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.
Dangerous brake rotor warpage every 16,000 miles like clock work. Causes weak brakes and extreme ware to front end moving parts. New top of the line rotors and pads will not cure problem. It is an engineering screw up. This is an ongoing engineering problem and why GM is going broke.
2001 Chevrolet Malibu has developed problems with the braking and the cooling systems.** answer required***. one month after the vehicle was purchased the rotor assembly was replaced. The vehicle would turn over but it wouldn't start. The dealer replaced the fuel pump. When accelerating the vehicle's coolant light illuminated on the dash. The dealer determined that there was a leak at the by pass pipe at the lower intake manifold. The alternator was replaced under warranty. The hazard and turn signal switch were replaced. The right outer tie rod were worn loose. The dealer replaced the right outer tie rod ends and set the front end. The right front wheel bearing was replaced. The ABS malfunctioned.
** I don't have all the above info available at this time. Bought 11/01- hit pothole 12/01, replaced two passenger wheels(bent) and complained of "thumping" noise. Dealer 2X claimed not to hear noise. Car would not start on numerous occassions starting 5/02. Paid $111 for rental while dealer inspected. Dealer found nothing. Next week, failed to start again, 800# tech advice told me about "anti-theft" was acting up and gave me procedures to start car. "anti-theft" system has since quit working. Auto in "very minor" fender bender" in 10/02, that week driver door hinge started "crackling", hanging up. Insurance company body shop said "no relation" to minor accident. Hinge has completely broken and not working at all since then. 7/03 driver power window "fell down" upon attempt to open as normal with power button. Other problems have been/are: Rear passenger speaker doesn't work, interior light doesn't always work, "" blinkers/emer. Flashers"" have quit working properly about 4 to 6 months ago. (this is very dangerous since I live 'up' a blind driveway on a high speed road)?!! 1st week I had the car I noticed motor rattled pretty loudly upon start up. Questioned dealer and was told this was "lifter bleed down" and dealer was waiting on GM for remedy, if available. I bought this car as used with new warranty in place, about 23,300 miles on 36/36000 new car warranty as well as bought a $1500 extended 5yr/100000 warr. Any suggestions, very ticked off and don't know where to turn.
The front brake calipers on this vehicle flex when the brakes are applied. This has resulted in uneven and premature wear of the brake pads. The pads were replaced twice, once at 17,000 miles and once at 30,000. The rotors were remachined at 17,000 miles, replaced at 30,000 miles and resurfaced at 33,000. The flexing of the caliper causes misalignmet of the guide pins, causing the caliper to hang up. As a result only the inner brake pad is stopping the car. There is virtually no wear on the outer pad. The inner pads show signs of overheating, which can cause the rotors to warp (pulsating), and brake fade in a panic stop. The constant flexing could also comprimise the intgerity of the aluminum calipers over time. GM claims this is normal. I have checked the nhtsb web site and found 28% of the complaints filed for this vehicle were brake related and almost all could be attributed to this condition.
We had bought a 2001 Chevy Malibu in Nov 2002. And it is now April of 2004. We have had the car 16 months and we have went through 5 whole brake jobs. We had recently had our brakes done in Feb of 2004 with 65,000 miles and it cost us $557 and we had replaced the pads, shoes, rotors and calipers. By the time we had 5,000 miles on the brakes they were gone so we had to do the whole process over again. Another $600 brake job. We have had to replace the hubs twice and I feel we have bought a lemon and the dealer dose not want to talk to me. I feel that there are some major problem that need to be fixed dealing with the brakes and the front end on these cars. I feel the safety of my children riding in this car. I would like to know if there is anything that can be done. I would like the problem fixed or a replacement car. We can not put anymore time/$$$in this car when the brakes go every two months or 5,000 miles. Please help.
Problems with vehicle's turn signals, door locks and brakes. The check engine light illuminated for six months until the dealership was able to service the problem. The door locks would freeze in the winter time and would open spontaneously while driving. The dealership responded by stating they didn't experience this while the vehicle was being checked. Thus, the problem wasn't handled by the company. Apparently, the door hinges were never properly greased until the consumer's father did it. This resolved that problem. Brakes were rough and unresponsive at times. The turn signal work when they wanted to or when the A/C was on maximum output. The vehicle started to use massive amounts of antifreeze.
While driving, the left front hub cap detached from the rim. The consumer noticed that the six lugs: Nuts were hot. A technician told consumer that the heat from the front brakes melted the plastic hub cap which caused them to loosen and fall off. The right front brake also overheated and caused the hub cap to fall off.
Problems with brakes on 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. Brakes were replaced twice along with resurfacing the rotors and replacing the right front caliper. The consumer stated there was a metal-to-metal sound and the brakes went to the floor when applied. In addition, consumer stated the brakes should not have to be replaced (7855 miles) after the initial replacement.
Problems with 2001 Chevrolet Malibu's brake equipment. The brakes were not covered under warranty but were replaced twice by the dealership, once at 13500K miles along with resurfacing of the rotors and the replacing the R/F caliper, and again at 7855K miles later. The last incident occurred when the consumer exited the expressway when a loud metal to metal sound was heard. The brakes were down to the floor and in order to stop, the consumer had to continually pump the brake pedal.
There was extended stopping distance and vibration in the steering wheel when the brakes were applied, also a grinding noise. The rotors were replaced twice, and the brake shoes and pads 6 times. Brakes need to be replaced every 10000 miles.
1) leaking coolant from intake manifold into engine, required gasket replacement and coolant / oil change 2) turn signals work intermittently, had to replace turn signal switch 3) A/C does not work, blows hot air, dealer unable to repair 4) brakes weak, vibrate. Replaced with after market components (powerslot rotors and performance friction carbon metallic pads) 5) automatic door locks inoperative, dealer unable to repair 6) poor fuel mileage, best is 28 mpg highway (cafe violation??) 7) starter failed, replaced with rebuilt unit.
The vehicle experienced problems with the brake pads and rotors. With less than 16000 miles the consumer has replaced the pads and rotors three times. The manufacture and dealer were contacted and changed the pads and rotors one time for free but the other two times the consumer had to pay.
While applying her brakes the pedal went all the way down to the floor. And there were vibration coming from underneath the vehicle. Please provide additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Puyallup, WA, USA