2005 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, I HAVE BOTH HEARD AND FELT A "CREAKING" IN THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AS THOUGH METAL PARTS ARE LOOSE WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN MOTION BOTH BACKING AND FORWARD, TURNS IN EITHER DIRECTION. I DID BRING THIS CONDITION TO THE ATTENTION THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND WHERE I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED SINCE THEN. THEY INDICATED TO ME, THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, COULD NOT HEAR OR FEEL ANY CONDITION, AND FURTHER STATED THERE WAS "NO FIX" FROM GM. HOWEVER, THIS CONDITION APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY CONCERN IS, AT SOME POINT, COULD OR WILL THE FRONT END FAIL WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION WHICH IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP DID POINT OUT THAT THE TIRES HAVE SOME WEAR ON THEM AND IT IS MY FEELING THE TIRE WEAR MAY BE CAUSED FROM THIS CONDITION. *NM

WHILE DRIVING ALONG, STEERING TIGHTENS UP, CAN BARELY STEER OR KEEP IN ROAD. NO WARNING! ALSO, STEERING WHEEL WILL START TO GYRATE BY ITSELF, MOVING ON ITS OWN. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON JUNE 5, 2006 WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING TO THE RIGHT. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, AND THE VEHICLE END UP IN THE DITCH. INJURIES WERE INCURRED; BRUISED RIBS AND A STRAINED BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO PICTURES TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE.

STEERING LOCKED UP AT SPEED AND WHILE ACCELERATING. BEEN TO THE DEALER ONCE, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. READY TO BRING TO THE DEALER AGAIN BECAUSE THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FOR US. *NM

2005 MALIBU MAXX HYDRAULIC SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND THE BACK SEAT UNLOCKED. *KB ***NAR*** THE DRIVERS SEAT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. DUE TO THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE SEAT, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RECURRING RIGHT KNEE JOINT PAIN AND INFLAMMATION, WHICH REQUIRED EMERGENCY MEDIAL CARE AND ULTIMATELY SURGERY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT IS WHAT CAUSED HER KNEE INJURY. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING RACK PINION CLUNKS WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT REGARDLESS OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE RACK AND PINION WITHIN THE STEERING. THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A NEW STEERING GEAR. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOON ROOF VIBRATED VIOLENTLY ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE ROOF ANYTIME THE REAR WINDOWS WERE DOWN. THE PROBLEM IS MORE OBVIOUS AT SPEEDS OF 65-75MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED IT WAS NORMAL FOR VIBRATION TO OCCUR WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD. *AK

PURCHASED CAR 12/26/05- IN FEBRUARY, HEARD A STRANGE RATTLING SOUND IN CAR ON RIGHT HAND (PASSENGER) SIDE OF CAR. SPOKE TO DEALERSHIP ONCE ABOUT IT, MY HUSBAND TOOK REP ON DRIVE SO HE COULD HEAR IT. HE SAID HE COULD HEAR IT... TAKE IT TO SERVICE. HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR INTO SERVICE. THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE SOUND, COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. MAY 26, 2006 - DRIVING ALONG AT 8:00 A.M. ON A FRIDAY MORNING - WHILE DRIVING ALONG CURVE, CAR LOST CONTROL, ABOUT TO GO INTO DITCH ON RIGHT HAND SIDE, SWERVED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID. FELT LIKE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL, ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC, SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID, CONSEQUENTLY RAN INTO DITCH. COULD NOT SLOW CAR DOWN. HIT DRIVEWAY AHEAD OF ME AND CAR WENT AIRBORNE LANDING IN DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. I SURVIVED, NO INJURIES. CAR TOTALED. PURCHASED ANOTHER CHEVY MALIBU LT BUT NEW YEAR 2006. FIGURED ANY KINKS WOULD BE WORKED OUT IN THE NEW MODEL. *NM

