Page 10 of 15 · complaints 451–500 of 721

2001 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 13, 200511,684 milesFL

THE DRIVER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IGNITION CYLINDER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WITH NO WARNING. THE THEFT LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED DUE TO THE IGNITION SENSOR AND HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE THEFT LIGHT WOULD ALSO FLASH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME HARD TO START AT TIMES. THIS PROBLEM ALSO MAY HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *SC *JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed May 11, 20055 milesAL

DT:HAS HAD TO REPLACE THREE DIFFERENT SETS OF TIRES BECAUSE THE TREAD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND THE RIM WILL NOT HOLD AIR. THE LAST TIME HE HAD THEM REPLACED THEY PUT TOO MUCH AIR IN THE TIRE AND ANOTHER DEALER CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE AND TOLD CALLER IT WAS DANGEROUS TO HAVE THAT MUCH AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES. NOW HE CAN'T GET IN TOUCH WITH FIRESTONE AT ALL AND THE DEALER WILL NO LONGER HELP OR GIVE HIM THE PHONE NUMBER TO FIRESTONE. *NM

Suspension
Filed May 3, 20054 milesMI

CONSUMER STATES: ABS SYSTEM 11OO MILES BRAKES STARTED GRIDDING, AT 37000 HAD TO REPLACE MASTER CYCLINDER, ABS SYSTEM AND THE DRUM AND BRAKE LINES IN 2003 JULY AND IS GETTING WORSE. HAD NEW BRAKES PADS PUT ON AGAIN IN JANUARY 2005. NOW ABS COMING ON AGAIN FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS AT A TIME.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 27, 2005MO

HAD A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1000 TO FIX. I CALLED THE PHONE # FOR CHEVY IN MY OWNERS BOOK. FILED A COMPLAINT, AND WENT TO THE DEALER, GAVE THEM MY CASE # CHEVY GAVE ME. THEY CALLED CHEVY, CAME BACK AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME $350. THEY CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, FLUSHED THE RADIATOR, AND CHANGED MY OIL. CHEVY HAS A REIMBURSMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR PROBLEMS THAT AREN'T BAD ENOUGH FOR RECALLS. THEY ALSO REIMBURSED ME $862.00 FOR MY PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT , FULLY REIMBURSED. IF YOU LIVE IN ILLINOIS, THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED IS GEORGE WEBER CHEVROLET IN COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS. THE PEOPLE ARE GREAT , THE SERVICE IS GREAT. I LIVE 50 MILES AWAY BUT AFTER DEALING WITH OTHER CHEVY DEALERS IN MISSOURI GIVING CRAPPY SERVICE, ITS WORTH THE TRIP!

Suspension › Front › Hub
Filed Apr 27, 2005MD

2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, TURN SIGNALS, COOLING SYSTEM AND THEFT DETERRENT LIGHT. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: A CONTINUOUS BRAKE PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS, THE THEFT DETERRENT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH. THE RIGHT SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS WATER IN THE OIL, THEREFORE THE INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. *SC *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 26, 200566,998 milesPA

CAR WONT START ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM AGAIN, TOWED TO GARAGE REPLACED IGNITION SYSTEM AGAIN. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 25, 200581,000 milesAL

MY 2001 CHVROLET MALIBU LS HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ORDER FOR THE ANTI-THEFT/PASSLOCK TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS AROUND $300.00. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME MY CAR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED THE FIRST TIME AND THEY HAD TO RESET IT. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS TO WAIT 10 MINUTES AND THEN UNLOCK YOUR CAR AND TRY AND START IT. NOTHING WORKED. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND EXPENSIVE TO DEAL WITH. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 18, 200540,000 milesNJ

CAR IGNITION. WOULD NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT APPEARED THAT IT WAS THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE. UPON PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WAS BEING SEEN AS AN INTRUSION AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THE DEALER AND SECONDARY REPAIR SHOP THAT THE CAUSE APPEARED TO BE A LOSS OF MEMORY IN THE CHIP. THE PROCEDURE, WHICH WAS QUITE UNACCEPTABLE, WAS TO WIPE THE KEY WITH ALCOHOL AND PROCEED TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. MY WIFE ,WHO IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER, HAS BEEN STUCK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. CAR HAS BECAME COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE! DEALER, WITHOUT KNOWING THE PROBLEM, INSISTED THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS AROUND $300, 00 SOMETHING THAT DRASTIC SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 5, 200562,512 milesCA

