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.
I purchased my 2000 Chevy Malibu in March of 2001. In early 2003 I took my car in for repairs because I had lost steering ability. I was told the sub frame needed to be replaced so I had it done. A week later I had to bring the car back to the dealership for brake problems. I was then told the ABS needed to be replaced so I had that done. Since then I have had to change my brakes numerous times. Just last year I had to replace the pads 3 times in a 9 month period because the pads had been worn all the way down. During that 9 month period I also had to replace the calipers and rotors once then a week later the rotors had to be resurface again. Now I am having to have my brake pads replaced again this weekend. So that makes a total of 4 brake pad changes in less than a years time.
2000 Chevrolet Malibu sedan with rusted left and right brackets that are welded to the K frame and hold the steering arm* the consumer had persistent problems with the brakes.
I have a 2000 Chevy Malibu. As many Malibu owners my car has the same issues. Blower fan doesn't work on setting 1 and 2, rear speakers don't work in cold weather, rear tail lights don't always work, weird braking issues in the cold, and air circulation button changes from closed to open automatically. These are just some electrical issues with the car and I think I found the root cause. The windshield rubber seal on my car was unattached from the window outside at the bottom on the passenger side. I found out because after a heavy rain a lot of water was showing on the floor of the passenger side. The water damages has been happening for years. I found water sitting in the plastic molding right under the blower fan. Water corroding the electrical cables on the floor. Water tracks over the computer board located under the glove box. I've informed Chevrolet and ask for them to create a tsb but they denied my request.
: the contact stated while coming to a stop from 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and did not respond. The vehicle's front passenger side collided with another vehicle. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle occupants received minor injuries, although the seatbelts were worn. The vehicle was towed to an auto body and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not inspected to determine the cause of the brake failure.
Front brakes are continuously wearing before they should. Front brake line collapsed. Front left brake pads replaced within a month because of wearing too quickly. Replaced brakes and rotor.
- Merrimack, NH, USA
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2000 Chevrolet Malibu developed problems with the brakes. The brake have had to be replaced three times, 24666, 37158 and 49592 miles. The first time the manufacturer fixed them under warranty. The other times they claimed it was normal wear and tear. The last time the brakes failed the front disc pads had worn into the rotors.
This car has been one problem after another. The day after we leased the car it was in the shop for the brakes, the car has had 2 engines in it. The transmission has been rebuilt. The brakes are still not correct. Transmission is slipping again and the 3 year warranty is up. We complained to Chevrolet and the BBB. To no avail they seemed to be on Chevrolet's side in the case. We were to the point that we were just going to let the car go back but that would only hurt my husband's credit more then it was already. We had to keep the car through the lease. This left a really bad tast in my mouth for purchasing new vehicles because you are stuck with it for the duration of the lease or purchase.
A/C turns off or goes on and off (light flashes). Dealer states cause as failed control head. Brakes have been chronic pulsing that causes the car to shudder, esp. When applying brakes from speeds of 30+ mph. At various repair attempts rotors have been turned, replaced (at 22K miles), new hub assembly installed. Six attempts were made to repair under warranty. Just had new brakes and shim kit installed but don't trust that this will fix problem based on past experience.
2000 Chevrolet Malibu bought with 120,000 miles on it. Less than a week after getting this car for $5500, when retail on the car was $8300, I had to replace the intake manifold gasket and the valve cover gaskets because they were leaking coolant. Also, the brakes shudder and vibrate whenever applied, even at speeds less than 25 mph. Half a week later, the gas gauge fell to zero while normal driving and the low gas light came on, even though I had just filled the car up two days prior. There was plenty of gas in the car, about 3/4 of a tank. Also, the tranmission is slipping now when I speed up. When I speed up the car does not shift into 1st gear right away until 4000 RPM. When it does shift, it shift with a large jolt that shakes the entire car. There was no warning before the gas light came on, and I find the car to only now have all of these problems. Also, the car smells of gasoline and leaks, even though I had it fixed.
Consumer stated that brake line indicator light did not come on to inform her that she needed brakes or there was a problem with the brakes. She would hear a funny noise sometimes. Then, she took vehicle to the dealer where she purchased vehicle, and after examining the vehicle, was told she needed brakes, and that the calipers on driver's side were going out. They wanted to charge her $140 to turn rotors, and put brakes on the vehicle. She has had the vehicle only one month. Also, consume rgot stranded, and had vehicle to the dealer. Deale rfound that the battery post was corroded, she was told that vehicle needed a new battery.
When trying to make a stop, there is grinding noise when the brakes are pressed. Brakes wear out every 2-3 months(paying an expensive amount for brake shoes and rotors air conditoning switch malfunctions and you just cannot trade this car in because the value depreciates the same day you drive off the car lot.
