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.
2002 Malibu won't start probably due to the anti theft pass lock sensor. This happened before and we were able to start the next day. However it' happening again and I cannot start the car from the last three hours. Get GM of their behinds to fix the problem by making the issue a recall.
Anti-theft lock system on utes2002 Malibu. Wait time of 10 to 30 minutes to reset. Car will not start. Safty issue due to no reliable safe way to crank car.
Anti-theft system prevented from being able to start on the car. I was able to reset it by turning the key on and waied 15 to 20 minutes. Once this started happening all the time I had to replace the ignition.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving the vehicle, the anti-theft system indicator illuminated and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that this is a common failure. He also stated that even when the system is repaired, the unit will fail again at some point. The manufacturer made the contact an offer to participate in a study and stated that there were no recalls for her vehicle. The vehicle has remained at the shop since the date of the failure. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 74,000.
- Stager Heights, OH, USA
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My wife was out doing daily errands and when she went to start the car it would turn over but not start. Then, after trying several times over the next several hours it still wouldn't start. Car was then towed to a automobile mechanic, and the next day before any work was done the car started, and they couldn't find anything wrong. Then, a few weeks later my wife and son were out doing errands again and same thing happened, but luckily after a half hour of trying to start the car it did start. The battery was just over a year old, and no other noticeable problems. I was afraid that my wife and 1 year old child were going to end up stranded. The only thing I was told bwas that it could be linked to the factory security code used in the car, but no one stated that they could test for that, they just assumed thats what happened. Has any one else had this problem.
The ignition switch has had to be replaced twice on this vehicle. The theftlock key pass sensor keeps failing and makes it impossible to start the vehicle. To correct this the entire ignition switch module has had to be replaced twice. I am told that there is no way to disable the theftlock feature.
I own a car rental company and the primary vehicle in my fleet is the 01-03 Chevy Malibu. Over the past 14 months the ignition anti-theft system has left my customers stranded and frustrated. One customer was stranded at night in a wal-mart parking lot with her small kid while sitting through a heavy rain storm. All of our keys/spares are original and purchased from GM dealers but the problems remains.
Anti theft system is defective. Bought the car 1 year ago. First happened in August 06. Happened again in January. Now in February it has happened 3 times in the past week. Car will not start, have to reset the key and I have found no one who has taken this problem to the dealer have it completely fixed. There are hundreds of complaints about this problem on Malibu's starting with 99-04 models. Now light will come on while driving down the road. Have read several complaints about the car shutting off while driving. Afraid for my safety, my children's safety, and the safety of others. GM will not acknowledge this problem even exists, but thousands of other Malibu owners have. "quick fix" solutions are now going around the internet telling people to cut wires in their dash to "fix" the problem. GM needs to fix this before someone cuts the wrong wire and kills someone in result to fixing GM screw up.
Consistent problems with the "theft deterrent" system, resulting in failure to start. Dealer has replaced the same part three times. Last time they replaced it again, and charged me for the tow to get the car back. This has happened six times now in the past year.
First incident of leaking happened after dealership worked on car. Arrived home coolant poured out on ground towed back. Dealership said reservoir cap seal. 10/2006 or 11/2006, picking up at school and smelled not engine. Parked saw coolant on ground. No engine light on but needle was past middle. Family brought coolant filled it up and went 5 blocks to dealership. They said nothing was wrong. Yesterday, 1/9/2007 car overheated in the school line. Added coolant. I brought it to a non dealership radiator shop owner thinks intake manifold gasket leaking. Car at dealership. I really don't know what the real problem is but because my warranty expired feel dealership will tell me it is a new problem from the first event so I will be responsible. At least two rotors replaced on the front driver's wheel & 5 sets of pads. Reported to GM they claim it is the way I drive! a non dealership tire company had the pads replaced with a good brand. 1 1/2 years since I had to have pads. Problem with the right front passenger door locks. Car is running and the driver gets out leaving car on and then the passenger turns off the car and gets out, locks car, the radio stays on. I went inside the store and came out and the radio was still playing. When you unlock the car but enter only the passenger front door and then close it and walk away, the car locks itself. Happened several times. I had not placed the keys on the seat of the car and shut the door or I would have been locked out. I reported this but no one seemed to care. Radio was replaced for left button paint (not sure if it is paint or cover on button) rubs off. Ignition switch was replaced. Fuel pump replaced.. I Transport grandchildren and I need a safe car.
