Page 11 of 15 · complaints 501–550 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 › Horn
Filed Jul 25, 200464,000 milesNC

HORN WILL NOT ALWAYS WORKS, GOES IN AND OUT. ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES. STARTED BY JUST GOING OUT OCCASIONALLY, NOW IT HARDLY EVER WORKS. MANY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED, ON MANY DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jul 23, 2004MO

PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC ANTI THEFT CONTROL ON 2001 MALIBU. *MR WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STAR THE VEHICLE, WITH THE KEY PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER FAILED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACED PART. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 22, 200450,170 milesFL

IN MARCH 2004 I WAS TOLD BY CHEVY DEALER MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS A SEVERE LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 800.00. I CALLED GM AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,170 MILES ON IT-THEY INFORMED ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AS THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THE ORIGINAL GASKET WAS MADE,THEN WHY HAS GM SINCE RE-DESIGNED THE OLD GASKET WHICH IS WHAT HAS TO BE USED TO FIX ? THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ON THE MALIBU'S,AND I NEED HELP TO GET THIS REPAIR DONE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CAN NOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR,NOR AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jul 19, 200489,000 milesTX

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT PROPERLY BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT BACK AND FORTH. *AK THE RACK AND PINION HAD A BAD LEAK. *SC THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jul 8, 200421,853 milesNY

CAR WILL NOT START AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. PROBLEM 1ST OCCURRED ON 6-16-04. ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE ANIT-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED REPROGRAMMING OF THE MODULE. ON JULY 1ST ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS DRIVEABLE TO SERVICE SHOP AT WHICH TIME BOTH IGNITION SWITCH AND BODY CONTROL MODULE WERE IDENTIFIED AS ISSUES. REPROGRAMMED AGAIN TO SEE IF PROBLEM PERSISTS. I'VE COMPLAINED OF HESITATION UPON CAR STARTING FOR 3 YEARS WHICH THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO RECREATE. I FEEL THAT THE ANTI THEFT ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN THE UNDERLYING ISSUE ALL THE TIME AND INTEND TO PURSUE THIS WITH THE DEALER IF PROBLEM REOCCURS. I FEEL THOUGH WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THAT ISSUE WAS REPORTED AND SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY DEALER AND GM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 6, 2004TX

WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ENGINE HESITATED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Jun 17, 200438,500 milesMI

MULTIPLE REPAIRS ON BRAKING SYSTEMS OF 2001 CHEVY MALIBUS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineCrash
Filed Jun 9, 200462,000 milesMD

THERE WAS A REAR COLLISION THAT OCCURED A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS FIXED WITH NO FRONTAL DAMGE AT ALL. THE REAR DAMAGE WAS MINOR. A WEEK AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW IGNITION(600.00) THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED THE PAYMENT AND THE CAR WAS FIXED.THE DEALERSHIP DIDNT HAVE ANY SORT OF EXPLANATION TO WHY THE IGNITION WAS NEEDED THAT SOON AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. EIGHT MONTHS LATER THE CAR WOULDNT START.THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.A FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALL BUT OTHER ITEMS WEREN'T COVERED UNDER WARANTY.THE CAR WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED THE PAYMENT. FOUR MONTHS LATER,( MAY 1,2004),THE CAR DECELERATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WAS TOWED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Jun 9, 2004OK

INTERMITTENTLY TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jun 8, 200452,800 milesPA

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN PUTTING KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START VEHICLE IT WILL NOT START. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER. CURRENTLY, IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON 5/28/04,AND AGAIN ON 6/3/04.*AK

Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices
Filed Jun 7, 200452,000 milesPA

INTERMITTENTLY THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE SYSTEM, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed May 29, 200432,000 milesCO

