8.4
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $610
- Average Mileage:
- 81,450 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 119 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (46 reports)
- leave ignition on for 10 minutes and restart (30 reports)
- have GM research and fix their problem!!! (18 reports)
- had ignition module and harness replaced (5 reports)
- had the ignition cylinder(where key is inserted)replaced (5 reports)
- replacing sensors for anti-theft (3 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
IT TOOK 2 $65.00 TOWING CHARGES BEFORE THE DEALER TOLD ME HOW TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM AND START THE CAR. ANYWAYS, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING EITHER PASSLOCK SENSOR, ($150), CONTROL MODULE, ($393) AND OR IGNITION SWITCH, ($264). I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A CLUE. I DON'T BLAME THE DEALER; THIS IS CHEVY'S PROBLEM. I WENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE UP IN DETROIT; AND THEY SAID SORRY; DUE TO MY MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE; THEY CANNOT HELP WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH HALF THE MILEAGE OF MINE, AND SOME WITH OVER 100,000 MILES ON THIS YEAR VEHICLE. THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! ANY LAWYERS OUT THEIR THAT THINK THEY HAVE A CASE SHOULD TAKE THIS ONE ON. THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS BUILT IN. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS!
- bharper, Roselle, IL, US
It's always something with this car. One of the screwiest electrical systems ever. Seems only the dealer can ever fix it. Costs way to much to fix. This will be my last fix and then I am getting rid of it immediately.
- Connie W., Reno, NV, US
This is the 3rd time the "anti theft" system light had turned on and prevented me (the OWNER) of the car to start it. The first two times it did start, as per the 10 min. instructions in the manual (thank God I was in the driveway of my home). The third time however I was in the parking lot of the building where I worked. It was 8:30pm at night and I was alone trying to get my car started. This morning I got it towed to the nearest dealership. The tow truck driver mentioned that he knew two customers who sued GM for this problem. One woman was raped as a result of her being on her own in a deserted area (waiting 10 minutes) trying to get her car to start. As far as I'm concerned, it should be called the "anti driver" system. I mentioned all my concerns to the dealerships' service manager. He said I was "lucky" that the car started the last two times and that the problem was the ignition cylinder. I truly think the "10 minute" waiting is NOT a safe solution when one is not in the safest of areas and may not have a cell phone handy. So far we have always bought a North American car... as a result of so many problems I will be thinking twice when I purchase my next car.
- Tina R., Burlington, Ontario, Canada
First time problem, but not the last I fear. For no apparent reason, car wouldn't start. I thought it must be the battery. Car only had 24,400 miles on it and was brought back faithfully to Chevrolet Dealer for regular service. Told it wasn't the battery but rather the anti-theft system. Cost almost me $80.00 since the car was four months out of warranty. They had to tow car (added costs) to shop to recode system. Doubt I will ever buy another Chevrolet (last 6 vehicle purchased by my family have been chevrolets). Doubt if this company really cares about us little folks anyway.
- Janet H., New Providence, NJ, US
Second time my car would not start because of a faulty anti-theft system that is supposed to help me. Instead it puts me in "harms way" when I cannot start my vehicle. I am too old (66 yr old women) to worry about my car being disabled this way. When will GM recognize this problem and offer to fix it. This time it cost me $121.90 to have it "relearn the theft security system." No wonder this company is in trouble financially. Why would anyone buy this LEMON!!
- Janet H., New Providence, NJ, US
Latest Problem (Third time).
At cost of $650.00, no assurance from dealer that following will correct problem. Replaces cylinder ($194.58) and switch ($114.82)
plus labor ($309.40)and I'm still left with fear that my car will fail to start again. We always believed in "Buy American" but no longer can afford that luxury. Complaint to Chevrolet Motors in Detroit, MI brought no satisfaction. They implied it was a problem with my car only, and not widespread. That is not the truth. GM is trying to hide problem to save recall money. They won't act on this until someone is stranded, gets injured or killed when car fails to start in a dangerous area. How sad!
- Janet H., New Providence, NJ, US
In one months time, I had to have the BCM (body control module) replaced 3 times at $200 covered by deductible thank god. The car does not start and it always happens at the most inconvenient of times. This car has been loaded with electrical problems and I feel GM should look into these and help with the ridiculous costs to fix them. I don't believe I will ever go back to GM... Imports are the way to go
- bmanphilis, TBay, Ontario, Canada
The anti-theft device twice stopped me from starting the car resulting in a tow to the dealership. Even though it was covered by an extended warranty I now have no faith in it's reliability and will not take it away from the city.
- David C., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
This is the second Malibu that i have owned. no problems with the first one but a major pain in the butt with this one. bought it brand new. had to replace the catalytic converter, air keeps going out, and now this. i have been a loyal customer for many years. if they want to keep my business then they need to fix their poor quality workmanship.
- Carey B., Thomaston, GA, US
This car is being used by my daughter for school and work. She has been stranded on several occasions, thank goodness for cell phones. The dealer has said that I will need to pay to have the anti-theft system fixed. I feel that the "Big Three" is in the shape they are in because of things such as this. POOR QUALITY!
My next car most likely will be foreign.
- Curtis Akins P., Ball, LA, US
I had the same problem as Neil, but now the anti theft light is on permanently. I was told it was approx $500 to fix, but the light being on wouldn't hurt anything else, so it's not getting fixed. Just a pain in the butt to see it on constantly. This car has been nothing but a lemon since we got it in 2003.
- Nancy D., Belfast, PE, Canada
This is my wife's car. She parks in AN ALLEY behind her job, and this dumb "security feature" kept locking her out doing anything for 10 MINUTES in AN ALLEY. I am thoroughly glad she did not get RAPED or MUGGED due to the shoddy electrical system on her Malibu. I called Chevy Corporate, and they told me that 'it had not come to their attention', and they had no recall plans in store. SO, we had to shell out 500 dollars to to fix something that we had NO PART in causing. It really is shameful on Chevy's part..
- Ryan B., Durham, NC, US
I am having the same problem with the anti theft. Car wont start this is the second time it has happened to me. Thanks to this site I know what the problem is now.
- David A., Columbus, OH, US
I have had this pile for two years. This is the first time that I have had any problems with the car, but with no warning or anything it stops starting. I tried to get it to start by stepping on the gas pedal, that didn't work. There were no signs that the car was about to die or even that the car wouldn't start again later. The car acted as though I were stealing it.
In the owner's manual, the section on the theft system states that turning the key to the on position and leaving it there for ten minutes resets this issue. Turn the ignition to the "off" position for a few seconds (10-20 worked OK for me) and try starting again. Hey, it's not a permanent fix, but it's better than walking.
- Martin01 B., Gulfport, MS, US
I bought this car 2 years ago, with about 35,000 miles on it. What a mistake! One of the problems I am having is the similiar to most Malibu owners, the car thinks I am trying to steal it. I have to wait ten minutes for the theft system light to go out in order to start my own car. I have been late for work and many other places. I have read that SO MANY other people are having this problem, how can Chevy not have the courtesy to fix the problem?
- Michael R., Wesley, Chapel, US
For the second time in less than a year my trusty anti-theft system has left me stranded. I live in a very rural area thus I travel over 50 miles one way to work. Having a theft system that prevents the owner from using the vehicle is probably one more reason American car companies are going out of business. I know I am going to buy a Toyota to replace this Malibu!
- Bert F., Camden, TN, US
i have had this car since 03, this is the third time this problem has occurred. i've paid for it twice plus the towing charge all 3 times. cars theft system light comes on disabling the car. i have to have the entire ignition switch changed to get it to start. after going over my receipts, it seem to happen every 35k miles or so. i also had a 98 malibu that did the same thing at least 4 times. traded that one in on this hunk of junk.
- kingcurt, Manteca, CA, US
when you try to start the car it will not start. security light comes on and you have to wait 10 mins. to start it. does not happen all the time. but happened going and coming to work today. Other half drives the cars and I get the aggravation when she get home??? I guess it headed to dealership in next couple of days, i can't take much more of it! to hell with the car, I wanna live!!!! Thanks for any help. Neil
- Neil B., Nashville, Tenn., US
I have the same problem with this theft deterrent system. It has been doing it for the past year. At first it was just once a month and the dealership I bought it from said it was fixed. Well it wasn't. Sometimes it has happened 3 times a day. It has left myself and my INFANT son stranded while I had to wait to start it. It's ridiculous and GM needs to recall the part and fix it for free. I am calling a Chevy Dealer right now and after seeing so may complaints about the same thing, they better not charge me to fix it. They need to pay for it!
- jamiemaryland, Westminster, MD, US