Ask the Car People.SM


Chevrolet Malibu Electrical/Lighting

208 messages,  Last post on Feb 27, 2013 at 1:46 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Lights, Electrical, Sedan

Messages Page 11 of 21

#98 of 208 Re: 2001 Malibu [bateejeff] by pao

Feb 28, 2007 (9:38 pm)

Replying to: bateejeff (Feb 28, 2007 8:40 pm)
sorry for all your issues....my 04 Malibu Maxx...has been essentially problem free......the 01 models were infamous for electrical problems...but that certainly wouldnt contribute to the frosting problem....did the side vents low hot air...just wondering?
 
you make several references to GM dealerships, did you ever take it to a chevy dealership......you would be surprised that dealership service departments may or may not have experience with your specific GM model...just because they are a GM dealer..doesnt necessarily mean they can fix all GM models....
 
Also remember GM doesnt own these dealerships...each is an independently owned and operated and a separate entity from corporate GM......As far as your name goes...you didnt say what your correct spelling was...but again...I would say poor management from the dealership you purchased your car from...again...they are the ones that put you in the Big GM system......did you call Corporate GM or the lccal dealer to try to get the name corrected.....I highly doubt they intended to insult you by intentionally making a name up...
 
regardless..even Toyota has their problems.....several issues with the transmission in the new camry...and a major issue with engine sludge in a class action suit just settled....buying a car is a personal choice....purchase what you think is best for your needs......cheers!!

#99 of 208 Re: 2001 Malibu [bateejeff] by prdm

Mar 01, 2007 (8:23 am)

Replying to: bateejeff (Feb 28, 2007 8:40 pm)
You go from justifiably condemning a single bum 2001 Malibu to the entire domestic automobile industry. That's some hyperbole.

#100 of 208 Re: 2001 Malibu [pao] by bateejeff

Mar 01, 2007 (10:59 am)

Replying to: pao (Feb 28, 2007 9:38 pm)
Thanks very much for your comments and suggestions.
  
I did visited several Chevy dealerships including the one who sold me the vehicles. After my numerous visits, they finally agreed with me that the window fogging (or frosting depending on temperature) was not an artifact caused by the vehicle owner's no-knowledge of how to operate the vehicle. But, they were all unable to fix the problem other than suggesting me to de-hydrate the floor mats every week.
 
Regarding the incorrect last name, I made innumerable attempts to get it fixed. I initially visited the dealership where I bought my vehicle. The dealership blamed GM Chevy division. Then, I contacted GM, but GM told me that it was the dealership's fault and so they referred me back to the dealership. So, I went back to the dealership. The dealership told me that my last name was 100% correct in the computer system of the dealership and that it is GM's responsibility to correct my name in GM's computer system. Then, I talked with GM again and complained profoundly. Eventually, GM seemed to indicate that they would take actions to correct my name. But later, I still kept receiving letters and postcards etc. which were addressed to "Mr. Low". Then, I called GM again, but GM told me that those correspondences were sent out by the dealership who used GM's name. So, I went back to the dealership and showed them the letters and postcards.
The dealership said that since the letters and postcards were clearly printed with GM Chevy Division's Toledo address, these correspondence had nothing to do with the dealership. Once again, I got kicked out of the dealership without resolving the problem. Eventually, I gave up. That is a good story to tell friends though.

#101 of 208 STOP! by dugfresh

Mar 01, 2007 (12:45 pm)

Hey. Thanks for all of the great recommendations. I'll surely be on my way to trouble free commuting soon! I was kind of skeptical about posting here. But I see that the discussion is very helpful and not off topic at all. No wait, that's right. This is a bunch of unrelated crap. You're entitled to your opinion. But, please don't start bashing or complaining in response to a request for help. If you saw someone on the ground asking for CPR, would you start complaining about your headache? No Thanks for all the help. I guess I can't complain about the responses to the complaints. The door was already opened there. Please stick to the topic or stick.... Just please stick to the topic.

#102 of 208 Re: STOP! [dugfresh] by bateejeff

Mar 01, 2007 (8:37 pm)

Replying to: dugfresh (Mar 01, 2007 12:45 pm)
Dug,
I sincerely apologize for any inconvinience that my message has caused you. My message was intended to post under a new thread. Unfortunately, for whatever the reason, the message was mistakenly posted under the thread you created. Sorry. All's my fault.

#104 of 208 Re: 2001 Malibu [prdm] by bateejeff

Mar 02, 2007 (10:13 pm)

Replying to: prdm (Mar 01, 2007 8:23 am)
This is a reply to prdm.
 
I respectfully disagree with what you said. By no means I was trying to condemning GM or the entire domestic automobile industry. In fact, my company makes parts for Ford and GM. If GM or Ford collapses, my job could be in jeopardy, which is one of the reasons why I always buy Ford or GM. On the other hand, I've become increasingly disappointed by the quality of GM and Ford. The 2001 Malibu is my first GM vehicle. Prior to that, my wife and I owned a total of 5 Ford Escorts over about 15 years. The performance of the Ford Escorts was mediocre at best. For example, the tie rods worn out very quick. They tend to develop problems like transmission and water pump leaking relatively early. When we sold the vehicles, we got very little money back.
 
