Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (1999)

789 consumer complaints on file.

#10177013December 26, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON CHRISTMAS DAY, MY RIGHT TIRE BURST. AFTER INVESTIGATING I LEARNED THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL RING HAD FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACED, AS WELL AS PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176850December 22, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC), UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PURCHASED A 1999 CHEVY MALIBU IN NOVEMBER 2003. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AT LEAST 10 TIMES ($20 EACH TIME), THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ($70 EACH TIME). THE BRAKES GIVE YOU NO WARNING THEY JUST QUIT SUDDENLY WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE ABS LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CAN GUARANTEE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ABOUT TO LOCK UP ON YOU. THE REAR WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, I HEAR A WEIRD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS CAME ON 6 OR 7 TIMES AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO CRANK THE CAR(ONCE IT HAPPENED WHILE MY CHILD WAS HAVING AN ASTHMA ATTACK AND I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE HIM TO THE ER). IF YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD SOMETIMES IT SOUNDS LIKE A SMALL EXPLOSION IN THE FRONT END AND CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO JERK UNCONTROLLABLY FOR SEVERAL MILES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL FACT THAT IT IS A 1999 MALIBU, NOW MY IGNITION HAS COMPLETELY QUIT, ACTUALLY IT HUNG IN THE START POSITION AND WAS MAKING MY STARTER GRIND AND ALMOST CATCH FIRE, THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL ABOUT 15 TIMES, BUT USUALLY AFTER JIGGLING THE KEY A FEW TIMES IT COMES UNDONE, BUT NOT THIS TIME. MY DAD HAD TO TAKE MY BATTERY OFF IN ORDER TO MAKE THE ENGINE DIE. SO NOW MY EMPLOYER GOT SO FED UP WITH ME BEING LATE OR CALLING IN BECAUSE OF MY CAR PROBLEMS THAT I WAS TERMINATED. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH 2 CHILDREN, BOTH HAVE CHRONIC ASTHMA AND HAVE TO BE RUSHED TO THE ER WITH SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACKS ALL THE TIME, AND NOW I HAVE NO WAY TO TAKE THEM SHOULD THE NEED ARISE. THE PARTS ARE GOING TO COST ME $200 AND THE COST OF LABOR AND NOW I HAVE NO JOB. IF YOU CALL CHEVROLET ALL THEY TELL YOU IS TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND LET THE MECHANIC LOOK AT IT FOR A FEE, AND THEN THEY WANT TO CHARGE YOU MORE THAN I MAKE IN 2 MONTHS, AND THEY NEVER EVEN ASK YOU ANY PERSONAL INFO SO THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTED CLAIMS ON YOUR CALLS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170790October 13, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE RAN HOT. IN MARCH 2006, THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM. IN OCT 2006, THE VEHICLE RAN HOT AGAIN CAUSING SMOKE TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. WHEN PULLED OVER, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE NEEDED ANTIFREEZE. THE CONTACT FILLED THE ANTIFREEZE AND TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN. WITHIN ONE MILE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE ANTIFREEZE WAS EMPTY AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169624September 29, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION AROSE, AND THE FRONT SEAT BELTS CAME UNLATCHED DUE TO THE FORWARD MOMENTUM OF THE OCCUPANTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166769August 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT SYSTEM OVERHEATING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166043August 20, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TIRES, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SUSPENSION:FRONT, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
ROTOR REPLACEMENT X 3. SUSPENSION - FRONT REPLACED. CALIPERS X3. TIRE WEAR AND LEAKS - REPLACED ANNUALLY. RADIO - BAD WIRING. A/C IN DASH WIRING REPLACED TWICE. REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED TWICE. LEAKING IN REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND TRUNK. COOLANT LEAK - 8/06 AT 74000 MILES. MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS THE WATER PUMP. A/C SENSOR REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164261August 2, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
IN JULY OF 2005 I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THIS VEHICLE. I DID NOT REALIZE AT THE TIME THAT I HAD THE ABILITY TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO A FEDERAL SAFETY ORGANIZATION. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOW HAD 5 BRAKE JOBS, THE LAST BEING TODAY. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP AND HAD SEVERE VIBRATION DURING BRAKING. THE MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE IS 101000 MILES. AT THE LAST BRAKE OVERHAUL IT WAS NOTED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, ( THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME THIS WAY NEW) THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED AS REPAIRED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM GAMBLIN MOTORS IN APR 1999 AND AS I HAVE STATED 5 BRAKE REPAIRS IN 101000 MILES. IN JULY 2005 THE REASON I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE WAS I WAS UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO POOR BRAKING ACTION. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 SETS OF FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED (TRUED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS). I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS BEEN DISREGARDED. THIS MAY BE BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS BECAUSE OF COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKS THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10161400July 4, 2006
TIRES
I'VE HAD 2 TIRES MANUFACTURED BY COOPER TIRE FAIL DUE TO FAULTY CONSTRUCTION. BOTH TIRES HAVE FAILED WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. THEY ARE 215/60R15 AVENGER GT RWL TIRES MANUFACTURED BY COOPER TIRES AND I PURCHASED THEM AT KAUFFMAN TIRES. SERIAL #U9MWFF6032. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158970June 5, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRINGS FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE CONTROL TO BE REDUCED. THE SPRING FAILED AFTER ITS FIRST WINDING DOWN FROM THE TOP, IT APPEARS DURING COMPRESSION THE SPRING END CONTACTS THE WINDING BELOW WHICH PROBABLY INDUCED A CRACK AND ULTIMATELY PROPAGATED A STRESS FAILURE. THE PART FAILED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL NEAR FULL RIGHT TURN. DURING THE TURN THE SPRING FAILED. THE PASSENGER SPRING WAS ALSO REPLACED AND LOOKED AS FAILURE WAS IMMANENT BASED ON A MARKS IN NEARLY THE SAME SPOT AS THE FAILED SPRING. THE FAILED SPRING IS CURRENTLY IN MY POSSESSION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157079May 9, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THREE YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SAME COMPONENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155880April 22, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
