The car was delivered with a noisy brake pedal, improper steering wheel, alignemtn, and very poor wheel alignment. The dealer was unable to resolve the noisy pedal without dismantling the entire braking system, which I declined. The steering wheel and front wheels were aligned, however, the rear wheels were not aligned. I ony learned of this because of a twitchiness when driving and premature rear tire failure, even though the tires were rotated regularly. The front brake rotors have been almost constantly warped, and most importantly, front caliper retaining pins have flown completely out while driving at about seventy (70) miles per hour on the interstate. In the first instance, the car was able to be driven to the dealership, where they replaced the pin and re-tourqed all other pins. About a month later, another pin flew out, this time resulting in an undrivable car, leaving my wife and infant child stranded on the side of the interstate at night. The car was towed in, and the dealer's fix was to replace all of the caliper pins, ignoring the fact that there is certainly another problem, such as component design causing the pins to fly out. This is a major safety issue. After reviewing the complaint log at the federal safety agency web site and through personal contact with other malibu owners with similar problems, it is quite apparent that my problems are not isolated events. Please take some action on behalf of malibu owners everywhere. The primary issue of serious and constant brake problems should certainly be viewed as a national safety issue. I have filed a complaint with the bbb auto line and am in the process of attempting to rsolve my problems with gm.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu suspension complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 108, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Both lower control arms failed causing noise in the front suspension while driving surfaces. Nlm
While driving on road over 45mph vehicle will sway/won't stay in its lane. Also, factory battery had started melting through the plate/ABS light came on when starting vehicle/ upon applying brakes they squeaked, and vehicle won't go in reverse.*ak the transmission failed. The A/C is inoperable. Brakes failed four times.
When I press the brake pedal to slow down on the highway the sterring wheel shakes, like it is going out of control
Rattle noise comes from right front of the vehicle due to strut failure. Yh
When applying brakes at high speed heard loud and shaking noise and vibration throughout vehicle. Please provide further information.
Had nothing but front end problems, seems like dealer is not beleiving, may think its the operator.
When applying brakes entire front end shakes excessively. Also, dealer has seen vehicle twice, and replaced rotors once and has turned them once. Problem still exists.
Possibly due to poor suspension vehicle makes noise while driving over rough roads. Yh
Repairs to vehicle started 6-29-98 and continue to present. Dealership service dept. Can repair rear suspension per gm tech. Notes but problem noise in rear suspension reoccurs within 50-300 miles. Gm has stated that they will repair vehcile under original warranty agreement, but after 10 repairs I feel this is a defect in the vehicle and not just the parts.
Transmission mounts need replacing. Yh
While at 60mph car starts to shutter and it won't slow down properly. Also, within 30, 000 miles had to have brakes done. Dealer didn't help.
Steering--steering rack, gear assembly, gear kit, ball joint and both lower control arms.
Malibu suspension is unsafe. Front control arms , rear struts, brake lights, rear turn signal , rear tires worn because of struts, headlamps failures make it obvious chevy is marketing unsafe malibu's . Chevy should buy back these defective cars especially mine it's an unsafe piece of junk!( dot number: tire size: 215-60r15 )
The front end is loose. Please provide further detail.
Design of defective brake system causing premature brake failure. Yh
No summary
This car has a directional stability problem on the highway. It wanders back and forth across the driving lane and you constantly have to correct the steering wheel. If you relax or look away for a moment, such as at a highway sign, you never know where the car will be in the lane. On long trips it fatigues you terribly. The dealer has tried to remedy the situation with a new tire, new alignment, tire rotation, tire pressure, etc., but nothing works. I noticed this problem driving the car home after picking it up new. The dealer had me drive another malibu with approx the same mileage, and it drove the same. The local chevy dealer service mgr. Says his drives the same way. I have contacted chevrolet and they noted the problem, but offered no solutions. I retired from the auto collision business where I specialized in heavy collision repair and driveability. I have worked for every gm car line at a dealership. I know what I am talking about, when I say this car has a design problem. It is the worst driving gm car I have ever driven. It is my wifes car and I worry about her on the highway. People should be warned about this problem. It is the perfect commuter car around town, but I am afraid this problem will contribute to highway crashes and deaths. For my wifes safety, I think I will be forced to get rid of this car.
Radio has been replaced, still will not pick up local stations, and a thumping noise is comming from my car. It's most noticeable at 35mph and under. Dealer replaced parts of suspension, diidn't help, and now they say thats all they can do. They have not bothered to see where the sound is coming from.
While driving at any spee and , making a turn, there is some a grinding noise coming from the steering. Also, when applying the brakes they are vibrating.
A frame in process of being replaced again june 9, 1999 for the second time. Major vibrations in front end of car. Bezels replaced. Cup holder replaced. Bumper peeling - dealer will not fix. Front of dash plastic had to be replaced-broke. Console lid cover replaced. I would not recommend this car to any person. Even the general motors technicians state this is the worst car for problems. It took almost six months to get the A/C switch replaced. It kept turning itself off and could not get back on. Finally 06/05/99 it quit all together. They put in a relay switch. This car is a big disappointment for the people who remember the old malibus.
I bought my chevrolet malibu used and have had it about 2 months. Days after the 36,000 mile warranty runs out I have major brake problems. Replaced front brakes, pads, right rotor and right caliper. Every mechanic I've seen is amazed that a car a year old needs a new caliper. Called the dealer and they told me they couldn't do anything about it. Also had problem with front end rattling noise like the front end is loose or something; dealer did put new control arms on, but noise still persists.
Brakes are wearing out prematurley . Pads/calipers and the rotors needed to be replaced at 35,000 miles.there was no indictation of a problem, causing a safety hazard. 2. The vehicle shakes at speeds less than 20 MPH ,and dealer replaced control arm, but defect is still occurring.
While driving 45 MPH the control arm broke, vehicle lost control, causing a spin-out and came to rest at a curb.
Car has been in shop 11 times, dealer found problems 10 times. Car has been in shop overnight 16 days since 9-2-98. On one visit, dealer drove car 187 miles and had car 6 days, actually fixing car, finding another front suspension problem, and fixing again.
Lower control arm failed.
Front rotors have been cut at 9000, 19,000 and are to be replaced on 4/12/99 at 22,300. Also, front control arms have been replaced.
Bought as demo. Rotors warped at 8000mi, 17,000mi, starting again at 19,500. Just had front control arm assembly replaced, dealer says it was the wrong part! Also coolant leak at 14,500mi.
Gas guage failed.
Front brake rotors warped.
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