1998 Chevrolet Malibu: broken coil spring

Filed Jun 22, 2012 · Suspension · 53,924 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the front driver side spring failed and caused damage to the front driver side tire and wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 53,924.

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Suspension · 102,619 miles · WI

Driving at approximately 10 MPH on a smooth dry road suddenly the front right side spring broke damaging the strut and tire. Thankfully, this was at a slow speed or someone could have been killed. The tire, spring and strut were replaced.

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Suspension · 112,222 miles · WI

The front left, driver side, spring broke while driving at approximately 5 miles per hour on a smooth paved road. This was the 2nd time this has happened on the same car. The first time was the right front side. I was driving slower so the tire did not blow from the sharp broken spring end rubbing on it. The spring was replaced with no other damage. After reading about many others having the same problem I decided to sumit complaints hoping we can prevent any injuries or deaths. I can not understand why gm has not recalled these cars and how many accidents go unreported with this the cause.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Suspension · 131,000 miles · WV

The coil spring on the passenger side strut snapped into causing a large gouge in the tire deflating it immediately. Luckily, I had pulled off interstate I-77 and was in a large level parking space. My wife got in the car to pull up and pick me up. As the car went less than a foot forward a large bang was heard and journey began to get help. To avoid random details of 88 degree heat and hardship events, the result was a new tire, a new spare tire (donut), an overnight stay and expenses and a repair bill. The strut was replaced with a used one due to the fact that we were stranded away from home and had no time to wait for a new one to be ordered. What really drew my attention to the possible severity of the problem was that in a small repair shop with only 4 bays (shepard's repair, parkersburg, wv) there sat another malibu of possibly the exact model waiting for a new strut to be shipped in. The odds are rather staggering that this event could be so random as to not in some way point to a much larger scaled problem with these coils. Both snapped in approximately the same place (except his was the driver's side) and neither of the struts themselves were leaking or weak. Now how do I trust the car for fear the other strut will break or even the replacement for which I know not what model car it was disassembled from.

Filed Jan 24, 2008 · Suspension · 135,000 miles · MN

The coil spring snapped in half while I was in my car and popped my tire. I was traveling at extremely low speeds, otherwise it could have been terrible. I replaced it with a junk yard spring and strut since I have never heard of this type of failure. Several weeks before the failure there was a low squeak or rub coming from the front wheel well. I thought at the time that it was snow build up, but now I know better.

Filed Jul 31, 2007 · Suspension · 87,727 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the front struts that hold up the vehicle with the coil springs were defective. He stated that the coil springs are not heavy enough. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that they are aware of the defect. They also stated that there are no current recalls for this particular year, make, and model of vehicle. The contact stated that the front right and left coil springs were damaged. The struts have not been repaired because the part that the vehicle needs must come from another general motors vehicle. The current mileage was 87,742 and failure mileage was 87,727. Updated 02-01-08.

Filed Jul 22, 2007 · Suspension · 180,000 miles · 00

Front suspension coil spring broke, puncturing the tire causing blowout.

Filed May 29, 2007 · Suspension · 104,400 miles · OH

Left side, rear coil spring broken. One month later, right front coil spring breaks causing coil spring to rub on inside of tire resulting in tire damage.

Filed Apr 16, 2007 · Suspension · 98,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. The contact drove the vehicle approximately 150 yards when a popping noise was heard. While driving 10 MPH the driver's side of the vehicle collapsed to the ground. The contact discovered that the front coil spring failed and cut the tire from the wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the coil spring was replaced. The consumer stated that the cause of failure was due to a batch of coil springs that were improperly heat treated. There was a defect investigation for this failure , pe 03031. The contact still possessed the failed coil spring and tire. The current and failure mileages were 98,000. *ak the consumer has provided pictures of the defect. Update 05/04/07*tr updated 06/20/07.

Filed Apr 12, 2007 · Suspension, Tires · 161,000 miles · OH

Passenger side front coil spring broke, followed by driver's side front coil spring. Passenger side spring began rubbing into tire, melted side wall of tire. Tire destroyed. Replaced springs and tire.

Filed Apr 5, 2006 · Fuel system, Suspension · 171,000 miles · 00

Replaced wheel bearings (common gm problem, no grease nipple). Having fuel problem (getting too much). Noise coming from the front end (sounds like coil spring).

Filed Mar 27, 2006 · Suspension · VT

1998 malibu rear spring broke off. Consumer drove vehicle to dealer and mechanic determined that the struts and springs needed replacing. *ts ***nar***