Front brakes pulsate when vehicle stops. Brakes had failed and dealer stated the problem could reoccur. *ak consumer states he is hearing a clunk noise in right front wheel area and brake noise in front when braking, vibration is worse after 30 miles of stopping, dealer replaced pads and resurfaced rotors; also, intermittently humming type noise during acceleration.
2001 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints
Page 7 of 7: complaints 161 to 175 of 175, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle misses at speeds of 60-80mph, vehicle jerks when it backfires. Dealer cannot remedy the problem.
Vehicle stalls intermittantly at slow speeds and when making slow turns, dealer has replaced ignition switch but this did not remedy the problem. Nlm
While driving, vehicle shakes erratically. It vibrates from inside. Also, had new struts put on rear. *ak consumer stated that driver side head lamp out of adjustment, front brake pads make noise, engine makes tapping noise when first starting, there was a shimmy in vehicle while driving due to struts leak.
Vehicle has stalled numerous times at speeds of 30-40 MPH. Vehicle taken to dealer 5 times, ignition was replaced, but did not remedy problem.*ak vehicle experiences hard start when cold, engine also makes noise.
Vehicle stalls while driving, dealer can not remedy the problem, oil pan experienced a leak, service engine light and check engine light illuminated.
Turn signal lights failed during normal operation. Dealership examined vehicle and determined that hazard light switch was the cause of problem. *ak dealer replaced hazard warning switch. Weatherstrip around both rear side windows deformed, as well as both door panels, dealer replaced weatherstrip and door panels, experiencing ticking and whinning noise from engine, dealer states this was normal.
Took car in cause of knocking in engine service advisor said couldnt hear it when picked the car up made him ride in it with me could hear knocking told me to bring it back.took back work order says piston slap.diagnoisis polymer coated pistons slapping inside clyinders;replaced all pistons,hone cylinders,replaced rings replaced allconnecting rod bearings.water pumbm went out told me to bring it in a week and a half later car kept running hot all the way in red had to have it towed inhoses were not reconnected when motor was worked on cd player went out also face of cd player gets extremely hot told me that was normal blinkers have went out twice first time said fixed them still not working now when you crank car it knocks have reported it it is doing the same thing when had pistons replaced lasted nov.06out
Driver heard knocking sound from engine. Took to weber cevrolet and problem was fixed. Piston and piston rings were bad. One week later driver hears popping noise from steeering column steering shaft was replaced. Gold package decals were fading off as well. Driver now hears knoking comming from engine again.
When driving vehicle randomly cuts off, it loses steering power. Also, engine leaks oil. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further information.
Engine pings with no reason, rotors are looking bad early on.
While driving at highway speeds vehicle completely shutsdown without warning, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Engine pistons replaced at 2395 miles due to" piston slap". Replaced all six pistons with teflon coated ones. Patch areas on opposite sides of piston in area where the most vibration and wear occurs. All six pistons showed signs of significant wear in areas where teflon added. Advised by different dealer ase certified mechanics & service manager that installing teflon coated pistons is just a short-term stop-gap measure and the problem would return. Photos were taken of old pistons. Brakes continue to make popping noise, like calipers are sticking and there is noticable reduced braking on wet surfaces. Dealer says "nothing is wrong". Rack and pinion failed initially at 4044 miles . Replaced and the same sounds and feel has returned. 24 days out-of-service to date. Will take action via lemon law after 6 more days out-of-service.
From the initial operation of the vehicle it smelled as if it had a slight oil leak on the exhaust. The vehicle emitted a slight odor that continued to grow stronger as the car was driven more. At no time could an oil leak be found. The car was eventually taken in for this problem and others on march 17, 2001. By april 24, 2001 chevrolet stated that the problem was determined to be related to the catalytic converter and they could not fix the problem. The car has not been able to be used since march 7, 2000 due to the acrid smell of burnt oil inside the car. The smell caused me to be unable to operate the car do to irriation to my sinus and eyes. I am concerned that this problem could cause someone to be seriosly ill and possibly lead to a collision as a result of impairment to the driver.
Item#1) brought vehicle in for service for engine noise. Advised pistons needed replacment. Advised car was "safe to drive". Pistons on national backorder. Left copy of service repair order with saleswoman and advised her to contact general manager of dealership and chevrolet of problem. Item#2) brakes, brought in vehicle for service on 02-14-2001 for brake instability on wet pavement. Advised brakes were "normal" after test drive. No on hoist inspection was performed . Brought in vehicle on 03-21-2001 for brakes and engine noise. Advised brakes were "normal" again, no action was taken regarding brakes after road test by dealership. Pistons needing replacment constitutes a failure of major drivetrain components and this vehicle will not be construed as "safe". A replacement vehicle must be provided or refund of all expenses and return of trade-in vehicle which was reliable.
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