[troykillman]

I don't even know why I continue to make payments on my malibu... Seriously, I am about to call GMAC and say "Come and get this monstrosity, this joke, this horrible excuse for a vehicle... before i set it on fire..."

Every day of my life has seriously been a regret since 2/9/2009 when I bought this car..

It has done nothing but shake, rattle, squeak, squeal, peel, bubble, and just flat out fall apart. Yet no one at GM seems to have much of an interest.

I posted a thread about how I had moved to Rhode Island, and I couldn't get a dealership there to really care about the problems with my car. My home dealership is 2.5 hours away, I have been staying near by for the past week, just to avoid the 4.00 per gallon fuel costs.. I have been here, away from my family, working from my remote office, just waiting for those parts to come in, so I can have it all done.. Yet no parts yet.

I have been working with a case manager from GM who has been making appointments to call me and keep in touch about the events that happen with the vehicle as they unfold. Two times, he has called an hour earlier than the two hour window that he said he would call, and I was not available to take the call. This morning, he called me 3 hours early, and I missed the call. The voicemail stated he would try and call back the following Monday, OR I could call him and he left his extension.. Today as well as last week, I returned those calls, asking him to please call me back, which he has not done..

I tried to reach GM through their main line... I spoke to a rep there who tried to get ahold of him, but failed at the attempt. She said she would leave him a message asking that he call me, as well as see what he can do about getting me into a rental, and away from my migraine on wheels until it is done. She asked if it was okay to schedule a call back today from 2-4PM, I agreed, and that call never came.

Every time I take the time out to take one of these calls, that is money out of my pocket.

To date, the problems I have had are:

The moonroof cover creaking
Air Conditioner smells like urine.... Twice.
Remote Transmitters stopped working, (Internal Issue)
Lumbar lever missing
Rattle in the front still not corrected
Knocking noise from the engine, ignored by technicians in Rhode Island
creaking noises from console, constantly
Seats in the front of the car, seem to have issues with the fabric, something is folding and creasing under the layer of fabric.
the steering wheel is deteriorating.

I should've never traded my HHR in, that was a totally problem free car.. What the heck is the problem with this company and the Malibu?!

 

[08chevymalibultz]

Sorry to hear this! I know exactly how you feel, I have had my list of issues with this car. Luckily I have got most, if not all my issues fixed as of right now except a Scrape Sound when starting the car in the Winter Time when it is cold outside.

I do have a few minor issues that annoy me like my plastic seat cover in back of my drivers seat coming apart / loose, My rear deck where the speakers are rattles with Music of deep bass sounds, rear power source plug-in flap snapped off and the transmission tends to lag all the time, I have to really step on at times.

Yes I do have a few complaints but as for right now, not enough to take a loss to get rid of it, believe me I have thought of it more than once.

If you read most of my post, you will hear me bitch about many issues that I have had with my car. I have to say that this site has helped me in many ways, support wise and informational wise.

Hopefully there is some kind of resolution on GM’s side to help you get these issues resolved.

My next battle is going to be with my tire dealer, they damaged my rim after a tire repair just recently!

Hope everything works out for you but again I totally understand how you feel!

Good Luck!

 

[Silver LTZ]

I hear you too. I don't regret knowing what a Chevrolet is, as my Camaro has been great for 11 years. But I will admit our Malibu was a pile a junk. I think we had 15-18 dealer trips in just over a year and a half of ownership. I would never buy another GM sedan as they seem to have just too many issues. Even the new Cruze has many issues already. Seems all Chevy can do right is the Corvette, Camaro and the trucks.

 

[Screechymon]

Boy I'm going to hate myself for this but I don't recall having any issues with my Bu. (knocking vigorously on wood).

As mentioned, that so far just annoying cold start sound. I have noticed that creaking moonroof noise, I even may have others but don't notice over my radio.

Silver, I think your on to something there, and not just Chevys either. It seems alot of mid level cars/sedans seem to have more issues. But not to hijack a thread I may like to discuss this more under another topic.

Sorry to hear you have drawn the short straw OP on your Bu, but you even said your HHR had no problems, not all Chevys are bad. However is seems pretty split on happy vs upset Malibu owners. If I was GM I would not call that a success.

 

[troykillman]

I am glad to see that others have had problems, and Screechymon, I am so glad that you are not at your witts end like I am..

I have had many GM products, I had a cavalier back in 2001, an Alero in 2003, a 2006 Cobalt, 2007 HHR, and the 2009 Malibu.. This vehicle, is the only one, I have been completely and utterly disgusted with.

