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#1464 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [paul1018] by gonogo

May 31, 2011 (8:15 am)

Replying to: paul1018 (May 31, 2011 7:59 am)

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#1465 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [paul1018] by djm2

May 31, 2011 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: paul1018 (May 31, 2011 7:59 am)

Hi Paul1018:
 
      I purchased a new 2010 Chevrolet 2.4 / 6 speed Malibu in June 2010. This vehicle operated "ok," but since it turned 12,500 miles the engine "surges" going up hill from a dead stop, and "surges" going up a hill on the highway at a steady 55MPH.
 
      I have replaced the Goodyear tires with Michelin tires because the original equipment tires did not hold air between oil and filter changes. (I have the oil & filter changed every 2,500 miles at the dealer.)
 
      While I thought that I had purchased a "high quality vehicle," (equal to a Honda Accord), I now feel that I have made a "BIG MISTAKE" with this purchase!------ There is no mechanical quality in a Chevrolet Malibu! ----- It is a poor copy of a Honda Accord, and the proof is all over the "net"! Based on these postings, and I do not believe that GM cares about correcting the problem!
 
      The only way that I can break 30mpg, is by driving the vehicle at 50mph. ----- Once I travel at a posted highway speed of 65mph, the "miles per gallon drops down to 27mpg at best! ---- (I have a 2007 Toyota Camry XLE V6 that can easily get 30mpg at 60mph.)
 
       The "surging problem" is all over the "net!" --- Some vehicles have been fixed by replacing the Mass Air Flow Sensor, some by replacing a fuel injector, some by replacing an ignition coil, some by re-programing the 6 speed automatic transmission, some by replacing the transmission, --- but MOST of the vehicles with this "surging issue," have been declared by General Motors and their Dealers to be "operating as designed,"---- and they say that there is nothing that can be done for the surging problem! ------ (My vehicle DID NOT have this problem until it reached 12,500 miles, so as such, something has changed with this vehicle!) ------ I will NOT accept that "explanation" from GM or the selling dealer! ------ I want my vehicle to operate in the same fashion that it operated when I took delivery. ----- Since 12,500 miles the engine seems to be laboring on the highway. ---- When starting from a traffic light, the engine seems to be laboring in first gear, (like "letting out a manual clutch" too quickly in first gear from a dead stop!) ----- The engine feels like it is not getting enough fuel and / or spark advance as it pulls away from a traffic light. ---- The 2.4 IS NOT a happy engine in the Malibu body!
 
       This vehicle will be brought into the selling dealer this week, so that they can do a "work-up" on this issue. I will give them two (2) chances to correct this issue. If they cannot make this vehicle perform AS DELIVERED, I will consider hiring an attorney to invoke the New Jersey Lemon Law.
 
       This "surging" issue becomes more noticeable when the ambient temperature is high! (I DID NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS!)
 
       Best regards. ----- Dwayne

Replies to this message:

• djm2 (Jun 02, 2011 2:56 am)
  • djm2 (Jun 02, 2011 2:48 pm)
    • gmcustsvc (Jun 03, 2011 9:22 am) and 1 more...
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#1466 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [djm2] by djm2

Jun 02, 2011 (2:56 am)

Replying to: djm2 (May 31, 2011 12:16 pm)

Good Morning All:
 
                      UP-DATE ON MY 2010 MALIBU SURGING ISSUE!
 
         My vehicle is now in the hands of the selling dealer. ---- They plan on running some tests on the vehicle and it's computer control system. ---- I have NO faith in this process. ----- It is all over the "net" that both the dealers and General Motors are denying that a problem exists with these vehicles, leaving the owner to live with the problem. ------ I hope that the dealer is able to find the cause of the problem, and return the vehicle to its proper operation, --- but based on what is being posted on the "net," I am not counting on a "positive result" to this service experience! ----- I have already contacted my attorney, and he is searching for a "Lemon Law Attorney" so that I can plan my next course of action. ------- When I pick up the vehicle, (after the repair), I will be sure to get a copy of the "repair order!" ----- I wish I had read about this problem prior to making this purchase! -------- A friend of mine just turn in his 2009 four cylinder Chevrolet Malibu five (5) months early on his lease because of this issue. He told me that he could no longer drive this vehicle safely on the highway with this performance problem! ----- He leased a new Buick! --- (I will not take the financial hit that my friend took!) ---- I plan on holding both General Motors and the selling dealer to the terms of both the "New Vehicle" and the "Extended Warranty!" ----- As a consumer, I have the right to ride in a safe vehicle! ----- (If this vehicle DID NOT have this ISSUE when it was delivered, it should not have this issue at 12,500 miles!) Best regards. ---- Dwayne

