
POWER TRAIN
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. RECALL #4050 POWER STEERING ASSIST. IT I NVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLLMN W/MOVABLE PEDALS V1185.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118715April 29, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NOISY, GRINDING SOUND + STIFFNESS IN STEERING. HAVE HAD TO DEALER (JOHN KENNEDY CHEVROLET, SOUTHAMPTON, PA) 3 TIMES BEGINNING 2/15. 1ST DIAGNOSIS: UNDERINFLATED TIRES. RESULT: NO CHANGE. 2ND DIAGNOSIS: WORN STEERING COLUMN. ACTION: REPLACED COLUMN. RESULT: NO CHANGE. 3RD DIAGNOSIS: PROBLEM WITH STEERING RACK. ACTION: REPLACE RACK. RESULT: NO CHANGE. THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE IS WARM (WON'T HAPPEN ON A COOL MORNING, BUT IS PRESENT AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN ALL DAY). IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE METAL HEATS UP, IT EXPANDS & CAUSES BINDING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120354April 29, 2005
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATED BACK AND FORTH WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON, BUT STOPPED; HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE; ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO 15 MINUTE DRIVE HOME (GOING 10 MPH); VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS PULLING LEFT SO IT TOOK MORE STEERING EFFORT TO TURN WHEEL RIGHT; HAD STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AUGUST 19, 2004.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Malibu