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.
Steering out of whack. I have had my control arm on both sides changed along with axles and a alignment. No luck its still all over road. I drive from sylvester ga to tifton ga everyday. It does the same thing everytime. Also I have had my lights replaced 3 times in the last year. Why arent the lasting. Gas cap keeps reading error. Whole car. I can let someone drive it to see what I am saying.
My drivers side headlamp assembly the lightbulb kept on burning out and finally dealership got me a replacement bulb but than the bulb got really hot and burned the orange cover and it melted on the bulb and even got into where the lightbulb goes in. So I ended up buying a whole new headlamp assembly from dealership and replaced it. So I thought it fixed the problem nope here we are in April 2015 and sure enough the bulb is getting to hot and is causing the exact same problem. I've seen several other Malibu max and they also have the same issue so when is Chevrolet going to recall the Malibu max for this specific issue?
What can I say I have been writing about this car for the longest. I just want to say the other complaints about the bulbs burning out, the driver's seat breaking at the weld and the seat belt light constantly coming on is an ongoing problem I'm sure GM knew about this. I have complained to deaf ears both to NHTSA and GM. The last time I made a complaint was in May 2014 to both of them about the steering. GM and NHTSA says there is nothing they can do since there was no recall. Exactly 2 weeks later the CEO of GM comes out to say the Malibu maxx is included in the recall! I paid to have my steering wheel replaced in 2007 because of power steering failure, the dealer said I needed the steering column replace and I did to the tune of almost $800. Now a bulletin was sent out to dealers in 2005 about a key insert for any customer who came in to complain about power steering failure, but this was not given to me as a choice. They were sure I needed the steering column replaced, so I did. Now that my car is included in the recall and I paid, perhaps, unnecessarily to have my steering column replaced as anyone know this defective part is part of the steering GM still does not want to reimburse me my money back. I bought the Cadillac catera which was discontinued due to many recalls and because of all my complaints GM gave me $3000 toward a new GM car, which I applied to the Malibu maxx. I won't put my money or given credit toward a GM again, I'm through and since nearly half of my family members are GM owners I am getting them to make their next purchase something other than american made cars. I make sure I tell everyone about my experience so they will think twice about a company who didn't want to invest 90 cents topossibly fix a problem per car.
The seat belt do not lock in case of an accident. The drivers seat rocks while you are driving an adjusts by itself you can not keep the seat still. The welding has come apart from the base. The head lights are melting the bulbs for the signal and running light. I just caught that last weekend the lights stopped working when I look at the bulb it was melted which could have started an fire. I am waiting for the letter for the recall on the stern now. This would be the second time for it. I keep my car up to date with everything oil and whatever need to be done I am on top of it. But I have to many safety issue with it right. Seat belt, stern, drivers seat, headlights. Not only that the rotor warps every six months.
The seat belt do not lock in case of an accident. The drivers seat rocks while you are driving an adjusts by itself you can not keep the seat still. The welding has come apart from the base. The head lights are melting the bulbs for the signal and running light. I just caught that last weekend the lights stopped working when I look at the bulb it was melted which could have started an fire. I am waiting for the letter for the recall on the stern now. This would be the second time for it. I keep my car up to date with everything oil and whatever need to be done I am on top of it. But I have to many safety issue with it right. Seat belt, stern, drivers seat, headlights. Not only that the rotor warps every six months.
- Oxon Hill, MD, USA
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Drls bulbs on headlights run too hot causing the bulb to burn out constantly and causing assembly to and melt. I have to drive with my headlights on at all times, or my turning signals will not work. I've already had to replace headlight assembly twice.
On three separate occasions over the past year I would hear a loud chime and my power steering would go out in my 2004 Malibu maxx, making it very difficult to drive. Each time this has occurred, I would turn the car off and restart it which would resolve the power steering problem. Initially, I took the car to a mechanic who said there were no leaks in the power steering system and it must have been an electronic problem. I chalked it up to old age (for the car) and continued to drive the car with care. My wife has not been able to drive the car since this happened because she could not control the car if the power steering goes out. Recently I heard of a recall on T.V. regarding my year, make, and model. The recall description fit my experience with this car. I contacted the GM dealer (sweeney Chevrolet in boardman Ohio) and was told 'there had not been a recall on my car as of yet'. they went on to say that if I wanted it fixed, to bring it in and pay out of pocket. I would later be reimbursed by GM if, in fact, there was an eventual recal. My complaint is that I don't have $500-$1000 for a repair that I may not get reimbursed for. It is obvious that my car should be covered by this recall that was announced nationally on T.V. is there anything that can be done so that GM can be made to fix this car before it causes an accident? additionally, I have been brushed off by them regarding the turn signals since this car has been under warranty. I have replaced over 100 bulbs since this car was new. They overheat and melt the surrounding materials. I have already replaced the entire headlamp assembly, to no avail. I now drive this car without a left front turn signal because it will burn out the bulb within a day or two of replacing it. I'm not sure if this has been brought to the attention of GM in the past, but it seems to be a fire hazard.
