By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
*Unlike my two latest HyunKia's which were trouble free in their first year of production.
GM part #: 10392621, Blade, WSW.
Hope this helps those of you with rear wiper problems.
I would like to chat with anyone that tows their Maxx 4 down behind their RV.
The manual says pull one fuse, Ignition Sensor (2amp). I did this and was still able to start the engine. I was expecting the ignition to be disabled.
Looking forward to hear from you???
The only upsides to this lack of ability to get the awesome highway mileage I expected is that it does seem more powerful, and in-town mileage seems to be slightly better (I'm getting about 22 in my hilly Kentucky town instead of the 19 I used to get). But I would still rather have the old one back. [Aside from the fact that the '07 I got has more features and a prettier interior.]
I confess I didn't pay much attention to the engine specs because I assumed I knew the car I was getting very well since I had driven one for two years!
Does anyone know if they significantly changed the transmission in those two years, or what else might have changed?
The other difference is the Oil Life Monitor. The 04 would go 6,000 - 7,000 between oil changes. The OLM on the 06 reaches 0% at 3,500 - 4,500 miles. GM introduced the OLM system with the 2004 model year. I'm guessing that dealer service departments were quite unhappy with the OLM system as vehicles did not have to be serviced as often as they did before. My dealer refused to acknowledge the simplified maintenance schedule and repeatedly tried to get me to service the 04 every 3,000 miles, but I followed the OLM. It is my opinion that GM modified the OLM calculations to decrease the miles between service intervals. On my 06, I have been changing the oil each time the OLM reaches 5%, but doing the Maintenance 1/2 service every other time. Having all systems checked and tires rotated at less than 6,000 mile intervals if overkill and not necessary IMHO.
The inventor of the OLM was kicked out of BOBISTHEOILGUY for dissing Amsoil and other high end synthetics. Too many Amsoil sponsors to risk ticking them off. Given his description of the care that GM took to design the OLM I find it very troubling that they'd screw it up just to make the dealers happy.
Both of these comments (especially the second) would go a long way to lowering my high regard for GM products. Have any other owners of later model Malibus found similar problems?
http://www.automobilemag.com/am/99/2007/chevrolet/malibu/maxx_ltz_hatchback/2147- /index.html
remember the OLM is simply the oil change intervals and not directly tied to any other service requirements...thus confused when you say the maintenance 1/2 service....no vehicle should require servicing every 3k miles...with systems check and tire rotation as you mentioned..that is simply a dealers ploy to get you in and doesnt match the factory maintenance at all.....
I was referring to owners manual recommented service schedule. With the simplified maintenance schedule, GM recommends alternating between maintenance 1 and maintenance 2 service each time the change oil message appears on DIC. The maint 1/2 service each call for oil/filter change, tire rotation and various inspections (more systems are checked with maint 2). I don't service my own cars any more so I followed those recommendations on my 04 maxx, but I do not follow them with my 06 maxx. I just change the oil when the message appears, and have the inspections done every other oil change.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1076672&- nt=4&fpart=1
I went 7000 miles between oil changes. The car averaged about 22 mpg on my commute. Similar to another poster, my the computer overstated the MPG by 2-3 MPG, so I might have had the same issue with the car overstating the miles driven (I did always suspect this). On the highway, it would register 32 or so MPG, and I would actually measure to 30 MPG.
I now have a 2008 Malibu LTZ. The oil monitor is currently running at 8500 miles between oil changes, so I don't think that GM has made any changes to the negative to the system.
As for MPG on the 2008 Malibu, on the same commute as with the Maxx I am getting about 17 MPG. On the highway, I get about 26-27.
The engine is MUCH smoother and the car is much faster than the Maxx, but I am paying for it in reduced MPG.
Damon
"In addition to redesigning its front-wheel-drive Malibu midsize sedan for 2004, Chevrolet launched an extended-length version called the Malibu Maxx. Billed by the automaker as an "extended sedan" with a rear liftgate, the Malibu Maxx holds a 3.5-liter V-6.
That engine receives variable valve timing for 2007, netting an 8 percent power increase. Other changes include newly standard side curtain airbags, which were previously installed only in uplevel models, and available turn-by-turn directions with GM's OnStar system."
It is supposed to help on emissions and fuel mileage. I haven't heard any clunks from the front of my Maxx but I will keep an ear open. If the gas mileage doesn't pick up on the highway I might take it in for a look.
I got full blue book for my Maxx trade-in because, the dealer told me, Maxxes are very popular in Texas! So for those wanting to trade their Maxx, be sure your dealer (whoever they are) has branches or links to those in Texas.
To wrap up:
My '04 Maxx finally had a successful suspension repair up here in Oregon, at around 50K miles. The dealer replaced the rack gear and the intermediate shaft. Those two replacements got rid of the clunks and pops which the car had ever since around 15 K miles. It had 59K on it when traded.
The Maxx met its match on an icy hill in Portland. The traction control system basically shut the car down, and when disabled, the car went nowhere thanks to the ice. It also proved rather skittish on snowy roads, and its huge turning circle made U-turns or other maneuvers a pain.
However, despite its first year glitches, the Maxx proved a very good long haul trip car, one I could sit in for hours at a time whiling away the miles on the road. The cruise control was useless in hilly areas, but the 4-speed trans worked well on the same hills as long as I had foot on the accelerator. Its engine and trans give me very little trouble, and the interiors roominess (far better than many other cars I've driven) was appreciated. Also, its engine burned practically no oil.