I couldn't believe the dealership in Rhode Island, when they told me, "your moonroof cover and celing rattleing, is totally normal".... It certainly didn't do that when I bought the car, the moonroof in my HHR never did it, and none of the other vehicles that were a GM Product did it either..

I just cannot understand why the company seems to know of the problems, yet calls them normal.. I didn't buy this vehicle to have it start rattleing after 24 months. It's just unreal.. And for some reason I feel like I am being unreasonable when I bring it in.

So we will see how they handle this, because I am not going to let it go with them. I will be a thorn in their side.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Dear troykillman,

I have also read the private message that you have sent to me. Don't worry about providing me with your case number, as I have already found it. I am looking at the notes in your case. I can confirm what you had written to me about the agent leaving you messages and the two of you playing phone tag per say.

Do you mind if I give you a call this afternoon?

Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[troykillman]

Calling me would be fine. I Have been pretty insistant that I speak with someone there. Just to update you on the status, They are calling my home dealership to get a rental car authorized for tomorrow..

The parts came in, but even my home dealership did not call me, as it slipped through the cracks.

Hopefully, this gets resolved by someone somehow. :-/

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

screechymon,

I am glad to read that you are happy with your Malibu. For the sound upon cold start, I have provided the proper department with the list of people that decided to provide me with the VIN of their Malibu that is experiencing this. I haven't had an update about this, this week but I know that there is many people involved in working towards a resolution for the scrape sound.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[08chevymalibultz]

screechymon,

I am glad to read that you are happy with your Malibu. For the sound upon cold start, I have provided the proper department with the list of people that decided to provide me with the VIN of their Malibu that is experiencing this. I haven't had an update about this, this week but I know that there is many people involved in working towards a resolution for the scrape sound.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

Michelle,

Thanks for updating us on the Scrape Sound that many of us are experiencing. You are well appreciated for any help and information that you can provide for us.

Thanks!

08chevymalibultz

 

[troykillman]

This is true, she is great! I as well appreciate her assistance.

 

[Trend1]

Man I feel lucky with my Malibu, the car will be two in June and its only been in the dealership once for a recall check that I didn't have. The car feels as good as the day I drove it home. Good luck and its great having Michelle around here!

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

08chevymalibultz,

You and all the others of the forum are most welcome. I couldn't be happier corresponding with all of you.

Please, rest assured that when I am provided any additional information about this I will share it with you.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[armoredsaint]

do you have pics of your steering wheel when you say it's deteriorating?

 

[troykillman]

What i'll do, is snap some pics of it tomorrow when I go out to my car. The new steering wheel is in, so they will be putting that on.

I will upload them in the afternoon. Take a good look at your steering wheels, Since I have noticed mine, its only progressed.

I tried to get them to install a leather wrapped one if I paid the difference.. They said they couldnt, which is unfortunate because ive only head leather wrapped steering wheels, and this standard steering wheel has been the only one thats been an issue.

 

[armoredsaint]

i do agree i'm not a fan of the steering wheel either, the plastic is too smooth to get a proper grip, plus it's small.

 

[Silver LTZ]

i do agree i'm not a fan of the steering wheel either, the plastic is too smooth to get a proper grip, plus it's small.

I agree, minus the small part. Small = good when it comes to a steering wheel.

 

[armoredsaint]

I agree, minus the small part. Small = good when it comes to a steering wheel.

i meant small as in the grip size of the wheel, not the diameter. i like the thicker grip size and a smaller wheel dia., like the one on my BMW 335i

 

[TonyBu]

screechymon,

I am glad to read that you are happy with your Malibu. For the sound upon cold start, I have provided the proper department with the list of people that decided to provide me with the VIN of their Malibu that is experiencing this. I haven't had an update about this, this week but I know that there is many people involved in working towards a resolution for the scrape sound.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

Hi Michelle, I have been dealing with the scrape sound for a while now, lately more often and always on cold start. Could I send you my VIN so you can add to the list? What other info would you need? TIA.

 

[troykillman]

Agreed on the grip size. The diameter overall however is gigantic. LOL..

I have looked into buying a leather steering wheel for the car, but i am completely unaware of what work needs to be done for installation. I wasn't sure if the dealership just didn't want to do it, or they really couldn't. Clearly if they just can't I totally understand. Here's to good luck tomorrow at the shop for me. I hope they can correct the problems.

 

[Silverstatticc06]

I have to say, my Malibu has been a pretty great car, and i drive the crap outta it! lol. Only real problem was my cracked exhaust manifold, wich was replaced under warranty at around 63k miles. Minor problems at the moment.....bad struts, bad pcv valve. Good luck with your car bud.....hope everything works out for you!