1998 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

1998 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A NOTORIOUS ISSUE WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM. I HAVE READ 1000'S OF ISSUE WITH THIS LIGHT COMING ON AND YOUR NOT ABLE TO START YOUR CAR. TONS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THIS ISSUE. CHEVY NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFAULT IN THEIR VEHICLES. YOU PAY MONEY TO SUPPORT AMERICAN AUTO MAKERS BUT WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN THE CAR NO LONGER WORKS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. BUT I THINK STARTING A CAR WHEN YOU HAVE PURCHASED IT IS AS IMPORTANT. THIS THEFT LIGHT COMES IN AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT 15 MINS OR MORE FOR IT TO CUT OFF TO START YOUR OWN CAR!!! CHEVY DEALERS CHARGE $600+ DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR. THE FAULTY SENSOR IN CHEVY VEHICLES ARE ON TONS OF WEBSITE AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT WHY HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL !! YOU WANT TO HELP THE ECONOMY...HELPING.GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK ON TIME IS A GREAT START. NEXT TIME, I'M GOING FOREIGN. JAPANESE.....TO MANY MONEY HUNGRY COMPANIES FOR ME TO SUPPORT. I KNOW BETTER NEXT TIME...IF YOU GOOGLE " THEFT SYSTEM IN A CHEVY" THERE ARE NOTHING BUT COMPLAINTS. THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE GIVING ADVISE ON HOW TO DISABLE THIS BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO START YOUR CAR WITH THIS ISSUE. I'M DISGUSTED WITH CHEVY....SHAME ON THEM!!!!!!! A CAR THAT THINKS THE OWNER IS STEALING IT.....WHAT A SHAME! *TR

UNDER NORMAL USAGE, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, AND THE DASHBOARD THEFT LIGHT COMES ON . AT OTHER TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START, AND THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS, IM AFRAID IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, AND HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THE GM PASSLOCK II SYSTEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. *TR

THE AC CONTROL KEEPS ON JUMPING FRONT INSIDE AIR TO OUTSIDE AIR, AND THESE CAUSED THE COMPRESSOR TO CYCLE ON AND OFF, BOUGHT A NEW ONE FROM THE DEALER COST 150.00 NO WARRANTY STILL KEEPS ON DOING THE SAME THING, GOT ANOTHER ONE FROM THE JUNK YARD STILL DOES THE SAME THING, SPENT 200.00 DOLLARS ON AC COMPRESSOR BUT AC DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEM , DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, I NEED HELP! *TR

