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2007 Malibu Vibration Problem

20 messages,  Last post on Jan 10, 2009 at 12:25 PM

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


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#7 of 20
by winz
Oct 23, 2008 (3:44 pm)
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GM wants to know nothing or do anything about this. It could cost them plenty. What state do you live in? We need to contact the attorney generals of our states and see what they think about this. Because this will effect the trade in/resale value. A class action suit may be in order.
Let me know thanks.
#8 of 20
Re: [winz] by sneakyuser
Oct 24, 2008 (10:51 pm)
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Replying to: winz (Oct 23, 2008 3:44 pm)

Winz,
 
I reside in the state of California.
 
Let me know the procedure to contact the attorney generals of our states and how this works.
 
Any research about previously successful cases like this against automakers will be greatly appreciated.
 
Maybe we should also get together, via email, with others on this thread (and elsewhere) about the issue.
 
Thanks,
 
Sneakyuser
#9 of 20
Re: 2007 Malibu Vibration Problem [1988fierogt] by sneakyuser
Oct 24, 2008 (10:59 pm)
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Replying to: 1988fierogt (Jul 16, 2008 5:16 pm)

To: 1988fierogt,
 
Last week, I took the car to a sympathetic Chevy dealer. The service manager even gave me a rental car for a day since I was there last spring and there was no fix. My car was OK until it hit 2500 miles and now at about 8000 it still has the problem.
  
The dealer noticed the problem, although it had settled down and is sometimes difficult to feel. You must accelerate slowly and right at 15 mph it will vibrate like clockwork.
  
The dealer felt it, had other mechanics drive with him, they eventually noticed it. He even found some 2005 and 2006 Malibu models on the car lot that DID NOT exhibit this problem.
  
They did not have a 2007 to test so he went down the street to the Enterprise rent-a-car dealer that they work with and found one. (Like I said, he was thorough.) And, presto, it vibrates too!
  
He called GM and talked it over, etc., and in the end there is no fix. He says that certain vehicles have certain "issues" like this. He was nice but I explained that if and when I try to sell the car, a potential dealer or buyer will notice the problem and I wouldn't get full value and this is not fair.
  
Since the 2007 model is the only one where GM changed the motor mounts (for some reason) I asked him to replace them to see the results but he felt that it would not fix it. I pressed him but he declined.
  
Still, there is nothing he can do until GM comes up with a fix (or an interest in finding one) and he said that they may never issue one.
  
This is the third time I've taken the car to a Chevy dealer about this. At this point we (2007 Malibu owners) need to pursue a legal solution or a "Lemon Law" reimbursement or ?
  
Any help will be appreciated. We need to see what we can do about this. Any suggestions?
#10 of 20
Re: 2007 Malibu Vibration Problem [sneakyuser] by 1988fierogt
Oct 25, 2008 (5:06 am)
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Replying to: sneakyuser (Oct 24, 2008 10:59 pm)

I am from NY. I have not look into this since my last post. I still have the problem, and decided to ignore it. They and I try everything so far without luck. Other than the low speed vibration when taking off, the car is performce nicely and returns good gas mileage. I figure whatever causing the vibration will eventually failed and sort it out then. I am not planning on trade it in or sale it. Hopefully, when it happened it would still be under 3 yrs, 36K miles warranty.
 
My opinion is the mounts or the wheel bearings are faulty. I hate to look into the lemon law in NY.
 
Please keep me posted of what you are going to do. Thanks
#11 of 20
by winz
Oct 26, 2008 (6:26 am)
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I'm also from ny. Where do you live? Maybe we can get together and compare. I have to tell you. When one part of a machine is out of balance, eventually other parts connected will have premature wear and failure. This will effect the value of the car down the road if not now and may cause you to have some big repair bills in the future when the warranty has run out. Let me know, Thanx
#12 of 20
by 1988fierogt
Oct 26, 2008 (7:59 am)
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I am from Lockport, NY. It is near Niagara fall area.
You?
Anh Le
#13 of 20
by winz
Oct 30, 2008 (4:18 pm)
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I'm from the syracuse area. How would you like to proceed from here?
Let me know, thanx
#14 of 20
Re: [winz] by sneakyuser
Dec 31, 2008 (1:43 pm)
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Replying to: winz (Oct 26, 2008 6:26 am)

Winz,
 
Did you or the listmate find a solution to the 2007 Malibu shake issue yet?
 
