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.
In March 2004 I was told by Chevy dealer my intake manifold gasket has a severe leak and needed to be replaced at a cost of $800. I called GM as the car only has 50,170 miles on it-they informed me there is nothing they can do about it as the warranty is expired! if there is nothing wrong with the way the original gasket was made, then why has GM since re-designed the old gasket which is what has to be used to fix ? there are numerous other complaints about the same thing on the Malibu's, and I need help to get this repair done. I am a single parent and can not afford this repair, nor afford to continue to make payments on a vehicle I am too afraid to drive. Please help.
There was a rear collision that occured a week after purchasing the vehicle. The car was fixed with no frontal damge at all. The rear damage was minor. A week after receiving the vehicle the car would not start. The car was towed to the dealership and it was determined that the car needed a new ignition(600.00) that was not covered under the warranty.the dealership received the payment and the car was fixed.the dealership didnt have any sort of explanation to why the ignition was needed that soon after the purchase of the vehicle. Eight months later the car wouldnt start.the car was then towed to the dealership.a fuel pump was install but other items weren't covered under waranty.the car was received after the dealership received the payment. Four months later, ( May 1,2004),the car decelerated in the middle of the highway.the driver was forced to steer to the side of the road, where the temperature gauge went to the maximum level and the car would not start. The next day the car was towed.
We are paying on a 2001 Malibu. The fuel sensor went out showing gasoline when there wasn't. the car stalled in rush hour traffic. The sensor was replaced but I had to pay for the fuel filter plus a deductible on my extended warranty. Next the blinkers decided to only work occassionally same week the starter started dragging then the car started to run hot. Took it to the dealer, replaced blinker switch (no mention made of the recall) replaced the starter and replaced the gasket that was leaking. When I had added coolant to get myself home the coolant that was N the car was green, the coolant I put in the car green..was supposed to be orange when I told the dealer there was green coolant in the car he said oh someones booboo unfortunately you have to pay for it...almost $300. Yesterday, long memorial day weekend left work again rush hour, car begins to make a horrible noise I pull off notice the alternator belt is coming apart but the noise that I heard had nothing to do with the alternator belt sounds like metal on metal. $1400 worth of work done in April, $800 a few months before that and now this...the car is well maintained by my husband. Now I read what I have to look forward to, the car was bought Chevy certified from a Chevy dealer.
I am trying to sell a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu ls for my dad who is 86 years old and cannot because of a start up noise that doesn't go away till the engine warms up. I have lost 4 buyers so far. This automobile has only 5600 miles on it. I have found a service bulletin saying there can be a noise from cylinder 1 thru 4. this is interfering with the resale of the car as no one trust it. I had it analyzed by the dealer and they said it was a piston slap. And it would cost around $1600 dollars to fix it. GM agreed to go half and half but then the dealer said if the piston slap had damaged the cylinder it would need a new engine. This to me is a defect that the manufacture should be responsible for because as I stated be fore the car has only 5600 miles on it. Please contact me at [xxx] if need be. Thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Anti-freeze leaks from engine. Area of leak seams to be around the manifold or heads. This causes fumes to into the passenger compartment and makes the occupates dizzy or with headaches.
Engine has experienced "valve-slap" since approx 5000 miles. The dealer advised that this is inherent in the design of this particular engine to make it economical. Chevrolet offered 100,000 mile extended warranty on the engine. The (check engine) light activated several months ago. Code indicated "small emissions leak". made sure gas cap was on tight, then cleared code with reader - issue resolved. Approx a month ago, check engine light on again. Code was P1404 (temporary code). Tried to clear out code with reader, came back. Dealer advised that this was caused by faulty egr valve so replaced the egr valve with genuine chevey part, cleared code with reader - approx 20 miles later (check engine) light back on. I suspect that issue is related to the valve-slap problem and related wear on pistons.
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.
Vehicle has stalled several times. Took to dealership and told it was weather causing problem. Nothing done to correct problem. Past two months I have taken to alternate body shops, because engine failed to start. Mechanics flushed out the car and hooked up to the computer to detect any problems. No found problems and car cranked for about two weeks. Car last failed on May 3, 2002 and is still not working as of today. ***dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***762043
When the vehicle hit a bump the it stalled. The dealer changed the ignition switch but the problem re-occurred. When the vehicle hit a bump the it stalled. The dealer changed the ignition switch but the problem re-occurred.
After researching the service bulletins section of this website, I have come to realize that I have complained/had serviced about 85% of the same problems that are listed on your database. I purchased this car new, from everett Chevrolet, wa in 2000. Since the purchase. Date, I had Chevy do the following: New brakes (all the way around - once, front rotors/pads - twice), all new pistons, transmission replaced, miss on #1 cylinder - replaced 1 failed spark plug, left rear door squeaks when open/shut - lubed (has happened 3 times now), front left noise from struts/brakes - not able to verify as of yet (possible strut problem/lube), fan in dashboard has a sound in the middle (just above the cd player/radio) like there is a piece of paper caught in the housing (confirmed after 4 complaints, faulty fan motor), passenger front seat squeaks when occupied (dealerships have not been able to duplicate./fix), rearview mirror rattles while driving at highway speeds (tightened, still does it in hot weather). Bottom line, this is my first new car purchase and I am having serious doubts about keeping the car - as it only has 21,405 miles on it. With the 3/30 warranty. Coming up in Oct. 2003, I am very much afraid that I have purchased a lemon and not looking forward to spending anymore time/$$$ on this vehicle. Any suggestions?
Took car in cause of knocking in engine service advisor said couldnt hear it when picked the car up made him ride in it with me could hear knocking told me to bring it back.took back work order says piston slap.diagnoisis polymer coated pistons slapping inside clyinders;replaced all pistons, hone cylinders, replaced rings replaced allconnecting rod bearings.water pumbm went out told me to bring it in a week and a half later car kept running hot all the way in red had to have it towed inhoses were not reconnected when motor was worked on cd player went out also face of cd player gets extremely hot told me that was normal blinkers have went out twice first time said fixed them still not working now when you crank car it knocks have reported it it is doing the same thing when had pistons replaced lasted Nov.06out
Driver heard knocking sound from engine. Took to weber cevrolet and problem was fixed. Piston and piston rings were bad. One week later driver hears popping noise from steeering column steering shaft was replaced. Gold package decals were fading off as well. Driver now hears knoking comming from engine again.
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- Bradenton, FL, USA