Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2004)

1,582 consumer complaints on file.

#10086346August 6, 2004
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING
THE INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED IN A LOW SPEED TURN. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED 2 MONTHS AGO. THE SECOND OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WAS LOST SUDDENLY MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. A WARNING INDICATOR "WRENCH/CAR" SHOWS, AUDIO ALARM SOUNDS, AND A MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON THE RADIO MESSAGE DISPLAY "POWER STEERING OFF". I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. WORKED OK. *AK EA04018_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081632August 5, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL DASHBOARD COMPONENTS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND. THE FAILURE RECURRED 4 MONTHS LATER WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. ALSO, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL READ STEERING COLUMN ASSISTANCE NEEDED. THE CONSUMER THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THEN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T MOVE. THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED 20 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE SERVICE PERSON INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE, AND ORDERED A NEW STEERING COLUMN TO BE INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF TOWN, IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 1379 MILES, THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE FUEL LINE CLIP CAME OFF, AND FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE DEALERSHIP REINSTALLED THE FUEL CLIP BECAUSE IT WASN'T PROPERLY INSTALLED AT FACTORY. *AK EA04018_CAT *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087171August 4, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, STEERING:COLUMN
BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS DID NOT ROLL DOWN. ALSO, A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. VEHICLE PULLED TO LEFT. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT FIX IT. *AK EA04018_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086165August 4, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I NOTICED A "SCRAPING" SOUND FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND ON THE DATE THAT I WAS TAKING THE CAR TO HAVE THE PROBLEM INVESTIGATED, THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING WENT OUT (WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35 MPH) AND I HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY MANAGING THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY ARRIVE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE DEALERSHIP. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR 3 DAYS FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE REMEDIED AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WILL PROBABLY NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, ETC. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE RESULTS. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GM HASN'T NOTIFIED CUSTOMERS THAT THERE IS THIS POTENTIAL SINCE IT SEEMS THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. *AK EA04018_ CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083200August 3, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
MY DAUGHTER'S 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU ACCELERATES AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. (THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT ENGAGED!). MOST TIMES IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN A HOT PARKING LOT AND IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY (35 - 50 MPH). SHE HAS HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, PUT IT IN PARK - IT STILL ACCELERATES. SHE HAD HER CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. IT OCCURED AGAIN A FEW MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 30 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, HAD IT TOWED THERE, AND ALSO CONTACTED GM. THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AGAIN AND MADE HER FEEL LIKE SHE WAS IGNORANT. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD A BLACK BOX INSTALLED, WHERE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, SHE CAN PUSH THE BUTTON AND IT WILL RECORD THE INSTANCES. SHE HAS HAD PEOPLE RIDING WITH HER WHEN IT HAPPENS AND THEY ALSO WILL ATTEST TO THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. SHE IS AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING HER CAR AND WE DON'T WANT HER TO EXPERIENCE OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. SHE MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY THIS TIME EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS THE"BLACK BOX" TO RECORD THE INCIDENT. WE DON'T WANT TO RISK OUR DAUGHTER'S LIFE FOR A MACHINE. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. CONNIE CRONIN (MOTHER). *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083961August 2, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED A WRENCH ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER VEERED OFF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND RESTARTED IT. THIS UNLOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL. A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES,THAT RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS. *AK EA04018_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083088August 1, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ISSUES THAT AROSE WITH MY 2004 MALIBU JULY 7, 2004. THESE ISSUES ARE STILL WORRISOME TO ME EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE FORT WAYNE KELLEY CHEVROLET SERVICE PEOPLE. EA04018_CAT. *AK I ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL DANGEROUS ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMOBILE. THE FIRST ISSUE OCCURRED AT A STOP SIGN. I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO PULSATE UNCONTROLLABLY. UPON ACCELERATION IT SEEMED TO SUBSIDE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN LEFT AND AT THAT TIME I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE CORRECT LANE FINALLY AND THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY 1 MILE FROM MY HOME. AS I TURNED INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD THE STEERING ONCE AGAIN BEGAN TO PULSATE LEAVING ME WITHOUT STEERING POWER AND I HAD TO BREAK UPON SOMEONES YARD IN ORDER NOT TO HIT A CHILD PLAYING IN THE STREET. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KELLEY CHEVROLET. WE WERE ADDRESSED COURTEOUSLY YET I WAS STILL VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED&ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING MY DAUGHTER HAD A MALIBU JUST LIKE OURS. I HAVE A GRANDDAUGHTER WHO RIDES IN THAT CAR AND I WAS VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS MAY ALSO HAPPEN TO MY DAUGHTER. KELLEY DID ADDRESS THE PROBLEM PROMPTLY AND GAVE US INFORMATION CONCERNING DOCUMENT ID# 1521111 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU SERVICE INFORMATION ( NOISY STEERING COLUMN, LACK OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, DTCS C0460 AND C0545, STEERING WHEEL MOVES SLIGHTLY BY ITSELF #04-02-35-009-MAY 24, 2004) MY STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT JUST NOISY, IT WAS PULSATING TO THE POINT I COULD HARDLY HOLD IT. ALSO THE ISSUE OF THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES SLIGHTLY BY ITSELF IS ALSO A HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT. MY STEERING WHEEL COULD BE MOVED BY ME, HOWEVER, MY WHEELS DID NOT TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF MY STEERING. THIS IS SOMETHING GM MUST ADDRESS. KELLEYS TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT I AM EXTREMELY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT MY CAR OR EVER GETTING ANOTHER CHEVROLET WITH ELECTRONIC STEERING. EA04018_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080255July 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE VEHICLE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER ACTING ON THE NOTICE RECEIVED ON JUNE 21 ( NHTSA#04V190000). THE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JUNE 28, 2004 WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 TO 25 MPH. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER HIT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. *NM *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074850July 30, 2004
