1999 Chevrolet Malibu: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 12, 2009 · Suspension · 123,440 miles · PA

Front passenger side coil suspension spring broke without warning severly damaging tire. Heard a loud bang sound and then saw a lot of smoke coming from front passenger side tire. Bottom of front passenger side coil suspension spring broke and lodged into tire without warning.

Filed Oct 13, 2006 · Engine · 100,000 miles · GA

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 60 MPH, the engine ran hot. In march 2006, the service dealer could not locate any problem. In oct 2006, the vehicle ran hot again causing smoke to come out from under the engine. When pulled over, the contact discovered the vehicle needed antifreeze. The contact filled the antifreeze and tried to drive the vehicle again. Within one mile smoke came out of the engine and the antifreeze was empty again.

Filed Mar 23, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 40,000 miles · MA

Chevrolet malibu 1999. 84000 miles. In the last four years I had to replace the tail lights twice this is the entire unit which cost over $250 each I also had to replace the stop/brake light bulbs at least six times on each side. The socket that holds the bulbs keep melting and last december it melted to the point that I saw smoke coming out and when I opened the plastic socket was completely melted. As of now neither light is working. I checked in this site and the federal safety agency action number rq04005 indicates the following: gm in december 2004, gm will issue a special policy for my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles not covered under recall 03v327. The policy covers turn signal/hazard flasher failure for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurs first) to provide a no cost replacement of the hazard switch. Gm will send letters to owners starting december 30, 2004. The actions taken by the manufacturer is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances. I called gm as well as the local chevy dealer and they would not replace the light they claim the agreement was only for some of the 1999 chevy malibu and my vehicle [xxx] is outside the range they are covering. I was told by a gm customer service to wait and see if they recall other cars. I am very disappointed of the advice as this is a safety issue. Also, the information and agreement posted on the federal safety agency (see above) does not indicate any exceptions. Can someone investigate this please? In addition to this problem, the coolant was leaking and I had to have the manifold removed and a new gasket put in twice. Replaced brake pads 5/6 times and rotors once. *nm updated 07/16/2012*js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Dec 1, 2005 · Suspension · 95,000 miles · OH

While pulling out of my car port, I heard a loud noise. All of a sudden the front passenger side of my car fell. I proceeded to go to a auto repair shop not too far from my home to have the problem checked. While in route, right around the corner from where I live, my tire blew out. There was a weird smell and smoke coming from the front right tire. I was able to pull into a parking lot to wait for aaa to tow my car to a repair facility. Thank the lord, I wasn't on the freeway when this happened. The right passenger spring broke and caused the tire to blow out. Had to replace the coil springs, a tie rod and struts.

Filed Jun 27, 2005 · Lights · 23,000 miles · FL

The rear tail lights on my chevrolet malibu are about to burn I can smell a bakalite smell when I open the trunk. I have been going to maroone chevy in pembroke pines saw the service rep ( mandy ramos ) complainng to him since 2000 and he said that there was no recalls on the lights. Ifound out that general motors filed a confidentiality report and that way gm did not repair the lights. I disabled person and when I bought the car I knew that it had to last a long time. Now I am fearful of it catching on fire. It cost me $ 25,000.00 to buy and gm has the nerve to keep ontelling me for the past 5 years that there is nothing that can be done. It could have been done back in 2000 when they requested the confidentiality agreement being approved, they knew that they had this problem. The report is ea00010 I found this out today online. The cost of the pair of lights is $ 500.00. Tell me where I can get this kind of money on disability. The government is good at hiding things. Maybe they can find out how I can come up with the money before I get burned alive as I am disabled.

Filed Nov 13, 2000 · Body, Brakes · GA

The brakes have been resurfaced once. The pads have been replaced 3 times and the rotors replaced twice. I have had the car in for the final repair attempt on the brakes. They say there is nothing wrong with them. While the car was in the shop for this, the driver's power window went out. Three people in the service dept. Tried to get it to work. I had to leave the car another day. When I went to pick it up, I was told there was nothing wrong with the window and it is now working. The power locks lock and unlock themselves periodically. I hear air coming in the driver's door. The cd player face gets to hot to touch and I smell burning. I was told this was normal. The steering column wouldn't tilt down because of plastic debris on the assembly. The brake light circuit board melted. The air conditioner control head shorted out. The evap system vapor pressure sensor had to be replaced. The rear doors stuck and had to be lubricated. The glove compartment latch had to be adjusted to stop rattle. The transmission had to be replaced.