Door Lock Actuator Recall?

[ejvance03]

Is there going to be a GM recall on the door lock actuators? It seems this is a huge problem on the 08 and 09 malibus. Our car is doing the same thing as everyone else has posted. Key fob doesn't lock/unlock and nor does the door switch for ALL 4 DOORS!!!

[greenman]

Originally Posted by ejvance03

Is there going to be a GM recall on the door lock actuators? It seems this is a huge problem on the 08 and 09 malibus. Our car is doing the same thing as everyone else has posted. Key fob doesn't lock/unlock and nor does the door switch for ALL 4 DOORS!!!

Door actuators (GM calls them door latches) generally die slowly over time one-at-a-time. Getting weaker & weaker as time progresses. That does not sound like your issue in your brief post.

(Rant warning) Door actuators are a weak point of all US (& many, if not most, foreign) car makers. Could they make them last ten years? Easily. Could they make them easy to replace? Of course. Where exactly is their incentive to do so? It's part of a business model. The Remington shaver business model specifically. It's applied almost universally in manufacturing.
FWIW: GM dealers will charge around $300 per each door to replace them. No different for the other makes. The phrase "cash cow" comes to mind.

[MalibuKen]

Originally Posted by ejvance03

Is there going to be a GM recall on the door lock actuators?

If it does not affect safety or emissions.......they are not "required" to do a recall.

If enough people complain, however.............

I suggest that you contact the "warranty help department" listed in your owner's manual, even if it is OUT of warranty.

And if you stretch it, maybe door latches could be a safety issue so contact any government agency you can think of, like your Attorney Generals office or the CPSC or NTSB.

Those people who are actually HAVING the trouble MUST take some action.
"Outsiders" can't really help much.

[douglas92000]

Originally Posted by MalibuKen

If it does not affect safety or emissions.......they are not "required" to do a recall.

If enough people complain, however.............

I suggest that you contact the "warranty help department" listed in your owner's manual, even if it is OUT of warranty.

And if you stretch it, maybe door latches could be a safety issue so contact any government agency you can think of, like your Attorney Generals office or the CPSC or NTSB.

Those people who are actually HAVING the trouble MUST take some action.
"Outsiders" can't really help much.

Are they covered under the extended warranty (GM Major Guard)?

[greenman]

Originally Posted by douglas92000

Are they covered under the extended warranty (GM Major Guard)?

They may very well be covered by that. Ask a dealer.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Dear douglas92000,

I have read your post about your situation with your Malibu. You can read the information from the GM Protection Plan site that I have included.

http://www.gmprotectionplan.com/majorguard.html

However, I would have to agree with greenman and be sure to talk with your dealership to verify if this is something that is covered under the Major Guard program.

Sincerely,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

[Redeye]

A person thinking their doors are locked when they are not is a huge safety problem & liability issue for General Motors.

If someone pulls up to a red light & some thug enters that (so called) locked door & assaults, kills, or plunders then that seems to be a safety issue to me!

I'm currently going through this problem with 31,600 miles on my 2008 Malibu LTZ 3.6L V-6 but warranty expired last month. Checking the doors after parking or having to roll down the window to open the lock has removed some of my pleasure in owning my Malibu.

This problem is well documented & General Motors should take this opportunity to prove what kind of company they are going to be.

[MalibuKen]

Originally Posted by Redeye

This problem is well documented & General Motors had better take this opportunity to prove what kind of company they are going to be.

I hope YOU have registered your complaint with the proper Corporate office at GM.......or else the problem is not documented well enough.

And I cannot emphasize this enough:
YOU CAN ***NOT*** RELY ON YOUR DEALER TO REPORT THIS TO GM.
YOU MUST DO IT YOURSELF.

All the dealer cares about is getting YOU fixed at the max. profit for them.....or at the least cost......whichever situation it is.

Even the best service department on the planet doesn't really give a crap about all the rest of the owners out there. They really don't.

[Redeye]

Originally Posted by MalibuKen

I hope YOU have registered your complaint with the proper Corporate office at GM.......or else the problem is not documented well enough.

And I cannot emphasize this enough:
YOU CAN ***NOT*** RELY ON YOUR DEALER TO REPORT THIS TO GM.
YOU MUST DO IT YOURSELF.

They should be watching this board since Google goes here first when you search a problem with a Chevrolet. I think they would profit by taking care of loyal Chevrolet customers.

I called Chevrolet Repairs (800-222-1020) about my problem. A General Motors representative is calling me tomorrow & I will post their solution.

Thanks for the advice I will also try to contact the corporate office.

[ejvance03]

Yes, I agree with you Redeye about the "thug neigborhood" being a safety concern. But why did GM and all the other car companies start having the door locks go down when you put it in drive and unlock in park? Perhaps....SAFETY? I'm sure that was the rationale when they started doing that. But now that there is is a problem with it is it no longer a "Safety issue" just a "convenience issue"?