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.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. When attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact had to restart the vehicle in order for it to resume normal operation. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 8,700.
I went to get air in tire. Got back in my car and started it up. It started shaking real bad and engine light came on, check engine light came on, and a thing about loss of power. I was only 5 minutes from home so I went back home. It wouldn't get over 25 miles an hour. I called edward Chevrolet in birmingham, al. They told me to get car to them but not drive it. They called me back and said it wasn't under warranty. I don't even have 100,000 on it. I read on line other people had this problem but they say it's not on recall. Why" how many people have to die or children" I didn't read of any deaths just almost. I can't believe people have to die to get something done. I was lucky and not far from home. It could have stopped on me in middle of road. I've never got any recall notices. I told the lady at edwards chev. The same thing.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle decelerated and the electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle reduced speed and an unknown warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
While driving the vehicle did not shift in the 45-55mph range, ( I'm guessing 5th gear as I do not know how many gears it has ) then again the same issue at 25 mph. Repeated multiple times through the drive home.
- Hudson, FL, USA
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Bought used in November 2013 with 23,000 miles. Car's resistant to acceleration attempts, loses power at varying speeds from 30 mph and up. Vehicle brought in, dealer stated there were no problems. The problem is very intermittent, that is to say it doesn't do it all the time but this has left me in a dangerous spot while changing lanes or pulling out onto a street from a stopped position; I can floor the gas pedal and it sluggishly accelerates. The RPM often races when trying to accelerate at highway speeds after having to slow down for traffic issues. This car does not get close to the quoted fuel mileage that it is supposed to for an lt; my sole reason for purchasing this car.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the reduce power mode warning message illuminated as the acceleration decreased to 20 mph independently. This failure recurred every 22 miles traveled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
While driving the vehicle on interstate 270 at around 50 to 60 mph, the vehicle transmission down shifted upon breaking with a loud clunking noise. When I went to reaccelerate, the vehicle was unresponsive as though it was stuck in a higher gear and would not down shift to accelerate. This problem has recurred frequently so now when I drive on the highway, I set the cruise control to make sudden acceleration and deceleration unnecessary but the car still clunks out of gear upon exiting the highway.
I started to experience a vibration in the front end. I took it to the dealer and was told they could find nothing wrong. The problem persisted and then a noise started as well. I took it back to the dealer and the determined that it was a broken axle shaft that they ordered and then replaced. The noise went away but the vibration has persisted. I have taken it to the dealer 5+ times to be looked at and they tell me something different each time. I need tires rotated (did that), need new tires (bought them), need tires balanced (did that), need tires balanced on the rims (did that), and now that the tires must be cold. I explained that the problem persists after being driven over 30 minutes and that the tires should be warmed up by then. I have contacted Chevrolet in regards to this several times and all they want to do to correct the problem is to have me return the car to the dealer to be looked at. Each time I do this, I am left with no vehicle and fending for rides. I am currently commuting nearly 100 miles per day for work until I am able to relocate and cannot be without a vehicle. Chevy refuses to pay for a rental for an error that is clearly related to their product. I am not sure what else to do at this point to correct the problem. I will be filing a complaint with the BBB and anyone else of significance.
I'm driving along the highway and all of a sudden my power steering and ESC are lost! the car's monitors alert me but I have trouble controlling the vehicle! I finally get the vehicle to the dealer, they inform me I have to pay $1400 to fix the problem! it's not a wear and tear issue to me. My car isn't 3 years old yet! I later learned many owners have this same issue.
Car suddenly decelerated and started sputtering. Engine acted like it was going to quit and did not have any power. Would not get over 15mph. Put me in a very dangerous situation in rush hour traffic. I am very lucky no one was killed. Decelerated at a very fast rate. Dealership diagnosed the problem as the throttle body. The throttle body had to be replaced for $675. Was not covered under the 100K powertrain warranty. Chevrolet conveniently stopped covering the throttle body starting in 2011. From looking at other complaints for the 2011 Chevy Malibu this seems to be a very common problem and is clearly a defective or poorly designed part.
