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Comments
GM will not back it after the seats have been messed with and certainly the leather installers or dealer will not warranty the functionality of the airbags nor assume any liability for its failure.
It was an old issue, with only a few models, where leather through a specific supplier was used and then a possible airbag issue was discovered. It is nothing to worry about anymore, and was very limited, and when GM learned of it, they came up with a plan to resolve it.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39637
Back to the Malibu...and not about the G6, and other limited past issues.
Recall Date:
OCT 31, 2006
Model Affected:
2006 PONTIAC G6
Summary:
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence:
IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Remedy:
BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM¿S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
Potential Units Affected:
794
They've been doing aftermarket leather for years, and nary a problem.
http://www.gmfleet.com/pages/submodelOptionalEquipment/2008_Chevrolet_Malibu+Fle- et.jsp
Rather than it being there, and just not having a subscription, etc., it's easier and lower cost to just delete it--which they do. My '07 Malibu rental, for instance, was a 1LT with everything a 1LT has...except for Onstar.
2009 model year.
http://www.safercar.gov/movie/2008/08Malibu-f.wmv
The rear seat backrest unlatched and came flying forward. That could not have been safe if there were passengers (or a baby in a car seat) in the backseat,
There is demand for it, but it's much less demand than there is for Accords and Camrys.
They problem is that the production is slow for some reason so dealers only get a few at a time.
They can't sell what they don't get shipped to the lots.
They will all start discounting once they have a good supply.
Chevy, GM's flagship brand, saw sales drop 11.2% to 166,166 cars and trucks.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ford-gm-toyota-all-sell/story.aspx?guid=%7- B5D3BEE1B%2DEABC%2D4642%2DBB8F%2D78339D9574EE%7D
Chevy, GM's flagship brand, saw sales drop 11.2% to 166,166 cars and trucks.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ford-gm-toyota-all-sell/story.aspx?guid=%7- B5D3BEE1B%2DEABC%2D4642%2DBB8F%2D78339D9574EE%7D
Yes, there are some larger dealers who actually are getting some finally on the lot and even offering discounts just because, but that's simply not common yet. It's a great car, and a hot seller--for obvious reasons--at that.
This will not be the Malibu of old that sold in huge numbers to corporate fleets, rental agencies, etc. and then always had cash laying on the hood. If you want that, go for the larger--but cramped inside and drab--rental special Impala, which they'll sell to you all day if you're a coupon buyer.
What a hassle!
Bluetooth is just simple. It turns on and off automatically as you step in and out of the car and you only have to deal with one phone number and one phone bill.
Jaxs1, Onstar has an arrangement with Verizon (for $69.95 a month) where you use the in-car phone as your regular phone. So you have the best of both worlds, hands-free calling and talking and a regular cell phone for everyday use. One number, one bill, no call forwarding. Oh, by the way, for incoming or outgoing calls the stereo is muted automatically and quality of the calls are exceptional. No more drop calls.
Why would anyone want to have to switch carriers just to use their phone in their car?
Not everyone uses wants to switch to Verizon (which has higher than average rates or pay a termination fee to switch), upgrade to the $69.99 Family Plan with the car as a second line and then forward calls to the car when you are in the car and then unforward them when you get out so you don't miss calls.
I know you said, no call forwarding, but how else is it going to work? You must call-forward between the car and your handset.
On their website it explains how it works:
http://solutions.vzwshop.com/OnStar/?page=faq
Q. How does the Verizon Wireless handset work with the OnStar system?
A. A subscriber to Nationwide Calling with OnStar may use their minutes to make and receive calls using the Verizon Wireless handset or OnStar Hands-Free Calling. If a customer wishes to transfer any incoming calls to the vehicle to take advantage of the benefits of the OnStar Hands-Free Calling, they can choose from two options:
- Immediate Call Forwarding - The user can forward all calls from the Verizon Wireless handset directly to the vehicle.
- Conditional Call Forwarding (No Answer/Busy Transfer) - The user's Verizon Wireless handset will ring approximately four times before it is forwarded to the vehicle.
Q. When using OnStar Hands-Free Calling, are customers still able to receive call-waiting and voicemail?
A. The call-waiting option is not available in the vehicle. Voicemail is not available when forwarding calls from the Verizon Wireless handset to the OnStar Hands-Free Calling. When using just the Verizon Wireless handset, the handset will operate normally allowing the customer to have voicemail, call-waiting and other calling features.
So you lose voicemail and call waiting if you have calls fowarded to the car.
If you forget to turn off call forwarding when you leave the car, not only will the calls continue to be sent to the car's number, but the callers will not be able to leave a voicemail message.
In addition to that, if you are on a call and either enter or exit the car, you will need to hang up and redial from the other phone to continue the call. With bluetooth, the call will transfer from the handset to the handsfree without dropping the call.
It makes no sense to pay more money for something less convenient than bluetooth.
The only advantage I see is that you should be able to get better reception in marginal Verizon service areas because OnStar uses an external antenna on the car's roof rather than your phone's antenna inside the car.
Too much money and inconvenience for that benefit for most people.
Here is a user posting. http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/1217?@@
They apparently assumed voicemail would be available for missed calls based on their comments.
Factory installed Bluetooth is coming for many 2009 GM models. Probably the 2009 Malibu also.
