2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU Steering Problems

46 complaints about Steering

46
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Steering Complaints (46)

Sep 25, 2019

GAS FUEL TURNED BLACK AND WAS SPILLING OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THEN TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN IN THE INTERSECTION OF PALM ST N MAIN STREET SANTA PAULA CA.

Mileage: 20

Nov 11, 2018

MY CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING IT, WHEN I TRY TO TURN IT ON IT WON'T TURN ON. I COULD SMELL GAS BUT IT WON'T TURN ON. IT'S A HAZARD WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT JUST CUT OFF ON ME AND I'M STUCK IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH INCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH ANY OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE MY FUEL PUMP IS IN GREAT CONDITION MY TUNE UPS ARE UP TO DATE I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE ANTI-THEFT AFFILIATED WITH MY KEY IGNITION PLEASE ADVISE.

Oct 28, 2015

RACK AND PINION MOUNT BRACKET RUSTED OUT

Mileage: 91,000

Oct 5, 2015

WHEN MAKING A TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT CONTROL MY CAR I HAD TOWED TO A MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME THAT THE SUBFRAME TO RACK BRACKET WAS RUSTED OUT AND THAT THE SUBFRAME AND THE RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REPAIR COST WILL START AT ABOUT $2000.

Mileage: 175,000

Jun 24, 2015

I BOUGH THE 2000 CHEVY MALIBU USED IN AUGUST 2014 SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN SEEING THE SAME THING I HAD HAPPENING WITH THE 2003 SATURN VUE I BOUGHT IN 2012 PRE OWNED , THE KEY IN THE IGNITION COMES OUT AND DOES NOT TURN OFF THE CAR . THE KEY COMES OUT WHILE THE SWITCH AND CAR IS STILL RUNNING THE KEY ALSO DOES NOT TURN OVER AS IT STICKS INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING CAR STARTED ALSO . THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED I ALREADY HAD THE SATURN VUE REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS RECALLED THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AS WELL. PLEASE ISSUE A NATIONAL RECALL ON THE 2000 CHEVY MALIBU CARS TO GET FIXED ASAP. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE CAR FIXED ASAP THIS IS NOT SAFE AND ALSO IT IS GETTING HARDER TO TURN THE CAR ON AND THE KEY IS FALLING OUT A TIMES ALSO WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN SINCE THE SWITCH IS STICKING . I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT WHEN I HAD TWO PREVIOUS SATURN'S A TURQUOISE COUPE AND SL2, IT HAPPENED TWICE AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I ACCIDENTALLY TOOK ANOTHER PERSONS CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF A MOVIE THEATER SINCE THE KEYS TO THE SATURN'S OPEN THE DOORS OF CARS LIKE THE SAME CAR I REALIZED IT WAS NOT MY CAR AND IMMEDIATE TOOK IT BACK AND GOT MINE THANK GOD THE MOVIE WAS STILL GOING OR I COULD HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF STEALING THE CAR THIS IS ANOTHER MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE SHOULD THEY EVER FIGURE OUT THAT THE KEYS ALL WORK ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODELS . I ALSO LOCKED MY KEYS IN MY CAR AND ASKED ON MAN TO OPEN MY DOOR WITH HIS KEY I WAS FOOD SHOPPING AT THE TIME HE HAD THE SAME SATURN COUPE AS MY TURQUOISE SATURN AND IT WORKED HE STOOD THERE IN DISBELIEF I TOLD HIM I KNEW THIS SINCE IT HAPPENED ONCE IN A MOVIE THEATER PARKING LOT. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH ASAP I WROTE IN ONCE AND NEVER HEARD BACK ABOUT IT.

Mileage: 130,000

Jan 14, 2015 Crash

MY TEENAGER WAS TRYING TO AVOID A COLLISION RAN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD CAME BACK ON THE ROAD AND THEN THE CAR WAS HEADED TO LEFT SHOULDER AND (TEENAGER) ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE OUT AND THEN THE VEHICLE RAN BACK OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AGAIN CAUSING A ACCIDENT. TEENAGER SAID VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

Jan 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 108,000

Oct 2, 2014 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STEER TO THE LEFT. ADDITIONALLY, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FLEW UP AND STRUCK THE TOP OF THE ROOF RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

Sep 16, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE K FRAME, TO WHICH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS BOLTED, WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 287,000.