A TOTALLY UNEXPECTED MALFUNCTION OF CRUISE CONTROL WHILE SET AT 60MPH, TRAVELING UP AND DOWN HILLY STRETCH OF US ROUTE #301 NORTHBOUND NEARING VA ROUTE #3 THE TRANSMISSION DOWN-SHIFTED, ENGINE ACCELERATED TO MAINTAIN SET SPEED (AS USUAL) WHEN HIGHWAY LEVELED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CONTINUED TO SPEEDUP RAPIDLY..65+70+75. DRIVER INSTANTLY APPLIED BRAKES W/ NORMAL PRESSURE THEN EVEN HARDER UNTIL SHE WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL W/ BOTH FEET. SEVERAL TIMES SHE PRESSED THE CANCEL CONTROL SELECTOR, STILL NO REAL SLOWING DOWN. AS BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE OVERHEATED RAPIDLY SMOKE AND SPARKS WERE SEEN BY OTHER MOTORIST, TWO OF WHOM TRIED TO OVERTAKE THEM AND HAND SIGNALED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WHICH SHE WAS SOON ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH ON A WIDE GRASS SHOULDER WHERE SHE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION+++STOP!! AT LONG LAST. ALL THREE (3) ADULT WOMEN WERE GREATLY STRESSED BUT RELIEVED TO BE SAFE. HER REAR SEAT PASSENGER HAD CALLED 911 ON HER CELL PHONE WHEN THEY REALIZED THE FRIGHTFUL DANGERTHEY WERE IN AND AS A RESULT THREE (3) DIFFERENT POLICE CRUISERS ARRIVED ALMOST INSTANTLY FROM THE COUNTY SHERIFF AND VA STATE POLICE. SEVERAL WITNESSES WERE INTERVIEWED FOR MORE DETAILS. THE VEHICLE IS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU 4DR. V6. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OLD, DRIVEN ONLY 4,000 MILES BY THE DEALERS WIFE, UNTIL MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED IT. SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE IT ROUTINELY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED THERE SO THERE IS WHERE SHE REQUESTED THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO HAUL IT TO THE NEXT DAY AT A COST OF $400. SUB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ALSO OWNS A 2007 GRACO COMFORT SPORT CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 80C02MG12 (NA). THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON AUGUST 24, 2007. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY SECURED IN A FORWARD FACING RESTRAINT SEAT. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE CHILD RELEASED THE PLASTIC HARNESS CLASP WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE HARNESS STRAPS WERE TIGHTENED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS INSTALLED USING THE VEHICLE SAFETY BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED USED CAR FROM BILL HEARD IN PLANT CITY BEFORE THEY CLOSED DOWN,FROM DAY 1 I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IGNITION NOT STARTING AND THE ANTI THEFT,I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED SEVERAL TIME S CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM,I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THEM TWICE AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG ALTHOUGH AT TIMES THERE IS THEN THEY TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN JUST LET THE CAR SET FOR 10MINS AND IT WILL BE OK, WELL IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE,THEN AFTER ALMOST FLIPPING THE CAR I FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE TOTALLY SHOT AND WHEN I HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES ONE CAUGHT BEFORE THE OTHER CAUSING THE CAR TO GO INTO A SKID,THEN THE IGNITION AND THE ANTI THEFT ACT UP AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE HORN IS STUCK SO I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO STOP THE HORN TESTED THE RELAY AND IT WAS FINE THE SWITCH IS STUCK SOMEWHERE AND KNOW ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHERE,SO NOW I HAVE A USED CERTIFIED USED CAR WITH NO HORN AND WORN OUT ROTORS FAULTY IGNITION AND OH I FORGOT THAT EVERY NOW AND THEN I WILL GET SHOCKED GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND A BROKE MOTOR MOUNT THAT I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO FIX OWN MY OWN DUE TO IT WAS AWARE AND TEAR APART THAT THEY WON'T COVER, WELL IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BEFORE THE CAR WAS EVEN SOLD. SO NOW I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 OTHER DEALERS TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT WELL I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT DUE TO THE FACT THAT ALL OF THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND FIXED BEFORE THE CAR WAS EVER SOLD AND I GUESS SINCE I WAS A F

I HAVE A 98 CHEVY MALIBU. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHEN I WENT TO START IT. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. AFTER THE LIGHT SHUT OFF IT STARTED AND THIS HAPPENS ALOT. EVERYONE I TALK TO THAT HAS A CHEVY SEEMS TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SHOP WANTS OVER $200 TO FIX IT. I BELIEVE THAT THE IGNITION TUMBLER IS FAULTY AND IS SET UP TO GO BAD SO THAT THEY CAN GET MORE MONEY AM VERY ANGRY THAT THIS KEEPS HAPPENING TO ME. I HAVE READ OVER 1000 REPORTS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX IT. *TR

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH HOW THE FUEL IS BEING RECEIVED. WHEN ITS IN NEUTRAL IT RECEIVES THE FUEL JUST FINE BUT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE IT TRIES TO STALL OUT OR DIE. WE USUALLY HAVE TO TAKE IT ON A DRIVE JUST TO GET THE FUEL PUMPING THROUGH. IT'S CRAZY AND SCARY BECAUSE WHEN YOU NEED TO PULL AND GO IT WILL JERK AND STALL AND THAT NOT A GOOD THING. *TR

