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.
My 1999 Chevy mailbu has had many problems. I will start with the 2 fuel injecters replaced 2 months after purchasing. The car begin to run rough then would have problems starting. Then there was the altanator, the thermostat, the head and intake gaskets and the numurous electical problems. The electrical problems still cannot be solved after numrous tripsto the repair shop. Most of the problems have been corrected on more than one occasion. As a consumer I hope you will help us Malibu owners who are in destress. I know the auto companies are in financial trouble but that still does not excuse making an unsafe auto. I am afraid enough not to drive my car. I feel I put my family and myself in danger taking thsi car on the road. I hope you will help correct this problem. I feel my only next option is to contact a lawyer over my legal rights.
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.
On several occasions my car has failed to start for no apparent reason. The alternator and ignition system have all been checked out with no problems and I had my battery replace because I thought that was the cause of the problem. The very next day after having my battery replaced, it happend again. Each of these times, I attempted to start my car and it would sound like it was trying to start but fail to turn over. Each of these times, my theft system light was blinking. If I wait several minutes, eventually the car will start. This has happened in cold and warm weather and has stranded me and my 2 young children many times. Also, now my the fuel gauge in my car has begun to fall to empty even when it is full with gas. My gauge suddenly went from 1/4 of a tank to empty a few minutes into my trip. I stopped to fill up my gas tank and was only able to put 7 gallons of gas in it when I know my gas tank hold 13 gallons of gas. This is a new problem just starting yesterday (3/16/05) but has happened every time I start my car since then.
Within the past year we have had multiple system failures with our 1999 Chevrolet Malibu with 47,000 miles. The intake manifold gasket has leaked, the brake pads, rotors, and wheel cylinders were repaired, the theft deterrent system and ABS warning lights come on repeatedly, and the alternator and water pump have failed. The passlock sensor and body control module have been replaced to address the theft system warning light and the harness and individual wheel speed sensors have been suggested for the ABS warning light. Chevrolet should be requred to recall the vehicle to address some or all of these problems.
- Herndon, VA, USA
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Vehicle had catalytic converter and alternator go out completely within 10K of each other. Once the cat had gone bad, it caused the valve seals on the engine to need to be replaced along with the intake manifold gasket, a $1300 job not covered by extended warranty. Also have had break pad problems with them wearing unevenly. The vehicle was at a Chevrolet dealer for almost a week before they guessed the problem-no one actually looked at my engine to verify that the seals needed to be replaced, I was so annoyed with waiting for a diagnosis, I had another mechanic complete the work and replace the cat. These problems also resulted in a midnight tow two hours away from home since my car would not start, taking more time and money out of my hectic schedule.
This 1999 Chevrolet Malibu was purchased in July 2001 in had a water leaking problem took 3 tries before they found it needed thermostat gasket didn't even have one in it they sold it to me.this way with a promise it had been fixed. Within the first year I had the car they had to replace both front wheel bearings & strut bushings. Then the alternator went out & it cause my battery to go bad overcharged it they replaced alternator but refused to re-emburse me for the battery. Then ignition switch caused problem with anti-theft system would not start. Had that replaced in March 2002. Then anti-lock brake system went out had to have it replaced window switch very slow had to be cleaned another one not working at all now, not covered under warranty, at this time also had to have anti theft system fixed again light on all the time another bad ignition switch. Also had blower motor & relay switch for heater to go out over the summer most of the interior lights have long ago burnt out & had to be replaced lock out for trunk lid also broke not covered on warranty. Hub caps have lug nuts made in them that screw onto your lug bolts stripped out when took for repairs by dealer refused to replace them because they cost $500 for a new set. So I purchased the lug nut part & repalced it myself at a dealership for $10 set of 5. November of 2002 brakes & rotors were replaced in Jan. 2003 brake pads replaced again in March 2003 pads replaced again in July 2003 pads replaced once again then in Sept. 2003 master cylinder replaced in Oct. 2003 master cylinder replaced again now it's Nov 2003 & master cylinder being replaced again tomorrow.these cars have a real brake problem that needs to be fixed it's costing a fortune.
Have had many problems with this car! bought car 2/17/2001.....-8/15/2001 had to replace alternator....2/24/2002 had intake manifold gasket replaced because of coolant leakage, cost was 600.00.....06/20/03 had to replace battery due to leakage and corrosion around positive cable.......7/24/03 had to replace brake pads and have rotors turned for the second time....I think that there should be a recall for some of these things!!!!! car now has 70,000 miles on it... thought I was buying a good car!! :)
Altenator replaced at 44500 miles, thought that was the problem but when started up vehicle slams into gear and has no reading on the engine temp, engine warning light continued to stay on odbii testing reads 2 codes both are cooling system input sensor failure, car is now sitting in the garage as repairs are too expensive right now, GM should take responsibility for this failure, as this car is well maintained, I can tell you this I wil never buy another Malibu again in my life.
Consumer stated that while driving at any speed, the anti lock brake light illuminated and remained on the entire time the vehicle was in motion. The consumer stated the alternator failed.
Two repairs in one week, alternator had to be replaced, dash lights started coming on & guages going crazy! car wouldn't start after being parked for 1 hr, then when jump started it, died again in few minutes, replaced alternator, battery, then next day ignition failed, key wouldn't turn in ignition, had to be towed to my mechanic (this was the third (3rd) time the ignition switch locked up like this and the key wouldn't turn & the car would not start & entire ignition assembly had to be replaced, 2X earlier it was under warranty...this time it cost me over $400 (the part alone cost $289.) I am so frustrated w/ this problem, as dealership repaired it the first 2 times & they didn't seem to understand it. This is the second battery I've had to purchase since I bought the car brand new in January 2000.
This vehicle has had several problems I'll try to list.the airbags did not deploy they had been replaced when they fixed the horn problems.completely dissatisfied with my vehicle.I'm not sure if vehicle will be totaled since the accident was 9/6/01. I believe at the very least the airbags should have deployed.I don't know who to complain to.I've replaced rear brakes and rotors, altenator, water pump, battery, horn contact replaced twice at same time had to replace air bag due to sensor behind airbag, interior door panel replaced bracket broken, oil light continued to come on often even though service dealer could not dulpicate, air conditioner not blowing hard secured blower and blower resister wiring another time had to replaced A/C control unit, engine leaking oil around intake replaced intake gaskets, rear seat sqeaked w/ passengers service shop had attempted to fix but was unsuccessful, so as you can tell many problems!!! makes me think twice before buying a Chevrolet product again.thank you
Alternator replaced. Dealer thought would remedy stalling/coolant leak at 38000 miles. Manual said no maintenance needed until 150000 or 5 years. Dealer told her to replace coolant, it kept leaking. Finally, dealer found crack in intake manifold, replaced that. Water pump was replaced due to leaking. The A/C had never worked properly. The battery cable snapped off due to corrosion.
Car purchased 5/00-2 map sensors, fuel filter, shortage to alternator, been in shop 6times in 2months, car stalls in the middle of traffic and at rest.no solution found. Dangerous in traffic!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Louisville, KY, USA