Sitting at intersection, foot on brake, waiting for light to turn green, felt sudden power surge, thought someone hit me from behind, lights on dashboard read: Reduced engine power, service ESC, service engine icom appeared. Light turned green, had to cross 5 lanes of state highway. Car would barely move, light turned red, pulled to side of road as best I could account 5 ft snow piles alongside road. Minus 6 degrees out. Shut car off for approx. 5 min. Started car and could drive it to first parking lot about 3/4 mile. Had car towed to Chevrolet dealer, was told it was a defective throttle position sensor. Throttle body assembly replaced under warranty. Service technician told me he's had alot of these failures and it's due to extensive cold weather. I feel Chevrolet should order a recall and take care of these vehicle problems before someone gets injured or killed. Car just ended warranty period this week, other owners should not have to pay for this repair cost if their car is no longer under warranty.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the check engine and engine power reduced warning lights illuminated as the vehicle began shaking and decelerating independently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 93,541.
My wife was driving our 2011 Chevy Malibu with 42,000 miles on snow-covered roads. All of a sudden, warning lights lit up, including "service ESC", "engine power reduce" and the car began in jolt. This caused her to swerve into the other lane and just missed getting broadsided by a semi truck. We let the car sit for a couple of hours in a parking lot. We then took the vehicle to the dealership, who indicated it was the throttle body and that it wasn't a covered part under GM's powertrain warranty. We proceeded to talk to GM's customer service. Both individuals that we spoke with us told us that it is a covered part. The issue was escalated to a tier 2 rep who spoke directly to the dealer and the dealer continues to maintain that in their communication with GM, that it is not covered. We are so frustrated. We are 2 months from turning our vehicle in and were considering another GM lease, but I'm pretty sure we will be going with another manufacturer, since GM has opted to take this position. The dealer has offered to split the cost of the repair with us, but to me, this issue was not caused by the driver. This is a defective part. It should either be covered under warranty, a recall should be issued or some other type of resolve. This car now sits in our garage and acts this way when we start it.
I was at a stop trying to make a left turn across traffic at 7pm. When I had a chance to go my car would not go forward. It would only rev. I threw it in park then to drive...nothing. Tried manual. Nothing. Reverse was all that worked. Thankfully I was able to reverse out of intersection. Had wrecker take to the dealership. Friday night they tell me car is ready that the chip in transmission went out. Go Saturday to get it and when I turned car on it read "service air bag". they tried to clear code but failed. Said that there was a true problem and would look at it Monday the 20th. Just got a call saying the air bag chip shorted out and generally all in all is a $700 fix. They allegedly spoke to GM who said just charge $100 deductible. Due to some issues I had with dealership they said they would only charge me $50 and they would cover the rest. I do not have my car back yet as they are working on it still. Glad I still had powertrain warranty so right now the only out of pocket cost with this whole ordeal will be the $50. However I feel I nor anyone else should have to pay since I was told this is a "known &common" issue.
I was driving on the highway and out of no where the check engine light came on. My car than started to jerk like it was running out of oxygen, the car felt like it didn't want to shift in gear.. took to have check and come to find out its the (tcm) transmission control module which isn't covered under warranty for and extra two thousand dollars from santander consumer and bronx Suzuki/victory in bronx, NY. I have been ripped off in a car payment that's more than the car is worth.
