1999 Chevrolet Malibu: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Dec 29, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · FL

After replacing my intake gasket 8 months ago, my car still overheats. One of my cooling fans is not working. My AC level controls 1 & 2 doesn't work, only 3,4, and 5. Ac shuts off on its own. My engine belt went from sqeaking to making a noise I never heard before. Now my car is non operational due to a knocking sound coming from the engine. So far in the past 8 months, I replaced my intake gasket $600, replaced my engine belt cost $120, replaced my brake pads and caliper twice in the past 2 years $250 each time. Now I'm looking at another major repair job. Help me please

Filed Feb 11, 2003 · Brakes · NJ

At 32,000 miles loud grating noise from right brake area after braking hard or braking into right turn. Dealership determined I needed new brakes. Replaced brake pads and machined rotors. This didn't fix the problem. 2nd diagnosis was an internal leak in power steering system. This appeared to have fixed problem. A few days later I noticed a knocking noise when braking. Informed dealership but the noise stopped due to cold weather. They told me to bring it back if noise resumed. It did when weather got warmer and brake pads were adjusted (35,000 miles). Right away I noticed the brakes didn't feel right. Car slowed down when brakes were applied but I had to really press the pedal down to get it to stop. About 1 week later I heard knocking again when brakes were applied lightly. There was also a creeking noise from the brake pedal and a significant pull to the right. Knocking noise got worse, became a thumping noise. Took back to dealership. Had to make appointment. (they didn't even want to listen to the noise!). The day before my appointment noise got so bad I thought my brakes were going to fall off. I took it to an independant mechanic and he diagnosed that the right rotor was warped (excessive runout). Took it to the dealership armed with a printout of diagnosis from mechanic. Rotor machined again (36,000 miles). I asked the service rep what could cause the rotor to warp and he said he didn't know, it could be how I was driving the car! While it was in the shop I did some research and found that brake problems are very common in this model and year and that the dealerships are quite aware of this. Brakes still don't stop the car properly and are now making a slight grating noise. I can't believe there is no investigation or recall for this problem. Something should be done before someone gets killed, if they haven't already. I've heard the government can force a recall if there are enough complaints. Why hasn't this been done? Please advise

Filed Nov 20, 2002 · Engine · NE

Car had a knocking in the motor. Took to dealer to get fixed, they have not fixed the problem in the last 2 tries. They first said that it was my fault for not taking car of motor. Oil changes have been made every 3-4 months or 3 thousand miles. They first replaced the lifters, 2nd time it went in they replaced the timing chain and gears. Now up to date they have had the car for 2 weeks and they have done nothing with it do to the fact they are waiting for the warranty place to say that they can put a new motor in. They are now saying that they are going to put a used motor in that has 42000 miles on it. Till this date they will not tell me what is wrong with the car and they will also not let me see the motor it self since they have had it for 2 weeks and every thing that is connected to the motor is out of the car except the block. I personally take care of heavy equipment in the job that I do which has a $ amount around 350,000 dallors and I do oil changes, and any minnor fixing problems. It blows me away that they tell me they can not find the problem to a vehicle that I bought from them. It may sound like a piston or a rode that has gone bad. Dt

Filed May 3, 2002 · Brakes, Engine · OH

When making turns ABS light comes on intermittently, consumer will then shut off engine and restart. Abs light will then be off. Mechanic cannot find a cause.ABS light was illuminating at time of purchase. Consumer had to have a new motor put in because of a knocking noise in the piston plates. Alignment to the front suspension was needed.

Filed Feb 18, 2000 · Suspension · GA

When traveling consumer noticed a loud knocking noise coming from the front end. Also, when attempting to make a normal stop when traveling on wet pavement, vehicle continued to move forward, causing loss of vehicle control. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the control arm, but problem still occurs. Please provide any further details.

Filed Dec 10, 1999 · Suspension · CA

There's a number of problem with the vehicle. The shocks work intermittently and there's a lot of knocking in the engine. Tires seeme to be lower since consumer purchased the car. It was taken to the dealer, they saw nothing wrong with it.