Chevrolet killed this one too soon, IMHO: They could have made this a real SAAB killer, given that it was mostly a Saab/Opel to begin with :P The '08 improvements along with Haldex AWD would have made this a worthy competitor to the Forester and others. Then again, perhaps Chevrolet buyers have no interest in those things ? :confuse:
Has been a great car, we have 3 kids and they are fine in the back on long trips. Have less storage than our minivan so more planning needed to pack. Our mpg indicates 29.9 around town, I wish! The satellite radio is great, especially on trips, the kids tune in their silly music in the back while Mom and Dad chill up front. Onstar is overpriced so we don't subscribe.
Have had the steering popping once, which the dealer (hopefully) solved, no brake problems other than a wierd sound and vibration at a particular speed when stopping with a full car, lasts a second or two. When we do the brakes we'll go non OEM parts. Had the rear sunshade and the drivers' visor replaced, otherwise just a rear door realignment. It's annoying to have to bring the car back to the dealer on three occasions, but the only new car we've had zero problems with was our '90 Geo Prizm (aka Toyota Corolla).
We were impressed with the huge strides GM made over previous cars, and the new 2008 model is even more impressive, aside from looks. We bought our 2006 Maxx LTZ to replace our much loved 1989 BMW 325i which a suicidal deer took out. A great combination of decent performance, good interior space, safety features, and value; we got $3000 in rebates and a great price from the dealer. Have 32,000 miles and all's well, we're satisfied.
It's also the only car I "enjoy" washing, can reach everything easily. I like the blocky body style and it has just the right amount of chrome. The bling wheels are toilsome, but not brake dust collectors like on the BMW. The tan leather seats get scroungy, but some saddle soap and elbow grease take care of the dirt.
Thank you all for posting, have been reading the forum since we bought the car and your comments and insights have been very helpful.
"Maxxed out in Beaufort",
Charles
Today I read up on the brake problems with earlier Malibu brakes. Yikes. Should I assume the 2007 has the same issues as the 2003 and 2004 models? No changes?
Since I'm going to be looking at it, what's the runout tolerance for the front rotors? Recommendations on replacements? From what I read earlier today, it looks like the Malibu had a low runout tolerance (.0015"), is that still true? Not sure I'm going to find shims on a Saturday, and I'm not sure who's open on the weekend with an on-the-car lathe.
What I haven't been able to chase down... what has been the cause of the brake problems? I normally associate 'rotor warped' with pad deposition, which can usually be solved by running different pads. That doesn't appear to be the case with the Malibu brake problems? GM is claiming one loose lug may create as much as .003" of lateral runout, and the Malibus once had composite rotors? Is that still true for 2007 models?
Just trying to get my ducks in a row before I spend a day with the dial indicator re-indexing rotors, etc.
I've been wrenching on cars for 25 years, I'm not worried about screwing up and my garage is well-equipped. I just don't want to spend money on OE parts if they're going to fail again in short order, and I don't want to be stuck with .003" of lateral runout if the brakes really need .0015" or less.
While I own impact wrenches, I never use them for wheel lugs, and in fact I can't remember the last time I used one (knock on wood; no stuck fasteners in a very long while). I don't let tire shops mount my wheels; I bring them the wheels, not the whole car.
No rotors available locally on Saturday (dealer parts closed, no one else had any in stock). Pads were hard to get too... I had to order them at Murray's and go pick them up late last night. Replaced the front pads, touched up the obvious pad deposits on the right rotor with a gray scotch-brite pad, cleaned the hub faces and back of the rotors, put it back together. Re-indexed the right rotor but still had .0015" runout. Bled the front calipers, some air was evident in the right side but no leaks. Fluid was clean out of both calipers. So far, so good (60 miles put on them today). I don't have the service records yet but told her she should stop at the dealer and ask for a printout. From what I can tell, original pads and rotors. At 39,000 miles, all looks normal to me. We'll see what she says after a week or two of city driving.
Would've liked to have done the rears too, but there wasn't time. Considered leaving the original front pads on, but at less than $30 a set, no harm in replacing.
Fortunately, retorquing the wheels to spec let the rotors flex back and minimized the pulsing, though it never went away completely.
It's also a good idea to check wheel balance, as the Maxx tends to shake around 65 - 70 mph unless tires are balanced properly.
Well , I have them now on my 05 w/ 48K miles and "of couse out of warranty!"
This is my 1st Major Problem. It includes Failure of steering wheel accesories control buttons on my Steering wheel.
Has anyone found a fix for any of these issues. When I start the car it staggers and spits for a few seconds before starting and sometimes fails to start. (not every time though ~!) I've lived with it for the lat few weeks thinking it will go away with the Winter in Cleveland saying goodby. I go thru a tank of gas every 4 days so I've changed suppliers and no difference. I'll be doing a plug change soon to see if it helps- But I doubt it will. The cruise button completely failed this morning, I pressed the (-) button with no response and had to hit the brake ASAP to slow the car. Then I trid to engage it again and it wouldn't work! These column wheel control buttons are going bad too! lost my cruise and radio chanel select feature. Works only on occasion.
Of all my GM Cars I've owned- my biggest expense has been Electrial debug costs. Really! - I'm getting fed up with it.
D!
Some maxxes (including my former one) had trouble starting when lukewarm due to improper programming of the ECU. There have been several software updates - one I got minimized, but did not totally get rid of, the problem.
All in all, the best car I've owned out of 30+, to bad they dropped the hatch with the new platform. Can't figure out why people prefer SUV/CUV's, especially with $4 gas.
I STILL Love this car, the room, hatch features and all... ! ! ! THx ~ D
My car is running okay now that everything has been fixed. I'll keep it until it starts to give me problems...Dave