Numerous problems: Brakes made noise when applied, vehicle jerked when at a complete stop, the vehicle shut down on the consumer three times, it started loud and hard, bounced while being driven and a bolt fell off from under the passenger seat, however the dealer stated the bolt did not belong to the vehicle. Also the rear passenger window was inoperative, and the battery was weak.
May 02 my vehicle was taken in for brakes and front end noise, the brakes were replaced and was told that the dealership did not have time to correct the front end problem (which they noted was covered by my warranty) and to reschedule for that problem. I did so in July 02 and at that time, they charged me for the work and tried to blame me for the problem so I paid $281.75 for this work which was previously noted that would be covered by my warranty. My battery has been replaced 3 times. The vehicle was overheating several times: In October 3, 2002, October 29, 2002, and in December 2002. I was forced to pay for at a cost of $280.52 for the Dec. 2002 problem. In March 2003 the vehicle was taken in to the dealership again for front suspension noise, and it was determined that a right upper strut mount had callapsed. In May 2003 the vehicle has again overheated and they could not explain why the problem continues. The young man that I spoke with when I arrived indicated that they (the dealership) was unsure as to why the vehicle was overheating and to just drive it because his truck does it all the time on the highway and they had no explanation as to why the batteries that they were replacing kept cracking and leaking. When I expressed my concern regarding the problem and my safety concerns, he just blew me off as if I was just complaining. Once again, it is now July 2003 and for the 4th time, my vehicle is overheating and overheating. In addition on serveral occasions I also indicated to the dealership, that there was a vibrating and shimbling when my brakes are applied and it makes it hard to controll the vehicle, not once would they address the issue with me nor have I been notified or any defects or recalls with the brake system for the 2000 Chevy Malibu. I am very concerned with my safety. In addition, my tires continuously loose air and the tread is separation from my left rear tire.
When the vehicle hit a pot hole, the engine shut down, the dealer inspected the vehicle 4 times, however the problem could not be duplicated.. also when the brakes were applied, the vehicle did not stop, the brakes had to be re-applied in order to get the vehicle to stop.
The problems experienced are as followed: Defective/shorted turn signal(replaced, check engine warning lamp, 5 attempted repairs of noises/knocking in the front end/suspension/steering (which have tsb's), brakes/rotors, faulty ignition wires, poor performance/stalling, uneven tire wear, inaccurate fuel gauge readings, and no cruise control or horn. The dealer could never duplicate any of the problems. Refer to ODI#10013971 mr scc
Front/rear suspension-squawking noise -GM well aware of this issue hazard lights - have gone out twice. Fuel integrity - erratic fuel reading - shows 1/4 tank - when in reality there is no gas. I have ran out of gas approximately 7 times - several times late at night. No cruise control - GM would not repair. Brakes pads/rotors - have replaced 3 times. My local dealer rotolo Chevrolet and GM customer service would do nothing. It was expensive. Premature tire wear - two sets of tires. Cars runs hot - would never go on a trip - because it would get too near overheating. I was afraid of getting stranded in the middle of the desert. Engine ticking noise - local dealer said this was normal. Now, I find none of these things were normal and many, many more car owners have experienced the same type of problems. Also, I had a battery that exploded while car was under warranty. It was my problem. Dealership would not replace battery. I finally had enough and turned this automobile back to gmac. Is it going to take people getting killed to make GM responsible for these issues with the 2000 Malibu. All of these problems were reported to the dealer, but since nothing could be duplicated, even though GM was aware of these issues, they would do nothing. After the car was out of warranty, the dealership was more than willing to correct these issues. The problem I have is the deception.....GM is aware of these issues and have been for some time. Someone needs to hold then accountable.
Consumer stated that when applying the brakes the brake pedal would go to the floor causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.
I bought my Chevy Malibu 02/01 and I have 39,000 miles and already I had problems with the air condition switch. The ac settings change on their own as you are driving the car. This causes the compressor to turn on and off, eventually causing premature compressor failure. My brakes were squeaking so I went to just brakes to get them changed and it cost $636. I had to have a four wheel friction reline, disc pads rf and lf, brake shoes relined rr and lr, rotors were new (could not cut) machine rf lf, drum machine rr lr, wheel cylinders new rr lr, bleed, flush, fill and adjust brake system, etc. I went to the dealer and they said "because I did not bring the vehicle to them, to get serviced there was nothing they could do about it because they did not look at the material." Even though I had the material for them to look at. So I guess I have to eat the $700 just because of their defective material.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Los Angeles, CA, USA