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.
Brakes and rotors have been replaced 3 times since 2002- A/C goes off and on- ignition switch replaced due to electrical failure- driver's side window don't roll down- alternator and battery replaced- intake manifold gasket and radiator replaced.
Air conditioning - electrical failure, would flicker on and off. Engine - head gasket, faulty. Was replaced. Power window - regulator and motor faulty, the window just stop rolling up and down, did not show signs of faiure till it happened. In shop right now, not covered under manufacturer warranty. Other - cooling system, uses the infamous dex-cool coolant. The engine gets hot every time I drive it. Hot meaning two bars above middle. It usually resides in the middle. The radiator cap has been replaced twice and the head gasket was also suspected of being a problem related to this. The problem still exists and is going to the dealer tomorrow for another inspection. The worst time it occurred was after the head gasket had been replaced. The vehicle ran fine for two months. We took it on vacation to lake powell when the problems occurred again. The engine started to get hot. I turned off the A/C and turned on the heat. This was able to get the engine driveable without causing damage to it. My worry is that this will happen to my wife on the freeway or driving home to see her parents. Had this occurred the first time with just her in the car she would not have known what to do and would have been stranded.
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.
At about 27000mi (3000mi. Service) I notified dealer of squeaking in front & rear suspension bushings. Dealer sprayed lube on rear (about $100)and notified me that they would have to lower complete front end to lube front, approx $200 more. Extended warranty didn't cover. At 30000 mi service dealer notified me I needed complete brake job. I inspected brakes while on lift. Mechanic said he made mistake! he said that he hadn't pulled wheels of yet. Said there was 80% left, repair invoice said 50% left. A little over a week later there was a puddle of trans fluid on garage floor & air conditioning smelled like urine when on, also switching itself from recirculation to fresh. Took car to dealer, they replaced switch, deductible $SE on extended warranty, sprayed something in outside vent (mold they said?), and tightened trans cooling line, their fault! three days later cooling leak, dealer replaced water pump, deductible $'s on extended warranty. Two weeks later the rear power window actuator (motor & cable assembly) quit! I might have used this window 12 times since I bought 99 Malibu ls from champion Chevrolet, reno, nv. New in 12/99! all things considered, I feels like they are sabotaging my vehicle to get back at me for discovering they lied about brake job! also after reading your complaint list, I realize that I am not alone thinking that brakes, steering vibration, and reliability in general is poor on this vehicle.
The brakes have been resurfaced once. The pads have been replaced 3 times and the rotors replaced twice. I have had the car in for the final repair attempt on the brakes. They say there is nothing wrong with them. While the car was in the shop for this, the driver's power window went out. Three people in the service dept. Tried to get it to work. I had to leave the car another day. When I went to pick it up, I was told there was nothing wrong with the window and it is now working. The power locks lock and unlock themselves periodically. I hear air coming in the driver's door. The cd player face gets to hot to touch and I smell burning. I was told this was normal. The steering column wouldn't tilt down because of plastic debris on the assembly. The brake light circuit board melted. The air conditioner control head shorted out. The evap system vapor pressure sensor had to be replaced. The rear doors stuck and had to be lubricated. The glove compartment latch had to be adjusted to stop rattle. The transmission had to be replaced.
Vehicle purchased in May 1999, has been in the shop 16 times for repairs, including inoperable horn, warped rotors, turned once, resurfaced once and finally replaced, interior vinyl peeling, replaced once and is occuring again, windows stuck in down position, current work order to have windows checked, break pedal making a "creaking" noise when depressed, recently repaird with at least 4-5 visits to the dealer with no successful repair of problem, defective motor on the heater, making strange noise, air conditioning is now starting to "smell" vehicle rolls when put in park, notified factory and have current file number, factory informed me that if it's still under warranty and in need of repair to bring it in...there is nothing else we (the factory) can do...I believe too numerous repairs in an 11 month period..still have outstanding work orders for needed future repairs.
When driving the car upon putting on the brakes the car shakes and vibrates. Sometimes it is violent enough that it is hard to control. This has happened three times. I have had the car fixed twice and waiting for an appointment to have it fixed again. The lights also go dim when you roll the windows down. This was a program car when we purchased it. I need a dependable car for me and my family. Something that I do not believe that this car is.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Riverside, CA, USA