Chevrolet Malibu Timeframe: from Jan 01, 2011 to Dec 31 ... · 21 air conditioning 30 0.4 22 throttle body 29 0.3 23 lights 11 0.1 24 struts 8 0.1 Topics Page Trend Stmts % of Stmts

Chevrolet MalibuTimeframe: from Jan 01, 2011 to Dec 31, 2014

NHTSA complaints

Overall Topic Comparison

PolyVista (patent pending serial # 14/452,371) 2/43

Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA complaints

1 power steering 1,278 15.2

2 airbag 1,278 15.2

3 brake 1,186 14.1

4 wheel 1,022 12.1

5 engine 733 8.7

6 door 532 6.3

7 ignition switch 508 6.0

8 seat 452 5.4

9 fuel 356 4.2

10 acceleration 279 3.3

11 transmission 121 1.4

12 battery 116 1.4

13 seat belt 111 1.3

14 window 93 1.1

15 sensor 64 0.8

16 anti-theft system 50 0.6

17 tires 45 0.5

18 alarm 42 0.5

19 pedal 39 0.5

20 windshield 38 0.5

21 air conditioning 30 0.4

22 throttle body 29 0.3

23 lights 11 0.1

24 struts 8 0.1

Topics Trend Stmts % of StmtsPage

Table of Contents

Docs = 3,528, Stmts = 8,421



Topic Treemap Chart



Hierarchical Bar Chart



power steering



power steering1,278 or 15% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

power steering (1,278 statements)

failure (86% or 1104 statements)

Keywords: motor, wheel, sensor, indicator, column, chevy, gm, warning, road, module, mph, engine, stability, panel, radio• power steering failure .• electric power steering failure .• power steering not working .• power steering went out unexpectantly .• power steering is not working properly .


steering shaft (6% or 72 statements)

Keywords: column, sensor, module, gear, bulletin, dealership, gm, cam, motor, seat• the dealer replaced the steering shaft , but the failure recurred .• my steering shaft broke and it was replaced at a chevy dealership .• the contact stated that the steering shaft was worn and the joints were corroded .• the contact stated that while driving 20 mph , the steering shaft failed without warning .• the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was advised that the steering shaft needed to be

replaced .


lock (4% or 55 statements)

Keywords: wheel, radio, message, dashboard, warning, screen, display, mph• power steering locked up while driving .• while driving 35 mph , the power steering locked suddenly .• 2006 chevy Malibu power steering will lock up when driving at low speeds .• 2006 chevrolet Malibu power steering locked up .• power steering locks especially in colder weather .




motor (4% or 47 statements)

Keywords: column, module, chevy, gm, unit, safety, control, letter, model• paid over 1000 dollars to replace power steering motor .• canada has recalled 67,000 vehicles due to power steering motor control module defective .• the contact inspected the vehicle and replaced the electronic power steering motor .• so far I have replaced the power steering motor , which gm reimbursed me for about 1 year after I had it

repaired .• the technician diagnosed that the power steering motor was defective and needed to be replaced .



airbag



airbag1,278 or 15% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

airbag (1,278 statements)

light (71% or 902 statements)

Keywords: exterior, bag, theft, airbag, dash, traffic, hazard, panel, passenger, bulb, indicator, instrument, driver, warning, chevy• air bag light goes off and on .• air bag light comes on and off .• '' air bag light coming on intermittently .• air bag readiness light in the instrument panel comes on and off .• also , the contact mentioned that the air bag light continuously illuminated without warning .


quit working (19% or 238 statements)

Keywords: bag, airbag, passenger, sensor, air, service, driver, indicator, panel, side• also I got a message regarding the passenger side air bag was not working .• the air bags have quit working .• now the air bags probably wont work when needed .• upon vehicle inspection by the dealership , I was told that the passenger presence senor was ''

malfunctioning '' , which indicates that the air bag system is not working properly .• they also said our airbag would not work as long as this light was on .


failed to deploy (11% or 138 statements)

Keywords: bag, airbag, driver, passenger, sensor, air, side, accident, deployment, gm• just no air bag deployment .• the air bag did not deploy .• again no airbag deployment ! ''• however , the air bags did not deploy . ''• airbags never deployed .



brake



brake1,186 or 14% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

brake (1,186 statements)

lights (88% or 1038 statements)

Keywords: pedal, gas, foot, sensor, accelerator, emergency, parking, driver, safety, mph, chevy, module, pressure, rotor, road• my brake lights are faulty .• brake lights come on for no reason , shut off cruise control .• brake lights illuminate without brake pedal being pushed .• brake lights come on without me pressing down the brake pedal .• brake lights do not work unless I use excessive force .