VEHICLE PASSLOCK SYSTEM PREVENTS STARTING OF VEHICLE. HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES, INCIDENT DATE SHOWN IS MOST RECENT. THE VEHICLE IS OLD, THINGS WILL BREAK, THINGS WILL GO BAD. THAT IS UNDERSTOOD, BUT AFTER VISITING MANY WEBSITES AND READING AN UNTOLD NUMBER OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS, TWO THINGS ARE APPARENT: 1) GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND 2) GM IS UNABLE TO GIVE CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM CONSTANT, PERMANENT, OR SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION. NOT WHEN YOU HAVE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS PROVIDING DIFFERENT DIAGNOSES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NOT WHEN, AFTER COMPONENTS ARE REPLACED, THE COMPLAINT RESURFACES. IT'S NOT A WORN OUT SWITCH WE'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT. IT'S A THEFT SYSTEM WHICH IS PREVENTING A LAWFUL OPERATOR WITH THE APPROPRIATE VEHICLE KEY FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS THE RESULT OF POOR ENGINEERING AND CUSTOMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING. PARTICULARLY WHEN THE PROBLEM COMPONENT/SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED IN VEHICLES EVEN AFTER THE MANUFACTURER BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS LEAKING FOR A SECOND TIME. THE FIRST OCCURRED AT 36,000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME IS NOW AT 120,000 MILES. THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES OF THIS GASKET LEAKING BUT NO RECALL BY GM TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR

THE WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD SOME LIGHT FROST ON THE WINDSHIELD SHE LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT THE FROST HAD TURNED TO WATER SO SHE TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THEY JUST WENT NUTS THE RIGHT WIPER WENT OVER TOP OF THE LEFT ONE SO SHE HAD TO GET OUT AND PHYSICALLY PUSH THEM DOWN SHE THEN CONTINUED WITH HER DAY WHEN I CAME HOME FROM WORK SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT SO I WENT OUT TO SEE AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION ARMS WERE BROKEN AT ONE END ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE SO I THEN TOOK THEM OUT TO REPLACE THEM AND WHEN I LOOKED THEM UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON RECORD, SO I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE 1-800-222-1020 AND SEE JUST WHAT I CAN HAVE DONE. *TR

PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY (THREE TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK) AND CAR CANNOT BE STARTED FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES WHILE THE SYSTEM RESETS ITSELF. THIS PROBLEM WAS MISDIAGNOSED SEVERAL TIMES BY DIFFERENT (WELL-QUALIFIED) MECHANICS AND WOUND UP COSTING OVER 1500 DOLLARS IN UNNEEDED REPAIRS TO THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE SEVERAL TIMES. GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO DO A RECALL. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU THAT DOES NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY RESET PASSLOCK SYSTEM. CHEVROLET DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. IT IS CLEARLY DANGEROUS SINCE I AM GOING TO GET MUGGED OR WORSE WAITING THE 10 MINUTES IT TAKES TO "FOOL" THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND GET THE CAR TO START. THERE ARE OVER 1000 COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, IN VARIOUS YEARS OF MANUFACTURE OF THIS DEFECTIVE CHEVROLET PRODUCT. THERE MUST BE SOME SOLUTION TO THIS. THE OTHER NIGHT I WAS IN A DARK PARKING LOT FOR 20 MINUTES WAITING FOR MY CAR TO LET ME DRIVE HOME. I CALLED GM AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS OCCURRING IN THE MALIBU BUT JUST THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM AND THE CAR "THINKS" IT IS BEING ROBBED. PLEASE ROB MY CAR. THEN I WILL BE SAFE!! *TR

DRIVING TO WORK IN HEAVY RAIN ON A BUSY STREET AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE RIGHT COLLIDED WITH THE LEFT AND THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY AND HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE PIVOT HOUSING AS THE DEALER CALLED IT IS CRACKED AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN THE WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND WHEEL SUDDENLY SURGED TO THE RIGHT. WHEEL HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT ACCOMPANIED BY STRAIN ON THE POWER STEERING. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *TR

ON AUGUST 21, 2008, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A LEVEL, STRAIGHT ROAD AND HEARD A SNAP. THE STEERING OF THE CAR GOT REALLY LOOSE AND SQUIRRELLY. I PULL OVER TO CHECK FOR LOOSE COMPONENTS UNDER THE WHEEL WELLS. EVERYTHING LOOKED TIGHT. LATER I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AT THE RACK AND PINION AND HAD A HELPER TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL TO THE LEFT. ONCE THE WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT, I SAW THE WHOLE RACK MOVE UP AND DOWN FROM THE FRAME OF THE ENGINE CRADLE. FROM THE LOOKS OF IT A PART THAT HELD IT DOWN BROKE. *TR

CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, I WENT INTO CAR TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS LOUD BANG! I WALKED AROUND THE CAR TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS, COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I THEN SAT IN CAR AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO ONE SIDE, WENT OUT TO CHECK TIRES, BOTH TIRES TURNED. DID THE SAME FOR THE OTHER SIDE, ALL OKAY. GOT IN CAR, BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THEN ANOTHER LOUD BANG. BACKED THE CAR UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY. HAD IT FLAT BEDDED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. AS THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ARE NOTED IT WAS THE SPRING - THE REPAIR MAN SAID THANK GOD YOU WEREN'T DRIVING THE CAR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HAD TO HAVE SPRING, STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS REPLACED. AT THAT POINT I WAS SO SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THE OTHER SIDE, I ASKED THEM TO REPLACE BOTH. I CALLED CHEVROLET HEADQUARTERS TO ASK IF THIS IS ON A RECALL OR IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS FILED, THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY HAVE NO RECALLS AND NOTHING ON RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER CHEVROLET MALIBU OWNERS. *TR

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON A SMOOTH DRY ROAD SUDDENLY THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE SPRING BROKE DAMAGING THE STRUT AND TIRE. THANKFULLY, THIS WAS AT A SLOW SPEED OR SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE TIRE, SPRING AND STRUT WERE REPLACED. *TR

THE FRONT LEFT, DRIVER SIDE, SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES PER HOUR ON A SMOOTH PAVED ROAD. THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE SAME CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. I WAS DRIVING SLOWER SO THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW FROM THE SHARP BROKEN SPRING END RUBBING ON IT. THE SPRING WAS REPLACED WITH NO OTHER DAMAGE. AFTER READING ABOUT MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I DECIDED TO SUMIT COMPLAINTS HOPING WE CAN PREVENT ANY INJURIES OR DEATHS. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS AND HOW MANY ACCIDENTS GO UNREPORTED WITH THIS THE CAUSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY BEGAN TO CROSS OVER EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BLADE WAS VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

THE COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT SNAPPED INTO CAUSING A LARGE GOUGE IN THE TIRE DEFLATING IT IMMEDIATELY. LUCKILY, I HAD PULLED OFF INTERSTATE I-77 AND WAS IN A LARGE LEVEL PARKING SPACE. MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR TO PULL UP AND PICK ME UP. AS THE CAR WENT LESS THAN A FOOT FORWARD A LARGE BANG WAS HEARD AND JOURNEY BEGAN TO GET HELP. TO AVOID RANDOM DETAILS OF 88 DEGREE HEAT AND HARDSHIP EVENTS, THE RESULT WAS A NEW TIRE, A NEW SPARE TIRE (DONUT), AN OVERNIGHT STAY AND EXPENSES AND A REPAIR BILL. THE STRUT WAS REPLACED WITH A USED ONE DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE WERE STRANDED AWAY FROM HOME AND HAD NO TIME TO WAIT FOR A NEW ONE TO BE ORDERED. WHAT REALLY DREW MY ATTENTION TO THE POSSIBLE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT IN A SMALL REPAIR SHOP WITH ONLY 4 BAYS (SHEPARD'S REPAIR, PARKERSBURG, WV) THERE SAT ANOTHER MALIBU OF POSSIBLY THE EXACT MODEL WAITING FOR A NEW STRUT TO BE SHIPPED IN. THE ODDS ARE RATHER STAGGERING THAT THIS EVENT COULD BE SO RANDOM AS TO NOT IN SOME WAY POINT TO A MUCH LARGER SCALED PROBLEM WITH THESE COILS. BOTH SNAPPED IN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME PLACE (EXCEPT HIS WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE) AND NEITHER OF THE STRUTS THEMSELVES WERE LEAKING OR WEAK. NOW HOW DO I TRUST THE CAR FOR FEAR THE OTHER STRUT WILL BREAK OR EVEN THE REPLACEMENT FOR WHICH I KNOW NOT WHAT MODEL CAR IT WAS DISASSEMBLED FROM. *TR

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK, CAUSING ANTI FREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL, CAUSING FAILURE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR TO INTERNAL MOTOR PARTS. *TR