WE ARE PAYING ON A 2001 MALIBU. THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT SHOWING GASOLINE WHEN THERE WASN'T. THE CAR STALLED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE FUEL FILTER PLUS A DEDUCTIBLE ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NEXT THE BLINKERS DECIDED TO ONLY WORK OCCASSIONALLY SAME WEEK THE STARTER STARTED DRAGGING THEN THE CAR STARTED TO RUN HOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, REPLACED BLINKER SWITCH (NO MENTION MADE OF THE RECALL) REPLACED THE STARTER AND REPLACED THE GASKET THAT WAS LEAKING. WHEN I HAD ADDED COOLANT TO GET MYSELF HOME THE COOLANT THAT WAS N THE CAR WAS GREEN, THE COOLANT I PUT IN THE CAR GREEN..WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ORANGE WHEN I TOLD THE DEALER THERE WAS GREEN COOLANT IN THE CAR HE SAID OH SOMEONES BOOBOO UNFORTUNATELY YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT...ALMOST 300.00. YESTERDAY, LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND LEFT WORK AGAIN RUSH HOUR, CAR BEGINS TO MAKE A HORRIBLE NOISE I PULL OFF NOTICE THE ALTERNATOR BELT IS COMING APART BUT THE NOISE THAT I HEARD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ALTERNATOR BELT SOUNDS LIKE METAL ON METAL. $1400.00 WORTH OF WORK DONE IN APRIL, 800.00 A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THAT AND NOW THIS...THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED BY MY HUSBAND. NOW I READ WHAT I HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO, THE CAR WAS BOUGHT CHEVY CERTIFIED FROM A CHEVY DEALER. *LA

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 12, 200455,472 milesNC

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE IGNITION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed May 11, 200428,593 milesPR

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK ON A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU WHICH IS SIMILAR TO RECALLS MADE ON 1996 AND 1997. *LA *SC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 11, 200470,783 milesNY

WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM 5 TIMES BEFORE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed May 10, 2004FL

DRIVING AT HWY SPEED CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON ADDED COOLANT TOOK TO LOCAL GARAGE. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX. $900. IT ONLY HAS 44,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD ALL THE REQUIRED SERVICING DONE TO THIS CAR.THE GARAGE TECH SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS ON SEVERAL OTHER MALIBU'S. THIS MUST BE A DEFECTIVE PART AS IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACED THIS SOON. WHAT CAN BE DONE? *LA

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Apr 29, 200461,000 milesWI

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 AFFECTING CHEVROLET, MALIBUS, 1997-1998 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK IN ADDITION, BEARING IN STEERING SNAPS EVEYRTIME WHEEL IS TURNED. *LA

Suspension › Front › Hub
Filed Apr 20, 200435,908 milesVA

LEFT AND RIGHT HUB BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *PH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING DUE TO FRONT ROTORS HAVING EXCESSIVE RUNOUT AND PADS WORN OUT EVENLY. ALSO, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM HUB BEARING, DEALER REPLACED BEARING. *LA

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 20, 2004MD

AFTER TURN SIGNAL RECALL WAS PERFORMED, CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THEM WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *PH AFTER THE DEALER PERFORMED RECALL 03043 THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT SINCE THEY REPLACED THE RECALL COMPONENT THAT THE PROBLEM HAD TO BE WITH ANOTHER PART. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIR. THE EVAPORATOR VENT SOLENOID AND GAS CAP WERE NOT HOLDING PRESSURE, AS A RESULT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 18, 2004NY

WE HAD BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU IN NOV 2002 . AND IT IS NOW APRIL OF 2004 . WE HAVE HAD THE CAR 16 MONTHS AND WE HAVE WENT THROUGH 5 WHOLE BRAKE JOBS . WE HAD RECENTLY HAD OUR BRAKES DONE IN FEB OF 2004 WITH 65,000 MILES AND IT COST US $557.00 AND WE HAD REPLACED THE PADS,SHOES ,ROTORS AND CALIPERS . BY THE TIME WE HAD 5,000 MILES ON THE BRAKES THEY WERE GONE SO WE HAD TO DO THE WHOLE PROCESS OVER AGAIN . ANOTHER $600.00 BRAKE JOB . WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HUBS TWICE AND I FEEL WE HAVE BOUGHT A LEMON AND THE DEALER DOSE NOT WANT TO TALK TO ME . I FEEL THAT THERE ARE SOME MAJOR PROBLEM THAT NEED TO BE FIXED DEALING WITH THE BRAKES AND THE FRONT END ON THESE CARS . I FEEL THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN RIDING IN THIS CAR . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE . I WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM FIXED OR A REPLACEMENT CAR . WE CAN NOT PUT ANYMORE TIME/$$$IN THIS CAR WHEN THE BRAKES GO EVERY TWO MONTHS OR 5,000 MILES . PLEASE HELP. *JB