I'D JUST ENTERED ONTO THE FREEWAY AND WAS GOING ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT WHICH TIME I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SO I TURNED IT ON THEN OFF AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE BUT THE PEDAL STILL WOULD NOT MOVE AND WHILE AT THE SAME MANEUVER WITH CARS ON THE FREEWAY. I ENDED UP EXITING ABOUT 4 MILES DOWN THE ROAD USING AN EXIT WITH A LONG EXIT RAMP. AS SOON AS I EXITED I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND IT BEGAN TO JERK BUT SLOW DOWN SOME BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH AS THERE WERE CARS STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE END OF THE RAMP AND THERE WAS NOT MUCH TIME LEFT, SO AT THAT POINT I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK WHICH CAUSED MY PASSENGER AND I TO BE THROWN FORWARD AND THE SEAT BELTS TIGHTENED AROUND US. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO REV UP FASTER AND FASTER SO I IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR CHEVY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP. THIS OCCURRED ON YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND I AM AWAITING A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORM ME OF WHY THIS HAPPENED AND TO REPAIR MY CAR. *JB

MY HUSBAND WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE. IT SAYS IN THE ACCIDENT REPORT THAT THE BCM WAS UNRESPONSIVE AS WELL AS ANOTHER COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE WIPERS WERE ON IN DRY WEATHER. I BELIEVE A DEFECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. MY HUSBAND WAS TRAVELING WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY ON A MOTORCYCLE WHEN THE SEDAN LEFT TURNED IN FRONT OF HIM. I WILL GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN I RECEIVE SOME DOCUMENTS FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. THANK YOU *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.

ON 4-28-06 I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A CLICKING AND A POPPING NOISE. AS I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE GETTING UP SPEED TO ABOUT 45 MPH, OUR ROAD HAS SLIGHT BUMPS IN IT, I HEARD THE SAME NOISE. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED BUT IS NOW LOUDER, IT IS IN THE FRONT END. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR THREE MONTHS AS OF TODAY 6-24-06. SO THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY '06 I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG I DROVE THE MECHANIC IN MY CAR AND HE HEARD THE SAME NOISE SAID KEEP DRIVING IT. I AM A MECHANIC MYSELF AND KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG I THOUGHT CV JOINTS SO I LEFT. SO I CALLED THE CHEVROLET DEALER IN MY TOWN AND ASK IF THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND THEY HAVE AND SAID THEY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING MAJOR WAS GOING ON AND ONE MECHANIC SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A STEERING PROBLEM AND HE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE STEERING WHEEL OUT AND GREASE SOMETHING, BUT THEY WILL LOOK TO EASE MY MIND. NOW YESTERDAY I RAN INTO A MAN WHO BOUGHT A '05 FOR HIS WIFE AND I ASK IF HE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH HIS CAR CLICKING AND POPPING IN THE FRONT END AND HE SAID YES AND TOOK HIS TO THE SAME PLACES I HAVE AND TOLD HIM THE SAME THING AND IF I FIND ANY THING WRONG OUT TO LET HIM KNOW AND HE WILL ALSO COMPLAIN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL AND ESPECIALLY WITH MY FAMILY IN THERE ALSO. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES RANDOM KNOCKING NOISES. HE DISCOVERED TSB NUMBER 1973984, WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE HE IS EXPERIENCING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THE RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS IN THE TSB WERE HEEDED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT HIS STEERING COLUMN WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

MY NAME IS [XXX] I AM CURRENTLY RENTING A UNIT FROM ALAMO CAR RENTAL AND HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING THAT MY POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. IF THE DRIVER IS WEARING SANDALS OR ANY SHOE THAT DOES NOT EXTEND PASS THE ANKLE ON THE RIGHT FOOT (ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOOT) AND THE DRIVER IS PRESSING THE PEDAL ABOUT 1.5 OR 2 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FOOT WEAR TO GET CAUGHT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ACCELERATOR FOOT UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE TRIM AND THE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE THE FOOT TO THE BRAKE IN TIME OF AN EMERGENCY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, IF YOU NEED MORE INFO OR EXPLANATION, PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX] OR JUST EMAIL ME BACK. THANKS FOR HELPING KEEP THE ROADS A SAFER PLACE TO DRIVE FROM A GUY WHO DRIVES 60 K MILES PER YEAR.. [XXX] AUTOVIN AUTOMATED VEHICLE INFORMATION NETWORK FIELD MANAGER ST LOUIS, MO. [XXX]. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING ON 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE AND THERE WAS A SEVERE RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURERS VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR VEHICLE WITH 100,000 MILES OR FEWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMITATION AND WHEN CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