Replies to this message:

• djm2 (Jun 02, 2011 2:48 pm)
  • gmcustsvc (Jun 03, 2011 9:22 am)
    • djm2 (Jun 04, 2011 4:49 am)
  • loril744 (Mar 10, 2013 5:38 am)
    • ab348 (Mar 10, 2013 7:55 am)
    • gmcustsvc (Mar 12, 2013 7:33 am)
• dispencer2 (Jul 19, 2011 7:32 pm)
  • djm2 (Jul 19, 2011 9:21 pm)
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#1467 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [djm2] by djm2

Jun 02, 2011 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: djm2 (Jun 02, 2011 2:56 am)

Hi All:
 
      GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS!
 
       I picked up my 2010 Chevrolet 4 cylinder LTZ Malibu from the dealer, and the vehicle NOW runs as good as a Honda Accord! ----- There is a "software up-date" from GM for the issue that I described in the above postings. ---- If your Malibu is surging bring your car back to the dealer, and get the new software. ---- Special thanks goes to the dealer, and their outstanding service people for spending time with this vehicle to make it right. ------ After driving it on the highway, I cannot believe that it is the same car! ------- Based on the "on-board mileage computer" I am now getting 30+ mpg at 60mph. Prior to this new software, I was lucky to get 27 mpg at 60 mph! ------ TAKE YOUR CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE UP-DATE! ----- Now, I will keep my Malibu! ------ Best regards to all! ----- (I cancelled my appointment with the Lemon Law Attorney!) ------ Dwayne

Replies to this message:

• gmcustsvc (Jun 03, 2011 9:22 am)
  • djm2 (Jun 04, 2011 4:49 am)
• loril744 (Mar 10, 2013 5:38 am)
  • ab348 (Mar 10, 2013 7:55 am)
  • gmcustsvc (Mar 12, 2013 7:33 am)

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#1468 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [djm2] by gmcustsvc

Jun 03, 2011 (9:22 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jun 02, 2011 2:48 pm)

Replies to this message:

• djm2 (Jun 04, 2011 4:49 am)

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#1469 of 1510 Re: 2009 Chevy Malibu [gmcustsvc] by djm2

Jun 04, 2011 (4:49 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Jun 03, 2011 9:22 am)

Good Morning Christina:
 
         Kindly be advised that I sent you a "private E-mail" about this operational issue. ------------ Please respond at your earliest convenience.
 
         Best regards.
 
                                                                  Dwayne

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#1470 of 1510 Red Jewel Tintcoat Paint by dispencer2

Jun 04, 2011 (4:01 pm)

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#1471 of 1510 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU UP-DATE by djm2

Jun 08, 2011 (5:10 am)

Good Morning All:
 
     It has been five (5) days since my "selling / servicing dealer" installed the up-dated software package to eliminate the "surging problem" at highway speeds and city street operation while going up a hill. ------- I am happy to announce that my vehicle is operating in an OUTSTANDING fashion! The engine is VERY powerful, responsive, and the miles per gallon are as advertised. ----- (My Malibu now has 13,600+ miles. ---- Yes, I drive a lot!)
 
     A friend of mine, who owned a 2009 version of my vehicle, bought himself out if his lease five months earlier, because he no longer could drive the vehicle safely on the road because of the "surging problem." ----(His problem showed up at 10,000 miles, while mine showed up at 12,500 miles.) ---- When I informed him that there was an updated software package designed specifically for this issue, he was shocked! --- Even though he always had the selling dealer perform all the required preventive maintenance on the vehicle, no one ever told him about the new software package. -----WHY?
 
