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Well, if you buy a Malibu you will also keep Americans working and the money stays in the country.
Yours was built after the ones covered by that recall, so your vehicle not affected by it
The only problem I've had is intermittent no-start which I've figured out how to fix by locking and unlocking the car with the key fob and it starts right up. e2helper says there is a software fix for it so I'll take the car in for it when I have time. Other than that, the Malibu is a pleasure to drive with great gas mileage.
However, keep in mind;
1. suppliers are a factor engineers cannot always control. The Malibu steering columm problem - If I correctly read those documents I was pointed to from this forum - was caused due to supplier error (they changed parts and manufacturing techniques).
2. Engineering cannot possibly evaluate every possible thing that can go wrong in a new design unless they do extensive testing, which __takes time__. GM just dosn't throw new cars out there!
Engineers take no pleasure in hearing their designs break down or don't work. And to its credit, GM does have its engineers visit the clinics so they can see first hand how their designs are performing, and if possible offer fixes for problems they find.
http://www.autonews.com/page.cms?pageId=344
3745, no thank you...I will be ordering a 2006 'Stang...I can't order a 2005 because every car we build has already been sold. Even if the 2005 Mustang hadn't gotten excellent reviews, I'd refrain from spending my hard earned $ on a Malibu, simply too many supplier and engineering problems. Perhaps chevy MIGHT get this car straightened out, doubtful though because the GTO isn't selling either.
As an IT professional, I am not involved with automotive copmanies. As such, I would say my perspective on automobile manufacturing may be a little less informed, but more objective, than yours. I find it quite humorous that you feel the vast majority of UAW workers are extremely hardworking, AND that "the problems lie with Management and the Engineers."
chevy claims it's fixed, but the nhtsa website opened up a recent investigation rgarding the steering problems for the Malibu. the dealer says the "pulling to the left" upon acceleration is torque steer, but the nhtsa website's investigation involves "torque" in the replacement of the steering column, go figure that one out.
is it fixed? i'd say no, no car unless you are flooring it or driving fast off the start should pull to the left. in my case i'm going between 2-5 mph and it still does it.
BTW, here's the info straight from the nhtsa website, do you see where it reads contamination of torque"? you will also see some other great info on torque here as well. makes me think my dealer screwed it up, not me. i never had ths pulling to the left problem before they replaced my steering column on my 04 maxx lt.
" Make: CHEVROLET
Model: MALIBU MAXX
Type: ANY
Year: 2004
NHTSA Action Number: EA04018
Summary:
ODI OPENED PE04-031 BASED ON EIGHT REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER STEERING FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE DRIVER SUDDENLY LOST ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE UTILIZES AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM (EPS) THAT PROVIDES VARIABLE STEERING ASSISTANCE BASED ON STEERING WHEEL TORQUE, STEERING WHEEL POSTION, AND VEHICLE SPEED. GENERAL MOTORS DOCUMENTS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING TWO FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES: A. CONTAMINATION OF THE TORQUE AND POSITION SENSOR FROM THE SEPARATION OF GREASE APPLIED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. B. ELECTRICAL NOISE GENERATED ON THE POWER AND GROUND SLIP RING SURFACES OF THE TORQUE AND POSITION SENSOR. THE NOISE IS GENERATED AS THE SENSOR CONTACT BRUSHES MOVE ALONG THE SLIP RING SURFACES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED. ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED FAILURE RATES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO ODI AND INDICATED THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS CONTINUING TO OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN, TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION."
since i've had my fair share of problems with my 2004 Malibu maxx lt with 4 steering problem visits to my dealer and still no resolution......does anyone know if chevy corporate would allow me a better discount or credit towards a new Chevy other then the Malibu if I were to trade mine in?
it has 7,000 miles, fully loaded except xm radio, still owe about $18k on the car. i looked at my trade in value and was shocked when i seen it's only around like $18k. wow
the bbb is supposed to mediate with the chevy corporate rep i spoke to and see what they say.
let me know, thanks!
However, the current number of people repeatedly posting identical or posts that are nearly identical in content is really starting to get old (not to mention making e2helper's posts more infrequent). In a general review of the Maxx forums and contributors, the tone has shifted drastically over the last couple weeks, but it seems primarily due to a handful of posters.