AT APPROX. 7:30 AM 04/06/2006 I WAS HEADING WESTBOUND ON I-290 ON A CLEAR, DRY ROAD, 40 DEGREES TEMP(ABOUT) WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE IMPACTED WITH (1) ONE OTHER VEHICLE, BOTH OF OUR RESPECTIVE VEHICLES SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL.I WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL, AND HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, WHICH INFORMED ME THAT THEY(MY INS. CO. ) WOULD NOT SUBROGATE , IN FACT TO GET MY CAR LOOKED AT BY GMC , THE INSURANCE CO. FINALLY DECIDED TO HOLD THE CAR IN SALVAGE, INSTEAD OF SENDING IT TO AUCTION, WHICH THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING, DUE TO THE FACT THAT NO RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING(EPS), OR STEERING COLUMN EXISTS. THIS IS A COURTESY(IT, THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS)TO ME, AS I HAVE STARTED THE PROCESS OF CALLING GMC AND AM TRYING, UNSUCCESFULLY TO COMPLETE MY REPORT TO THEIR CLAIM DEPT( CANNOT GET THROUGH).MY AUTO WILL BE HELD, AS I STATED FOR 60 DAYS FOR GMC TO COME AND INSPECT IT. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WHEN THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS RESTARTED(AS IT WAS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I WAS INVOLVED IN) THE POWER STEERING CAN RESET ITSELF. MY INSURANCE CO. HAS ASSURED ME THAT, HAD THERE BEEN A RECALL THAT THEY WOULD DO "EVERYTHING WITHIN THEIR POWER" TO FILE AND PURSUE A CLAIM AGAINST GMC FOR ALL COSTS INVOLVED, AND THIS IS WHY THEY ARE WILLING TO HOLD THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION. ALL I KNOW IS THAT I FOUND THIS SITE AFTER HAVING RELAYED WHAT HAPPENED TO ME TO A GENTELMAN IN A LOCAL GROCERY STORE, IF NOT FOR THIS COMPLAINT PAGE, MY CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN AUCTIONED OFF BY NOW. I AM IN CONSIDERABLE PAIN, AND NOT ONLY OUT THE LOSS OF MY VEHICLE, BUT I WILL BE SURCHARGED FOR3 YEARS 4 MO. IN, (FOR A PROBLEM THAT GMC IS AWARE OF, AND ON YOUR /THIS COMPLAINT PAGE ALL GMC DOES IS ""REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN".) (2007) WHEN MY POLICY RENEWS.THIS IS UNFAIR, AND I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON MSN.COM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2004/2005 PERSONAL REVIEWS.

ON 3-31-06 I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU FROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN LORIS, SC. IN JUNE 2006 I BEGAN TO NOTICE A MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IT IN TO BE SPRAYED TO KILL THE SMELL. AT THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT ISSUE ME PAPER WORK STATING THIS SERVICE WAS DONE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED RUSTY BOLTS THAT SECURE THE FRONT SEAT. THE FRONT SEATS ALSO HAVE STAINS THAT I HAVE ATTEMPTED ON TO OCCASIONS TO CLEAN MYSELF. THIS CAR WAS ISSUED GM CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE ON 2-7-06. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2005 AS A RENTAL IN OHIO. DRIVING THIS CAR AGGRAVATES MY SINUS AND ALLERGIES. I REALLY FEEL IT HAS MOLD IN THE AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 9-28-06 ABOUT THE AIR-CONDITIONING. THE ONLY THING THEY STATE IS THEY NEED TO GET IT IN THE SHOP TO FURTHER CHECK. I REALLY DO NOT TRUST THIS DEALERSHIP DUE TO ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THEM UNRELATED TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE HAD MORE SEVERE SINUS AND ALLERGY PROBLEMS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO IN THIS MATTER? HELP ME PLEASE. I'M NOW AFRAID TO PURCHASE ANOTHER USED CAR DUE TO THESE POSSIBLE PROBLEMS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW ONE AND STILL PAY FOR A CAR THAT POSSIBLY HAS MOLD AND BACTERIA GROWING IN IT. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HE HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. UPDATED 5/24/10 *CN UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SMELT A SMOKE SMELL THEN ABOUT A MIN LATER FLAMES STARTED ROLLING FROM UNDER THE DASH. THE FD WAS CALLED AND THE STATED THAT HE BELIEVED IT CAME FROM BEHIND THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. EARLIER IN THE DAY THE HEATER CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT RANDY REED CHEVY, SAINT JOSEPH MISSOURI 816.232.7704 THE FIRE CAUSED TOTAL LOSS TO THE CAR. *NM

