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.
36000 miles plus....ever since I purchased the car. Was searching the web and found this site so I decided to add my two cents worth about my Malibu. Replaced front brakes (drivers side 3 times - due to caliper) and rotor twice. Engine gasket problem - overheating. Still have problem with fan motor control settings 1 and 2. engine misfiring - had injectors cleaned twice and replaced entire ignition system. Have a rattle in the front for the last 20000 miles. Car has failed to start around 8 times. Engine has died multiple times after starting and sometimes while in motion. ABS light and brake light problem. Theft system light occassionally lights up. Looking forward to a class action suit. Would rather settle for an admission by Chevrolet/GM and compensation for some replacement parts and labor. This is the worst GM product I've ever owned and due to the other complaints I've read on the internet, this volume of complaints is way to high.
Front brakes are not up to the job for this car. Dealer has no fix except to keep replacing parts. GM should come up with a solution and fix these cars.
Front brake rotors and pads are wearing out excessively within every 8,000 miles of wear. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
- Brighton, MD, USA
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Rotors and pads get warped, causing vehicle to shimmy. Braking hard will not slow vehicle down, increasing stopping distances does not help to slow vehicle for a stop. Dealer was notified, problem progressed within 4,000 miles. Steering column vibrates and visibly moves when braking at highway speeds, this causes vehicle to move uncontrollably.
Bought this car with 23,000 miles on it in Jan. 2000. Within a few months, brakes started vibrating bad ly when applied at high speeds. Dealer said faulty, warped rotors and replaced them free B/C it was a manufacturer's defect. Few months later, April 2001, they did it again. Took back to dealer, they refaced the faulty rotors, put new pads in, charged me $300. In Jan. 2002 brakes did it again. Dealer gave me the runaround and wouldn't do it free, so I got good rotors and pads at parts store for $120 and did it myself. Also intake gasket leaks antifreeze. Chevy needs to do something about brakes and I want $420 back from them.
Consumer stated there was vibration when braking, dealer resurfaced the front rotors at 17068 miles, the dealer has since replaced the front rotors and pads twice, on the third occasion dealer informed consumer that they would not work on the vehicle under warranty, consumer then went to a local shop and had the rotors turned and the pads replaced.
At 13,000 miles, vehicle developed shimmy when brakes were applied, dealer turned front rotors. At 19,000 miles, shimmy returned, dealer replaced rotors under warranty. At 48,000 miles, dealer turned rotors again and pads replaced with the Napa best pads, all at my expense. Now at 67,000 miles, shimmy is coming back. I feel that GM should acknowledge the problem and reimburse me for these expenses.
Purchased vehicle 5/04/01. Had to return 2 days later for melted brake light sockets on left rear. Bulbs were replaced. Melted again within 3 weeks. Went back to dealer, was told they couldn't check it they were too busy. Made appointment to have fixed. They replaced bulbs and reworked socket but it still failed. They said that there is nothing else they can do. I have replaced bulbs on average every 2-3 weeks. I think they have an electrical short causing the bulbs to melt the sockets. Now the turn signal and back-up lights are starting to melt. The interior dome light also works sporadically. Front brakes shudder when applied and have been replaced, rotors were cut. Still having shudder and extended stopping distances.
24000 miles when purchased. Had for a couple of months. Was told that rotors was already too thin to be turned when took to shop for warped rotors. Had to replace. 3 months later, same thing happens again. I've been living with the sounds and shakes because I can't afford to spend that kind of money every few months. Have searched the web to find out there is a lot of others with the same problem. Chevrolet has always been my #1 choice in cars, but these need to be recalled to make it right for all the loyal Chevy owners abroad.
Brake pads replaced 10/00, failed 2/10, replaced pads and rotors2/01. Car was returned to repair shop 3-4 times because I felt the brakes were not working correctly. I was told that they were normal every time. Brakes locked up when I was driving 11/01. Back to shop at which time I had no front brakes. They replaced pads again. Took car to Chevrolet, 11/01 for brake inspection. I was told everything was fine. Brake lights now come on. Brakes skip when applied and the rear brakes are now making clicking noise when applied and sometimes when released the brakes stick. Took car back to Chevrolet, 11/01 and was told that my rear brakes are hanging up. Keep in mind that 2 weeks ago I was told that my rear brakes were fine. They did not have an explaination for the brake problem I have been having. I was told that the Malibu does have a braking problem, but usually is fixed after the brakes are replaced once. I've had this car for 12 months and have put about 16,000 miles on it. I've gone through 3 sets of pads and and the rotars have been replaced once. Most recent repair was about 2 weeks ago and I am now having more problems than I had before the repair.
Vehicle was in for service on 7-30-2001 and brakes were fine. On 24 Nov 2001, while driving 30 mph and applying brakes, vehicle was shaking and brakes were pulsating. Vehicle was towed to dealer, no brake pads were left and rotors had to be turned.
Brake pads would wear out excessively when brakes were in use. Had them replaced once before. Would make grinding noises against the rotors. This hampered vehicle from stopping, causing steering to shake.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Eliot, ME, USA