To those of you that have issues, do your best through the established channels. Let us know when there are substantial developments. But you don't need to post your sentiment every single day. I don't come on here every day to tell you my car runs great and I'm pleased.
Maybe it's easy to say now since my car has been terrific, but I'm tired of all the whining on here. It's not the place for it. We can't fix your car. A couple of you come across as more interested in how you can get rid of your Maxx than in truly fixing your problem. E2helper probably wouldn't touch your situations with a 10 foot pole at this point and I know I wouldn't if I were a company rep and every other post was about a lawyer and the BBB. He'd be crazy to.
Maxxlt2004 - you've worn it out man. I know you're sorry you got that car. I know you'd rather have an Equinox. There is nothing I can do to help you. You've asked about trade-in value/lemon laws more times than I can count, often back-to-back. Keep us posted on the significant developments, but not this same thing every day stuff.
My .02.
my .02
Mailibu Maxx 27
Honda Accord 52
Toyota Camry 24
Ford Taurus 23
Volvo V 70 5
Nissan Maxima 33
all contained brake, steering, and transmission issues..along with other rattles, squeaks, codes etc....I know there are bad apples in every mass produced item.....no matter the make or the model....just keep after the service department and the dealership....and if all else fails..use the BBB and your states lemon law.
Again not implying anything here...look at the site yourself and be an informed consumer!!
I got in the car, cranked the starter which this time got up to speed and, continued cranking for approx. 5 seconds. When I released the key, cranking stopped. Normally on the Malibu cranking continues if you release the key and things are normal. I noted during the cranking sequence if anything unusual was indicated. Nothing! All looked normal as if nothing had happened. I tried this 3 times and still noticed nothing unusual. It was as if the engine was not getting fuel or spark.
I then tried my routine of taking out the key, locking and unlocking the doors using the key fob, and cranking again. This time the car started immediately.
Please pass this along to whoever might be interested. The car has never left me stranded so I'm not too worried. Once GM can come up with a positive fix I'll take the car into the dealer.
To Maxx's credit, the bumper plastic color seems consistant (no changes in color from the scratches,
Will find out what this repair involves/costs and let folks here know.
By comparison, wrt both my former Prism and Camry bumpers; Scratches and dings revealed ugly black plastic beneath a very thin surface color. Kudos to Chevy for making the bumpers "solid" in terms of scratch resistance!
However I think it might be worth noting that there were probably a lot more Accords and Camrys sold during the 04 model year than Maxxes. Probably Tauruses, too.
Frankly, I think the Taurus number is impressive. But then, the design has been around a while and Ford presumably has had plenty of time to work out the bugs.
I'm not trying start a flame war...just a comment.
My '83 Camry was a first year car, and it had a lot of recalls.
Just trying to clarify.
the bbb has all my repair order, purchase contract, etc.....
i spoke to the sales mgr, service mgr, and the general gmr and none of them want to help. i even requested to have them contact a regional rep and they won't even do that much. it's hard to say this but they don't even care. they just sell cars period. i was told a GM regional rep can help me the most along with the BBB. but even the BBB will be hit or miss actually. should i ask to speak to the owner at my dealership if the General manager doesn't want to help?
waiting on mediation from the bbb and chevy corporate this week. i'm asking them for trade assistance in my trade back to the dealer and i'll also ask the gm regional rep to see if he can help vs. me losing money a defective car.
what would you suggest?
My advice...find out who the regional rep is....keep calling the corporate number, take the high ground and keep informing the general manager of the dealership of your actions....and keep informing all concerned what each is telling you.....I compared stories all along..to make sure all were informed...good luck!!
i wrote a letter on the company a-email addressing it to the owner and general manager, it was a very long email i might add about how they call me to make sure i give them a very satisfied on their survey, but when it comes to helping me, i'm last. i left a voice mail on the chevy corporate rep i deal with and also left a voice mail for my general manager at my dealership.
the bbb is supposed to call me this week also after mediating with the chevy corporat rep.
I'll quote from the letter - "We have learned that your vehicle may have been built with a steering column sensor that can wear unevenly and produce an erratic electric signal. When the system software detects that erratic signal, power assist is lost. The signal is more likely to occur when the steering wheel is turned slowly".