Keywords: pedal, brake, foot, emergency, warning, exterior, line, lamp, switch• car slid on slush and brakes failed to work though pressed all the way down ; crashed into a snowbank

damaging the front end of my car .• the brakes failed to work .• the contact stated that while driving 20 mph , the brakes failed .• the contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph , the brakes failed without warning .• brakes did not work .


replaced (3% or 40 statements)

Keywords: brake, sensor, pedal, switch, module, replacement, pad, rotor• brake position sensor replaced .• I replaced the brake pedal lever sensor .• also , I had to replace rear brakes and grind rotors at 37,000 miles-seems kind of premature .• the dealer replaced the brake pedal position sensor , updated 11/14/13• the brakes were replaced twice within a year .



wheel



wheel1,022 or 12% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

wheel (1,022 statements)

steering wheel (85% or 871 statements)

Keywords: mph, noise, road, sensor, column, alignment, highway, parking, panel, driver, side, motion, warning, passenger• the car steering wheel locks up .• '' steering wheel locked , engine power was lost , brakes would not work .• '' backing out of my parking spot , my steering wheel locked up .• '' steering wheel seems to lock and needs a hard pull to turn wheel , I have noticed this issue on other trips .• my steering wheel would lock up .

wheel (1,022 statements)

noise (15% or 151 statements)

Keywords: wheel, alignment, direction, tire, lug, rim, hub, area, nut, road, passenger• there also is a clunking noise under the car when I turn the wheel hard .• may 2013 the shaking was still very persistent and I was hearing a popping noise when turning the wheels .• the contact was driving at 25 mph when the vehicle exhibited a popping noise at the front end and the wheels

wobbled .• the contact stated that while engaging the brakes , a grinding noise emitted from the front wheels .• once I started to drive I noticed that the wheel was shaking and making noises .



engine



engine733 or 9% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

engine (733 statements)

lights (93% or 681 statements)

Keywords: engine, minute, indicator, gas, traction, revolution, ignition, chevy, mph, stability, panel, sensor, instrument, dealership, oil• in addition , the check engine light is always on .• also , the check engine light illuminated .• the check engine warning light did not illuminate until after the failure occurred .• the engine light keeps going on and off .• in addition , the check engine and the fuel warning lights continuously illuminated while driving .


noise (7% or 48 statements)

Keywords: engine, minute, revolution, ten, consumer, compartment, check, wheel, gm• I have been fighting with gm for many months to fix problems , engine knocking noise , air conditioning has

mold smell .• the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph , an unusual noise emitted from the engine .• the contact stated that while driving 60 mph , the vehicle made an abnormal noise and the engine stalled .• there is a grinding noise coming from the engine compartment .• the sound comes from below in the engine compartment and is heard constantly inside the vehicle .



Keywords: engine, check, ignition, indicator• the check engine warning light illuminated prior to the failure .• there are hundreds of internet complaints about the Malibu from 2000 and onward related to engine and

ignition failures . ''• the check engine warning indicator illuminated after the failure occurred .• the failure recurred intermittently with engine stalling sporadically .



door532 or 6% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

door (532 statements)

lock (100% or 532 statements)

Keywords: door, driver, passenger, actuator, side, button, fob, panel, safety, seat, window, chevy, key• door lock actuator failed in rear , driver 's side door .• door locks will not unlock .• the lock actuator is broken on one door .• '' both rear door locks stopped working .• '' door locks stop working two years ago , noise with steering and power train .



ignition switch



ignition switch508 or 6% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

ignition switch (508 statements)

issues (97% or 495 statements)

Keywords: ignition, key, gm, cylinder, switch, engine, dealership, mechanic, minute, module, consumer, sensor, technician• key is stuck in the ignition .• the ignition switch to start the car is defective .• consumer writes in regards to a faulty ignition switch .• consumer writes in regards to ignition switch issues and repair reimbursement .• the ignition lock failed resulting in an inability to start the engine .

ignition switch (508 statements)


Keywords: ignition, cylinder, lock, switch• the consumer the ignition lock cylinder was replaced , prior to the recall announcement . ''• the ignition lock cylinder was replaced .• replaced ignition lock cylinder with passlock• the technician stated that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced .• consumer is seeking reimbursement the ignition lock cylinder and hazard warning switch were replaced .



seat



seat452 or 5% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

seat (452 statements)

driver seat (84% or 379 statements)