THE COMPLAINT IS FOR THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION AND THE TAILLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED TWICE, I AM TOLD IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. THIS IS A PROBLEM AT NIGHT WHEN I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS OR WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE IGNITIONS SWITCH, THE KEY WON'T MOVE IN THE IGNITION, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START. AFTER READING ON LINE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S AND OTHER CHEVY VEHICLES, BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. I AM UNSURE OF THE INCIDENT DATE BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING AND THE CONTACT PAID $195, PLUS $470 FOR LABOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE CONTACT CALLED GM IN APRIL OF 2002 AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE REIMBURSED. WHEN HE INFORMED GM THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SHOP, GM CHANGED THEIR MIND AND NEVER PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,114. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF THE DEALER REPAIRED THE CAM POSITION SENSOR AS WELL. UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR

WHILE MOVING THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION. I FOUND THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND WAS JAMBED AGAINST THE TIRE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND WE WERE LUCKY WE WERE NOT TRAVELING FAST ASUREDLY WE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO ONCOMOING TRAFFIC. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAS HAD A RASH OF SPRING FAILURES WITH MANY GM MODEL CARS HE ATIBUTES IT TO POOR QUALITY MATERIAL IN THE SPRINGS. HE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AND BOTH SHOCK STRUTS. I HAPPENED TO DROP BY THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND HE ASKED HOW IT WAS WORKING I INFORMED HIM ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE WAS VERY SURPISED, AND THEN TOLD ME HE HAD A 2000 CHEV MALIBU ON THE LOT THAT HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN WHILE STANDING. OF COURSE HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. OUT OF WARRANTY. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $847.59 BUT WE ARE GLAD TO BE ALIVE. NO MORE GM CARS MADE WITH INFERIOR CHINESE METAL. AMERICANS TAKE HEED. *TR

SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM IN THESE CARS!! *TR

THE COIL SPRING SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE I WAS IN MY CAR AND POPPED MY TIRE. I WAS TRAVELING AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEEDS, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE. I REPLACED IT WITH A JUNK YARD SPRING AND STRUT SINCE I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE FAILURE THERE WAS A LOW SQUEAK OR RUB COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELL. I THOUGHT AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS SNOW BUILD UP, BUT NOW I KNOW BETTER. *TR

1998 CHEVY MALIBU: FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK IN ENGINE. RESULTED IN ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AND UPPER INTAKE GASKET CHANGED AT $2000 CANADIAN. TWO MONTHS LATER,AND LESS TAN 5,000 KMS LATER, FUEL TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. LESS THAN 30 DAYS LATER, UPPER INTAKE GASKET AND FRONT BRAKES NEED TO BE CHANGED AT COST OF $1500 CANADIAN. *TR

1998 MALIBU - THEFT SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE FOR NO REASON AND THERE IS NOT A SOLUTION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR THIS CONDITION. IF THE INTERNET SEARCH OF 10 MINUTE WAIT DOES NOT WORK, USING ANOTHER KEY, SPRAYING THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH CLEANER OR KICKING A TIRE - YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE A CAB. THERE IS NOT A WAY TO DISARM THIS SYSTEM. I WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER GM PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THIS SYSTEM AND THE INABILITY TO TURN OFF MY HEADLIGHTS. *TR

ANTI THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IN MY 1998 CHEVY MALIBU HAS CAUSED TURMOIL AND HARDSHIPS. THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS REGULARLY AND STRANDS ME IN NOT SO SAFE PLACES. IT IS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS TO SIT IN MY CAR IN A DARK PARKING LOT THEN TO HAVE IT STOLEN. SOMETIMES AFTER THE 10 MINUTE WAIT, THE IGNITION STILL DOESN'T TURN OVER, AND IM WAITING ANOTHER 10 MINUTES, AND THEN AGAIN. LAST NIGHT IT TOOK 4 HOURS FOR IT TO GO OFF. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY LATE FOR WORK. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT IS DANGEROUS TO CHEVY'S CONSUMERS, A HORRIBLE ENGINEERING IDEA, AND THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR NOT RECALLING THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT HAS CAUSED THE FAILURE. I AM USING THE SAME KEY THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY BEEN USING IT FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. THEFT SYSTEM IS CAUSING ME A BIG HEADACHE WITH THE TEN TO TWENTY MINUTE WAITS FOR THE LIGHT TO STOP FLASHING SO I CAN START THE CAR AGAIN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND MY FINANCIAL STATUS IS PREVENTING ME FROM BEING ABLE TO REPAIR IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE WHEEL THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE DOES NOT FIT ONTO THE FRONT AXLE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND NO ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED. THE EXACT PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN; HOWEVER, THE YEAR WAS 1999. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,900. UPDATATTED 11/05/07. *JB

