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Comments
On the no-start situatuion my biggest fear was being stranded but each and every time it happened (10 or so times now) it has started within a few minutes. Nobody else here has mentioned that they got stranded because of it so therefore there is no reason to beleive any of us will. I am parking my other vehicle and strictly driving the malibu for the next month and I will take whatever it dishes out like a man but I am willing to bet it will be un-eventful.
I recently mentioned that my steering started twitching a few times. Well it has not done it again in 3 days. Maybe just a temporary glitch.
I mentioned I have a bunch of rattles. Well for sure something is loose or broken inside the door and rattles like hell. The other rattles, much less severe, seem to come and go maybe with temperature but the one in the door probably makes any others seem much worse. Last night the GF and I went to a Xmas party and I was brave enough to take the Malibu. On the way home she commented on how quiet the car was. Sure enough I lower the radio and heater and it was in fact very quiet. Maybe it was the 2 beers I had. Ooops. Should not say that.
I am even going to try hard and look at the malibu as more than just transportation. I do believe theres hope for me and my bad attitude.
The remote start is spoiling me. too bad the heated seats are not an auto start.
The Pontiac dealer I use could be a model for what service departments should be. As much as I like my Maxx, my next vehicle will come from the Pontiac dealer because of his service department.
Next time you take vehicle to the dealer please ask if they could check to see if your vehicle (with 4 cylinder) has the latest PCM calibration. Unless your vehicle had already been updated, it won't.
I did receive a response indicating your intermittent short crank, etc does sound like the issue addressed. Of course no promises being made but looks promising.
Wondering if I could ask what problems the latest PCM addresses. Reason I ask is I have had the vehicle 6 months and has not been back to dealer, so no dealer updates have been done. The 4cyl engine in mine runs absolutely flawless (other than the no start). For that reason sometimes I feel "if it aint broken dont fix it" unless of course the update(s) pertains to no start.
On another note I have decided to have my tran howl fixed. My thinking is that this is a documented fix under warranty, and in theory any future issues on the tranny, even out of the warranty will be covered as it was documented and fixed while under warranty. Anyone with thoughts on this? I have almost 11,000 mi. and it howls constantly. I noticed on another post that a potential concern is the vibration caused from the howl and the long-term affects from that. I've noticed a many people choosing not to fix it.
overall i would like to know the following:
since i have had my car in 3 times for different steering problems and the dealer will not take the car back to try and fix the repair problems that i feel i'm still experiencing can i still apply for the lemon law? the dealer states they "fixed" the problem and will not take it back. other dealers in town will not accept the car to try and fix it because they told me Chevrolet Corp. paid my dealer to replace parts and fix the problems so since they didn't get paid from Chevrolet Corp. regarding my repair issues they told me to take it back to the same dealer. i don't know if i'm now stuck because WI lemon law states 4 unsuccessful tries or 30 days in the service repair shop.
i have had the car under 1 year and it has 7,000 miles on it.
here's an overview:
I bought a brand new 2004 chevy malibu maxx lt here in Wisconsin in may 2004. I brought the car in for repairs a total of 5 times, 2 for electrical and door lock and alarm problems and the other 3 were strictly for steering problems.
I had them replace the steering column because as I was driving home with my wife and 2 year old son,my steering wheel locked up and I couldn't drive the car or turn left or right. I had to stop in the middle of the street, turn on my blinkers, turn off the car and turn it back on after 10 minutes then the steering came back on. This problem could kill someone.
The 1st time after they gave me back the car after replacing the steering column. The car was returned to me and I could not turn the steering wheel left. I immediately returned the car to them. The 2nd problem was when they returned it to me after I told them I couldn't turn the steering wheel left at all. I now told them that the car was not aligned properly because the steering wheel pulled to the left when accelerating from a dead stop. With my hands on the steering wheel I had to physically turn the steering wheel to the right because I could feel it pulling to the left as I drove forward from a dead stop. I even tried it without my hands on the steering wheel in an empty parking lot. The steering is not even close to being aligned because it pulls hard to the left at 10 o'clock. Heiser Chevrolet told me that they "fixed" the problem and they will not accept the car to repair the moset recent problem I'm having. I then asked to speak to the general manager and he basically told me he can only crunch some numbers and get me into another car by trading mine in. He wanted me to give them more money to get into another car. I told them no deal and left.
My 2 cents - you should get a lemon law lawyer (be sure they specialize in automotive lemon law issues) and go for resitution under it. Be sure you have all your records to show the lawyer!
In fairness to Chevy corporate, you should give them one last chance to straighten things out. Contact the regional service manager and explain the situation. If that brings help (most likely from another dealer) then well and good. If Chevy blows it, then I'd go with the lawyer and the lemon law.
Sounds very similar to what I went through with my Saturn. After my lawyer presented the case (and he pushed very hard), Saturn gave me two options - accept $5K and keep the lemon, or take the full refund and return the lemon. They got their lemon - I got the Maxx.
Fortunately 6-CD issue cleared up after the vehicle parked overnight. I consider it a minor issue right now, along with the tranny howl and fuel gauge.
We had our first good frost last week, and I was impressed with how quickly and nicely the windows cleared up. I am happy with my Maxx thus far, and don't regret purchasing the vehicle 6 months ago. Thanks again! -Pourlemerite
And I have just one complaint... Why would the people at Chevy not include the heated mirrors in the LS models? That is definitely something that I don't like about this car, but I couldn't afford the LT model..
the car was brought in a 4th time to a different dealer and they found nothing wrong. They told me the steering wheel pulls to the left when accelerating because of torque steer which is caused by a difference in the length of front wheel drive shafts. The left side is shorter.
e2helper is this valid???