TODAY MY HUSBAND HAD AN ACCIDENT. SOMEONE RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT HIM SO HARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT OUR CAR ENDED UP ON THE NEXT BLOCK. OUR CAR HAS CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND THEY FAILED TO DEPLOY. AT PRESENT TIME I NOTIFIED OUR INSURANCE, WHO WAS SURPRISED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HAVE REQUESTED THAT IT BE LOOKED INTO. AT THIS POINT WE WANT TO KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS ARE EVEN IN THE VEHICLE. I ALSO CALLED THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE CAR AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTION, HOW HARD DOES A VEHICLE HAVE TO BE HIT FOR THE SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY? MY HUSBAND SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HIS KNEES AND BRUISES ON THE CHEST. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE HAD I OR ANYONE ELSE BEEN IN THE CAR THEY WOULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS INJURY. NOTE OUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE AN ON AND OFF SWITCH FOR THE AIRBAGS.

HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT ON MY 2005 CHEVY MALIBU AT THE BASE OF THE BULB. THIS IS AN 05 AND THE DEALERS KEEP TELLING ME IT IS THE BULB I USE - THAT I NEED TO USE AN OEM BULB, WHEN I LET THEM CHANGE IT THEY USED THE SAME BULB AND THE BASE OF THE BULBS TURN BLACK AND ONLY LAST ABOUT A WEEK OR SO. *TR

STEERING POP WHEN TURNING CAR, ON 2005 MALIBU MAXX. *JB

VIBRATION IN FRONT END SCREECHING IN TRANSMISSION WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 65-70. *NM

KNOCK, CLUNK OR RATTLE NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS WITH SUSPENSION INPUT - INTERMITTENT SHAFT STEER STEERING,...*NM

MY CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX (2005, 17K MILES) FREQUENTLY HAS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION. THE NOISE IS OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE FEELING OF A "HIT" UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S FEET AND ON OCCASION SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO A STEERING INPUT (STEERING WHEEL MOVES NOTABLY). THIS HAPPENS ONLY AT LOWER SPEEDS (BELOW APPROX. 35 MILES/HOUR) AND DURING OR AFTER LEFT TURNS AND IS ESPECIALLY STRONG ON UNEVEN ROADS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS CLUNKING IS RELATED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMITTENT SHAFT OF THE STEERING, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO CHEVROLET AND HAS BEEN ASSIGNED THE NUMBER PIC3747, AND THAT NO REPAIR IS POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NO DATA INDICATING THAT THIS PROBLEM IS AT THE SAME TIME A SAFETY ISSUE. BUT AS I HAVE A NOTABLE STEERING INPUT, AND AS THE CONSTANT CLUNKING IS ALSO INTERFERING WITH CONCENTRATION, I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THUS FILED THIS COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *JB

WHEN LIGHTLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKES ON FREEWAY, TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TIRES COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND THE CAR PULLED UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE LEFT, CAUSING THE CAR TO FISH TAIL AND SLIDE SIDEWAYS DOWN THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END WHEN COLLIDING WITH THE CEMENT MEDIAN. I WILL NEVER FEEL SAFE GETTING INTO THIS VEHICLE AND GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER THERE IS "NOTHING WRONG" WITH THE VEHICLE AND ALL SYSTEMS ARE WORKING "AS DESIGNED". *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A KNOCK IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS STARTED TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED A NEW INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - THE CHECK ENGINE ILLUMINATED AND THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LEAK AT THE SENDER HOSE TO THE CANISTER AND PURGE VALVE LEAKING. *NM