I PUT KEY IN IGNITION SWITCH AND IT WOULD NOT TURN TO ANY POSITION , BUY IT DOES STILL LOCK ALL DOORS. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE THE SWITCH ,FREE OF CHARGE.VEH. ONLY HAS 62000 MILES ON IT.I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS DEFECT.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 25, 200555,003 milesLA

MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH IS BAD. I WENT TO THE CHEVY PLACE IN MY AREA TO PRICE THE PART FOR IT AND THE GUY INDICATED TO ME THAT HE HAD MANY CHEVROLET MALIBU WINDOW SWITCHES THAT DID NOT WORK. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 20, 2005PA

ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON. TOOK TO DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED APOXIMATELY. 2003 AND JAN. 2005. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Mar 18, 200528,000 milesME

AT 36,370 MILES HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET ON 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *BF THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 28,000 AND THE BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON HIGH SPEED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 16, 200552,000 milesPA

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD THAT OIL WAS LOW, AND THAT MADE IT SHUT OFF. A FEW WEEKS LATER, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC, AND THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS UNSAFE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 15, 200528,078 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DEERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP.*AK *NM

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Feb 16, 2005OR

HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCHES.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Feb 9, 2005IN

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 03V327000 CONCERNING HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 3, 200592,000 milesIL

IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. GOT IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT. PAID $350 FOR REPAIRS. REPLACED PUMP AND CAR STALLED AGAIN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 150 MILES ON HIGHWAY. LUCKILY (WIFE AND OUR 2 KIDS WERE WITH ME AND IT WAS 15 DEGREES F OUTSIDE) IT RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME ANOTHER 100 MILES AWAY. TOOK IT TO DEALER (OGDEN CHEVROLET-630-986-8000) TO GET IT CHECKED. WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A BAD INTAKE GASKET AND NEEDED NEW WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT-TOTAL COST APPROX $1100.00. GOT THE WATER PUMP AND BELT REPLACED BUT NOT INTAKE GASKET. PAID $500 FOR REPAIRS. DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM. GM HAD MORE THAN 900 COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD INTAKE GASKETS CAUSING EXPENSIVE REPAIRS ON THEIR VEHICLES 2 WEEKS LATER, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED IT TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT 2 IGNITION COILS WERE BURNT AND NEEDED REPLACED. GOT THIS DONE WITH NEW PLUGS, WIRES AND TUNE UP AND ANTIFREEZE. PAID $520 FOR REPAIRS. FEB 2, CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. GOT IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. CAR STARTED OK AND COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND WOULD NEED REPLACED. COSTS $700-$1000. *JB

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 26, 200560,000 milesMO

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNS ON THE LIGHTS, THEY WON'T WORK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETECT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *TC

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 26, 2005MA

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN STALLING WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE ROAD. TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Jan 25, 200510,000 milesNE

HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. BAD SWITCH CAUSES HAZARD LIGHTS AND BLINKERS TO QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN. I PURCHASED ANOTHER PART AND INSTALLED MYSELF. I HAVE THE OLD PART. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 21, 200583,012 milesUT

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE COOLANT HAVING TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. I TOOK IT TO CREST CHEVROLET (SAN BERNARDINO), THEY CHARGED US TO CHECK THE COOLANT PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ON JAN 2, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A PISTON TO MISFIRE. I NOW AM STUCK HAVING TO REPLACE AN ENGINE ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT. ACCORDING TO MCO TIRES, A HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $2300. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Dec 29, 2004166,000 milesWI

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU TWICE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER TWICE AFTER THAT. I KEEP GETTING BLACK RESIDUE IN THE FILTER THAT PLUGS IT UP. I HAVE TRIED TO GET GAS AT DIFFERENT STATIONS BUT THAT HAS NOT HELPED. THE CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 4 TIMES NOW. THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION ON WHAT THE BLACK RESIDUE IS. *AK *SC

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 14, 2004WI

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TRIED WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 13, 200450,000 milesMN

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE INTAKE GASKET AND INTAKE SENSOR REPLACED. VEHILCLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP ONCE AGAIN. CONSUMER TRIEDTO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Flasher Unit
Filed Dec 11, 200437,300 milesTX

TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 10, 200440,000 milesSC

GASKET LEAKS ANTIFREEZE. MOST OF MY FIRENDS AND CO-WORKERS WHO OWN MALIBUS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT $1266.00 (MICHAEL CHEVROLET, SUMMERVILLE, SC - 843-875-8034). TO ME, IT APPEARS THAT MOST OF THE CARS (2 YEARS OR OLDER) HAVE THE PROBLEM. THE PART SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. *AK

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Dec 6, 200466,000 milesGA

HORN DOES NOT WORK. PROBLEM STARTED OUT INTERMITTENTLY. NOW IT SEEMS TO BE PERMANENT. VERY INCONVENIENT. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THE AIR BAGS EVEN WORK.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 5, 200418,000 milesMO

I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2001. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM BUTLER CHEVROLET FOR THE TURN SIGNAL/FLASHER PROBLEM WHICH WAS LATER RECALLED AND I WAS REIMBURSED. I TOOK IT TO DON DARR CHEVY WHICH FIXED A FAULTY SWITCH OPERATING THE AIR CONDITIONER/SWITCHING TO OUTSIDE AIR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DOBBS WHEN IT WOULD NOT START, THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND ASSEMBLY MODULE. TODAY,JIM BUTLER CHEVROLET REPLACED THE LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE OF THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT AND THE CAR NOT STARTING.BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. OH! BUT THEY NOTICED A RECALL ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND REPLACED IT. THEY WERE THE ONE WHO REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME. I ALSO TOLD THEM OF THE OVER CRANK/GRINDING NOISE AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED, HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE, SO NO REPAIR. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR OR CHEVY BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS AND THE EXPENSE IT HAS CAUSED AND COST ME. I USED TO HOLD CHEVROLET IN HIGH REGARD, BUT CAN NO LONGER RECOMMEND ANYONE OWNING ONE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 17, 200477,200 milesVA

I NOTICE THAT MY COOLANT HAD TO BE REFILLED BECAUSE THE "LOW COOLANT" LIGHT WAS STAYING ON IN THE DASH. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANAFOLD AND I NOW HAVE COOLANT IN MY ENGINE AND IN MY OIL. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU. THE ENGINE COULD BLOW CREATING OTHER PROBLEMS. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED WITH MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Nov 8, 200421,307 milesCA

CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 21,000 MILES AND HAD TO HAVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Nov 3, 2004TX

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS SIGNAL LIGHT WENT OUT. CONSUMER PUT THE SIGNAL LIGHT ON AND IT WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Nov 2, 200484,000 milesTN

THE CONSUMER STATED EXHAUST FUMES SEEPED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Oct 28, 2004DC

2001 CHEVY MALIBU COMPLAINED OF HEAD GASKET AND FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. *BF THE CONSUMER HAD THE UPPER INTAKE AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE STARTER TO BURN UP. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 25, 200457,000 milesIN

DURING INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Oct 4, 200424,800 milesPA

EXTERIOR HAZARD WARNING LIGHT FAIELD TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED WITH GM MANIFACTOR BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Oct 1, 200470,000 milesGA

FRONT/REAR TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 30, 2004LA

SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON CAR WONT START. EMERGENCY FLASHERS COMES ON BY THEMSELVES SOMETIMES AND THE FLASHERS DONT WORK AT TIMES UNLESS YOU TOUCH THE FLASHER SWITCH THEN THE BLINKERS WILL WORK. DIDNT GET NO LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE FLASHER SWITCH JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ON THIS WEBSITE. I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU SL I BOUGHT IT FROM HARVEY TOYOTA IN BOSSIER CITY LOUISIANA...I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM TOLD THEM WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM THEY COULDNT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE FLASHER SWITCH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE IT BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I WANTED TO DO IT MYSELF. SO CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO CAUSE IT IS AN ANNOYING AND AGRAVATING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND YOUR CAR WONT START UN TILL THE SECURITY LIGHT GOES OFF AND YOU HAVE TO RESET IT EVERY TIME. THANKYOU P.S WE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner1 injured
Filed Sep 29, 200458,000 milesMN

WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED AND THE LEVER SHEARED OFF. THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED AS WELL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TWICE BUT THE PASSENGER STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *TC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Sep 28, 2004ME

CONSUMER STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Sep 16, 2004VA

FILLED GAS TANK, DROVE 100 YARDS, GAUGE DROPS TO READ EMPTY. HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY IN THE SAME MANNER. ERRATIC. REQUIRES UTILIZATION OF THE TRIP METER TO TRACK FUEL USAGE. ON ONE OCCASION GAUGE READ TANK WAS ABOUT 1/8 FULL, CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND WAS OUT OF FUEL. SECOND ISSUE: "THEFT SECURITY" LIGHT HAS BEGUN TO COME ON ERRATICALLY. DRIVING ALONG, LIGHT WILL SUDDENLY COME ON. AFTER DEPARTURE OF CAR, AND RETURN, DRIVER MUST THEN FOLLOW 10 MIN. PROCEDURE TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. THIRD ISSUE: WITHOUT INSTALLATION OF HIGH QUALITY TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, THE NOISE LEVEL AND WEAR PATTERN IS ABSURD. THE CUPPING AND WEARING HAS OCCURED ON 2 DIFFERENT SETS OF GOOD QUALITY TIRES. UPON INSTALLATION OF MICHELIN HIGH QUALITY TIRES, THE PROBLEM STOPPED.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Sep 14, 20045,000 milesTX

CAR PARKED ALL DAY IN HOT SUMMER SUN. GRADUALLY DECELERATE FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL BY EASING OFF GAS PEDAL. EXCESSIVE BRAKING REQUIRED DUE TO GAS PEDAL STUCK. I BELIEVE A COMPONENT OF THE GAS PEDAL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS EXPANDING DUE TO INTERIOR TEMPERATURE CAUSING BINDING IN GAS PEDAL COMPONENT. ONCE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COOLS DOWN PEDAL OPERATES NORMALLY.

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Filed Sep 13, 200418,500 milesPA

HAZARD WARNING SWITCH AND TURNS SIGNALS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Sep 4, 200436,042 milesWI

BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND WHEN I CHANGED THEM THERE WAS WATER IN THE LIGHT CASEING, SO WHEN I TOOK THE BULB OUT THE CIRCUT BOARD GOT CORROSION FROM THE WATER AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTS AT ALL AFTER I REPLACED THE BULBS. I TOOK CAR IN TO BERGSTROM CHEVROLET AND GOT A DIANOGSTIC,WHICH SAID CIRCUT BOARDS WHERE INOP AND THAT COSTED ME $47.17. 8/21/04 I GOT LIGHTS FIXED AND THAT COSTED $176.24 I HAD TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET, BECASUE THE EXTENDED WARRIANTY WOULDN'T COVER COST. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL , BECAUSE WATER SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN INTO THE LIGHTS.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Aug 17, 2004MI

WHILE DRIVING THEFT LOCK DETERRENT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONCE SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE WILL NOT START AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION. *AK

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 17, 2004103,500 milesKY

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD WITH THE SPEED LIMIT BEING 55 MPH WHICH I WAS DOING AND HIT THE EDGE OF THE ROAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT THE ENTIRE CAR WENT TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR HIT A TREE HEAD ON AT 55 MPH AND THE NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR TOTALED. *JB

Power Train
Filed Aug 16, 2004DC

VEHICLE DEFECTS OF CHEVROLET MALIBU.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *NM

Air Bags
Filed Aug 12, 200474,900 milesTX

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Aug 4, 2004IN

RECALL NOTICE REGARDING 2000 AND 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES AND THE SOLDER JOINTS ON THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH MAY CRACK. *MR *SC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jul 31, 200440,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH LESS THAN 41000 MILES. RECENTLY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL TO ENTER MIX.*AK AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. CHEVY EXPECTS IT CUSTOMERS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET AND DENIES ANY RESPONSIBLITIES. AGAIN, IF YOU INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF GM CAR IS VERY PRONE TO THIS FAILURE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILS THE ENGINE MAY STOP WITHOUT WARNING, AND THEN FAIL TO START.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 28, 2004WI

CHEVROLET MALIBU SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. DOORS LOCKED, GAUGES WENT OFF, ETC. DEALER REPLACED THE INGITION SWITCH, AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. *AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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