Theft system light came on a few times in the past few months, then car wouldn't start last night. Car went to mechanic and they replaced ignition lock cylinder and ignition switch. Old parts are available.
The anti-theft device was triggered for no apparent reason, causing the engine to turn over but not start. This is the second time this has happened in the last six months. Last time I was charged about $65 to re-set the immobilizer. This time (a different mechanic) I was charged $570 to replace the key and ignition cylinder, after he was unable to re-set the immobilizer. I see that this is a common issue with this vehicle. When will a recall be imposed? the car has only about 55,000 miles on it.
Turn signal failures, emergency signal failure & theft system my car's signals work off and on. When I go to use my turn signal sometimes it does not work sometimes it does. What I usually have to do is activate the turn signal and then hold down the emergency hazard button which may or may not activate my signal to work. If I can not get this to work then I am unable to use my signals at all. The theft system activates on the car causing the car not to start until I allow it to sit for 10 minutes to correct its self. Sometimes the car will not restart after the 10 minutes that the manual says to wait. My car is a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu.
Purchased this 2002 Malibu used from local Chevy dealer. First incident, after a brief stop at a gas station the car wouldn't restart. Turned over but no fire. Had it towed to a repair shop who informed me that the theft-deterrent system was stopping the car from starting. They explained that only a dealer can process or recycle this problem. They did a temporary "recycle" of the system and the car started back up. I planned to take the car to the dealer within the next couple of weeks to follow up, but then it happened again, at a store, cranked no fire, theft light flashing, same exact symptoms. I was told at the repair shop that this is a chronic problem with these models. They charged me $70 for the diagnostic time spent, and I was thankful that the car would at least start. Now it's stuck in a parking lot across town and I can't even get it towed (no tow coverage). My fear is this happening repeatedly. First event was on June 19, second on June 30. I am curious about all the different "tricks" I am hearing about to bypass the system and get the car to start. One said I should turn the steering wheel quickly side to side while applying my foot to the accelerator, and turn the ignition, another said to try switching keys, (which I did try but it didn't work). Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated! if I could get it to start then I could at least get it to the dealer - I am a single mom, very broke, no resources to fall back on for this repeat event so soon. I haven't even mentioned the constant burned out brake lights- I replace the bulbs and they blow within a couple of days...no visible electrical line damage, either...
My 2002 Chevy Malibu ls would not start and needed towed home. This is the first time this has happened and seems to happen regularly to other Malibu owners with no recall from GM yet. I have a young child and wife that drive use the car mostly and am worried of their safety if this would happen on a highway. I have also had problems with the windshield wipers quitting during a rainstorm. I contacted GM and I was told there was no recall and all repairs would be out of pocket even though this is a safety issue. The vehicle only has 50,000 miles on it.
Intermittent problem with car starting due to failure of theft deterrent system. This condition left my wife stranded a number of times until the car started after 10 minutes.
I own a used 2002 Chevy Malibu, purchased in June 2005. For the last three weeks, once a week the anti theft device system has engaged not allowing me to start the car. The 1st time it happened I had it towed to the garage and they could not find the problem. The second two times this occurred I had to leave the key in the on position for thirty minutes then have some one jump start the car. Thus making me late to work on both occasions. I went on line to yahoo type in anti theft system Chevy and found five pages of the same complaint from other Malibu owners one woman was driving on the highway when it happened and the car just stopped in traffic she could have been killed. What we all want to know is why this matter has not been brought to the publics attention and recalled by the manufactured. Would you please look into this matter and reply to either my E-mail or my home address. Thank you very much. Wendie price
Attempting to start car, theft system light comes on and disables car. Have to have it towed to dealer to get fixed. Non-dealer mechanic cannot fix. Only GM or Chevy dealer. This is the third time this has happened with this vehicle. I had a 98 same model that did the same thing at least 4 times.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Media, PA, USA