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Apr 16, 200460,000 milesSC

THE FUEL GUAGE REPORTS INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. YOU CAN GO THE THE GAS STATION AND FILL THE CAR UP AND THE GAS HAND WILL SHOW IT AS BEING EMPTY AND BEFORE YOU PUT FUEL IN THE TANK THE GUAGE WAS AT A 1/4 TANK. YOU MAY HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WILL SHOW THAT IT IS FULL. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL CUT OFF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ONE TIME THE CAR SHOWED 3/4 TANK OF FUEL WHILE IT WAS EMPTY. LUCKLY, I WAS ON A DOWNGRADE AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE INTERSTATE. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON BECAUSE THE OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY THE CAR RUNNING OUT OF GAS.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Apr 15, 2004OH

CONSUMER PURCHASED A CHEVROLET, MALIBU AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP 2-3 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC, THAT CHEVROLET KNEW THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS AN ONGOING THING WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed Apr 10, 2004TX

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHICH IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL OPERATION. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE IN 2001 FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. GM ANNOUCED A RECALL IN AUGUST 2003 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. NHTSA ID NUMBER 03V327000. I HAVE CONTACTED GM REPEATEDLY ABOUT THIS RECALL AND KEEP GETTING TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THEY REFUSE TO TELL ME WHY IT IS NOT COVERED AND HOW THEY DETERMINED WHICH VEHICLES ARE COVERED. THEY KEEP REFERRING ME TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME IF IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I FEEL THAT GM EITHER DID NOT CORRECTLY IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED ALL THE VEHICLES WITH A HIGH PROBABILITY OF THIS FAILURE. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN DO TO TRY TO RESOLVE THIS IN A REASONABLE MANNER. AT THIS POINT I FEEL THE ONLY THING THAT WILL GET THEIR ATTENTION IS CORRESPONDENCE FROM EITHER THE NHTSA OR A LAWYER.

Steering › Column
Filed Apr 8, 2004TN

MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU STEERING CYLINDER FELL APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. MY STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN AFTER I PARKED IT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 5, 2004114,100 milesMS

SUDDEN FUEL PUMP FAILURE AND CONSEQUENT VEHICLE STOPPAGE LED TO HAZARDOUS ROADWAY SITUATION. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 5, 200431,370 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *MR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 3, 200446,332 milesMD

NOTICED SMELL OF BURNING COOLANT AND TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. GM DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. CONTACTED CHEVROLET DIRECTLY BY PHONE, WHO DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PROBLEM WAS COMMON, NOR OFFER ANY TYPE OF COMPENSATION. TOTAL SERVICE COST 1050.19 (PARTS AND LABOR). *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Apr 1, 2004WI

FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 1, 200415,000 milesVA

EVERY 15,OOO MILES BRAKES FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, DEALER STATED WHEEL BEARING MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Steering › Column
Filed Apr 1, 2004CT

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TURNING LEFT STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF. THEN, AFTER THE TURN WAS COMPLETED HE HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK. CONSUMER WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, BUT SOMEONE TOLD HIM THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HIS OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLE. *AK

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 22, 2004MI

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A HOSPITAL PARKING STRUCTURE THE GAS THROTTLE GOT STUCK AND I HIT A BRICK WALL APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MILES IN HOUR. I WAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET FROM THE WALL SO IT WAS A HARD IMPACT. THE AIRBAGS INFLATED IN I HAD MINOR DAMAGES TO MY FACE AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS APPROXIMATELY GOING 2-3 MILES IN HOUR BECAUSE I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED AND MY HUSBAND AND I ARE NOW IN THE DEFICIT OF $4,000 AFTER THE INSURANCE PAYOFF.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Mar 16, 200460,000 milesIL

DRIVER SIDE DOOR CLICKS LOUDLY WHILE OPENING/CLOSING, IS IT A BAD HINGE? ONE OTHER PERSON HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. DOES NOT FEEL LIKE A LUBE PROBLEM. AFRAID BAD HINGE MAY BREAK/MOVE CAUSING DOOR TO SHIFT. TURN INDICATOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY-SAW ON YOUR SITE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THIS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2004PA