Keywords: door, bracket, chevy, child, safety, assembly, console, track, airbag, hole, area, side, replacement• drivers seat bracket broke , driver now sits lopsided .• drivers seat frame broke while driving .• drivers seat broke , the latch that secures it to the floor .• broken weld on drivers side front seat .• weld on driver seat broke on front right side .

seat (452 statements)

passenger seat (16% or 73 statements)

Keywords: driver, bag, sensor, airbag, side, door, wife, air• passenger air bag will not arm all the time with passenger in seat .• '' the passenger air bag indicator light shows the passenger air bag is off when there is someone sitting in the

seat , sometimes it works , sometimes not .• also have problems with sensor in passenger seat .• the buckle for the passenger side seat belt stop working on my 2007 chevy Malibu , airbag light on for no

reason , I lock the car come back all doors are unlocked .• the sensor in the passenger seat is not working properly .



fuel



fuel356 or 4% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

fuel (356 statements)

gauge (58% or 208 statements)

Keywords: gas, sensor, level, tank, fuel, chevy, indicator, amount, minute, dash, revolution• fuel gauge quite working .• the contact stated that the fuel gauge failed and would not provide an accurate reading when full or empty .• '' fuel gauge stopped working , would not indicate fuel level . ''• the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle , the fuel gauge would not provide an accurate fuel level

reading .• fuel gauge works intermittently - from full to empty and then to full again .


pump (29% or 103 statements)

Keywords: fuel, chevy, module, line, theft, mechanic, sensor, tank, shop• defected fuel pump .• the fuel pump is broken .• took to chevrolet dealer service and was told fuel pump has crack and is leaking .• fuel pressure line at fuel pump module cracked and leaking fuel externally .• fuel pump failure in 2011 .


tank (13% or 45 statements)

Keywords: gas, fuel, unit, leak, empty, full, connector, device• fuel leak at fuel tank .• the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who stated that fuel was leaking on top of the fuel tank .• was told fuel was leaking on top of fuel tank .• '' gaseline leaks from top of gas tank .• I have a gas leak coming from the top of my gas tank .



acceleration279 or 3% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

acceleration (279 statements)

unwanted (100% or 279 statements)

Keywords: mph, gear, acceleration, engine, accelerator, road, minute, revolution, ignition, highway, foot, side• consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration issues .• the contact was driving 45 mph when the vehicle abnormally accelerated .• consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration .• the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle .• the contact stated that while driving 65 mph , the vehicle accelerated on it is own .



transmission



transmission121 or 1% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

transmission (121 statements)

wiring (38% or 46 statements)

Keywords: wire, harness, unit, connector, housing, circuit, module, husband, lamp, department• replaced rear u-bec , wiring harness junction block , relay , because melted connector with five leads 30 amp

fues .• the wires also began to melt the bulb , causing the left and right turn signals to fail .• ( the wiring got wet in a sealed unit . )• I feel gm is trying to fix the problem the cheapest way possible , by placing a washer and grease on the wire

harness .• the vehicle was taken back to the dealership where they diagnosed that the wiring was not connected .


shift cable (25% or 30 statements)

Keywords: transmission, gm, fracture, condition, letter, throttle, response, mph, consumer• my recalls are on the transmission shift cable , body control module , brake apply sensor and electronic

stability control .• the transmission shift cable had snapped .• the shift cable in my transmission is broken !• I am having issues with my transmission shift cable .• this problem was stated in the notice as a condition in which the transmission shift cable may fracture at any

time .





Keywords: transmission, module, replacement, line, control, gm, engine• the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the technician stated the transmission had to be

replaced .• the technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced .• the technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced .• the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced .• the technician diagnose that the input speed sensor and transmission control module needed to be replaced .


problem (10% or 12 statements)

Keywords: transmission, cable, shift, gm, mechanic• they told me that the transmission problem was that it needed a program upgrade and that I had to pay out of

pocket 60.70 for this upgrade .• wow an 2009 with transmission problems .• problem was diagnosed as wiper transmission failure .• the transmission stays in 2nd or 3rd gear causing loss of acceleration from a stopped position ( such as a red

light ) mechanic ruled out any problems with the transmission by itself .• consumer writes in regards to vehicle transmission problem the consumer stated while driving 30 - 40 mph

frequent shifts in the transmission were strong enough to exhibit a slight buck .


gear (4% or 5 statements)

