I purchased my 2000 Chevy Malibu in March of 2001. In early 2003 I took my car in for repairs because I had lost steering ability. I was told the sub frame needed to be replaced so I had it done. A week later I had to bring the car back to the dealership for brake problems. I was then told the ABS needed to be replaced so I had that done. Since then I have had to change my brakes numerous times. Just last year I had to replace the pads 3 times in a 9 month period because the pads had been worn all the way down. During that 9 month period I also had to replace the calipers and rotors once then a week later the rotors had to be resurface again. Now I am having to have my brake pads replaced again this weekend. So that makes a total of 4 brake pad changes in less than a years time.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

On your site I have found many complaints regarding coolant leak due to poor sealing of the maniflod gasket that according the sevice bulletin on this site, requires new gasket type to replace the old, and the intake manifold bolts cleaned and coated with thredlocker and torqued to a revised spec. This has already been done once to my car at about 30K miles and fortunately cover under warranty, if not it would have cost me $1050, problem is now the car is doing the same thing again at 79K miles and is no longer under warranty....how many times should this happen" was the service bulletin put out as a permamant solution for this problem? if not how long should this work be guaranteed? why was there not a recall on this problem? does there have to be a fatality to recall a vechicle? in addition I also have had the problem with the hazard warning switch that also effected the wipers, neither would work, again this repair was submitted as warranty work. I have complained several times to bob bell Chevy about how hot the dash instruments get to touch and have already had to have related electrical problems repaired, to note..when I first complained about the heat when touched to change intrument settings I was told "that's normal". granted my extended warranty covered some of the work but I still had to pay a $250 deductable w/each problem. All these problems have been reported on this NHTSA site by many people and addition others I know personally and who I have had many discussions with also have the same year Malibu with all the same problems....why hasn't the manufact. Recalled the car for theses problems, surely all can cause fire safety problems. How are recalls determined and what can we all do????????????" I never dreamed Chevrolet would be so cheesy. My last car was 12 years old and olds custom cruiser wagon - never gave me a problem that was so major as these noted here, I should have never got rid of it for this Malibu!

- Joppatowne, MD, USA

May 02 my vehicle was taken in for brakes and front end noise, the brakes were replaced and was told that the dealership did not have time to correct the front end problem (which they noted was covered by my warranty) and to reschedule for that problem. I did so in July 02 and at that time, they charged me for the work and tried to blame me for the problem so I paid $281.75 for this work which was previously noted that would be covered by my warranty. My battery has been replaced 3 times. The vehicle was overheating several times: In October 3, 2002, October 29, 2002, and in December 2002. I was forced to pay for at a cost of $280.52 for the Dec. 2002 problem. In March 2003 the vehicle was taken in to the dealership again for front suspension noise, and it was determined that a right upper strut mount had callapsed. In May 2003 the vehicle has again overheated and they could not explain why the problem continues. The young man that I spoke with when I arrived indicated that they (the dealership) was unsure as to why the vehicle was overheating and to just drive it because his truck does it all the time on the highway and they had no explanation as to why the batteries that they were replacing kept cracking and leaking. When I expressed my concern regarding the problem and my safety concerns, he just blew me off as if I was just complaining. Once again, it is now July 2003 and for the 4th time, my vehicle is overheating and overheating. In addition on serveral occasions I also indicated to the dealership, that there was a vibrating and shimbling when my brakes are applied and it makes it hard to controll the vehicle, not once would they address the issue with me nor have I been notified or any defects or recalls with the brake system for the 2000 Chevy Malibu. I am very concerned with my safety. In addition, my tires continuously loose air and the tread is separation from my left rear tire.

- Tampa, FL, USA

I purchased a new 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. Six months after owning the car I began having brake problems. Upon applying the brakes, the entire front of the vehicle to vibrate and the steering wheel shook violently to the left and right. I took my 6 month old vehicle to a dealership and they advised the front rotors were warped. They replaced the rotors. Later, this same defect occurred three more times. Chevrolet only made two more repairs. Each time they simply replaced the rotors and placed a shim between the axles and the rotor. This same manufacturers design flaw occurred on the flowing year and make vehicles: 1997-2000 Chevrolet Malibu 1997-1999 Oldsmobile cutlass 1999-2000 Oldsmobile Alero 1999-2000 Pontiac Grand Am I complained to Chevrolet about the problem, but nothing was done. The district representative in san antonio simply tried to avoid me. ChevroletS on line complaint system also did nothing. Again, there has never been a recall for this brake problem. The main cause of this problem is due to the small (thin) size of the brake rotors, which caused a failure to disperse heat adequately. If a driver drives into a rain storm or to a car wash and the hot rotors cool too rapidly they will warp. Please see GM service bulletin # 00-05-23-002, dated February 2000 for more information. The maddening thing about this situation is that Chevrolet knew about this problem when I purchased my car. Chevrolet/GM failed to recall all these vehicles, and even though they knew it was a flaw in their engineering and design, they left the problem in the hands and pocket books of their customers. How many accidents have been caused by this type of corporate irresponsibility. This is a deceptive trade practice.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA