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8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$400
Average Mileage:
72,800 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replaced tie rod (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
2004 Chevrolet Malibu suspension problems

suspension problem

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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #3

Aug 152011

Malibu LT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This letter was sent to GM on August 2011 and never received any solution, nor answer of any kind.

QUOTE: Dear sirs, I own a Malibu built in the USA and bought in Mexico, model 2004, now with 65,000 km. Two years ago a noise came out from the steering wheel and they had to change the steering column and the arrow(?) Now the same noise appeared and they say at the garage that I have to pay again for a new steering column and arrow. I understand that the warranty of the pieces and the car expired, what I don't understand is that such a fine vehicle fails on such important piece every 30,000 km. I already call the 800 number in Mexico and they told me they can't do anything. I'm requesting that General Motors pay for this reparation and to make a recall for these pieces. This is a lot of money (more than 13,000 pesos) and this would be the third steering column and arrow to be changed in a vehicle with only 65,000 km traveled. I'm requesting help from the factory, not from the dealers who can't make this decision.

This is the letter I sento to GM en México, and the response telling to call the 1800 number so they can study my case. They never answer:

QUOTE: El día de hoy envié el correo adjunto a GM para solicitar la reposición de la columna de la dirección y la extensión, o varilla, o flecha (no sé cómo se llama) de mi automóvil. Hace dos años estas piezas fallaron y tuve cambiarlas porque, según me dijeron, la original salió defectuosa. Ahora, tan solo dos años después, aparece nuevamente el tronido y me vuelven a decir lo mismo en la agencia: que hay que cambiar la columna de la dirección y la otra pieza. Es una reparación de $13,000.00 que no tendría por qué pagar si el automóvil hubiera cumplido con los estándares de producción. En el número ochocientos, al que llamé dos veces, me respondieron que no pueden ni harán nada, salvo apresurar el tiempo de reparación. Eso también lo puedo hacer yo. No me sirve su respuesta.

Yo les pregunto: ¿Cuánto tiempo o kilometraje se supone que debe durar una columna de la dirección? porque a juzgar por mi experiencia, hay que cambiarla cada dos cambios de aceite, y en el manual de propietario, en ningún lado dice que cada 30,000 km. hay que cambiar la columna de la dirección.

SEÑORES: ESTAS PIEZAS NO FORMAN PARTE DEL MANTENIMIENTO NORMAL DE NINGÚN AUTO. Si la original sale defectuosa y los reemplazos también salen defectuosos ¿no les parece a ustedes que quien está cometiendo errores es la fábrica?

Pregunto: ¿por qué tengo que pagar la construcción de auto, más los impuestos, más los mantenimientos, más los errores de construcción? Yo he sido empresaria y sé perfectamente la obligación y el compromiso que representa cumplir con lo que uno ofrece.

Entiendo que una pieza pueda fallar, ni modo, a todos nos toca algo defectuoso en algún momento, pero de ahí a cargar con errores de ingeniería, no señores, no le pueden ustedes pedir al cliente que asuma la responsabilidad del fabricante, y permítanme recordarles que el cliente soy yo, no la fábrica.

Ya envié un correo a Estados Unidos, estoy redactado un correo para Profeco y espero que la respuesta de ustedes sea en mi beneficio. Solicito, con todo respeto, que se repare mi auto con cargo a General Motors y, que se haga un recall por la columna de la dirección y la extensión, o como se llame la pieza.

Ya sé que ustedes me van a decir que la garantía A y B, etc. de las piezas expira los seis meses; lo que yo quiero no es que ni la agencia, ni servicio a clientes me regale nada, lo que pido es que la fábrica responda por piezas que no están funcionando y cumpla con lo que la misma GM dice: "As a member of the Chevy family, you’re very important to us and a big reason why we’re one of America’s most iconic brands. We fully intend to fulfill your sales and service needs now and in the future. Thanks to an exciting and innovated lineup of vehicles, the best coverage in the business and a strong dealer network, we look forward to keeping you in the family for a long time".

Reitero: con todo respeto, solicito que se repare mi automóvil del problema de la columna de la dirección y la otra pieza, con cargo a General Motors.

Adjunto solo como ejemplo, un sitio donde se puede apreciar una muestra de las quejas sobre el Malibú 2004, aunque dudo que ustedes lo desconozcan.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Malibu/2004/

Sin otro particular, quedo en espera de su pronta respuesta. End of quote

I never replaced the piece because it's very expensive; no one would by my car because of the noise and I don't want to drive it because I don't feel safe. The car is now, mar 22nd 2013: 50,700 miles and is model 2004! Less than 6000 miles per year! How much time or mileage is supposed to last a steering column? because judging from my experience, it must be changed every two oil changes, and in the owner's manual, nowhere does it say that every 30,000 km. have to change the steering column. THESE PARTS ARE NOT PART OF ANY NORMAL MAINTENANCE. If the original is defective and the replacements are also defective, can't one think that whoever is making mistakes is the factory?

- sflores, Cancun, Q. ROO, mexico

problem #2

Mar 152010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

My girlfriend and I purchased a 2004 Chevy Malibu just last month. There was a consistent knocking in the steering every time there we turned. We brought it into the mechanic right away and they changed the rack and pinion. The sound went away , that day. The very next day the sounds were back. We brought the car back into the shop to have it looked at. The mechanics called Chevy and they didn't seem to have any answers....., but Rick the mechanic stated there was another Chevy Malibu in there with the same steering problems that day. Chevy should be stepping up to the plate here and fixing this problem before they start to get a reputation like Toyota. Chevy---your job is too keep your customers satisfied with your products. When there are this large of an amount of people who are noticing problems in their steering, it is your responsibility to look into it and find a solution.

- bradon, Sudbury, ON, Canada

problem #1

Apr 242007

(reported on)

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

It started making a knocking noise so I took it in and they told me that the wheel was so wobbly it's amazing that it didn't fall off completely while I was driving it there!!

- Brandy K., Houston, TX, US

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