2002 Chevrolet Malibu Body & Structure Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BRAKE REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT PROCEED WITH THE BRAKE WORK, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. UPON INSPECTION THE GM MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE UNDER BODY THAT HAVE A LOT OF CORROSION. THERE IS POTENTIAL RISK OF FAILURE WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT, IS GARAGE KEPT AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS AND ACCIDENTS RELATING TO THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE ON GM VEHICLES. DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, IT WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL DEALER TO WORKOUT A METHOD OF PAYMENT BUT GM WAS ESSENTIALLY NOT GOING TO BE OF ANY HELP. THE LOCAL DEALER CLEARLY HAS NO INCENTIVE TO TO BARE THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THIS IS A ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE OEM. OTHER VEHICLES BY GM HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THIS ISSUE IS PRESENT. OTHER OEM HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND QUICKLY ADDRESSED IT HAS A FREE REPAIR/RECALL TO THE THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

BUBBLING AND RUST ON THE BACK PANEL OF THE CAR WHERE THE GAS COVER AND TANK IS. IT HAS RUST AND ALL KINDS OF BUBBLES ONLY ON THAT PANEL. *TR

HEARD NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING. WAS TOLD THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS ALMOST RUSTED ON R SIDE AND 2 STABILIZER LINKS WERE NO LONGER CONNECTED. 2002 CHEVY MALIBU - INQUIRED ABOUT WARRANTY FROM DEALER AND DEALER CLAIMED THESE ITEMS ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *TR

I OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, THE LEFT REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY LEAKS WATER, CONSEQUENTLY LEADING TO THE EROSION OF THE ASSEMBLY AND CAUSING IT TO NEED REPLACING. THIS WAS A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $200, AND NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO LEAK SINCE THE SEAL AROUND THE ASSEMBLY IS WORN. *TR

I HAVE OWN MY 2002 MALIBU SINCE DECEMBER 2001 HAVE CHANGED THE A/C CONTROL SWITCH 3 TIMES. IT IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY FOR THE SAME REASON. AFTER ONLY TWO MONTHS SINCE THE LAST NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED, THE A/C WILL CHANGE FROM BLOWING OUT AIR CONDITIONING TO JUST BLOWING AIR. MY HUSBAND TELLS ME THAT THIS LAST TIME THE AIR CIRCULATION CHANGED FROM INSIDE AIR TO OUTSIDE AIR. THIS WAS A GREAT VEHICLE, BUT AN EXTREMELY ANNOYING PROBLEM. IS THERE SOME KIND OF DEFECT THAT WE ARE NOT AWARE OFF? *AK

MY CHEVROLET, MALIBU IS A 2002 AND IN THE BACK PANELS NEAR THE REAR DOORS THE PAINT IS STARTING TO PEAL OFF.*AK

WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE PRODUCES A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAL AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. *NM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE & VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FRAME WAS CRACK. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.