I traded-in my 2002 Malibu on a 2003 used Malibu. The 2002 Malibu ran smoothly with no vibrations. The 2003 Malibu has a slight steering wheel vibration from 40 mph thru 75 mph. It is the most notable between 55 and 63 mph. Have had tires rotated and balanced with no help. Even purchased new tires and vibration is still there even after a four-wheel alignment. Dealer checked rims and they are ok. I drove a 2003 Malibu from dealer's lot and it has the same vibration that mine has only not as severe. Did Malibu change the suspension from 2002 to 2003.
Has anyone else experienced slight but steady vibrations in the steering wheel? I drove over 1000 miles over Thanksgiving and could feel the vibration all the time. I can feel the vibration starting at 20 miles per hour and it never goes away even at 80 miles per hour.
I'm sure someone will post details of the recall after the 10th???
Also on my lighting wishlist: Front cornering lamps. I used to love having that extra beam of light in the direction of my turn at night. Very few cars have this feature anymore.
BTW, the '04 Malibu LT is the first car I've owned that has this feature (my '03 Trailblazer was the first vehicle I had with it- but that stickered at $35k).
As far as the interior lighting goes I have found the current lighting to be pretty decent, but it wouldn't have hurt to have under-dash / glovebox lights. GM seems to be cutting the small stuff everywhere. Anyone else remember when nearly all cars had courtousy lights in the lower rear of the door panels, instead of reflectors (and in the case of the new Malibus, a reflective circular sticker on the door edge).
(Thanks for the heads up)
then the bbb called me back today and told me they will set up a conference where we can all talk and the bbb feels that chevy corporate might change their mind after this. has anyone gone through the bbb auto claims and how effective are they without goign to arbitration? all im looking for is a replacement since the dealer screwed something up in my steering that they can't replace. i still have the pulling to the left issue that i never had before the dealer replaced the steering column....
What about another dealer? You could suggest that another dealer take a crack at fixing your car, and __if__ it then continues to malfunction, it becomes a certified lemon and should be exchanged.
wrt rattles, sad to say my Maxx has sprouted quite a few of them lately; some in the rear roof trim, others under the dash, possibly one in the transmission console. Hopefully I can find and remove them.
the car was brought in a 4th time for the steering issues finally to a different dealer and they found nothing wrong. They told me the steering wheel pulls to the left when accelerating because of torque steer which is caused by a difference in the length of front wheel drive shafts. The left side is shorter.
i was told torque steer is when you accelerate faster, not going very slow off the start like what's happening to me at 2 to 5mph.
as far as BBB, I never got to that point with a KIA sorento....I worked with corporate and they bought it back from the dealer...the one thing that is important..is that if it goes to an arbitrator..the decision is binding on both parties...will be interested to hear about Chevy corporates response to the conference call..keep us posted.....
Also it is amazing how much attention a letter to the dealer from your attorney generates.
During the Chevy clinic I attended months ago, my impression was the factory folks were honest hard working folks trying to build a good car.
I'll heed the advice from here just in case my maxx goes sour, but so far it's doing reasonably well.
Skyhawk, I work at AutoAlliance and am unaware of any problems with the Sable. I currently own a Continental, my husband leases a Mountaineer. Previous to that, our last 5 vehicles were made at "our" plant. All of them we drove 'til they had close to 200,000. We drive a lot, and I get bored having a car longer than 2-3 years. Calm down people I'm not saying all companies are not having problems, BUT the Malibu is having MORE than it's share.
AND Joe, why would my Ford employee discount irk you? MY Daughter wanted the Malibu, certainly NOT me! NOW I want GM to take care of their problems. Would you expect any less from any other company?
Joe, cheap? LMAO! My Daughter's Malibu was cheaper than a Mazda 6! Due to lack of sales though the Malibu has plummeted in price. Just how much do you believe the discount is? As far as you "never" buying a ford...I used to be a chevy person. Now I support the company that puts bread on my table, not the one that leaves my daughter stranded.
On the other hand, my '96 Ranger simply doesn't break. It is more dependable than most people I know! I love that truck and plan on keeping it forever.
As for the Mazda 6, according to articles and discussion boards, Mazda/Ford did very little to fix the rusting door problems of the 6 and consequently soured a lot of people on the Mazda brand.
Again, we're dealing with machines and they are going to break. I agree that the manufactures must stand behind their products, but every company is going to have at least some unsatisfied customers, no matter what.
Here's a thought. If you like Ford, buy a Ford. If you like Chevy, buy a Chevy. If you are unhappy with whatever car you bought, that is unfortunate. It happens to all of us at some time.
Let's get back to the productive stuff.
There are good builds and bad builds....anything mass produced will have a percentage of problems....I saw that someone said the malibus have had more than their share....wonder if Chrysler is saying that with the recall of 600K Durangos and Dakotas with a defect that will allow the wheels to fall off...again...something mass produced with a common problem...I wonder what percentage of the Malibus built have had the steering column replaced..I think since it had an engineering study ongoing at the NHTSA..GM had to provide that data.....will have to go back to the site and look..any way..my 2 cents.
let me know, thanks!