LAST FEBUARY I BOUGHT THIS CAR "CERTIFIED USED" FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. SOME HOW I MANAGED TO PULL OVER WITHOUT WRECKING THE CAR. I TURNED IT OF AND BACK ON AGAIN AND IT SEEMED FINE. THEN IT HAPPED AGAIN AND AGAIN SO WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AT FIRST I REALLY REGRETTED BUYING THE CAR BUT THEY FIXED IT AND IT SEEMED OKAY. NOW A YEAR LATER AND AFTER THE WARRENTY HAS EXPIRED THERE IS A CLICKING AND THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AND I'M SURE THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY PLENTY TO GET THAT FIXED LUCKY FOR THEM THE WARRENTY IS GONE. MEANWHILE I'M WITHOUT A CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANIOTHER CAR FROM GM AGAIN. THIS CAR WAS A HUGE MISTAKE!

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AT 65 MPH, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES, BUT IT STILL PERSISTS. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/15/08*JB

UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS COMPLETELY DOWN EXCEPT FOR THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT HOWEVER THE CAR HAD A FULL TANK. POWER WOULD RETURN TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAULT CLEARED AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. *NM

THE WINDSHIELD OF MY VEHICLE STARTED TO DEVELOP BUBBLES BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE GLASS. I WAS INFORMED BY A GLASS REPAIR COMPANY THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE GLASS(AT THE MANUFACTURING STAGE). I CANNOT SEEM TO GET ANY SATISFACTION FROM THE DEALER OR THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. *JB

BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN JANUARY 2006 WITH 30,000 MILES. WITHIN A MONTH, IT STARTED MAKING CLUNKING NOISES WHEN I MADE TIGHT TURNS. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT BACK, AND THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR OF MALIBU, AND REPLACED THE STEERING KNUCKLE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR ABOUT 6 WEEKS, THEN THE NOISE RETURNED. THIS TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK. THIS TIME, THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR ABOUT 6-8 WEEKS, AND THE NOISE RETURNED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, AND, SO FAR THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR DROPS UNEXPECTEDLY. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE ORIGINAL VISOR. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT VISOR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 2/21/2006 - THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE VISOR AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CLAIMED THAT THE WERE WORKING ON A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. *NM

2005 CHEVY MALIBU 3.5 L V6 STEERING LOCKS UP ON LEFT TURNS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *JB

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL POWER AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AROUND A SHARP CURVE WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A CRASH, THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER, BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION TO THE STALLING PROBLEM, THE TRUNK LID LEAKED ALLOWING RAIN TO ENTER THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT. THE TRUNK CARPETING WAS REPLACED, BUT THE TRUNK LID CONTINUES TO LEAK. PRIOR TO THE PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO A HURRICANE BUT DID NOT HAVE ANY FLOOD DAMAGE. *JB

IN NOVEMBER 2004 I LEASED A 2005 CHEVY MALIBU FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER IN NEW YORK. (DEALER 1) IN JANUARY 2006, I RETURNED TO THIS SAME DEALER BECAUSE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR WOULD JUMP FROM 5 MILES AN HOUR TO 40 MILES AN HOUR, THEN THE ENGINE WOULD REV WHEN I PUSHED DOWN THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SPEED UP. THE DIAGNOSIS FROM DEALER 1'S MECHANIC WAS THAT THERE WAS ALMOST NO TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE CAR AND THE GEARS BURNT OUT. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NO WAY THIS COULD BE FROM A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION; WHICH I LATER LEARNED WAS UNTRUE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLOWLY BURN OUT (OVER MONTHS) WITH LITTLE/NO FLUID IN IT. FROM PURCHASE, I COMPLAINED MANY TIMES TO THE DEALER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD CLICK WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED AND THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. THE MANY TIMES I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE I WOULD MAKE THESE COMPLAINTS AND BE TOLD THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. APRIL 2008 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING. THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND STARTED LOOSING SPEED. AT MY EXPENSE, IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. (DEALER 2) THE MECHANIC SAID THEY STARTED OPENING THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED, DID NOT FINISH. HE HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE DAMAGE. DEALER 2 HAD ALREADY ORDERED YET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND HE TOLD ME THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE MECHANIC FROM DEALER 1 HAD SAID. DEALER 2 AND OTHER MECHANICS I HAVE TALKED TO SINCE, TOLD ME THAT WITHOUT FLUID THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, AND WITH LOW FLUID IT WOULD NOT BE MONTHS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION BURNT OUT, IT WOULD BE DAYS OR DEPENDING ON THE FLUID LEVEL, EVEN MERE HOURS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AGAIN BY DEALER 2. I PICKED THE CAR UP AND GOT 12 MILES WHEN THE ODOMETER AND POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. DEALER 2 TOLD ME THAT THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