Mileage: 287,000

Aug 14, 2014 Crash

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED,ENGINE POWER WAS LOST, BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE,I HIT A POLED,BORKE BOTH LEGS, HAVE A ROD IN FEMUR AND MESSED UP MY KNEE,STILL RECOVERING AND IN AWHEEL CHAIR FOR NOW. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

May 24, 2014

RACK CAME LOOSE FROM SUB FRAME RUSTED FRAME FROM THEM MOUNTS TO HOLD RACK CAN'T DRIVE IT OR STEER IT. TO HAVE IT FIXED LIKE $900.00. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

May 10, 2014

WHILE PARKING I HEARD A NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND UPON TURNING THE WHEEL HARDER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. LATER IN THE DAY PUT IN MORE POWER STEERING FLUID THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I THOUGHT THE POWER STEERING WAS GOING OUT AS I WAS HEARING A GRINDING TYPE NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE NEXT DAY I COULD FEEL SOMETHING UNDER THE DRIVER FLOOR BOARD AND LOUDER NOISES WHEN TURNING HARD. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD SUB-FRAME IS RUSTED AND NEEDS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE RACK AND PINION; THIS WILL START OUT AS A $2000.00 REPAIR AND COULD GO UP TO $4000.00 DEPENDING ON WHAT ELSE THEY FIND WHEN THEY WORK ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY GM AS THEY USED SHODDY MATERIALS BUILDING THIS VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC SAID I SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT AS I MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR WAS KEPT IN A GARAGE FOR THE FIRST 10 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT AND HAS ONLY BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS. AT ONLY 89,000 MILES I AM DISGUSTED AT THE WAY THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE! *TR

Mileage: 89,200

May 2, 2014

THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED AND THE RACK AND PINION NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 127,000

Mar 30, 2014

WHILE DRIVING, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND REQUIRED REPEATED SERVICE CALLS TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF PROBLEM AS THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

Mar 13, 2014

EARLY IN 2011 I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH MY 2000 MALIBU. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR RANDOMLY ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS IT WOULD DISAPPEAR. IT BEGAN STAYING ON LONGER AND LONGER SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT OUT, COULDN??T FIND ANYTHING SPECIFIC, AND TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE THEM PUT IN A NEW COMPUTER. THIS COST APPROXIMATELY $550.00 AFTER THE REPAIR A NEW SYMPTOM BEGAN TO APPEAR: SPONTANEOUS ENGINE STALLING COUPLED WITH LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR RESULTED IN NO ENGINE CRANKING. I FOUND THAT AFTER WAITING FOR A WHILE THE CAR WOULD START AGAIN AND BE FINE. AT ONE POINT WE WERE TRAVELING AT FREEWAYS SPEEDS ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND MY TWO YOUNG GRANDDAUGHTERS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. IT WAS FRIGHTENING, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. WE SAT FOR A FEW MOMENTS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF WE WERE GOING TO BE STRANDED. AFTER A FEW TRIES, THE CAR STARTED UP OKAY AND WE CONTINUED TO OUR DESTINATION. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL PARKING LOT, IT REPEATED THIS BEHAVIOR. WE COMPLETED OUR JOURNEY AND GOT HOME SAFELY. A FEW DAYS LATER I TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I CONTACTED THE SAME CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK TO FETCH US AND THE VEHICLE. ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP, ONE OF THE MECHANICS QUICKLY SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CHARGED ME OVER $400. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND THE REPAIR BILLS WERE A LOT FOR ME TO HANDLE. *TR