I AM TRYING TO SELL A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS FOR MY DAD WHO IS 86 YEARS OLD AND CANNOT BECAUSE OF A START UP NOISE THAT DOESN'T GO AWAY TILL THE ENGINE WARMS UP. I HAVE LOST 4 BUYERS SO FAR. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS ONLY 5600 MILES ON IT. I HAVE FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN SAYING THERE CAN BE A NOISE FROM CYLINDER 1 THRU 4. THIS IS INTERFERING WITH THE RESALE OF THE CAR AS NO ONE TRUST IT. I HAD IT ANALYZED BY THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PISTON SLAP. AND IT WOULD COST AROUND 1600.00 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. GM AGREED TO GO HALF AND HALF BUT THEN THE DEALER SAID IF THE PISTON SLAP HAD DAMAGED THE CYLINDER IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. THIS TO ME IS A DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BECAUSE AS I STATED BE FORE THE CAR HAS ONLY 5600 MILES ON IT. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] IF NEED BE. THANK YOU. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Mar 12, 200440,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER ADDED COOLANT, AND NOTICED COOLANT STAINS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS BAD.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Filed Mar 8, 2004TX

THE CAR TURND OFF AND DOORS LOCKED. KNOCKING NOISES AT ENGINE AND EGR SCENSOR CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON/ VERY POOR QUALITY. *AK

Tires
Filed Mar 8, 200445,000 milesCA

BOTH PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE FLAT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE BECAUSE THE AIR WAS SEEPING OUT. THE BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK

Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices
Filed Mar 2, 200464,432 milesFL

ANTI THEFT SYSTEM THAT IS INSTALLED IN MY CAR KEEPS GOING OUT. WHEN IT DOES GO OUT MY CAR WILL NOT TART AND I HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SHIP TO HAVE IT EITHER REPLACED OR REPROGRAMMED. I JUST HAD IT IN THE SHOP ON 2-27-04 AND THEY SO CALLED REPROGRAMMED IT AND NOW ON 3-1-04 I WENT TO THE STORE AT 7 PM COME BACK OUT TO GO HPME AND MY CAR WILL NOT CRANK. IT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP TO BE SERVOCED AGAIN. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. IN THIS CAR. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH OUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 1, 2004TN

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE LOST POWER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Feb 24, 200456,000 milesCA

THE TURNING SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTION ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE. GM HAS INFORMED ME MY VEICHLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 19, 200449,956 milesIL

ANTI-FREEZE LEAKS FROM ENGINE. AREA OF LEAK SEAMS TO BE AROUND THE MANIFOLD OR HEADS. THIS CAUSES FUMES TO INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND MAKES THE OCCUPATES DIZZY OR WITH HEADACHES.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Feb 13, 200450,000 milesCO

THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED VIBRATIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TURNED AND PADS REPLACED BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 13, 200450,000 milesCO

ENGINE HAS EXPERIENCED "VALVE-SLAP" SINCE APPROX 5000 MILES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THIS IS INHERENT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE TO MAKE IT ECONOMICAL. CHEVROLET OFFERED 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE. THE (CHECK ENGINE) LIGHT ACTIVATED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. CODE INDICATED "SMALL EMISSIONS LEAK". MADE SURE GAS CAP WAS ON TIGHT, THEN CLEARED CODE WITH READER - ISSUE RESOLVED. APPROX A MONTH AGO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. CODE WAS P1404 (TEMPORARY CODE). TRIED TO CLEAR OUT CODE WITH READER, CAME BACK. DEALER ADVISED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY EGR VALVE SO REPLACED THE EGR VALVE WITH GENUINE CHEVEY PART, CLEARED CODE WITH READER - APPROX 20 MILES LATER (CHECK ENGINE) LIGHT BACK ON. I SUSPECT THAT ISSUE IS RELATED TO THE VALVE-SLAP PROBLEM AND RELATED WEAR ON PISTONS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 30, 200443,163 milesNY

I HAVE 43,000 MILES ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAVE BEEN TOLD MY HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING. ANTI FREEZE IS LEAKING EXTERNAL TO THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR MAINTAINED AND SEE NO REASON A HEAD GASKET SHOULD FAIL WITH ONLY 43,000 MILES, THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. IF THE LOCAL MECHNIC'S KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHY HASN'T CHEVROLET BEEN MADE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS DEFECT AT THERE COST INSTEAD OF THE CONSUMER FOR A KNOW DEFECT.