In the meantime, one of the cleanest looking units you can get installed aftermarket is this one that installs into one of the cigarette lighter sockets.
http://www.vizualogic.com/cig_blue.html
The last six digits of a vin number indicates the build number, but I've read that not all vin build numbers begin with 100001. Does anyone have inside information where the production numbers started?
GM does mention that OnStar does not now support bluetooth technology as it comprises the many safety features of OnStar.
They will still continue to have OnStar for those who want to use OnStar in addition to or instead of bluetooth. Having bluetooth doesn't mean OnStar doesn't work.
You still have to unforward the calls when you leave the car or you will miss calls and the caller will not be able to leave voicemail. This is very inconvenient. Not to mention that you cannot continue your call when entering or leaving the vehicle.
If you are driving while out of the Verizon coverage area and the calls are forwarded to the car's phone, not only will you not receive the call, but the caller will not be able to leave a voicemail like they would if the call went to your cell. You will not know anyone had tried to call you.
Same thing if you step out of the car to get gas or run into the store and don't want to hassle with unforwarding your calls.
Even if you already had a Verizon wireless plan, you will have to pay extra for a family plan and still deal with all these inconveniences.
The majority of people are not on Verizon and it will not be attractive at all to switch, pay more and deal with all that forwarding and unforwarding clunkiness, lose voicemail and lose the ability to transfer calls back and forth from handset to handsfree..
I own a 1999 malibu, it has a 3.1 V6 engine. i intend on finishing the car as a show car this summer, so it will not be a daily driver, just an occasional hot rodder and show off. Ive stumbled upon a supercharger for this engine. is it a good idea to purchase and install this supercharger. keep in mind that its a front-wheel drive, so ive been told the drive terrain will be under enormous stress with such a dramatic power increase. can anyone here help me?
and also, soes anyone know where i might find a custom speedometer cluster for my car?
I think On-Star was a great innovation originally, but, like so many things in GM's history, it failed to keep it at the forefront of innovation. On-Star is a great example of this...When it was first offered, cellphones weren't the standard that they are today, and for many owners, On-Star provided emergency communications. The operating environment has changed dramatically since the introduction of On-Star.
GM has relied on On-Star for in-car communications well beyond reason. As you stated so correctly, bluetooth is far ahead with functionality. Up to now, GM has declined to embrace bluetooth, although there isn't any technical reason to not offer both.
As an example, BMW offers BMW-Assist (its version of On-Star) along side bluetooth in its vehicles. That way, the owner has the ability to have the best of both worlds. It is available as an accessory, but not as a standard feature, as far as I know.
Also, in many vehicles, GM continued to utilize the analog version of OnStar, well after the FCC announced the elimination of analog services. I believe that analog was still being installed even as late as 2004-05 in some models. In less expensive vehicles, On-Star wasn't even available.
Failing to capitalize on its innovations is a major complaint that many have had with GM over the years...almost as if there was/is a disconnect between the engineer, marketing/sales, and management arms within GM.
As for me, I absolutely love bluetooth, and I will never own another vehicle without it. Once you become accustomed to it, its difficult to be without it.
By the way, GM isn't alone in its slim bluetooth offerings...VW doesn't offer it in its Beetle or Jetta (as of 2008), which is strange, since hands-free phones are the law in Germany.
I am interested to see how Ford progresses with its hands-free technolical offerings driven by Microsoft. It looks good, at least in the advertisements.
PS: I saved a bundle also.
Personally, and I know this idea might tweak off some folks, but I wish we were like Germany, which requires all cell phones in cars to be handsfree (for the driver only, obviously).
I have experienced several "near hits" by folks suffering from OCD (Obsessive Cellphone Distraction). My wife even got rear-ended last year by some crank driving while playing on his laptop computer.
Lots of distractions out there....
I've lost count about how many times I've almost been in an accident because of someone with a cell phone not paying attention. Not to mention the clueless pedestrians oblivious to traffic when they are walking while talking, usually against the light!
I do have a cellphone, and it's with me when I drive--it's for emergency use only. Driving takes all of ones senses, especially in the urban area of Northern VA/Wash DC. It's tough enough out there as it is, let alone having to be vigilant of those paying attention to everything else in their car but the act of driving safely!
Thanks, I feel better now.
Oh, to stay on message, I'm going to special order a 2LT Malibu tomorrow, unless my dealer can find me one exactly as I want it.
For some, however, a factory installed option is preferred, as it is much less likely to be stolen if it is buit into the dash, and for someone say, in sales, it is much more convenient to have a NAV "on tap" at any time.
Again, I can see both sides of the issue.
I guess I am a "hybrid", in that I have 2 vehicles with a factory NAV and a Garmin for my other vehicles without the NAV.
I did have one question, though... In your post, you said that ...
Bluetooth is rumored to be coming, possibly as early as next model year. And it *will* be beside the existing OnStar system. That still leaves the lack of an optional built in nav, which unfortunately is related to the limitations of the current architecture the car is built on.
Could you please explain what you meant by current architecture limitations? What makes this model incompatible with a factory NAV system? I'm afraid I don't understand...
Thanks!
They have the OnStar service that will give you audio directions with some text displayed on the radio screen while you drive. You get 1 year of it included free with purchase of the car.
So ,bluetooth isn't a panacea, although I would rather have it required than not in a vehicle...
I'm afraid we don't stand much of a chance against folks like this if we happen to meet them on the highway...
By the way, she did appologize....