Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
240–25K
5825–50K
6650–75K
4175–100K
54100–150K
22150K+
265 reports with mileage · 524 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 292 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
44 crash reports2 fire reports30 injury reports
What owners actually said
789 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2001
Tires
THE TIRES ARE COMING APART IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE THREADS. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF A PROBLEM WITH TIRES BEFORE. ARE THEY ON THE RECALL LIST? THE FIRST FLAT TIRE WAS THE LEFT REAR, I'M NOT SURE IF THE TIRE # IS THE SAME AS THE ONE I LISTED FOR THE MOST RECENT FLAT ON THE RIGHT FRONT. I CAN…
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THE TIRES ARE COMING APART IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE THREADS. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF A PROBLEM WITH TIRES BEFORE. ARE THEY ON THE RECALL LIST? THE FIRST FLAT TIRE WAS THE LEFT REAR, I'M NOT SURE IF THE TIRE # IS THE SAME AS THE ONE I LISTED FOR THE MOST RECENT FLAT ON THE RIGHT FRONT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP BUYING TIRES. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *AK (TIRESIZE: P215/60R15)
NHTSA ODI #753668
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2001
Unknown Or Other
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. DEALER SAYS IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO DRIVE THIS WAY, SINCE THEY CAN'T FIX. CONCERNED THAT IF A TRUE SYSTEM PROBLEM HAPPENS, I WON'T REACT BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #753583
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENT AT STARTING OF ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #752978
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PADS DIDN'T WEAR EVENLY, NOTICABLE DIFFERENCE ON UPON COMPARISON. DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS NORMAL SINCE BOTH SIDES WORE THE SAME. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE STATED THIS WASN'T NORMAL WEAR. THE FRONT SIDE OF THE PAD WAS COMPLETELY WORE OUT AND THE BACK SIDE HAD MORE THAN 60 % REMAINING WEAR. HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL…
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BRAKE PADS DIDN'T WEAR EVENLY, NOTICABLE DIFFERENCE ON UPON COMPARISON. DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS NORMAL SINCE BOTH SIDES WORE THE SAME. TOOK TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE STATED THIS WASN'T NORMAL WEAR. THE FRONT SIDE OF THE PAD WAS COMPLETELY WORE OUT AND THE BACK SIDE HAD MORE THAN 60 % REMAINING WEAR. HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL? THE SLIDES ARE NOT DISTRIBUTING THE PRESSURE EVENLY AND THEREFORE THE PADS ARE WEARING UNEVENLY. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. PLEASE HELP!!!! THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #752885
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS CAR IS NOT RELIABLE OR SAFE!. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #752754
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER, AND HE HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 3600. *AK
NHTSA ODI #897040
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, DRIVER HIT HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 3600. *AK
NHTSA ODI #897039
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Wheels
THE HUB CAPS ON ALL CHEV MALIBUS ARE ATTACHED WITH 5 PLASTIC LUG NUT S THAT SCREW ON TO THE LUG NUTS THAT HOLD ON THE WHEEL.THE PLASTIC NUTS ARE COVERED WITH THIN CHROMED METAL.ALL 5 OF THE PLASTIC LUG NUTS MUST BE REMOVED PRIOR TO BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE TIRE IN CASE OF A FLAT OR IF SERVICE IS NEEDED.THE TORQUE NEEDED TO REMOV…
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THE HUB CAPS ON ALL CHEV MALIBUS ARE ATTACHED WITH 5 PLASTIC LUG NUT S THAT SCREW ON TO THE LUG NUTS THAT HOLD ON THE WHEEL.THE PLASTIC NUTS ARE COVERED WITH THIN CHROMED METAL.ALL 5 OF THE PLASTIC LUG NUTS MUST BE REMOVED PRIOR TO BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE TIRE IN CASE OF A FLAT OR IF SERVICE IS NEEDED.THE TORQUE NEEDED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC LUG NUT EXCEEDS THE BINDING STRENTH OF CHROMED METRAL COVER ON THE PLASTIC LUG NUTS.ONCE THE COVER SLIPS ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE HUBCAP AND THEREFORE THE TIRE.3 OR MY 4 HUBCAPS HAD TO BE DESTROYED TO BE REMOVED.EACH ONE REQUIRED 30 MIN AND LOTS OF EFFORT.A FEMALE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WOULD BE IN SERIOUS DANGER.MY MECHANIC CALLED THEIR FRIENDS A THE CHEV DEALERSHIP AND ASKED HOW TO REMOVE THE HUBCAPS...THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT THE HUBCAPS WOULD NEED TO BE DESTROYED TO GET THEM OFF.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTY PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS OF PEOPLE TRYING TO CHANGE A FLAT!!!
NHTSA ODI #752696
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #896920
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2001
Equipment
AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) WILL BLOW HOT AIR WHEN PRESSING A/C BUTTON. ALSO, A/C LIGHT WILL NOT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension:front
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Suspension
THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
PE03031 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Jul 14, 2003 · Closed Nov 4, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension:front
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.
DP02008 · Engine Coolant Boils Over
Opened Sep 3, 2002 · Closed Sep 24, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA00010 · Stop Lamp Assembly Overheat
Opened Mar 27, 2000 · Closed Aug 9, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
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