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed Jan 21, 2004HI

TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 200417,000 milesNY

THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE FLEX WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS HAS RESULTED IN UNEVEN AND PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS. THE PADS WERE REPLACED TWICE, ONCE AT 17,000 MILES AND ONCE AT 30,000. THE ROTORS WERE REMACHINED AT 17,000 MILES, REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES AND RESURFACED AT 33,000. THE FLEXING OF THE CALIPER CAUSES MISALIGNMET OF THE GUIDE PINS, CAUSING THE CALIPER TO HANG UP. AS A RESULT ONLY THE INNER BRAKE PAD IS STOPPING THE CAR. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO WEAR ON THE OUTER PAD. THE INNER PADS SHOW SIGNS OF OVERHEATING, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE ROTORS TO WARP (PULSATING), AND BRAKE FADE IN A PANIC STOP. THE CONSTANT FLEXING COULD ALSO COMPRIMISE THE INTGERITY OF THE ALUMINUM CALIPERS OVER TIME. GM CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE CHECKED THE NHTSB WEB SITE AND FOUND 28% OF THE COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THIS VEHICLE WERE BRAKE RELATED AND ALMOST ALL COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS CONDITION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 2004NC

** I DON'T HAVE ALL THE ABOVE INFO AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. BOUGHT 11/01- HIT POTHOLE 12/01, REPLACED TWO PASSENGER WHEELS(BENT) AND COMPLAINED OF "THUMPING" NOISE. DEALER 2X CLAIMED NOT TO HEAR NOISE. CAR WOULD NOT START ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS STARTING 5/02. PAID 111.00 FOR RENTAL WHILE DEALER INSPECTED. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. NEXT WEEK, FAILED TO START AGAIN, 800# TECH ADVICE TOLD ME ABOUT "ANTI-THEFT" WAS ACTING UP AND GAVE ME PROCEDURES TO START CAR. "ANTI-THEFT" SYSTEM HAS SINCE QUIT WORKING. AUTO IN "VERY MINOR" FENDER BENDER" IN 10/02, THAT WEEK DRIVER DOOR HINGE STARTED "CRACKLING", HANGING UP. INSURANCE COMPANY BODY SHOP SAID "NO RELATION" TO MINOR ACCIDENT. HINGE HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND NOT WORKING AT ALL SINCE THEN. 7/03 DRIVER POWER WINDOW "FELL DOWN" UPON ATTEMPT TO OPEN AS NORMAL WITH POWER BUTTON. OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN/ARE: REAR PASSENGER SPEAKER DOESN'T WORK, INTERIOR LIGHT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, "" BLINKERS/EMER. FLASHERS"" HAVE QUIT WORKING PROPERLY ABOUT 4 TO 6 MONTHS AGO. (THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I LIVE 'UP' A BLIND DRIVEWAY ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD)?!! 1ST WEEK I HAD THE CAR I NOTICED MOTOR RATTLED PRETTY LOUDLY UPON START UP. QUESTIONED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS "LIFTER BLEED DOWN" AND DEALER WAS WAITING ON GM FOR REMEDY, IF AVAILABLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS USED WITH NEW WARRANTY IN PLACE, ABOUT 23,300 MILES ON 36/36000 NEW CAR WARRANTY AS WELL AS BOUGHT A 1500.00 EXT

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Filed Jan 12, 200455,000 milesTX

INTERMITTENTLY, THE EXTERIOR SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE INTERIOR FLASHERS OPERATE NORMALLY, BUT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT RESPOND. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH IF THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH IS PUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK. *PH

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Filed Jan 8, 200474,000 milesTX

HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS SWITCH FAILED. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 7, 2004PR

AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT.*MR *CB *JB

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Jan 5, 200434,000 milesIL

TURN SIGNAL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

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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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