USE OF THE WINDOW AND FAULTY DESIGN WITH PLASTIC PARTS LED UP TO THE FAILURE. WINDOW IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE USED AND HAS TO STAY IN THE CLOSED POSITION OR IT FALLS INTO THE DOOR. TOO EXPENSIVE TO CORRECT. *JB

ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR, IT CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. AFTER 10 MINUTES I CAN TRY AGAIN AND IT USUALLY STARTS. I'VE FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I'VE CALLED CHEVROLET (NATIONAL 800 NUMBER) TWICE; EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT. I'VE CALLED TWO DEALERS; THEY KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, BUT OF COURSE A DIAGNOSIS IS STILL REQUIRED. *JB

I OWN A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU AND IT IS ONE OF THE THOUSANDS WITH THE ANTI-THEFT PASSLOCK SYSTEM ERROR. MY CAR CONTINUALLY READS AN ERROR IN THE THEFT SYSTEM AND CUTS OFF THE FUEL FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE I CAN START IT AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS THAT HOLD UP THE VEHICLE WITH THE COIL SPRINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. HE STATED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS ARE NOT HEAVY ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT COIL SPRINGS WERE DAMAGED. THE STRUTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS MUST COME FROM ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,742 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,727. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE CAUSING BLOWOUT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON, PREVENTING HIM FROM BEING ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALLS FOR THIS DEFECT. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY OF 2007. CHEVROLET STATED THAT IT WAS A GOOD VEHICLE AND HE SHOULD NOT WORRY. THE MANUFACTURER APOLOGIZED FOR THE DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 41,780 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,138.

CAR WOULD BE RUNNING STEPPED ON GAS AND WOULDN'T MOVE, HAD IT BACK WHEN IT WAS NEW, BUT WOULDN'T HAPPEN WHEN BONNER CHEVROLET IN KINGSTON, PA MECHANICS WOULD TEST DRIVE IT. VEHICLE CONTINUED UNTIL I COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK, THEN I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2003. ITWAS A 1998 LS CHEVY MALIBU FULLY LOADED, BOUGHT NEW. MY SON HAD THE SAME CAR AND IT HAD DONE THE SAME.*AK

TAIL LIGHTS ON ALMOST ALL CHEV. MALIBU'S ARE BAD MOSTLY ON THE RIGHT SIDES IF YOU GOING DOWN THE ROAD LOOK FOR YOURSELF ALMOST ALWAYS THEY HAVE AT LEAST ONE BURNED OUT LIGHT. I OWN TWO MY KIDS DRIVE AND ALMOST EVERY TIME THEY WASH THEM OR IT STORMS I HAVE TOO REPLACE BULBS THE TAIL LIGHT FILLS WITH WATER. *TR

LEFT SIDE, REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN. ONE MONTH LATER, RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKS CAUSING COIL SPRING TO RUB ON INSIDE OF TIRE RESULTING IN TIRE DAMAGE. *TR