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN CAR WAS FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING, THE CAR HAD 1,000 MILES AT THAT TIME. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND WHEN HE CAME TO PICK IT UP THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE, HE SAID THAT THE COMPUTER MIGHT HAVE BYPASSED IT WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED, I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE MALFUNCTIONING AT THE TIME THEY CHECKED IT OR THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE SECOND TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AROUND 6 MI., THE CAR WAS IDLING AT THE TIME AND SHE TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND TOOK THE KEY OUT AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR THE STEERING WORKED OK THEN. THE THIRD TIME THE POWER STEERING FAILED WAS WHEN I WAS BACKING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAD 2,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE POWER STEERING WORKED OK. I CONTACTED MONTGOMERY CHEVROLET AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MAN THERE AND HE SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANY THING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT WAS ACTING UP AT THE TIME AND IT WASN'T. HE SAID THAT I COULD LEAVE IT. IT WAS 1,000 MILES BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED AND AROUND 100 MILES MORE ON THE THIRD TIME. WE WERE LUCKY THAT ALL OF THE FAILURE HAPPENED IN OUT DRIVEWAY OR IN THE GARAGE. *AK PE04031_CAT *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082582July 24, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE LIGHT WITH A WRENCH CAME ON MANY TIMES. HAD CAR SERVICED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES (2/19/04, 3/04/04, AND 03/11/04). AFTER THE THIRD SERVICE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT LOOSE GROUND AT LEFT CORE SUPPORT WAS THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079602July 19, 2004
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS HARD TO STEER. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE STEERING LIGHT DID NOT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR TESTING. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK PE04031_CAT GM RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONSUMER REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081202July 16, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
RECALL NOT COMPLETELY FIXED BY DEALER! THE ABS CONTROLLER WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE INSTALLATION OF A RETAINER IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT CONNECTORS WAS NOT REPAIRED! THE DEALER SAID THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH PART TO INSTALL!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079449July 15, 2004
STEERING:COLUMN, STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. A LIGHT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK PE04031_CAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081953July 14, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH STALLING WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED TWICE A WEEK. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A SECOND TIME TO DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082002July 14, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:COLUMN
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HAVE DIFFICULTY IN STEERING, BUT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK EA04018_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081687July 12, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OR LESS AND MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER NOTICED DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHING. THEN, LOST POWER STEERING. *AK EA04018_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080850July 12, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. SPORT CHEVROLET SAID THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS DEFECT BEFORE. THEY TOLD MY WIFE TO TURN THE CAR AND THEN TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THIS "FIX" LEAVES SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. EA04018_CAT. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080885July 12, 2004
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY MALIBU MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO JERK BACK AND FORTH, THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN TURNING RIGHT. AT LOW SPEEDS. I ALSO HAD THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO VERIFY THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM DUE TO A RECALL AND THE STEERING ALSO WAS VERIFIED. THIS RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE "RACK IS WHAT THE DEALER CALLED IT." I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A PROBLEM ON MANY 2004 MALIBUS. CHEVROLET HAD BETTTER LOOK INTO THISAND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION BEFORE IT RESULTS IN DEATH AND MAJOR LEGAL ACTION. EA04018_CAT. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080718July 9, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TRAVELING DOWN STREET AT LOW SPEED WHEN A SUDDEN BUT LIGHT JOLT FROM THE ENGINE IS FELT. MOMENTS LATER SLOWING DOWN FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT TOTAL LOSE OF ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. VEHICLE IS IN FOR REPAIRS ON THIS DATE. *AK EA04018_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080573July 8, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
PURCHASED A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN DEC. 03 - ON FEB. 09, 2004 I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE BALTIMORE BELTWAY DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. WHILE GOING ONLY ABOUT 7 MILES PER HOUR, I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO STOP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE. I ENDED UP RUNNING INTO THE SUV IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. NO DAMAGE TO THE SUV, HOWEVER THE FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY MALIBU WAS $3500.00. (AFTER POKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OUT THAT THE MALIBU RECEIVED THE POOREST RATING ON A LOW SPEED FRONT END IMPACT CRASH TEST) IT REALLY DOESN'T LOOK LIKE $3500 WORTH OF DAMAGES. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS FLOORED WHEN I RECEIVED THE NEWS. ANYWAY, ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THAT MY ABS SYSYEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. IT ALSO STATED IN THE LETTER EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME ON FEB 9, 2004 WHEN MY CAR DID NOT BRAKE. I AM 100% CERTAIN THAT THIS IS WHAT CAUSED MY ACCIDENT. I PHONED GM AND TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER. THEY INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AND REPROGRAMMED MY BRAKING SYSTEM. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM CALLED ME EARLIER THIS WEEK. HE STATED THAT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES IN MY 04 MALIBU. (SO WHY THE RECALL AND WHY DID THEY REPROGRAM THE ABS?) HE ALSO WENT ON TO SAY THAT GM WOULD NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES SUSTAINED FROM THIS COLLISION. I DISAGREE! I FEEL THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR MY DAMAGES. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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