I purchased this Malibu in March 2011, new. I currently have less than 26K miles on the car. The car has been at the dealer multiple times for the same issue. While accelerating (usually) between 25 and 35 mph the car seems to lose its ability to shift gears and the tachometer will go to 4000 plus with no acceleration. Its as if the transmission was shifted to neutral and pressing on the gas pedal. This first started happening in the first year of ownership (exact mileage noted above may not be totally accurate) and the car was brought to keyes Chevrolet, where purchased. They said they noticed the defect and apparently did an overhaul (?) on the transmission and kept the car for several days. My guess is they had no problem with doing an initial repair as they would be reimbursed by GM ($1500?). new or similar repairs or issues may be more difficult for reimbursement, as GM will say they fixed it already and paid once!!!!! I try and maintain a log in the car of the transmission issues. Probably have at least 25 times noted and logged in 2013. It should be noted that there were probably numerous times that were not logged because of timing or location or just tired of logging issues on a new car. The car was returned to dealership again for making engine noises when starting up, at least twice. One time I did not do a repair order as they did not hear the noise and looked / listened to the car. The noise has gotten louder and the shifting issue happens more regularly. I try to maintain a record of the date, time and mileage. Will see if they can duplicate the noises and shifting issues, when I bring it in soon, again. The car has recently started chugging along when driving in reverse, a new issue.
Car slips 1st to 2nd (RPM buzzes up) this occurs when car has been driven for 30 miles or more and when it is above 85 degrees. It also hesitates 2nd to 3rd when cold. I was almost hit in the rear twice when the car slipped between 1st to 2nd. Took car to the dealership and they said nothing they could do as it did not show anything on the computer. Note that since they looked at the car on 7/26/13 the transmission continues to slip between 1st to 2nd gear. Note that the dealership test drove in the morning when it was still cool outside and did not drive it but a few miles. I was charged for checking the transmission $84.53. Car was first taken to another dealership on 11/23/12 as the transmission was slipping between 1st, 2nd, 3rd gears (44,000 miles on car). Computer showed no issues, car was one quart low in transmission fluid. Charge was $49.69. First I don't understand the difference in price as the dealership 11/23/12 did more and charged less. Second the car continues to hesitate when shifting between gears "everyday" I drive it (in the afternoon when it is warm). I am scared to drive the car due to almost being hit. Plus I am having to pay for this when it is still under warranty.
I purchased my car in Feb. Of 2012 as of today my car has been in the shop 10 different times for the same thing. The steering vibrates when you drive and it loses power when shifting. Then, I had to get a new motor in the car May 2013, then it was rattling again so I took it up there. They told me that the transmission problem was that it needed a program upgrade and that I had to pay out of pocket $60.70 for this upgrade. Two days later the whole car shuts down on me and they are now saying that it is an app module and it needs to be re-programmed. I am tired of paying all this tow bills and fees for a car that does not run and it not safe for my kids to ride in.
I've owned the car for 18 months. November 2012, I reported to my GM dealer of loss of power when driving. Car's resistant to acceleration attempts, loses power at varying speeds from 30 mph and up. Vehicle brought in, dealer stated there were no problems. December 2012, while driving at approximately 30mph, car engine stopped running, car came to stop on active train tracks with children in car, no power steering, not able to shift into drive, neutral or reverse, park. Once ignition was turned off, vehicle would not start. Towed vehicle in for service, was told transmission needed to be replaced due to a bad solenoid. Vehicle still having problems two months after. January 2013 brought vehicle in for same issue, losing power, no acceleration, RPM's would rev and then rapidly drop while driving without foot on gas pedal. Was told by dealer nothing is wrong with car. February 2013, change oil light was one for three months, even after having oil changed. Brought to dealer to have reset. May 2013, vehicle still losing power, RPM's revving and rapidly dropping, dash lights randomly dimming without touching dimmer knob, driver's door will not open from inside and will not lock/unlock despite multiple methods, once open door will not latch to close and door bounces open again, auto start lags at time and randomly doesn't work. I have an appointment to bring vehicle in for service next Monday, not optimistic as the dealer keeps telling me there's nothing wrong with the car and they are unable to replicate, they state they are not aware of any other known issues on this vehicle, despite there being many many tsb's online for the same issues I've been experiencing. I haven't owned the car for even two years, traded in a beautiful new camaro for it to Transport my children in a safe car, yet this vehicle has been nothing but problems and headaches.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ronkonkoma, NY, USA