THE FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNAL BULBS CONTINUALLY BURN OUT. THEY GET SO HOT THAT BOTH FRONT ORANGE BULB COVERS HAVE HOLES BURNT IN THEM AND THE SOCKET HAS DISCOLORED BECAUSE OF THE HEAT. THIS BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 BUT DID NOT NOTICE THE HOLES UNTIL RECENTLY.

DT: WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER RAN UPON THE CURBING ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE THEN OVER CORRECTED AND RAN INTO AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON, AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED TWICE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED I SHOULDER INJURIES , BUT THE PASSENGER WAS FINE. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL AND NOT CONSIDERED AS A CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE . THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIRABLE. *AK

WE BOUGHT OUR MALIBU MAXX IN FEB. OF 2005. STARTED HAVE IN PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING, IN OCT 05. THERE WAS A KNOCKING-CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DEC. OF 05. WE WHERE TOLD THERE WAS NO FIX FOR IT AT THAT TIME BUT ONE WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR. AT THE TIME WE HAD 21,000 MILES ON THE CAR. FINALLY IN THE 3RD QUARTER OF THE YEAR THEY HAD A "FIX". THE INTERMEDIATE STEER SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE "FIX" LASTED ONLY 3,000 MILES BEFORE THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. THIS "FIX" AGAIN ONLY LASTED 3,000 MILES. WE HAVE ASKED GM TO REPLACE THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN TOLD WE HAVE TOO MANY MILES ON THE CAR. 41,000 MILES. WE FEEL SINCE THE CAR CAN NOT BE FIXED AND THAT WE WAITED AS ASKED BY GM, THAT GM SHOULD REPLACE THE CAR OR GIVE US THE VALUE OF THE CAR WHEN WE FIRST STARTED HAVING THE PROBLEM. *NM

IGNITION TENDS TO STICK AND CAUSES THE SOLENOID TO GRIND W/FLYWHEEL. I JUST RECEIVED A COPY OF A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM G.M. STATING THEY ARE AWARE OF A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME THE ENGINEERS WILL CONTINUE TO WOK ON A SOLUTION. *JB

POWER STEERING FAILED 2 TIMES IN LAST 3 DAYS AND BOTH TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED I WAS STOPPED. I HAD NO POWER ASSIST AND IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO MOVE THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. AFTER I DID MOVE THE WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES I REGAINED POWER STEERING AND WAS ABLE TO PROCEED ON MY WAY. I THINK THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO A RECALL ASAP! *JB

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SWERVED ACROSS THE ROAD AND THEN ACCELERATED DOWN THE HIGHWAY, HITTING A TREE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT OR WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

DOORS ON MY 2005 MALIBU WILL NOT SHUT IN FREEZING OR CLOSE TO FREEZING WEATHER. DOOR WILL ACTUALLY FLY OPEN WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION. VERY DANGEROUS! *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, IT GIVES OUT A COUPLE OF DINGS BUT NO LIGHT EVER OR ANYTHING TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE POWER STEERING THE ISSUE IT JUST GOES OUT. THIS OCCUR ON THE EXPRESS WAY IN CHICAGO WHERE THERE IS LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR. I FELT THAT MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER AND I HATE TO SAY IT BUT I WAS REALLY SCARED. *LN

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE ELECTRONIC ASSISTED STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN LESS THAN 12,000 MILES AND 8 MONTHS. THIS TIME MECHANIC ADVISED IT WAS THE STEERING BOX NOT THE COLUMN SO IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (SURPRISE). I WAS ADVISED THE LABOR AND PART WOULD COST NEARLY $598 ($597 AND CHANGE). *TR

