This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
We are a salvage yard in central West Texas (no salt used here). We have noticed that on all late model GM vehicles with ABS, if the pump is mounted below the battery their is a high rate of brake line failer due to corrosion from battery acid. We sell a lot of GM steel brake lines for this reason.
My ABS failure light comes on a lot signifying that my ABS is not functioning. Once I turn off the car and restart it, the light is off, but this is happening more frequently lately. My car is no longer under warranty, and given the "great" service I have had in the past with Chevy dealers and the brakes on this Malibu, I will not take it to them.
I lost all braking and had to stop the vehicle by shifting into lower gears and then park. Had this happened at highway speeds, I am sure a collision would have occurred. Fortunately, it occurred while I was driving on surface streets at slower speeds. I had the vehicle towed to a Chevrolet dealer and found out that the brake line running from the left side of the vehicle to the right front brake had been rubbing on the engine, and the engine had rubbed a hole in the line. This should not have happened. I am concerned that it will happen again to me, or to someone else who may be driving at higher rates of speed. Someone could be seriously injured or killed if this problem occurs on other Malibu's.
Since I have owned this car I have had to change the brakes 10 times. I have had to replace the rotors twice. I have had to replace the calipers on both sides in the front and the wheel bearing on the passengers side once I have had repeated problems with the brakes since I purchased this car. In August of 2001 I had to replace the head gaskets as anti-freeze was leaking into my oil. My anti-lock brake light will come on out of the blue while traveling at speeds of 50 mph I am becoming very concerned about this matter. I have spoke to about 35 Malibu owners and they are all having the same problems. One owner had only 10K miles one her car at the time her brakes failed.
When applying brakes pedal goes all the way down to the floor. Also, ABS braking light comes on dashboard. Also, air conditioner is blowing out hot air. Dealership is aware of problems.
- Johns Island, SC, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I bought the extended warranty and I feel my car is a lemon. Every single person with a Malibu has had problems and we really need help since Chevrolet wants to ignore the problems. With all the problems I will have paid for this car twice after all of the repais I have incorred.
Although my chevorlet Malibu is only 2 years old. My transmission is shot. I have reported brake problems to the dealer three times. They checked it twice, told me there was nothing wrong. I can hardly stop my car. The rear [R] brake light has been fixed twice in two months due to a leak and wire shorts. However there is still a problem.
I have spent over $700 on my brakes this year and it is always the same problem. I understand from several mechanics, including my own, that my Malibu is not the only one continuously having problems with the brakes. It is getting ridiculous. Nobody should have this many problems and not be able to drive the car they are paying for more than a couple of times a week. The last time my brakes got fixed 10/08/2001 I drove the car two days before the brakes quit working again. I think GM should do something about this before they get sued. My children are very important to me and I have to worry about their safety every time I put them in my car.
The ABS system has been a major problem since we purchased the car. All we want is for someone to fix the problem & explain to us why the ABS & brake light keep coming on.
The coolant was leaking into my engine. I was told the engine block was cracked, after being without my car for 4 days, they told me it was just a gasket leaking. They then "as good citizens" repaired my car under warrenty and charged me $73.95 for an oil change and fuel filter because these things had to be done while they were investigating the leak. I had just recently had my oil changed. Within the first few months of having my car I noticed serveral problems that I reported to the dealer and was waved off several times. I even rode with a service manager who explained that the ticking in the engine, the whinning my window made when rolling it up or down, the squeeking in the front and back of car were all normal because my car was settling like a house does. These noises and squeeks are normal!!! shortly there after, my wheel bearings were replaced, my window failed to roll up while on my way to work when it began pouring rain. The ticking noise was explained three years later, since the coolant was leaking into my engine. I have replaced break pads, and my rotars and am on my way to replacing both again at 36,000 miles. The ticking noise in my car is still present and now the air conditioner goes out intermittently while driving. I replaced the lamps in my break lights twice before another Malibu owner told me it was a problem in the circuit board. I am not happy with this vehicle and can't wait until I can afford to get rid of it. I will never buy another Chevy unless the choose to rectify this situation. After reading the other compliants I now see I am not the only person to ever report the leaking of the coolant and am frustrated since I was told this was never seen before!!!
The invalid VIN is the correct one on the car. We have checked it several times. The stalling started the first time when the car had less than 12000 miles on it, as did the brakes. I do not have the exact dates of the other stallings. The last time for example, was in April 2001, my sister was going the speed limit, with her granddaughter in the back, and the car stalled in heavy traffic. No way to get out of the road. She narrowly missed getting hit by a transfer truck. Also, the brakes have never worked right. She has had them worked on several times. This is not covered under warranty and is not cheap.
ABS system does not work properly, and there is extended stopping when applying brakes. Consumer states the brakes give, causing the extended stopping distance.
Vehicle is slipping or giving when brakes are applied. When starting up ABS light flashes on and off. Brake pedal goes further to the floor than normal. Also, pads were replaced 6 months ago. Problem has been intermittent for 1year.
This car stinks. Do not buy it!!!!!! I purchased the car 4/98. After 8,000 miles the brakes started to pulsate. At 13,000 the rotors were replaced. I also had problems with the A/C vents getting stuck. The dealer ended up replacing the vent. The brakes stared to pulsate again by 20,000 miles and by 36,000 miles they needed to be cut. The A/C control head needed to be repalced after 43.000 miles. The A/C cycled on and off. Let me tell you that GM/Chevy knows there are problems and still require you to pay for the parts until they find a solution. Anyway, two days after I had the A/C control head replaced, the A/C started to blow out hot air. Brought the car back to the dealer (royal Chevrolet in New Jersey) to find out what happened. They stated there was a hole in the condensor and it would cost $1200 for the part. I found it hard to beleive that something could fit thru the grill without damaging the grill and put a hole in the condensor. When I picked the car up, he threw the keys accross the counter, said it was in the back and walked away. Great customer service!!! 9 months past untill I had my regular dealer look at the car. He tightened a hose and replaced a seal and freon at a cost of $80. A big difference. I recommend them. (lynn Chevrolet). I had the water pump replaced. A camshaft sensor was shorted and had to be replaced. (the check engine light kept coming on) I also replaced the hub bearing on both front wheels after 60,000 miles. Recently the A/C started to have the same problem. I called Chevy because I feel I should not have to pay for reoccurring problems. They could care less about the consumer. They have your money already. Chevy told me the only dealer that could repair it on good faith was the dealer that installed the part the first time. The ones the tried to rip me off. Chevy just don't get it. They lost me as a customer. Don't buy this car unless you want poor customer relations.
Dealer claims at 23,000 miles front rotors and front brakes needed to be replaced which was causing a pulsation when applying brakes at any speeds. 8,000 miles later, defect reoccurred again, consumer contacted dealer, and was told rotors needed to be replaced with a new updated rotor. 13,000 miles later, defect has reoccurred for the 3rd time, and was being told by dealer, rotors and brake system needed to be replaced again even after dealer installed new updated parts. Dealer claimed front rotors had excessive run out.
While driving would step on brake pedal, but brakes would not work. Had taken vehicle to dealer, and they said that vehicle was not under warranty. Could be fixed at consumer's expense.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Abilene, TX, USA