After we got rid of the 2001 Chevy Malibu, I was going to buy a 2006 Malibu, because I wanted to save money (I had almost $3000 GM credit card rebate) and also because I tried to cash in on the GM supplier's discount program (As I mentioned earlier, my company is a GM supplier). However, due to our bad experience with the 2001 Malibu, my wife disapproved of buying another Malibu. I tried to defend GM by saying that the 2001 Malibu didn't do well because it was the early model year and so GM didn't have the chance to debug everything. I argued that the 2006 Malibu had been re-designed and so all the bugs in the early models had been worked out.
 
Despite the disapproval by my wife, I visited a Chevy dealership near my home at Akron, Ohio. Before the sale rep showed me the 06 Malibu, he was touting that the vehicle had won some kind of JD Power's Initial Quality Award. I jokingly replied, "Please show me the initial quality before you brag about it". What happened next is hilarious! None of the four 06 Malibu’s on the dealership's lot would start because the batteries were dead. Perhaps because the vehicles had not been test driven for a long time (presumably because few people care buying a Malibu). I questioned the sales rep, “Where did the Initial Quality Award come from? The cars don’t even start!” The sales person had to borrow another vehicle to jump start one of the 06 Malibu’s. Even after jump starting, the sale person was afraid to get bogged down and insisted that I test drive the vehicle on local roads instead of highway. I think he simply had no confidence on a new vehicle which he bragged about being an award winner. Since it was getting dark, I agreed with him and took a local road (Rt. 261 near Rolling Acre Mall of Akron) for test driving. After a few minutes on the road, I noticed that at the roadside ahead of me, there was a shining, new-looking, but bogged down vehicle with its hood open. I joked to the Chevy sales rep who sat by me, “Hopefully, that’s not a Chevy bogged down”. He said, “no-no, that can’t be one of us.” Gues what? When we drove by the bogged down vehicle, I saw clearly the Chevy cross logo, and, surprisingly, the vehicle looked brand new. I said to the sales rep, “Is that bogged down vehicle from your dealership? Is it anothe vehicle with a dead battery? No wonder you don’t want me to test drive on highway.” The sales rep offered no comments on what I said. After test driving, I parked the 06 Malibu near the dealership’s main door and turned off the engine. But, the sales person changed his mind and wanted me to park the car back to where we picked up the car, the reason being that the dealership was about to close and he didn’t want to leave the vehicle overnight near the main door. Following his instructions, I tried to re-start the engine. Guess what? The engine wouldn't re-start because the battery became dead again. At that moment, the sale person became very embarrassed. I could see his face turning red like a tomato. What a bizarre day of car shopping for me! When I told friends about what happened that day, they all burst into laugh. Some had difficulty in believing and asked whether I made up the story.
 
Discouraged by the "Initial Quality" of the 06 Malibu, I became hesitant to buy any Chevy. Eventually, I bought a 07 Buick Rendezvous in November 06 in order to utilize my GM credit card rebate. So far the Rendezvous has been running OK. There have been only a few minor issues.
 
When my wife changed her car last year, I was unable to convince her to buy a GM or Ford. She simply had enough bad experience with GM and Ford and couldn't take any more. She bought a 07 Toyota Avalon, and so far she loves it.
 
In closing, I was not trying to condemn the domestic auto industry. I wish GM and Ford would listen to customers about their concerns and improve the quality of their vehicles. I want them to succeed.

#105 of 208 Re: 2001 Malibu [bateejeff] by prdm

Mar 03, 2007 (7:59 am)

Replying to: bateejeff (Mar 02, 2007 10:13 pm)
To be honest, I'd be very reluctant to buy an American car again in the future.
 
The above is your quote. I don't normally respond to these I'm never going to buy another (insert brand here) type rants because mostly they come from the kids on here but you sounded more educated and eloquent. Despite that, because of some anecdotal evidence, you take the same stance. Extrapolate that out a bit and nobody would ever buy a car again.
 
I have no particular brand loyalty. A car is a tool with a job to do and at the moment a Chevy Maxx is doing that job fine. I've had VW's, Datsuns, BMW's, Ford's etc. some better than others but at no time would I paint a car company with a broad brush derived from my narrow experiences.

#106 of 208 Re: 2001 Malibu [prdm] by bateejeff

Mar 03, 2007 (11:02 am)

Replying to: prdm (Mar 03, 2007 7:59 am)
To prdm,
 
Thanks for your comments. You were making some good points.
 
However, I'd like to point out that even though I had very bad experience with 01 Malibu and 06 Malibu as I described in earlier messages, I have nothing against GM. In fact, as I metioned, last November I bought another GM vehicle, i.e., Buick 07 Rendezvous. Some friends said I was crazy to buy another GM vehicle despite all the trouble I had gone through with GM.
 
If the Buick 07 Rendezvous doesn't do good for me, I will try a Japanese car to get a comparison. Maybe the lawn is indeed greener on the other side of the town. Or, may be not.
 
Good luck with you Chevy Malibu Maxx. I sincerely hope you won't have to go through what I went through with my 01 Malibu.

#107 of 208 2000 Malibu Electrical Issue by ffemtp628

Mar 15, 2007 (6:46 am)

Messages Page 11 of 21

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement