I've never been a real fan of Chevrolet's cars, but I've never had any serious reliability issues with them until now. I was driving my father's Chevy Malibu, and after parking it for about 20 minutes, I discovered it would not start. Turning the key made something buzz in the dashboard, and the yellow "lock" symbol on the dash. I am a former Chrysler Sebring owner, so I knew it had to be some sort of safety/security BS that wouldn't let the car start. When the handful of tricks I remembered from another car I once had didn't work (banging the door, locking/unlocking the door with the key, switching the car to accessory and tapping the brake, etc.) I figured, "why not just unplug the POS"... so that's what I did.
Went back in the store to call a friend, came back out, plugged the battery back in, and boom, car started right up. Now, this is a stupid problem, and I can't imagine dealing with it in the long run.
Passing through the book, it looks like this could be an electrical issue, issue with some stupid key safety thing, a fuse issue, or even something wrong with what I tentatively call a "computer" on the car. I'm no car expert, but I'm sure this is an expensive fix, if you can find a shop (GM or otherwise) that'll admit it exists. I was looking around online to see if there was a quick fix for this, and it looks like I already found it, and thought it best to post it where people can see it.
Better luck to all of you Malibu owners out there, with all the issues you put up with you deserve it.
Car has been a rough start for 5 years.. occasionally it starts right up, other times.. not so much. Dealership says "nothing wrong".. oh well ... guess who is not buying another Chevy!
My 2005 Chevy Malibu Maxx doesn't want to start on occasion. The starter will crank but nothing happens or it just keeps cranking after you let off the key. It's driving me crazy. GM says its a fluke with my car and it doesn't need to be fixed????? I will NEVER buy another GM vehicle. Should have went with my first instinct and bought a Ford Focus.
2nd occurance,happened once before,turned over strong but wouldnt start,left sit few seconds,tried 3 times before it would start, but started after 3 trys with no problem, is the problem fuel or just electrical, or just GM/??
- Robert C.,
Rockhill Furnace, PA, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I generally like my 2005 Chev Malibu V6. However, this intermittent problem where is will not start is driving me nuts and I have hd it in the shop 3 times now, go thru the diagnostics and nothing shows. It is usually after I have driven somewhere and when coming back it will just turn over and not start. Usually if left for half an hour or so it will start. This happens after I have called the two truck. Very frustrating. The technician says it is not a fuel problem, the battery is good and the ignition is good. I read somewhere that it may be something to do with the theft deterrent system. Any news on this possibility? I am taking it back to the shop on Tuesday and really want this problem fixed as I am losing confidence in my car. It happened in early 2010m in Dec 2010 and now in Feb. 2011, car has 70,000km and has been very reliable up to this point. Anyone have any suggestions.
My car just stopped running on me on the freeway, lucky for me I was still in the merging lane and once I realized my car had stopped I was able to pull over. Once over I try turning it over and it did and with each turn I lost more power. Got it to a shop and they replaced the battery and it turn on fine and even runs, but now its rattling!!!! The shop didn't do major engine problems and suggest I take it to one. OK... So the next day on my way to a dealer IT DOES IT AGAIN ON THE STREET! Now I am pissed, there is no warning lights saying HEY there's a problem here! to JUST SHUT OFF!!!! I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HIT HARD TWICE FROM THE REAR.
I have complained to the dealers often about the no power often and had the battery replaced 2 years ago and it still did that on the start up every other month. But NEVER IN MID DRIVE!!!!! They are saying the problem is the engine and it will cost me 1500.00 to fix it, Some how I feel cheated! The car never ran HOT gave no warning of needing attention and i keep up with all maintenance.
I use to give the car a praise, cause it has never caused me any major problems and great on gas on long trips. I can never say that it never caused me any major problems now.
After having EVERYTHING checked, it was the battery! It still scares the crap out of me because the electrical problems on this car are unbelievable. The stereo works when it wants to, the dash lights come on when they want to and I have had the fuses checked and there is nothing wrong!
The cars starts OK in the morning. I go somewhere, the car sits for about an hour, then won't start. It's trying hard but just doesn't catch. Then if I leave it for about 1/2 hr, it starts just fine. I have taken it to 2 garages, 1 of which was a dealership. Of course, there, it starts just fine. They tell me that unless the problem occurs when they can hear it, to them, all is well. Of course, it's 2 weeks off warranty.
sometimes i get into my car and it doesn't want to start. so i have to sit there for a little bit and then try again. after that it starts. then one day i was driving and i realized that my speakers were going in and out and maybe some wires were touching and then a couple days later my back speaker caught on fire with my 2 year old son in the back seat.
WELL LAST WEEKEND---OUT OF THE BLUE--MY MALIBU MAXX WON'T START. IT MADE THE NOISE LIKE IT WAS TRYING---BUT IT JUST WOULDN'T CATCH. I LET IT SIT SATURDAY, TRIED IT AGAIN SUNDAY, THEN AGAIN MONDAY--SAME THING--SO I HAD IT TOWED TO GARAGE- THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT WITH A DEALER PART ($880). I DROVE IT 10KM HOME-TOOK IT 25KM TO WORK THE NEXT DAY. AND WHEN I WENT TO GO HOME---SAME THING AGAIN!!! HAD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER TOW AND THE GARAGE SAYS THE PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND THEY'RE PUTTING IN ANOTHER. WITH ALL THE TALK OF ANTI-THEFT PROBLEMS......
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I've never been a real fan of Chevrolet's cars, but I've never had any serious reliability issues with them until now. I was driving my father's Chevy Malibu, and after parking it for about 20 minutes, I discovered it would not start. Turning the key made something buzz in the dashboard, and the yellow "lock" symbol on the dash. I am a former Chrysler Sebring owner, so I knew it had to be some sort of safety/security BS that wouldn't let the car start. When the handful of tricks I remembered from another car I once had didn't work (banging the door, locking/unlocking the door with the key, switching the car to accessory and tapping the brake, etc.) I figured, "why not just unplug the POS"... so that's what I did.
Went back in the store to call a friend, came back out, plugged the battery back in, and boom, car started right up. Now, this is a stupid problem, and I can't imagine dealing with it in the long run.
Passing through the book, it looks like this could be an electrical issue, issue with some stupid key safety thing, a fuse issue, or even something wrong with what I tentatively call a "computer" on the car. I'm no car expert, but I'm sure this is an expensive fix, if you can find a shop (GM or otherwise) that'll admit it exists. I was looking around online to see if there was a quick fix for this, and it looks like I already found it, and thought it best to post it where people can see it.
Better luck to all of you Malibu owners out there, with all the issues you put up with you deserve it.
- Alex M., Plover, WI, US