4.0
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 29,512 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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.
- Augusta, NJ, USA
Drove car 2 blocks turned off ignition. Attempted to start on numerous occasions. Upon opening door no lights, insert key in ignition, turn, nothing on console no ignition. Had mechanic check car stated it has to be anti-theft system. Vehicle has been taken to dealership for this problem before, ignition module replaced and reprogrammed, (2 months prior to the current situation). Also have had problems related to transmission, would not start in park. Had to put in neutral and push up to park while turning key. Taken to personal mechanic changed out linkage in transmission. Vehicle taken to dealership and reprogrammed. Remote does not do anything. Checked fuses and battery all good.
- Grandfalls, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. While turning the steering wheel at 5 mph, the contact heard a thumping noise coming from the steering column. The dealer stated that the steering gear failed and made the replacement. Three months later, the failure recurred. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. Three months later, the dealer inspected the vehicle again and stated that they tightened it up, but did not state what they tightened. The contact stated that the thumping sound continued to occur and was louder than before. As of October 29, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 28,000 and current mileage was 42,000. There was a noise when the vehicle was going into 2nd gear. U[dated 11/21/07.
- Somerset , KY, USA
Email (in) requesting an investigation of General Motors re their dangerous & defective products. Updated 2/15/2007 - the consumer smelled antifreeze coming through the air vents. The driver's side headlight had to be replaced. Problem with brakes. A steering gear associated with the rack and pinion was replaced. The transmission hesitated. The consumer heard a knocking noise when turning the steering wheel. Passenger side front turn signal failed. The dash light and tail light failed.
- Merrillville, IN, USA
Vibration in front end screeching in transmission when at highway speeds 65-70.
- Brick, NJ, USA
- Louisville, KY, USA