2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX (1) FRONT PARK/TURN/DRL LAMP INOPERATIVE AND OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. (2) REAR STOP/TURN/TAIL LAMP INOPERATIVE PROBLEMS. THIS CAR CURRENTLY HAS 41,000 MILES. THE LAMPS FOR THE LEFT FRONT (DRIVER SIDE)HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES AND RIGHT FRONT 3 TIMES. THE REAR LAMPS HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES EACH SIDE. MY MAJOR CONCERN AND CAUSE FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS THE OVERHEATING OF THE FRONT LAMPS (ITEM #1 ABOVE). THE UPPER SIDE AMBER PLASTIC HOUSING FOR THE LAMPS ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT HAS MELTED THROUGH AT THIS TIME. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST DETECTED, THE AMBER HOUSING SHOWED SOME DISCOLORATION, BUBBLED PLASTIC. THIS SUGGESTED THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM EITHER HAS INTENSIFIED AND/OR THE PLASTIC HAS DEGRADATED OVER TIME. VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWED THE CHARRED/BURNT THROUGH AREAS ARE ADJACENT TO THE LAMP SOCKET. THIS INDICATES EXTREME SOCKET TEMPERATURE AND ALSO THE RISING HOT AIR AFFECT THE CEILING OF THE AMBER HOUSING. ALL THE BURNT OUT LIGHT BULBS SHOWED VARIOUS DEGREES OF CHARRING/MELTING/DEFORMATION ON THE PLASTIC BASE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE EXTREME HIGH TEMPERATURE AND ELECTRICAL ARCING. THE REAR IS NOT AS SEVERE AS THE FRONT BUT NEVERTHELESS, SLIGHT ARCING CAN STILL BE OBSERVED ON THE BASE OF THE BURNT OUT BULBS. THE LEFT FRONT LAMP WAS SERVICED BY A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER ONCE ON DEC. 16 2009 UNDER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 06-08-42-004. DEALER DEEMED ONLY THE BULB NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT NOT THE SOCKET. PRIOR TO THIS, THE PROBLEM ALREADY EXISTED AND BOTH FRONT AND BACK BULBS REPLACED. THE FREQUENCY OF THE BULB REPLACEMENT AND SIGNS OF ARCING TRIGGERED THIS VISIT TO THE DEALER. THIS REPAIR BY THE DEALER HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. SIGNS OF OVERHEATING AS EVIDENCED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC SHOWED THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED. FEARING THE EXTREME HIGH TEMP CAN CAUSE FIRE, I VISITED THE DEALER YESTERDAY FOR REPAIR UNDER GOOD WILL REPAIR WAS DENIED. THEY SIMPLY SAID THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS IS NOT A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

UPON TRYING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING MY 2005 MALIBU TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. STARTED BRAKING APPROXIMATELY 40 - 50 FEET FROM STOPPED VEHICLE. WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS OF SKIDDING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED SINCE THE 9/23 INCIDENT. *NM

I PURCHASED A CAR SEPTEMBER 1, 2005. WITHIN THE FIRST 20 DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT HAS BEEN DUPLICATED BY BOB BROWN IN ANKENY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THIS HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AND I HAVE THE COPIES. MY CONCERN IS THE VEHICLE STILL HAS ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. GM IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER WITH MY CAR. I HAVE SOME SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. I AM AFRAID THIS CAR WILL KILL ME AND MY SON. *NM

05 CHEVY MALIBU 43,000 MILES HAVE HAD RACK & PINNION REPLACED 2 TIMES BECAUSE OF CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING ,ALSO INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. RIGHT FRONT HUB OVER HEATED AT 1500 MILES BECAUSE IT HAD NO GREASE IN IT . THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES & CV JOINTS A RETIRED TIMKIN BEARING WORKER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTER LINE OF PUTTING GREASE THE HUBS BECAUSE OF THE WT. OF THE HUB VARYING THERE HAS BEEN MANY, MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THINGS ON 05'S ON CAR COMPLAINTS WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM ? *TR