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.
On Aug. 10,2005 my 1998 Chevy Malibu, while parked with ignition off caught fire. While exiting car before the fire, I smelled no smoke or "hot" smells, I stood there approx. 3 min. While talking to my daughter. 10 min. Later the lebanon, Tennessee fire dept. Was there extinguishing a fire that was mostly contained to the drivers side front headlight area, they deemed the car "totaled". I contacted GM the same day, and after several phone conversations, on Sept.13, 2005, I received a letter from Mr. Mike demare, customer relationship manager, that "General Motors is unable to assume responsibility for damages and we suggest that you resolve this matter through your insurance carrier." So I am still without a car, and I am disabled, with a minor child living with me. I can not afford full coverage, and only had liability on the vehicle. Sept.
While driving, the vehicle lost its rack and pinion steering and all power of the steering wheel. Dealer notified. The power window control panel on the driver side arm rest popped out, the vehicle pulled severely to the right (dealer couldn't find the problem). The dealer finally replaced the lower control arms, brake rotors, 2 sets of tires/almost completely bald at the time only 13K miles. The rims had to be forced off, the front rotors had become rusted at 20K miles, the ignition wire harness had come apart, the power steering hoses had come loose, lost fluid and power steering while in motion, the trunk leaked, the ABS light had come on twice a week, the front end squeaked and rattled, the antenna wire was loose, the right head lamp had permanent moisture with no crack, the A/C would shut on/off intermittently, the alternator failed at 60K miles and the waning light had come on for only five minutes, the engine leaked oil, and the right windshield wiper pivot housing had broken.
Inside headlights fog up really badly, and it is hard to see at night. They hardly put out any light. When taken to dealer, they stated it was a design problem. Consumer states in the fall of 1998 as the weather cooled, the headlights began to fog up on the inside of the lens, in the spring of 2000, the right side was replaced under warranty, the problem is occurring again and if repaired it will not be covered under warranty.
I have owned my Chevy Malibu for 2 years now and since I've had it I've had to replace the right rear brake light three times. After I took the bulb out the third time I have noticed that the unit is melted. I absolutely refuse to put another bulb in for the fear of a fire. I know quite a few people that own Malibu's and I know of 2 others with the same year that have had the same exact problem. I do think this needs to be investigated for a possible defect. I do not feel comfortable driving with one of my brake lights out, but I feel I have no choice.
Squeaking noise came from steering, dealer replaced steering rack assembly and power steering hoses. Right front shoulder belt would not adjust up or down, seatbelt stop button was missing, left side driver's shoulder belt retracts slowly, right front shoulder belt retracts slowly and jams at times. Rear bumper cover at left side at tail light opening has poor fit. Excessive wind noise at the left front door glass opening while traveling highway speeds. Steering shimmies while braking, dealer found warped rotors. Idle quality in gear at stop is poor, transmission mounts were weak, engine runs rough at times. Front head light fogged up, delaer found inside lens cracked. Rattle noise heard under vehicle while traveling on rough roads.
- San Jose, CA, USA
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Vehicle has stalled numerous of times especially when I am at a complete stop and engine light will go on. Slow crank and battery has been replaced twice. The headlights and interior lights dim whenever you slow down to come to a complete stop. The car is currently in the shop due to the stalling issue, mechanic states it is a problem in the computer system and will and to be replaced at my expense. Motor mounts are also corroded which is highly unusually due to car only being 3 years. I was unable to give the VIN # due to not having access to vehicle at the moment. The vehicle is currently in the shop undergoing repairs.
While driving down the interstate the headlights went out and would flash on and off. I could not get them to come back on. I had to pull off onto the shoulder and wait until they would come back on. If there had been any traffic around me at the time this could have caused me to collide with another vehicle.
3 times to dealer for trunk leaks, paint repair on new car. Brakes are pulsating again after second rotor set replacement. Chevy had best get going with a fix or its going to lose many customers for life. The brake problem seems endemic to Malibu owners! blower motor replaced, door handles leak cold air, rattles and squeaks like you wouldn't believe. I've never had a worse new car purchase than this piece of crap. Chevy has really screwed us on this one!
Bought this car on the premise of low maintainence. Have averaged dealer visits every two months. This car is a lemon and I don't feel my family is safe in it. No safety defect listed in the summary.
I have had nothing but problems with my car. At 3,000 miles I had to have the engine replaced. The front headlight, control panel for the windows, the phone jack, the brakes reserviced because they wouldn't replace them at 14,000, then again at 28,000 the brakes are acting up again. Please help thank you patricia robinson.
I am so not satisfied with this vehicle every time I turn around, something different is going wrong. I don't know where else to turn. I sure would love for GMC to buy this piece of junk car back. It is really bad when you have a new car and it won't run!! the first time it was in was for it not starting, that has happened about 15-20 times. They have no idea what is wrong with the car. They have replaced the windshield 3 times because it leaked air. Still does! the headlights have condensation inside of them, makes visibility bad at night. Help!
The saftey belts are hard to fasten and come undone, ticking noise when cold then diminishes, headlights fogging up inside, low speed braking, car pulls to the left.
Fogging of headlights on mine and most of Chevy Malibu cars. GM knows of problem but refuses to answer any questions on what to do about it. It has to be a safety hazard due to loss of light output and premature lamp burnout.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hartsville, TN, USA