Keywords: transmission, loss, speed• after trying the key and remote numerous times the driver side door unlocked but would not relatch when the

door was closed or even after starting the engine and placing the transmission in gear .• '' wave plate failure of transmission resulted in sudden loss of 5th gear and loss of speed at highway speeds .• Sunday , may 27th 3pm cst driving in southwest missouri , the transmission hesitated shifting to a higher

gear .• the transmission stays in 2nd or 3rd gear causing loss of acceleration from a stopped position ( such as a red

light ) mechanic ruled out any problems with the transmission by itself .• the contact also stated that the transmission would become stuck in first gear and began to exhibit an

abnormal jerking motion .


automatic transmission (3% or 4 statements)

Keywords: red, neutral, shift• recall id # 78844 - power train : automatic transmission : lever and linkage : column shift no problems with

vehicle until 12/12 driving on interstate at approximately .• the dealer was contacted who made her aware that the vehicle was previously repaired under a national

highway traffic safety administration campaign id number : 09v073000 ( power train : automatic transmission : lever and linkage : column shift ) and advised her to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle inspected .

• overall my car has been ok with getting me from place a to place b. the issues I have had that are pretty serious flaws are the power steering column , the alignment , the automatic power transmission , and the door locks .

• '' the automatic transmission would shift into neutral while at red lights and / or driving without warning .



battery116 or 1% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

battery (116 statements)

bad (100% or 116 statements)

Keywords: battery, engine, cable, brand, ignition, key, airbag, dash, issue, fan, alternator• problem creating battery problems killing battery .• as a result , the battery died and the vehicle had to be jumped started .• '' I have had problems with the battery , wiring problems and lock problems .• multiple error messages appearing in dashboard electrical burning smell with dash computer giving out

random error messages stating service airbag and service engine soon burned out my battery .• the mechanic advised the contact that the battery could possibly have been causing the failure .



seat belt111 or 1% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

seat belt (111 statements)

stop working (100% or 111 statements)

Keywords: passenger, driver, seatbelt, seat, belt, bag, accident, frame, shaft• the contact stated that the front passenger side seat belt failed to latch .• the contact mentioned that the seat belt failed .• seat belt will not retract .• seatbelt retractor stopped working unable to use seatbelts .• his seatbelt failed to lock into place , resulting in him being thrown forward into the dashboard and sustaining

the above injuries . ''



window93 or 1% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

window (93 statements)

stop working (100% or 93 statements)

Keywords: window, driver, door, passenger, rear, side, weather, defroster• the following stopped working : windshield wipers , heated seats , power windows / sunroof , power doors ,

power mirrors , blue tooth interface , dome lights and mirror / compass .• also intermittently , the four power windows and power door locks failed to operate when the control

mechanism was engaged .• previously ( summer 20101 ) the power windows would not function - dealer stated it was a pinched wire .• the contact stated that the vehicle recently experienced electrical failures with the power windows and the

contact was unable to open or shut the power windows .• the next set of problems was the power window , ventilation ( ac and fan ) , and radio would not work .



sensor64 or 1% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

sensor (64 statements)


Keywords: sensor, torque, throttle, assembly, passenger, valve, input, position, crankshaft• the throttle position sensor sensor was shot .• per the dealer they advised the sensor is bad / faulty .• I was told this was due to a faulty throttle position sensor .• the vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the torque sensor assembly needed to be replaced .• the technician stated that the input torque sensor failed and the steering shaft needed to be replaced .



anti-theft system50 or 1% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

anti-theft system (50 statements)


Keywords: passlock, chevy, reason, minute, gm, pass, sensor, complaint, theft• passlock anti-theft system engaging and not allowing car to start .• passlock system is not working properly .• the anti-theft will not let me start my car for several minutes in the morning an other times .• car would not start because the anti-theft system was activated for no reason .• `` 2002 chevrolet Malibu ignition problem , faulty switch and car can incorrectly tell the anti-theft security

system that the car is being stolen .



tires



tires45 or 1% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

tires (45 statements)


Keywords: tire, front, wheel, replacement, shaft, pressure, emergency• they replaced front tires and aligned vehicle .• the left side suspension , front rim , and tire were replaced . ''• the tires were replaced but the vibration persisted .• on 09/21/2013 replaced both rear tires with new tires , problem persisted .• the dealer replaced the steering shaft and the tires were replaced several times , but the failure was not

corrected .

tires (45 statements)

air leak (36% or 16 statements)

Keywords: tire, pressure, wheel, steel, weld, consumer• all four tires are losing air and have put air in 3 times .• firestone informed the contact the tire could not be repaired and the sealant would not have worked , and

even if it had , the rim had a small dent that meant the tire would not have held air .• steel wheel cracked in weld resulting in slow air leak and low tire .• I had a tiny little hair line crack on the inside of my rim , causing me to loose a lot of air in my tire .• '' steel wheels cracked behind weld for second time causing small air leak and low tire , wheels never struck

anything and were never abused .



