Chevrolet Malibu Forums banner

High Pitched Squeal/Whistle During Acceleration

44098 Views 23 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  repairman54
Hi Everyone,

I've been reviewing this board for some time now see if someone else has this problem. I bought my 2009 LTZ 4cycl in mid March. Almost imediately I noticed a high pitched squealling noise appearing around 2500-3000rpms everytime I accelerated from a stop. I heard it in gears 1-3 and possibly 4.

So I brought the car back to the dealer at only 380 miles. They told me that they were having trouble hearing it and that something might be breaking in. So I left, knowing that I was still under warranty and drove the car to 1300 miles until I brought it back to the dealer. Now the noise was louder anf I had gotten pretty good at reapeating it at this point. They took the car and tried to figure it out. The service center replaced the flex joint on the exhaust but the noise was still there. They did numerous tests and tried to repeat the noise on a lift but unfortunately it only happens when the engine is loaded (wheel torque).

They kept my car for a week. On the 7th day they had a GM factory rep take the car for a spin. He said that the noise was "not a problem b/c it didn't sound mechanical. Probably in the exhaust somewhere". This upset me greatly b/c there is not a single person who hasn't noticed this sound when riding in my car. The sound it some sort of vibrating part which seems to resonate at the mentioned rpms. It is SO ANNOYING! It sounds very similar to the noise breaks make when they wear down.

The rep said that he wanted me to drive the car until the first oil change and then have a GM field engineer check it out in 3 weeks. So, I still have the car... and I love it minus this noise! Imagine hearing nails on a chalk board everytime you accelerated from a stop.

Does anyone have suggestions? Is this a lemon? I really appreciate any feedback.
See less See more
1 - 1 of 24 Posts
Well... after some court dates and some very aggressive actions by my lawyer and a visit to Detriot I have gotten rid of my Malibu. I was not at all un happy to see it go. I've had every single problem that people have had on this board and I can confidently say that this car (and everything else GM is making) is crap. I high suggest that the rest of you do the same, pressure GM into financial ruin, and force them into a position where the only thing left for them to do is repay the taxpayers and dissappear into the history books along side the civil war. Am I being obvious enough about my hatred of this company? After spending $25k on a brand new car, being 22yr old just coming out of college, I feel like there should be at least come customer service... but no. GM hates their customers and they hate you. Good bye!
I've owned 15 GM cars with no real issues at all. Some have had over 100K and others have had hundreds of 1/4 mile passes. I love my GM cars and have had no real problems.


I'd like to hear about these court dates and why you had to visit Detroit....
1 - 1 of 24 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top