They go on to say that the dealer will inspect the steering column and if necessary, replace it.
So, there is a chance that they will not replace it. As I've said before, I've had no problems with my steering in a year and hope they don't replace mine. They also go on to say that the service will be performed at no charge until the January 31, 2006.
If I were you, I would not commit to anything right now, including BBB. Get a free consult or two from an atty. With the info they give you, you can protect your interests. I'm not saying you should look to ride the gravy train, but if you have a legitimate complaint, you should get a fair resolution. Car makers and dealers contend with this stuff all the time, and know the laws. We don't. Good luck.
I am new to the site and unfortunately I am having problems with my Malibu Maxx. First, right off the lot I had to get all four rotors turned. Then after that the 6 CD changer has been breaking. This is their 4th one. I took it back in the shop yesterday because the air bag light would not turn off. Come to find out the dealership received bulletin that the malibu maxx's pull to the left, which by the way I had been telling them that for the last month. Then they called me yesterday and told me they had to keep the car not just because of the pulling to the left problem but because they had to replace the whole electrical brain system of the car which was causing the Car to Damage the CD players. I love my malibu maxx as far as the body style and I got the whole bells and whistles also. It's just that their has been so many problems with it. Maybe I just got the Lemon..any way as far as power steering I haven't heard except for the BULLETIN about the car pulling hard to the left as mine was...
I went to use the windshield washer spray the other day while sitting at a red light. The fluid basically trickled out of the hoses on the wipers. I thought maybe the tank was low so I filled it last night and tried it today. While sitting still the fluid still trickles out. While driving probably around 35 mph it does seem to wet the windshield pretty good, but not great.
Question to other Maxx owners is, does the fluid trickle out or spray out when the car is sitting still? Not sure if it is designed to trickle and take advantage of wind at driving speed or if I have a clogged system.
Thanks
I was told by my dealership that after the 4th cd changer they were ordering a whole new electrical system (brain) for the car. They told me that the cd players were being ruined because the electrical system that works everything was causing the problem. The cd player would work on and off and the car would have to sit for about 20 minutes parked to reset itself. Then after a couple of weeks of this it just refused to work to include ejecting any cd's. Just thought I would tell you what my dealership told me. Still waiting for my car today. Thanks
Sounds like you have a clogged hoses, kinked hoses, defective nozzles or the pump does not turn on unless car is moving. Problem might also be electrical (bad switch or pump). You need to have to have your dealer look at this.
I think I had run the washer when I first got the car and remembered it was a spraying action, but I could not recall exactly. It does the same thing when the car is moving, I think the speed is what is causing to fluid to move around more. It really doesn't clean the windshield very well though.
I wanted to make sure it was supposed to spray before I called the dealer. Gonna call and make an appointment.
The spray pattern on mine is quite even, whether stopped or at highway speeds. Today was the first experience in 20-something degree weather, and I observed no problems with freeze-ups or clogging.
I have never been under the hood since I have gotten the car let alone removed the battery cover. I have had the car in twice for fuel tank related problems. I can only assume they had to remove the cover when they were doing diagnostics. Or it came from the factory like that. But I am pretty sure the spray worked when I first got the car.
I removed the battery cover but the hose is a fairly rigid plastic and it is damaged pretty bad. Kinked and looks split.
Guess I am going to have to take in in and get it replaced.
Did anyone get these bulletins done to their malibu maxx?
1. this one pertains to the vehicle pulling to the left.
Service Bulletin Num : 3000
2. this one is to establish the center of the steering
Service Bulletin Number: 030232005
3. RATTLE OR CLUNK STEERING COLUMN NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL, OR FOOT WELL AREA
Service Bulletin Number: 04072004
For those who have had the steering column replaced, just make sure that the electrical adjustments and the zero point are done properly by the dealer otherwise you'll have problems with the steering pulling to one side. e2helper mentioned this long ago.
Also, wrt the rear shades, are they still simply adding a reinforcement or actually changing the plastic surround? Mine had reinforcements added at a clinic but the shades still barely stay latched.
I also need the tsb for the "establishing the center" problem. the nhtsa website doesn't give the gm bulletin # out.
thanks.