Here's an update:
 
I bought my 2007 Malibu 4 cyl new in December 2007. At about 2400 miles I noticed a vibration or shake in the front end when I accelerate.. It happens at 15 mph regardless of shifting, usually after warmup.
 
This problem was not seen to occur on 2005 or 2006 models. They changed the motor mounts on the 2007 Malibu (although they may have done this on same late-model 2006 models). There is a GM Bulletin about this: 060601025 November 06 - (NHTSA Item Number - 10020726). In February 08 I visited a dealer who went through the "lower motor mount tightening procedure" and this had no affect and the issue is still there.
 
In June 08, I went to a second dealer, dropped off the car for service. They said that they drove it with the head mechanic and they swore they never felt anything (!?)
 
On my third visit (back to the first dealer) in October 08, the head of service noticed it, drove some 2005 and 2006 versions and they did not shake. He found another 2007 model (from their Enterprise Car Rental affiliate) and it vibrated too. He called GM and they are aware of it but there is no official recall and they won't approve the dealer to replace anything. They gave the the stock answer of "This is how this powertrain will likely operate." I left disgusted. No one wants a new car that shakes. I can drive cars with 150,00 miles on them that don't vibrate!
 
I contacted the national Chevy customer service center and they pushed the issue up to another level. After 5 days (!) they called me back, (because of a weekend and they called an incorrect number) to keep repeating that this may be a "characteristic" of the vehicle. I said no, it's a DEFECT. He wanted me to go to a dealer for the FOURTH TIME. I said for what? He kept insisting and I requested a loaner which he balked at. After contacting the local delaer to arrange it he came back and said that the service manager said another visit will be a waste of everyone's time if GM doesn't approve of replacing any parts.
 
The customer service rep said a final decision will be made next week by the local GM rep. When I asked for a summary of my calls and visits, he refused.
 
What are the chances that they will offer a buy back? Have any of you, or your friends, had to deal with the automaker via the Better Business Bureau or with a Lemon Law attorney? I've heard bad things about both but If they don't repair the car or offer a buy back what is my next step? How do I prepare?
 
Any help is appreciated and Happy New Year everyone!
 
Regards,
 
Sneakyuser
#15 of 20
Re: [sneakyuser] by winz
Jan 07, 2009 (2:49 pm)
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Replying to: sneakyuser (Dec 31, 2008 1:43 pm)

I got pretty much the same thing. Dealer became hostile towards me and GM stated they had satisfied my states laws(NY). The dealership also stated that this car met GM specs. No wonder GM is going under and asking for tax payer money, producing a product like this they should go under. Filed for lemon law but the attorney generals office refused it. I did have a very reputable repair shop check it out and they found that there was excessive play between the right axle and where it goes into the transmission. It feels to me like a machined part that is out of balance. Bottom line is they probably have a lot of these cars and it will be very expensive to repair them all. The options I see available are1) all band together and go to the attorney generals office 2) trade the car in and hope the value isn't lowered because of the vibration (shouldn't - it meets GM specs.) 3) and last of all hire an attorney and spend untold amounts of money. doesn't look good.
 
Did the GM rep get back to you yet. If so what was the final decision?
 
PS- I did contact a no fee lemon law attorney, he also refused it. Not a slam dunk for him to get his money.
#16 of 20
Re: [winz] by pao
Jan 09, 2009 (12:33 pm)
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Replying to: winz (Jan 07, 2009 2:49 pm)

Try the local BBB...you can file a claim on line.....I did with a vehicle back in 03...sent a nice letter to the dealership owner..outlined my problem....his employees answers .....and told him I was filing with BBB and researching the state lemon law......throw a little sugar on it..dont go into it with an attitude....see what kind or response you get....
 
I also let my salesman and the sales manager know what I was doing and wasnt satisfied.....

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