Mileage: 51,564

Nov 16, 2013

BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A PROJECT CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE. GOT BOUGHT AT A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. PISTON SLAP!!! ESPECIALLY COLD. FRONT SUB FRAME ROTTED OUT AND RACK AND PINION DESTROYED NEEDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. LATER WAS TOLD ROCKER PANELS ARE DESTROYED WITH HUGE HOLES I WAS CLEARLY UPSET ANOTHER MALIBU WITH ANOTHER PROBLEM. COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S FROM '98-'02. WAS UNABLE TO SAFETY BECAUSE OF PANELS MISSING A LAYER IN SPOTS (HOLES). REAR QUARTER PANELS SEVERE ROTTING AROUND WHEEL WELLS AND GAS CAP AREA REQUIRING BONDO TO FILL IN HOLES A HORRIBLE PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S. AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH GRINDING CONSTANTLY AND HALF THE TIME A/C BOTTOM WORKS. SADLY GM WILL NOT RECALL THESE ISSUES NOW HAVE TO INVEST $7000 TO MAKE INTO A SHOW CAR. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF BODY PROBLEMS AND CONSTANT PISTON SLAPS AND LIFTER KNOCKING. I HAVE TO DO AN OVERHAUL OF $600-800 ON ENGINE. PATHETIC GM LINK TO THE PISTON SLAP ON MY CAR ON YOUTUBE : HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=MNTTRCTQ5MM&FEATURE=YOUTUBE_GDATA_PLAYER. *TR

Mileage: 168,000

Oct 19, 2013

THE CAR WILL NOT TURN LEFT. IT MAKES A METAL ON METAL SOUND. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE ENGINE CRADLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, AND THE RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDS REPLACING.HE SAID THE RUST IS CAUSED BY THE HOSE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING DRIPPING ON THE ENGINE. HE SAID THAT HE SEES THE ENGINE CRADLES RUSTED OUT ALL THE TIME ON CHEVY MALIBUS. I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS CAR AND NEVER KNEW ABOUT THIS RUST UNTIL NOW. THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILES FOR ITS AGE. THE BODY OF THE CAR IS PERFECT. I WOULD LIKE CHEVY TO REPAIR THIS. IT WOULD BE ABOUT $2000 OR SO TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED WITH A USED ENGINE CRADLE AND A USED RACK AND PINION. I SEE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

Sep 6, 2013

THE RACK AND PINION MOUNTS RUSTED FROM THE FRAME. SHAKING AND ISSUES WITH VEHICLE PULLING TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING BEFORE BREAKAGE.

Mileage: 145,000

Aug 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE STEERING WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Mileage: 57,000

Feb 27, 2011

2000 CHEVY MALIBU-RACK & PINION MOUNT ON DRIVER SIDE BROKE FROM FRAME. BEFORE FAILURE FONT END SHOOK LIKE BRAKES WERE BAD. CAR BEGAN TO STEER HARD AND MAKE LOAD NOISE (FELT UNDER DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD). UPON LOOKING INTO PROBLEM I NOTICED THAT THE MOUNTS ARE ONLY MADE OF CHEAP SHEET METAL. PASSENGER SIDE IS SHOWING SIGNS OF EXTREME RUSTING ALSO. TO REPAIR WILL REQUIRE FRONT SUB FRAME TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT GM IS PUTTING MONEY FIRST AND PERSONAL SAFETY SECOND. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

Mar 10, 2009

SUB FRAME CRADLE WEAK, RELEASES RACK AND PINION. *TR

Jan 23, 2005

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH THE DRIVER WOULD PUT THE VEHICLE ON CRUISE CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT INCIDENT. *JB THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT START. *SC THE POWER STEERING RACK AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. *TC *JB

Mileage: 46,500

Nov 9, 2004

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME FROM A RESTAURANT ACCELERATOR PEDAL LOCKED OPEN WHILE APPROACHING OUR EXIT. IT WAS ONLY BY MY QUICK REACTION AND COOL HEAD THAT MY FAMILY WAS SPARED A HORRENDOUS ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. JUST LAST WEEK THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.. THIS TRIBUTE WAS A NIGHTMARE, CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THIS VEHICLE AND ONLY 45,000 KILOMETERS.*AK

Mileage: 45,000

Sep 28, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SUDDENLY TO DECELERATE, AND DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, FOLLOWED BY VEHICLE STALLING. ALSO, TIE RODS WERE RUBBING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *AK *NM

Mileage: 40,000

Sep 23, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM FOR THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Aug 10, 2004

INTERMITTENTLY POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THEN, POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY ENGAGED, SOMETIME RESULTING IN OVER STEERING. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THAT POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Apr 29, 2004

