Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2008)

996 consumer complaints on file.

#10247589November 3, 2008
STEERING
APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING/STEERING ASSEMBLY. STEERING WILL BE SMOOTH THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND BECOME VERY LOOSE LIKE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR TENDS TO STEER LEFT. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY DURING DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE LEFT AND RIGHT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER ONE TIME BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244471October 6, 2008
STEERING, SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN MISALIGNED. THE DEALER BALANCED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER MAY HAVE JUST "THROWN TIRES" ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 6-7 TIMES, AND 12-14 TIRES HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, SHE NOTICED THAT IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK BEFORE THE SHAKING RECURRED. THE SERVICE MANAGERS FROM THE DEALERS AS WELL AS THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE IMPALA AND MALIBU MODELS HAD A VIBRATION THAT WAS STANDARD WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-70 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,149 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 308. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED. UPDATED 11/24/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244520October 6, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE FRONT RIMS AND TIRES. THE DEALER REASSURED HER THAT THE OIL CAME FROM THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT SHE WOULD NOT GET AMPLE GAS MILEAGE AS STATED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. ON-STAR PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE TRACTION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE, THERE WAS A LOUD, PERSISTENT SCREECHING NOISE, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 8,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244401October 5, 2008
VISIBILITY
MODERN VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH THE SUN VISOR BUILT INTO THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID "SCALPING" THE OCCUPANTS DURING A CRASH. HOWEVER, ON MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ, THE VISOR IS NOT BUILT INTO THE CEILING AND HAS THE ABILITY TO "SCALP" SOMEONE WHEN THEY ARE INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC CRASH. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT ON THIS NEW MODEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244402October 5, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. A PART IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242396September 16, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,432 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,900. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241063September 5, 2008
STEERING, AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE STEERING COLUMN SPONTANEOUSLY LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UNTIL MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238511August 16, 2008
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HAVE HAD TWO ACCIDENTS IN THIS VEHICLE BOTH FRONT END COLLISIONS AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ALSO THE RIMS ARE NO GOOD TIRES KEEP LOOSING AIR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238088August 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT A 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ FROM DAVE SMITH AUTO IN KELLOGG, IDAHO, PICKED IT UP ON JUNE 6, 2008, DROVE IT TO CASPER, WY. ON 7/22/08, CAR WON'T START, FIND OUT IT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (HAS TO DO WITH ANTI-THEFT, ETC.), AS OF TODAY'S DATE, AUGUST 13, IT STILL SITS IN THE SHOP AWAITING THE PART FROM CHEVY, WHO SAYS THEY WILL NOT HAVE A PART AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPT./OCT. BECAUSE ALL THE PARTS NOW ARE BEING PUT INTO THEIR NEW CARS. I HAVE ABOUT 1400 MILES ON IT, AND IT IS INOPERABLE. WHAT GOOD DOES A WARRANTY DO WHEN THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS? I HAVE CALLED CHEVY'S SO-CALLED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, AND THE GIRL THAT'S ASSIGNED TO MY CASE CAN'T DO ANYTHING BUT CALL THE LOCAL DEALER, WHICH I CAN DO, AND CALL THE PARTS DEPARTMENT, WHO GIVE HER INFORMATION CONTRARY TO WHAT THEY'RE GIVING THE LOCAL DEALER. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236455July 30, 2008