     Here are some important questions that need to be addressed both from the manufacturer's point of view, and from the consumer's point of view:
 
1.) Does the manufacturer have an obligation to notify every owner of a specific vehicle if an up-dated / technical service bulletin is being offered to cure a negative operational characteristics?
 
2.) Does the consumer have the right to expect the manufacturer to operate in a professional manner by disclosing information related to negative operational characteristics?
 
     A search on the net will disclose that this "surging issue" has existed with these vehicles since 2009, so as such, General Motors had been aware that this problem existed, and the proof of this awareness is the fact that GM designed and offered an "up-dated software package" to correct the problem. ---- (Why would they up-date the software package if a problem did not exist?)
 
QUESTION:
     Why does the consumer, after paying their hard earned money for the vehicle, have to search, and research the "net" for a solution to the operational problem, ---- when a solution does exist, and the manufacturer has not shared that information with the owners?
 
     My other vehicle is a 2007 V6 XLE Toyota Camry. (If you remember, this is the vehicle that was accused of having the unintended acceleration problem.) At the present time, I have 65,000+ miles on this vehicle, and I have NEVER once experienced "unintended acceleration" and / or any other malfunction. ----- Both the selling / servicing dealer and the Toyota Corporation have kept me informed through written communication as to all "up-dates" associated with this vehicle. --- Toyota and the dealer have acted in a professional / responsible / concerned manner.
 
     My LTZ Malibu dealer is OUTSTANDING in terms of service! ---- They go out of their way to find the problem, and to make things right! For that, I am thankful!
 
     Now that my Malibu is operating properly, I can easily achieve 30 mpg on the highway, and on secondary roads I achieve 27 mpg. My complaint is that GM knew about this problem / performance issue, --- based on the 2009 production run of this vehicle line, yet they did nothing about offering this update to their customer base. ---- WHY?
 
     Comparing the two vehicle manufacturers, GM & Toyota, I will leave it to you, the reader, to determine which one is more responsive to the needs of the customer? ----- Will I purchase another GM vehicle? ----- Maybe! ---- At the present time, my 4 cylinder Malibu LTZ operates a good as a 4 cylinder Honda Accord or a 4 cylinder Toyota XLE Camry. ---- I guess time will tell! -------- In 2012 I will be looking to replace the Toyota Camry. To date, I have NOT had any problems with the Camry. The dealer is OUTSTANDING. ----- (Also my Chevrolet dealer is OUTSTANDING.) ---- I will be looking at a Camry, Avalon, Impala, and Malibu. ----- (I like the look of the upper end of the Hyundai line of vehicles, but the dealers in North Jersey are not quality business operations. I will not purchase from them!)
 
      Best regards to everyone. ------------------------ Dwayne

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#1472 of 1510 15,000 mile service by djm2

Jun 29, 2011 (6:28 pm)

Hi All:
 
      Today I had my LTZ Malibu at the selling dealer for its 15,000 mile service. ----- This service includes a cleaning of the throttle body, oil and filter change, air filter replacement, and a tire rotation. ----- After the service I took a two hour trip on the highway. I filled up with fuel prior to entering the highway, and according to the "on-board computer" I was getting 32mpg at 60mph. This is a BIG IMPROVEMENT since I experienced the "surging issue" a few weeks ago. I am very happy with the vehicle and my dealer. They have an OUTSTANDING service department. I appreciate everything that they do for me. --------- I would love to see General Motors build a two door version of the LTZ Malibu with a 2.4 Turbo four cylinder engine, dual exhaust (with a small rumble sound like a Ford Mustang), and a six speed manual transmission and a heavy duty hydraulic clutch. ------- This vehicle would look great in a deep cherry exterior with black leather interior.
 
         Best Regards. -------------- Dwayne

Replies to this message:

• pao (Jun 30, 2011 6:36 am)
  • djm2 (Jun 30, 2011 6:05 pm)

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#1473 of 1510 Re: 15,000 mile service [djm2] by pao

Jun 30, 2011 (6:36 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jun 29, 2011 6:28 pm)

Replies to this message:

• djm2 (Jun 30, 2011 6:05 pm)