I OWN A 2000 CHEVEROLET MALIBU. WHEN I WAS GETTING AN INSPECTION IT FAILED BECAUSE THE STEERING RACK WAS LOOSE, ONE OF THE SCREWS HOLDING IT TOGATHER,BACKED OUT. IT WAS STILL THERE BUT MONRO DOES NOT DO THIS TYPE OF WORK ON CARS. I WAS TOLD BY MONRO MUFFLER/BRAKE THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO A CHEVEROLET DEALER TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU, STEVEN M. CROWE [email protected]

Mileage: 48,073

Apr 18, 2004

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, POWER STEERING FAILURE, FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *JB

Mileage: 56,500

Feb 19, 2004

VEHICLE DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE LEFT TURNS. *LA THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING VIRTUALLY LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL FOR PREVIOUS MODELS REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. (RECALL#03V527000). *JB

Feb 11, 2004

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO MODEL YEAR. *AK

Mileage: 68,800

Jan 14, 2004

POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME STIFF. DRIVER CHECKED POWER STEERING AND FLUID WAS STILL FULL. *AK

Nov 8, 2003

I PUCHASED THIS CAR WITH 20000 MILES ON IT. I HAD IT FOR A LITTLE OVER 5 MONTHS AND I AM REPLACING A FUEL PUMP THAT WILL COST $650. THE POWER STEERING HAS CORROSION, SO THE POWER STEERING HAS TO BE FLUSHED. REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL FILTER, A CRACKED FAN BELT, AND THROTTLE BODY SERVICE. I HAVE THE GM EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT IT ONLY COVERS THE COST TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. EVERYTHING ELSE IS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "REGULAR MAINTENANCE". THE BRAKES ALSO GRIND AND SEEM TO TAKE TOO LONG FOR THE CAR TO STOP. SO I THINK BRAKES AREN'T FAR BEHIND TO BE REPLACED. I AM HOPING I WILL NOT NEED ROTORS TOO. I HAVE READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THE 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. I TRY TO BUY AMERICAN BECAUSE I AM A PROUD ONE. BUT THE QUALITY SEEM TO BE SUBSTANDARD COMPARED TO JAPANESE CARS. MY NEXT CAR WILL BE FOREIGN. US CAR MAKERS NEED TO "STEP IT UP", AS FAR AS QUALITY WITH THESE CARS.*AK

Jul 29, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING STEERING BOLTS ARE LOOSE, AND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND, CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

May 20, 2003

I PURCHASED A NEW 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. SIX MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE CAR I BEGAN HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. I TOOK MY 6 MONTH OLD VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. LATER, THIS SAME DEFECT OCCURRED THREE MORE TIMES. CHEVROLET ONLY MADE TWO MORE REPAIRS. EACH TIME THEY SIMPLY REPLACED THE ROTORS AND PLACED A SHIM BETWEEN THE AXLES AND THE ROTOR. THIS SAME MANUFACTURERS DESIGN FLAW OCCURRED ON THE FLOWING YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLES: 1997-2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997-1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1999-2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO 1999-2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM I COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN SAN ANTONIO SIMPLY TRIED TO AVOID ME. CHEVROLETS ON LINE COMPLAINT SYSTEM ALSO DID NOTHING. AGAIN, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS BRAKE PROBLEM. THE MAIN CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE SMALL (THIN) SIZE OF THE BRAKE ROTORS, WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE TO DISPERSE HEAT ADEQUATELY. IF A DRIVER DRIVES INTO A RAIN STORM OR TO A CAR WASH AND THE HOT ROTORS COOL TOO RAPIDLY THEY WILL WARP. PLEASE SEE GM SERVICE BULLETIN # 00-05-23-002, DATED FEBRUARY 2000 FOR MORE INFORMATION. THE MADDENING THING ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS THAT CHEVROLET KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR. CHEVROLET/GM FAILED TO RECALL ALL THESE VEHICLES, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW IT WAS A FLAW IN THEIR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN, THEY LEFT THE PROBLEM IN THE HANDS AND POCKET BOOKS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS TYPE OF CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE. *NLM

Apr 22, 2003

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

Feb 11, 2003

THE STEERING BOLT BECAME LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

Aug 8, 2002 Crash

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH OWNER SUDDENLY HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND FROM REAR. REAR LEFT TIRE SEPARATED FROM SPINDLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT. VEHICLE DID STRIKE CENTER DIVIDER. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Jul 24, 2002

