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.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering column would become loose while driving at any speed and the wheel would sporadically shake when driving over 50 mph. In addition the power steering warning light was illuminated when the failure would occur. The contact stated the failure was the second occurrence and the steering column was replaced in 2007. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired for the recent failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 115,000. The consumer stated the vehicle made a clunking, knocking and rattling sound when driven at a low grade speed and when the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle also shook violently. The driver seat didn't to stay on track and was difficult to adjust forward and backward. The horn and cruise control were inoperative. The brake and accelerator pedals no longer adjusted. The safety locks did not latch at times when the button was pushed and the gas cap continued to open after it was locked causing the engine light to illuminate. Updated 02/01/12
Driving down the roadway and my child who is 4 in the backseat opened the passenger side door. There is no rear child safety lock on the 2004 and 2005 Chevy Malibu's. yet 02 had them.
As a former GM development engineer I would like to identify a door latch wet freeze condition that under certain conditions jeopardizes customer safety. The issue occurs on some vehicles using the delphi version of the GM global door latch, and there have been several customer complaints in us and Canada. The failure mode occurs when the vehicle has been washed, or exposed to water, and the vehicle is frozen afterwards. When water enters the latch, and ice forms the door latch becomes inoperative, the door can be opened and but the latch will not relatch. There have been instances reported in Canada in which the customer had experienced this condition and the a passenger almost fell out of a moving vehicle due to the door not relatching. This condition happens primarily on rear doors and effect the following vehicles (Chevrolet Malibu, cobalt, Buick lucerne, Buick lacrosse, Chevrolet equinox, Cadillac srx, Cadillac cts). The issue initially surface in December 2004, and remediation plans to resolve this issue we proven ineffective, yet management continued to believe the problem was solved. Once the winter season was over, the problem was long forgotten. The next winter, winter 2005 the problem resurfaced. To the best of my knowledge there is one full model year of vehicles in excess of 1 million vehicles in the field that when exposed to water and frozen become an occupant hazard. The condition can be easily replicated by washing one of the vehicles and putting it in a cold cell, and then operating the door. I urge NHTSA to look into this issue before any injuries occur.
The contact's child opened the rear passenger door while in motion. By the time she pulled vehicle over the child was still in car seat hanging out of the door. The contact complained several times to dealership that the car did not have child safety locks on it. The dealer told her that it was not possible to install the child locks at this point.
Consumer complained about an electrical problem. Consumer took vehicle to dealership and had the work done on July 1, 2004. Vehicle had only 100 miles. On August 13,2004 the dashboard lights failed, and the tail lights were out. On August 23, vehicle had the same problem. Consumer parked the vehicle and the locks automatically unlocked while the vehicle was still running. Also, the air conditioner was running when the key was not in the ignition.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jeffersonville, IN, USA