MY CAR IS A 1998 MALIBU LS. IT HAS 49,500 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. IN 2006 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, IT DIDN'T WANT TO SWITCH GEARS RIGHT AWAY. I TOOK IT TO OUR GM DEALER AS I HAD A WARRANTY. THEY PUT IT ON A COMPUTER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, THEY STATED IT WAS DOING THE THINGS I SAID, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A GLICH AND WOULD GO AWAY. 5-17-07, SOMETHING FINALLY HAPPENED TO THE TRANSMISSION,THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE. I COASTED MY CAR TO THE GM DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THEY CALLED AND STATED THEY OPENED THE TRANSMISSION AND FOUND IT WAS A STUCK BODY VALVE. I TOLD THEM TO FIX IT AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ALREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION OPENED UP, THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THE WARRANTY COMPANY SAID MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 1-14-07. CAN'T BE, I HAD TILL AUGUST. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY. I BOUGHT MY CAR 8-8-98, I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (5 YEARS) I HAD TILL 8-8-93. IN JANUARY OF 93, I GOT CALLS FROM MVP (MOTOR VEHICLE PROTECTION CORP) TELLING ME THAT I SHOULD START THINKING ABOUT A NEW WARRANTY AS MINE WAS TO EXPIRE THAT YEAR. I TOLD THEM I WAS OKAY TILL AUGUST. A GAL NAMED ABBEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD SIGN UP FOR THE WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOTE MY ACCOUNT, PUT ON HOLD TILL AUGUST WHEN MY WARRANTY WITH GMAC RAN OUT. I NOW COULD MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE NEW WARRANTY, IT WOULD BE PAID FOR BY AUGUST. I AGREED. NOW THIS COMPANY IS DENYING ME COVERAGE FOR THE REPAIRS TO MY CAR. THEY STATE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 4 YEARS FROM THE DAY I MADE MY

WHILE DRIVING DURING ICE STORMS IN JANUARY 2007 THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DUE TO A BROKEN PIVOT HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE SAME DEFECT WAS COVERED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I LIVED OUTSIDE THE SALT BELT,CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM FEARFUL, BUT FORCED TO, DRIVE IN RAIN STORMS WITHOUT WORKING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ARROGANT ABOUT HELPING IN THIS SITUATION FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 150 YARDS WHEN A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND CUT THE TIRE FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO A BATCH OF COIL SPRINGS THAT WERE IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. THERE WAS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR THIS FAILURE , PE 03031. THE CONTACT STILL POSSESSED THE FAILED COIL SPRING AND TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED PICTURES OF THE DEFECT. UPDATE 05/04/07*TR UPDATED 06/20/07. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, FOLLOWED BY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING. PASSENGER SIDE SPRING BEGAN RUBBING INTO TIRE, MELTED SIDE WALL OF TIRE. TIRE DESTROYED. REPLACED SPRINGS AND TIRE. *AK

I BOUGHT MY 1998 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 51,133 MILES ON IT. IT STARTED TO LEAK ANTI FREEZE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR (73,753 MILES). IT ENDED UP BEING A REPLACEMENT OF THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR, REPLACE WATER PUMP, REPLACE RT.C.V SHAFT AND REPLACE SEAL SLEEVE. THE EGR GASKET WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS 874.52 LABOR AND PARTS INCLUDED. *JB

MY CAR HAD TO HAVE THE THERMOSTAT, PLENINUM GASKET, INTAKE GASKET, EGR GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKETS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE THAT IS USED IN THESE CARS WARPS THE GASKETS AND SEALS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO BE REPLACING THESE GASKETS TWICE. I WOULD LIKE GM TO REIMBURSE ME SOME OF MY FINANCES THAT HAVE COST TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS TIME IT COST ME $222.00 FOR A RENTAL CAR AND $976.00 FOR REPAIRS. *JB

THE FRONT TWO (2) METAL LATCHES THAT SECURE THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE SLIDING RAIL FAILED RESULTING IN THE SEAT ROTATING ON THE REAR LATCHES WITH THE DRIVER LAYING ON THEIR BACK PARTIALLY IN THE BACK SEAT. BOTH FRONT LATCHES FAILED WITH THE METAL CRACKED AND SHEARED. THE ENTIRE FRONT SEAT WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED. *AKFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INOPERATION AT THE TIME.

SERVERAL TIMES (5+) THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT WOULD BURN OUT. I REPLACED THE BULB MYSELF AND NOTE THAT THE CONNECTION AND BULB HAD OVERHEATED. CURRENT, ON GOING PROBLEM IS THE DASH/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING. THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, AS THEY FEEL LIKE IT. THE LIGHTS CURRENTLY ARE OUT. I CHECKED ALL FUSES AND BREAKERS. ALL TESTED OKAY. I REALLY HATE THIS CAR AND NO MORE GM PRODUCTS FOR ME, EVER!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER THE ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM DISABLED THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TURNED STARTED. THIS ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS PROHIBITED THE CAR FROM STARTING TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. HAD TO DISABLE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN ORDER TO START CAR. DEALER COULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. *NM