DURING ROUTINE SERVICE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RIGHT SPINDLE AND STRUT WERE BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Jul 22, 2002

THE BACKSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL COVER HAD SOME PLASTIC RUBBING AGAINST THE AIRBAG MODULE, CAUSING NOISE, DEALER TRIMMED THE PLASTIC. *SLC

Jul 22, 2002

THE RIGHT HEADLAMP HAD MOISTURE IN IT, DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THE SECURITY SYSTEM CAME ON 3 TIME, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, DEALER REPLACED THE PASSLOCK SENSOR, DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATING. *SLC

Apr 7, 2002 Crash

PUT 3 SETS OF BRAKE PADS & ROTORS (AT 16,000, 33,000, 42,000) ON THIS CAR & NOW NEEDS REPAIRING AGAIN. HAD FRONT END COLLISION, HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ENTIRE FRONT OF CAR WAS COMPLETELY CRUSHED. BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES. WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A WRECK IF SOMETHING HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER REPAIRS FROM WRECK, LEAKING COOLANT - RESULTED IN BLOWN HEAD GASKET. EDWARDS CHEV & ADJUSTER SAID WAS NOT FROM WRECK - PROBLEM PROBABLY STARTED BEFORE WRECK. CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER WHEN PARKING. FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING.*AK

Dec 20, 2001

VEHICLE WOULD JUMP WHEN TRYING TO STOP. ROTORS WERE WARPED. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT ON 5 SETS OF ROTORS SINCE JAN 2001. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WANTED CONSUMER TO EXTEND WARRANTY.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED CAUSING BRAKE PULSATION. THE A/C DOES NOT FLOW OUT OF THE CORRECT VENTS DUE TO A/C CONTROL FAILURE, THE A/C CONTROL HEAD ALSO SHORTED OUT. THE DOOR WAS HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE DUE TO THE LOCK BEING MISALIGNED. ENGINE MAKES A CLUNK NOISE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SURGES. LEFT REAR SPEAKER SHORTED OUT. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEN TURNING, CONSUMER LATER STATED THAT THERE WAS A CHIRPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. *YH

Aug 29, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT A COLLISION OCCURRING DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE DAYS PREVIOUS TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GAVE SIGNS THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE ALARM WAS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *SLC

May 4, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH AND THEN WHEN TURNING ON TURN SIGNAL LIGHT STEERING WHEEL WILL MAKE A BUZZ NOISE.*AK CONSUMER STATES STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALERSHOP 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, AIR CONDITIONING WOULD ONLY BLOW ON FLOOR, CONTROL PANEL WAS REPLACED. *JB

Apr 28, 2000

CONSUMER BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE, AND IT STARTED HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS WITHIN 24 HOURS. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, AND STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. STEERING PUMP REPLACED, BUT VEHICLE STILL HAS SHAKE PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING, AS WELL AS NOISE COMING FROM LEFT REAR. *AK *ML

Apr 20, 2000 Crash

VEHICLE FIRST TOWED TO SHOP ON 04/04/00 FOR VEHICLE OVERHEATING. TOP RADIATOR HOSE SPLIT. INFORMED DEALER OF VIBRATION IN FRONT END AT 30 MPH AND UP, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. ON 04/11/00 HEARD THUMPING NOISE FROM FRONT AND WHILE PULLING IN DRIVEWAY LOST CONTROL OF LEFT FRONT WHEEL. TOWED TO DEALER AND LEFT SIDE OUTER TIE ROD END REPLACED. PICKED UP FROM DEALER ON 04/12/00 AND 2 MILES AWAY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AND NEXT MORNING LIGHT WAS OFF. LEFT FOR WORK AND GOT 6 MILES AWAY WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSON STARTED SLIPPING. CALED AND NOTIFIED CHEVY AND THEY SAID DRIVE VEHICLE THEN HAVE IT TOWED IN THE NEXT DAY. ON 04/14/00 WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD AT 40 MPH WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AGAIN AND HIT A TREE. REPAIRS TO STEERING/ABS LIGHT/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/TRANSMSSION SLIPPING NOT TAKEN CARE OF YET.