alarm42 or 0% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

alarm (42 statements)


Keywords: alarm, warning, factory, brake, engine, highway, door, stability, bag• the alarm does not work .• the car began to flash all lights and a buzzing alarm sounded .• as other owners have experienced , the steering alarm light went off in my Malibu .• creating problem with alarm system .• was traveling down the highway and alarm sounded check power steering and there was nothing there .



pedal39 or 0% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

pedal (39 statements)

stuck (100% or 39 statements)

Keywords: pedal, accelerator, gas, foot, floor, brake, media, order• accelerator pedal sticks when driving .• the contact was driving at various speeds and the accelerator pedal became stuck while depressed .• the contact stated while parking the vehicle , the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floor and the contact

was unable to release the accelerator pedal .• the contact stated that while driving at various speeds , the accelerator pedal would become stuck and the

vehicle would accelerate independently .• the contact stated that the accelerator pedal would become stuck and not return to the idle position when the

temperature was warmer .



windshield38 or 0% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

windshield (38 statements)

wipers (100% or 38 statements)

Keywords: windshield, passenger, issue, dashboard, weather, linkage, blade, seal• motor is on but a / c , dashboard gauges , power windows , power locks , windshield wipers do not operate .• neither wiper blade moved .• '' I was driving at highway speed on i-95 in the rain when the windshield wipers suddenly failed .• the consumer stated the plastic grommet and wiper linkage failed .• the first dealer stated that the wipers were operating as designed while the second dealer stated that the

rubber used for the wipers seemed to contract away from the windshield in cold weather .



air conditioning30 or 0% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

air conditioning (30 statements)

stop (100% or 30 statements)

Keywords: conditioning, air, conditioner, fan, unit, gm, engine, level, leak• the contact stated that the vehicle experienced several failures in which the electric windows would not

function , the headlights stopped illuminating , and the air conditioning unit failed .• '' we started having different problems with the fan not wanting to work for the air conditioning , lights not

wanting to work and failure to start .• I turned off the vehicle and restarted it , and the heating , ventilating , and air conditioning fan would still not

function .• '' when the vehicle was started , the heating , ventilating , and air conditioning fan control was not functional .• the contact stated that the blower for the air conditioning system malfunctioned and the power windows failed

to go back up after being rolled down .



throttle body



throttle body29 or 0% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

throttle body (29 statements)


Keywords: throttle, assembly, sensor, manufacturer, dealership, mechanic, money, replacement• the technician diagnosed that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced .• updated 10/23/14 the dealer informed the consumer , the throttle body needed to be replaced .• the technician diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced .• the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be

replaced .• this happened 6 times before I finally made it to a mechanic who told me that I had a bad throttle body and it

would need to be replaced .

throttle body (29 statements)


Keywords: throttle, sensor, position, diagnostic• the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the throttle body position sensor was faulty .• I asked why would the throttle body defect , be the consumers fault ; I did not know cars can not be out in the

cold weather .• the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the throttle body caused the failure to occur .• both diagnostic tests located the failure at the throttle body position sensor .• the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the throttle body was clogged .



lights11 or 0% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

lights (11 statements)

blinkers (100% or 11 statements)

Keywords: blinker, passenger, headlight, rear, front• in 2010 I experienced a scary new twist : my blinkers will not always work .• the blinkers were either inoperative or worked intermittently .• the front and rear blinkers continuosly go out .• also when the breaks are stepped on the blinkers do not work .• passenger blinker does not work .



struts8 or 0% statements (total 8,421 Stmts)

struts (8 statements)


Keywords: strut, brake, wheel, door, passenger• within a one year period , had to have all 4 wheel bearings replaced , a strut , and the front sway bar linkage .• also , t he brakes and struts needed to be replaced . ''• I now have to replace the entire strut , shock , and spring undersupports for the second time .• I have had so many issues with the 2005 Malibu it should be pulled off the road for sure , I have had to

replace struts 2 times now and about to replace my 2nd fuel pump , my car has stalled out on many occasions , has left me stranded many other occasions .

• the steering wheel also gives somewhat of a vibration which I thought were the struts which were replaced and the disk brakes .



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Documents

Chevrolet Malibu Timeframe: from Jan 01, 2011 to Dec 31 ... · 21 air conditioning 30 0.4 22 throttle body 29 0.3 23 lights 11 0.1 24 struts 8 0.1 Topics Page Trend Stmts % of Stmts