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.
I bought my car on 7/21/01, it has been in for repairs 10/3/01, 7/12/02,12/11/02, 6/23/03 and 6/24/03. The problem is electrical and the engine as well. Chevrolet has run diagnostics many times but is not able to fix the problem for good. Everytime I take my car in, I am told it's now something different that has broken. My car will break down and sometimes if I allow it to sit for 10 - 20 minutes it will start right back up. For as many times as my car has been repaired, it has broken down at least three times before I take it in. My dispute with Chevy is my car is a lemon. They cannot determine what is wrong with it because diagnostics is unable to duplicate the problem. Chevy informed me that does not mean there isn't a problem it just means the computer cannot detect it. I have filed with the BBB auto line but because my car has more than 24,000 miles they say I am out of luck. Chevy is unwilling to do anything about the problems I am having with my car. My dispute is should a car break down at least 5-10 times a year?
The paint on hood started chipping @ or about 30K dealer said not warranty problem. Beginning Apr 2002 car intermitantly has had a "'surging" immediately after starting & putting in gear. At first just 1 or 2 times in 3 or 4 mos. Now the last 8-9 weeks it has happened more & more frequently, then 2 weeks ago the cruise control became erratic in activation & now won't work at all.
The lower intake is leaking coolant, causing loss of coolant over a short period of time causing it to overheat. With the extended warranty it would not cover it unless the loss of coolant caused a head gasket to blow or another type of major damage. I work with 2 other people that have Malibu's and they had the same problem.
A/C turns off or goes on and off (light flashes). Dealer states cause as failed control head. Brakes have been chronic pulsing that causes the car to shudder, esp. When applying brakes from speeds of 30+ mph. At various repair attempts rotors have been turned, replaced (at 22K miles), new hub assembly installed. Six attempts were made to repair under warranty. Just had new brakes and shim kit installed but don't trust that this will fix problem based on past experience.
I had the car for 3 1/2 years and it has given me so many problems with misfire sensors, clicking noise in the engine, noise while driving over a bump or hole, this is besides other problems like water pump, fuel pump, transmission, check engine light on the dashboard and much more.
- Issaquah, WA, USA
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2000 Chevrolet Malibu bought with 120,000 miles on it. Less than a week after getting this car for $5500, when retail on the car was $8300, I had to replace the intake manifold gasket and the valve cover gaskets because they were leaking coolant. Also, the brakes shudder and vibrate whenever applied, even at speeds less than 25 mph. Half a week later, the gas gauge fell to zero while normal driving and the low gas light came on, even though I had just filled the car up two days prior. There was plenty of gas in the car, about 3/4 of a tank. Also, the tranmission is slipping now when I speed up. When I speed up the car does not shift into 1st gear right away until 4000 RPM. When it does shift, it shift with a large jolt that shakes the entire car. There was no warning before the gas light came on, and I find the car to only now have all of these problems. Also, the car smells of gasoline and leaks, even though I had it fixed.
Vehicle over-heated, taken to dealer which had been servicing the vehicle since new. Dealer replaced intake manifold gaskets and water pump charging $1400 the vehicle only had 24000 miles on it and was less then six months out of warranty. Dealer would not work with me as a goodwill gesture.
Leaking coolant from around engine block. Dealer diagnosis: Lower intake manifold gasket leak. Mileage 30,000. Previous repair completed on water pump for bad bearings at 28,800 miles. Manufacturer should be held accountable for a defective component used in the building of these motors.
Engine overheating, also the turn signals are erratic, when they do not work I have to turn my emergency flashers on, then off, and the turn signals work then. As far as the overheating goes, I took it in for repair (over $350) they said they found water in the oil and replaced head gasket. It still is not fixed. This car has 45,000 miles.
The problems experienced are as followed: Defective/shorted turn signal(replaced, check engine warning lamp, 5 attempted repairs of noises/knocking in the front end/suspension/steering (which have tsb's), brakes/rotors, faulty ignition wires, poor performance/stalling, uneven tire wear, inaccurate fuel gauge readings, and no cruise control or horn. The dealer could never duplicate any of the problems. Refer to ODI#10013971 mr scc
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the vehicle would jerk and then the engine light would illuminate and stay on the remainder of the time vehicle was being operated.
The consumer experienced stalling at intermit times since she purchased the vehicle. The stalling would cause the consumer to be unable to control the steering of the vehicle. The consumer had taken the vehicle on 4 separate occasions to the dealer, and no problem was found. When the vehicle was taken to an alternate dealership, the key cylinder was replaced, but the problem still occurred. The vehicle stalled again and caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle, and on this occasion, the consumer had struck a utility pole and totaled the vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mesa, AZ, USA