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU 260 MILES PURCHASED ON 7-21-08 ON 7-22-08 RECEIVED WARNING LIGHT "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "SERVICE SCE" PULLED TO THE SIDE AND LOOK IN MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM. MANUAL SAID SERVICE AS SOON POSSIBLE. CAR WAS RUNNING VERY SLUGGISH AND ABS BRAKES WERE CHATTERING WHEN APPLIED. CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. TOOK TO DEALER ASAP. DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FROM A LOW CHARGE ON THE BATTERY. DEALER HAD CAR FOR 2 DAYS. DID NOT DRIVE CAR AGAIN UNTIL 7-28-08. DROVE 4-5 MILES AND "SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE SCE" WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. DROVE TO DEALER APPROX 2 MILES. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER, THE LEFT FRONT ABS BRAKE WAS SMOKING WAS VERY HOT, ALMOST SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD BURST INTO FLAMES. HUBCAP HAD WILTED ON WHEEL. LEFT CAR A DEALER, RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER SAYING THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY DUE TO STEERING WHEEL BEING ADJUSTED TO THE LOWER POSITION, CAUSING THE STEERING ASSEMBLY TO PRESS AGAINST THE BRAKES. IF THIS IS THE CASE IT SOUND AS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW. SINCE PEOPLE ALWAYS LOWER THE STEERING COLUMN TO A LOWER POSITION. DEALER WAS ORDERING PARTS AND WOULD CAR FOR 4-5 DAYS. PARTS TO BE ORDERED WAS A PAD FOR THE STEERING COLUMN (BAND AID) NEW HUB CAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230976June 13, 2008
STEERING
WHEN ACCELERATING AGGRESSIVELY, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY VEERS RIGHT AND THE CAR VEERS. HAPPENS ON SOME, BUT NOT ALL SUCH STARTS. SIMILAR THING HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN "PANIC" STOPS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230017June 5, 2008
STEERING
THE ELECTRIC STEERING ON MY 2008 CHEVY MALIBU LT 4DR. SEDAN(2.4L-4CYL)IS NOT RIGHT. IT SEEMS TO OVER STEER FOR EVERY CORRECTION THE DRIVER MAKES AND THUS CREATING A CONSTANT MOVING OF THE WHEEL TO KEEP A STRAIGHT LINE. THE ELECTRIC STEERING NEEDS SOME FIXING. THE DEALER SAID I NEED TO GET USED TO IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228816May 24, 2008
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND ACCELERATION WAS DECREASED, COULD NOT GO OVER 50 MPH. TOWED TO DEALER & THEY SAY A MODULE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO STICK. SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE 2 BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND THE MODULE IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THEY'VE HAD IT FOR 9 DAYS NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228309May 20, 2008
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
DRIVING ON DIVIDED HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY THE WARNING LIGHT FOR EMERGENCY STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON. DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER THEN INDICATED THAT BOTH NEEDED SERVICING, THEN ADVISED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". MANAGED TO "LIMP" HOME DRIVING THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, SAME THING HAPPENED (BUT NOT ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY). DEALER FIXED IT, CLAIMING "TRACED PROBLEM TO WIRING HARNESS, CHAFFED AND RUBBING ON TRANSMISSION BOLT - REPAIRED HARNESS & REROUTED HARNESS." CAR HAD LESS THAN 900 MILES ON IT. MAYBE OUR CAR WAS UNUSUAL, BUT I'M THINKING IF WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS RUBBING AGAINST A TRANSMISSION BOLT, SO BADLY THAT IT STARTED SHORTING OUT IN LESS THAN 900 MILES, THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2008 MALIBUS AT RISK OF THE SAME THING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221402March 17, 2008
TIRES:VALVE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE HAS UNIROYAL TIGERPAW TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE VALVE FELL INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE TIRE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE MONITORING SYSTEM ACTIVATES AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 196 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156. UPDATED 04/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 04/11/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216057January 26, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I LEASED A NEW 2008 CHEVY MALIBU THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. GREAT CAR, LOVED IT. THEN ON JAN 14TH WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (IN THE FAST LANE) MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. CONCERNED I DECIDED MAYBE I SHOULD PULL OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY THERE WAS AN OFF RAMP CLOSE. AS I PROCEEDED TO THE OFF RAMP I REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING BUT COAST AS FAR OUT OF THE WAY AS POSSIBLE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE THAT DAY I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL CAR, STILL MAKING MY CAR PAYMENT, AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN I WILL BE GETTING MY REPLACEMENT CAR. THE DEALERSHIP/GM ARE GOING COMPLETELY THROUGH THE CAR THAT BLEW UP AND HAVE AGREED THEY WILL GET ME A NEW CAR, THAT IS MY ONLY OPTION SINCE THEY WON'T REFUND MY MONEY. THE BAD THING IS I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET MY REPLACEMENT. I AM STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS FOR A NEW CAR THAT I DO NOT HAVE. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CHEVY AND PROBABLY WON'T BUY ANOTHER ONE FOR A LONG TIME. ONCE THIS LEASE IT UP I AM DONE. WE HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL CARS FROM THIS DEALERSHIP, COURTESY. THIS INCIDENT HAS SHOWN ME HOW TERRIBLE THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS. THEY NEVER CALL ME, I HAVE TO CALL THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY HAVEN'T OFFERED TO REIMBURSE MY CAR PAYMENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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