1999 Chevrolet Malibu: jerking or lurching

Filed Dec 22, 2006 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 119,676 miles · TX

I purchased a 1999 chevy malibu in november 2003. I have replaced the brake pads at least 10 times ($20 each time), the rotors have been replaced 3 times ($70 each time). The brakes give you no warning they just quit suddenly which has almost caused several accidents. The ABS light always comes on and when this happens you can guarantee the ignition switch is about to lock up on you. The rear windows quit working, I hear a weird popping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving down the highway. The anti theft system has came on 6 or 7 times and will not allow me to crank the car(once it happened while my child was having an asthma attack and I was attempting to take him to the er). If you hit a bump in the road sometimes it sounds like a small explosion in the front end and causes the steering wheel to jerk uncontrollably for several miles. I have taken this vehicle to several mechanics who absolutely refuse to work on it because of the general fact that it is a 1999 malibu, now my ignition has completely quit, actually it hung in the start position and was making my starter grind and almost catch fire, this has happened several about 15 times, but usually after jiggling the key a few times it comes undone, but not this time. My dad had to take my battery off in order to make the engine die. So now my employer got so fed up with me being late or calling in because of my car problems that I was terminated. I am a single mom with 2 children, both have chronic asthma and have to be rushed to the er with severe asthma attacks all the time, and now I have no way to take them should the need arise. The parts are going to cost me $200 and the cost of labor and now I have no job. If you call chevrolet all they tell you is to take it to a dealer and let the mechanic look at it for a fee, and then they want to charge you more than I make in 2 months, and they never even ask you any personal info so there are no documented claims on your calls.

Filed Mar 17, 2006 · Suspension · WI

I was driving on the highway to work in the morning on a clear and dry day. All of a sudden my vehicle jerked to the left and it was out of control. I managed to pull off to the side of the highway and my tire was ruptured. After getting the car towed, the dealer let me known now that the left front spring broke and punctured the tire. Not only was this a very dangerous situation, but the repair is very costly, not to mention I had just gotten new tires a few thousand miles prior to the incident. I have heard this complaint before and now wonder if this could or should be a recall item??

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Transmission · 15,000 miles · IL

Windshield: whistles while driving at high speeds. Taken in for repairs numerous times and told that mechanic doesn't hear anything wrong. Ongoing problem. Brakes: need to be replaced every year. Car seems to chew them up. Replaced with high quality brakes from auto zone. Lifetime guarantee, and replaced by myself. Transmission: when car goes from reverse into drive, car revs up as if in neutral. Finally kicks into gear, but is jerky for about 5 minutes afterwards.

Filed Jul 31, 2002 · Suspension · OH

Suspension is still having problems after three trips to dealership for repairs. Gm admits service alert, but remedy they suggest doe snot fix problem. When vehicle is moving at higher speeds on rough surface, car jerks, squeaks and feels generally less controllable

Filed Jul 31, 2002 · Body, Brakes · MI

The rotors warp every 10,000- 15,000 miles. Also, the stopping distance has increased. The dealer has repaired this problem 3 times already. *ak the consumer states that there is early shifting in all the gears, the ride is rough, the electrical rear defogger doesn't clear well, sometime the passenger seat belt sticks, the brake pedal goes to the floor/too far, sounds like air is coming through the front door/and window-per bulletin, the passenger inside door handle had broken out of the support braket-r/r, the rotors are worn/out of adjustment/and make noises when stopping/pulsation from rear brakes-drums, and at low speeds the transmission jerks/slipping-diagnosed a leak from pan bolts.

Filed Oct 31, 2001 · Brakes · NY

When brakes are applied vehicle jerks, causing extended stopping distance. Brakes have been replaced four times. Please give any further.

Filed Oct 15, 1999 · Transmission · OH

Transmission is not shifting into overdrive. Driving on highway at 55-65 MPH rmps are consistantly at 5000/rmps and will not shift. Also jerks when shifting at 30mph. Progessively getting worse.