Front headlamps and turn signal bulbs are having to be replaced around every 6 months. Using bulbs specified by the owner's manual. Plastic orange bulb casing has holes melted on the top and warped.
While driving down the street approaching the corner preparing to stop lost the ability to steer the wheel, could not continue to drive had to stop the car. On Saturday May 17,2014 while doing 65 miles on the highway a car lit up on the left corner of the dash and the power steering words appear. I immediately pulled off the highway in fear. Several times while backing out or pulling out of a space the steering wheel tightens. Every month I'm constantly changing light bulbs and the fuses for the interior and the exterior of the car. Updated 12/9/2014
I have replaced the front turn signal bulbs many time with original part numbers using standard bulbs, they have a problem with over heating and melted the orange turn signal globes inside the head lights to the point that it made holes in the top of the inner globes and its yellowing the inside of my headlight. I have heard many others having problems as well, I also work for a company where we service car, it is very noticeable on the 2004 - 2006 Chevy Malibu's that come into my shop as well. When the plastic melts it touches the bulb and pops it, now I don't have any way to warn the other drives that I need to make a turn from the front of the car.
The driver seat on this car has come off the rails on right side causing it to tilt. If the seat is not moved to the lowest setting the tilts with the movement of the car. I had the seat repaired once; it failed again after about 6 months. At the same time I had the emergency brake repaired. When setting the brake, I heard a loud bang. The repair failed about 2 months ago for the second time. I am also going through new brakes on this car at an alarming rate - three brake replacements already and the car has 90,000 miles. The car is again beginning to shimmy/shudder when going down steep hills and the brakes are applied. The car seems not to slow down at all (I.e. shifting gears) when going down hill other than by the brakes - it feels like a free fall. The signals, headlights, taillights and brake lights also need frequent replacement. I typically have to replace at least one of these at each oil change and have on several occasions needed to make replacements between oil changes. I would estimate the headlights/blinkers have been replaced at least a dozen times. The rear lights have been replaced perhaps ten times. Currently the third brake light is out and cannot be repaired without taking off the interior cover of the car to access the wiring - the bulb is not the problem.
Right front signal bulb socket and bulb over heating (melting) and resulting in inoperative front turn signal. Repeatedly occurring - having to remove melted plastic and replace bulb. 4 times since first occurrence.
Bought 2004 Malibu maxx brand new. Switch in ac first to go at just under 10000 miles. 18000 miles brakes and rotors had to replace cost almost $800. Headlights burned up replace wiring harness on both another $1000. Replaced both head lights could not see through either of them another $385 check engine light kept coming on and come to find out there was not a fuse in the emission spot. Replaced that another $400 when they found the problem. Leaks in the hatch when it rains or car is being washed. Check engine light on will not reset. Driver seat supports are broken and everyone that I know that has this car has the same problem and no recall has been issued on this, guess when there is an accident and someone really gets hurt then something will be don. It is ashamed that you pay so much for a vehicle and this is what you go through. I am a firm believer in oil changes and general maintenance and no one from the company seems to care about problems that is fault of the manufacturing of this car and it seems that no one wants to replace what is wrong.
The dashboard lights and tail lights didn't work after only 8,00 miles and then the left turn signal didn't work after only 15,000 miles. There was a relay switch that was replaced at 8,000 miles that cost $125 including parts and labor and then at 15,000 miles the left turn signal didn't work and after two days in the shop they "repaired and recrimped terminal at BCM". no parts, just labor $459.80. Both of these jobs were done at Chevy dealerships. It turns out that these electrical problems especially the left turn signal problem is very common but it took the dealership two days to fix it.
My friend has a 2004 Chevy Malibu, she asked me to check her front turn signals as they were not working. I noticed the light bulbs were covered by a orange plastic globe. I was amazed to see the plastic globes had burn holes in them and the melting plastic was dripping on the light bulbs and destroying them. I also noticed burn marks on the headlamp lenses on both sides. I removed the plastic globes and put new bulbs in. The globes are way too close to the hot bulbs which are burning the plastic. It is happening on higher mileage Malibu that have had time to melt the plastic. I feel this is a design flaw and a possible fire hazard. I checked on the internet and there are hundreds if not thousands of complaints about this same problem. GM has no bulletins on this matter.
Experiencing loss of function of front and rear, turn, stop or daytime running lamps (drl). Have replaced or repositioned bulbs on numerous occasions over the years. Recent examination revealed that front turn signal lens is melting on both sides.
Power steering failure. When I start car and making sharp turns, in addition to just driving down the road. Here clicking in the front right end when going up hill. Told by mechanic that it is a prob with the electric power steering system and rack and pinion. Oddly enough there was and 2006 mailbu in at the same time with the same problem mechanic felt it should be a recall issue. Also have issue with the turn signals failing I have replaced many times. I also have a hole that melted on the front right side in the plastic housing.
The day time running lights/turn signal lights on my 2004 Malibu maxx are melting through the amber colored housing and starting to melt the clear housing that covers the entire headlight. I think at some time this might lead to a fire. The problem was just noticed at a routine oil change and may have been melting for a long time before it was realized.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sylvester, GA, USA