Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet malibu. While driving, the vehicle intermittently shook, decelerated, and the battery failed. In addition, the door locks would not operate, which prevented the contact from exiting the vehicle. The dealer (all star chevrolet, 11377 airline hwy, baton rouge, la 70816) replaced the battery and the coil spring, but the failures continued. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Chevrolet Malibu coil spring problems
69 of the 19,367 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Malibu describe broken coil spring, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 69
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical mileage
- 88,189
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Tire blowout 6Harsh shifting 3Check engine light 3Grinding brakes 3Fire or smoke 2Loss of power 1Jerking 1Fuel pump 1
What owners say
Both rear coil springs broke part # 22714392 ( both have the same codes of ora and 301024p00 on the paper tag on spring ) this car has never pulled a trailer or had any heavy loads both of these springs broke in the same place ( I have the broken springs) driving straight on a smooth road you do not notice problem it is when you have to do fast lane change or hard braking then vehicle is hard to control I went to a chevrolet dealer and asked what they could for me I said it was not safe to drive and I never heard of 2 coil springs breaking in the same place they said there was not anything they were willing to do they said I could call general motors but they would not do anything either I stopped driving car for several months then ordered 2 after market moog brand springs which are made of thicker metal and I installed replacement springs on 11/15/2016
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the traction control and check engine indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure recurred numerous times. While the vehicle was idling, the ESC and traction control were off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve spring failed or fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated after the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred while driving approximately 25 MPH. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the coil spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine light illuminated. The vehicle lost power and decelerated independently. The vehicle regained power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the spark plugs, coil springs and the wire harness needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, who replaced the electronic control module. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the front driver side spring failed and caused damage to the front driver side tire and wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 53,924.
Upon accelerating from a parking lot to the road I heard a loud bang from the rear of the car. I stopped to do a visual inspection as it sounded like it came from the rear suspension. I continued a mile down the road while slowing for a stop sign I heard another noise from the same area and heard a metal object bounce under the car and down the road. I recovered a piece of a broken spring that had come from my right rear suspension. I went directly to the chevy dealer and they confirmed the failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 25 MPH, there was a loss of control in the steering. The contact was able to regain full control of the vehicle and continued to drive with caution. There was a nearby independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and stated the sub frame was fractured due to corrosion. In addition, both front coil springs fractured. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly shut off at least five to six times a day. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The dealer replaced the fuel pump, fuel modulator and coil springs. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The vehicle was at the dealership at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 47,000.
1) nothing abnormal 2) left front suspension spring broke, broken spring cut through side wall of tire, causing vehicle to literally drop onto frame, loosing complete control of the vehicle. Luckily, vehicle was only going about 20 MPH at the time the spring broke! I have worked in auto dealerships for 30 years, and although a broken spring isn't all that unusual, this is the third spring that has broken on this vehicle in the past year. I had to replace both passenger side springs last year. 3) I replaced all four springs on this vehicle, and found the epoxy coating (on the springs) in very poor condition. Unfortunately, I don't have the old springs. I have also read on chevy malibu message boards that this is not an uncommon occurrence.
Related recalls
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
- Risk
- A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of the federal safety agency recalls 20V‑764 and 21V‑633.
Recall number 21V00F000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
- Risk
- A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.
Recall number 21V633000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
- Risk
- A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
Recall number 20V764000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, manufactured December 6, 2011, through January 15, 2013. One or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling.
- Risk
- Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and retighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications have already begun and will be completed shortly. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑521‑7300.
Recall number 13V024000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Malibu coil spring
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have broken coil spring problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (32 complaints), 1998 (28 complaints) and 2003 (2 complaints).
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