1999 CHEV MALIBU GM PASS LOCK II SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND PREVENTS USE OF CAR. PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL PROBLEMS CAN NOT DEPEND ON CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153529March 23, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CHEVROLET MALIBU 1999. 84000 MILES. IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS I HAD TO REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHTS TWICE THIS IS THE ENTIRE UNIT WHICH COST OVER $250 EACH I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STOP/BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AT LEAST SIX TIMES ON EACH SIDE. THE SOCKET THAT HOLDS THE BULBS KEEP MELTING AND LAST DECEMBER IT MELTED TO THE POINT THAT I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT AND WHEN I OPENED THE PLASTIC SOCKET WAS COMPLETELY MELTED. AS OF NOW NEITHER LIGHT IS WORKING. I CHECKED IN THIS SITE AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER RQ04005 INDICATES THE FOLLOWING: GM IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004. THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I CALLED GM AS WELL AS THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE LIGHT THEY CLAIM THE AGREEMENT WAS ONLY FOR SOME OF THE 1999 CHEVY MALIBU AND MY VEHICLE [XXX] IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE THEY ARE COVERING. I WAS TOLD BY A GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THEY RECALL OTHER CARS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED OF THE ADVICE AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, THE INFORMATION AND AGREEMENT POSTED ON NHTSA (SEE ABOVE) DOES NOT INDICATE ANY EXCEPTIONS. CAN SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THIS PLEASE? IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM, THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING AND I HAD TO HAVE THE MANIFOLD REMOVED AND A NEW GASKET PUT IN TWICE. REPLACED BRAKE PADS 5/6 TIMES AND ROTORS ONCE. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012*JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152966March 17, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING ON A CLEAR AND DRY DAY. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT AND IT WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND MY TIRE WAS RUPTURED. AFTER GETTING THE CAR TOWED, THE DEALER LET ME KNOWN NOW THAT THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. NOT ONLY WAS THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT THE REPAIR IS VERY COSTLY, NOT TO MENTION I HAD JUST GOTTEN NEW TIRES A FEW THOUSAND MILES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I HAVE HEARD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE AND NOW WONDER IF THIS COULD OR SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM??*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149489February 5, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE HAS JUST REACHED 62000 MILES. MOST RECENT INCIDENT - ALL DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON-CAR DIED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED ALTERNATOR - SUPPOSEDLY "COMMON" AT THIS MILEAGE. SIX WEEKS PRIOR - COOLANT INDICATOR KEEPS COMING ON. DEALER REPLACED LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND WATER PUMP. ALSO TOLD COMMON IN THIS CAR AT THIS MILEAGE. BRAKES DONE ALSO - ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT - AGAIN SUPPOSEDLY COMMON IN THE MALIBU. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145860December 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE CHECKED THE COOLANT AND IT WAS LOW DUE TO A LEAK FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE.*AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144153December 1, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY CAR PORT, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR FELL. I PROCEEDED TO GO TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP NOT TOO FAR FROM MY HOME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED. WHILE IN ROUTE, RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM WHERE I LIVE, MY TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WAS A WEIRD SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO WAIT FOR AAA TO TOW MY CAR TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THANK THE LORD, I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE RIGHT PASSENGER SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. HAD TO REPLACE THE COIL SPRINGS, A TIE ROD AND STRUTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142265November 9, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WITH 7,000 MILES ON IT THE BRAKES FAILED. WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE HITTING ON ONE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. APPROXIMATELY NINE MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. *AK (12/08/05) THE BRAKES WOULD PULSATE WHEN APPLIED. *SC UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB UPDATED 11/20/2005. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141891November 7, 2005
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP UPON VEHICLE START AND WHILE DRIVING, IN RELATION TO BELTS OR STEERING FLUID PUMP. RESULTS IN INABILITY TO TURN CAR DURING SLOW SPEEDS. USUALLY CORRECTS ITSELF AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139262October 11, 2005
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING IN SLOW MORNING TRAFFIC, MORE OR LESS 20 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO CRASH. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING THANKS THAT I WAS DRIVING SLOW. MR. DAN BAILEY, SERVICE MANAGER AT HOLLER CHEVROLET - 407-645-1234, AFTER CHECKING THE CAR OUT, SAID THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME HE SAW AIRBAGS EXPLODING WITHOUT ACCIDENT ON A CHEVROLET. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139183October 10, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE CAUSING IMMEDIATE FLAT TIRE. CAR WAS TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEED AND DRIVER DID NOT LOSE CONTROL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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