10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 13,993 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
I was recently getting on the highway in my 2018 Malibu and had absolutely noooo engine power for acceleration! luckily I was able to get onto the median before I was rear ended by the fast moving cars! simultaneously the 'engine power reduced', 'service traction control', and 'the 'transmission' service lights came on! then as I was getting off the highway at the next exit, I went to stop at the light and I had noooo brakes! luckily I pushed as hard as possible and got my car to stop without a second to spare! I have no doubt that 99% of drivers would have either been seriously injured, or seriously injured someone else in the process of crashing their car! I have a pretty good knowledge of cars, from racing multiple C5 and C6 corvettes, but this problem had me stumped for a while. I took the Malibu to multiple GM service departments, and none of the mechanics could come up with a reason why all those systems failed simultaneously, and multiple mechanics all said it was either the brake booster or the master cylinder. I just didn't see either of those parts being the reason for that much of an effect on the car, and luckily I remembered that GM trucks were having a major issue losing brakes due to the vacuum pump. So after an inspection I felt pretty confident that was my brand new Malibu's problem, so I went to the parts counter and dropped $330 on my warrantied Malibu, and sure enough the car was fine after that! however, a major concern of mine is that the oe vacuum pump was missing chunks of metal, and clearly those chunks of metal are floating around in my engine! so despite my regular maintenance, and even extra maintenance, my confidence is not very high, and I'm constantly waiting for the car to have another problem with the new vacuum pump, engine or brakes!
- Pompano Beach, FL, USA
- Birmingham, AL, USA