Problems with 2000 Chevrolet Malibu STRUCTURE

Gas fuel turned black and was spilling out while i was driving then turned off on its own in the intersection of palm st n main street santa paula ca.

Rack and pinion mount bracket rusted out

Steering wheel locked,engine power was lost, brakes would not work. i could not control the vehicle,i hit a poled,borke both legs, have a rod in femur and messed up my knee,still recovering and in awheel chair for now. *tr

While parking i heard a noise in the front end and upon turning the wheel harder the power steering went out. i could barely turn the wheel. later in the day put in more power steering fluid thinking that was the problem but had the same issue. i thought the power steering was going out as i was hearing a grinding type noise in the front end. the next day i could feel something under the driver floor board and louder noises when turning hard. took it to my mechanic and was told sub-frame is rusted and needs replaced as well as the rack and pinion; this will start out as a $2000.00 repair and could go up to $4000.00 depending on what else they find when they work on it. this is a safety hazard and should be fixed by gm as they used shoddy materials building this vehicle. my mechanic said i shouldn't drive it as i may loose control of the vehicle. this car was kept in a garage for the first 10 years i have owned it and has only been parked outside for about 5 years. at only 89,000 miles i am disgusted at the way this vehicle was built. i have also replaced the head gasket, not once, but twice! *tr

The subframe is rusted and the rack and pinion need to be replaced. *tr

Bought this car as a project car with low mileage. got bought at a used car dealership. piston slap!!! especially cold. front sub frame rotted out and rack and pinion destroyed needed immediate replacement. later was told rocker panels are destroyed with huge holes i was clearly upset another malibu with another problem. common problem with malibu's from '98-'02. was unable to safety because of panels missing a layer in spots (holes). rear quarter panels severe rotting around wheel wells and gas cap area requiring bondo to fill in holes a horrible problem with malibu's. air conditioning clutch grinding constantly and half the time a/c bottom works. sadly gm will not recall these issues now have to invest $7000 to make into a show car. gm should be ashamed of body problems and constant piston slaps and lifter knocking. i have to do an overhaul of $600-800 on engine. pathetic gm link to the piston slap on my car on youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnttrctq5mm&feature=youtube_gdata_player. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while turning, an abnormal noise was heard from the front end. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the the sub frame was corroded. the sub frame was replaced and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. in addition, the contact stated that the power steering assist failed. the steering was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 57,000.

Traveling on interstate i 40 doing 65mph cross over the media luckly their were no other car beside me or coming after i cross the media all i know it picked up speed like the gas pedal had stuck and it juke like but the air bag didn't come out it tore the front end of the body up the it accelerate by it self sometime just seating still. *tr

2000 chevy malibu-rack & pinion mount on driver side broke from frame. before failure font end shook like brakes were bad. car began to steer hard and make load noise (felt under driver side floor board). upon looking into problem i noticed that the mounts are only made of cheap sheet metal. passenger side is showing signs of extreme rusting also. to repair will require front sub frame to be replaced. i believe that gm is putting money first and personal safety second. *tr

While making final turn when arriving from a 30 mile commute a noise was heard when turning the steering wheel. i removed the tire on my lunch brake to realize the rack an pinion assembly was floating/hanging there. a closer look revealed the actual mounting bracket and part of the frame cross member were rusted and gone! with numerous issues to fix and 2 engine replacements later, this malibu is being scrapped. other rust areas caused or causing problems are around the gas fill opening, suspension coil, and rotors fused to hub. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that she was at a traffic light turning left and noticed something wrong with the steering as if something had slipped out of place. the following day she called a local mechanic who stated that the subframe had corroded and was covered with rust on the steering gear (rack and pinion). he told the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and the repair cost would be over $1,000. general motors was contacted and report number 71-858074874 was filed. the failure and current mileages were approximately 123,000.

After parking the car i was notified by a neighbor that my vehicle was on fire. the fire dept. was call and extinguished the fire.the arson squad was called and determined the vehicles fire was due to a mechanical problem. after i researched the vehicle safety recalls and found out there had been a recall for this vehicle and i was unaware of it. i purchased it used. i did not receive any notice on the recall. i found there were many other fires associated with this failure. the vehicle was totally burned up vehicle was non repairable and towed to the junk yard after arson investigation was complete. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. while driving at various speeds there was a noise present in the front of the vehicle. a local mechanic determined that the frame and bolts had rust on them which caused the rack and pinion to fail. the contact was given a quote of $2,000 to repair the vehicle; however, he refused to make the repairs because the vehicle is not worth the repair cost. the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and no compensation would be offered. the failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage 80,010.

The day may 13, 2009 my wife was driving the vehicle for about hillsborough avenue at 12: 15 a day. another vehicle driving in the opposite direction crossed the street to enter the parking lot of ross. my wife quickly use the brakes but the vehicle was when collided with the other vehicle stopped. my wife suffered trauma to the spine and neck. breaking the 5th lumbar vertebra and herniated cervical. never again could work or it could operate. requires a spinal fusion which costs $ 80,000.00. now we know why the vehicle did not stop and did not prevent the accident. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the front passenger side door exhibited excessive rust. the contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or a local mechanic for inspection or repairs. the contact stated the failure was a safety issue because the rust was building around the filler pipe for the fuel system. the failure mileage was 124,000. updated 6/8/11 *cn the consumer stated the fuel door was hanging off the vehicle because the hinges were welded to the body and it rusted through. updated 06/23/11

2000 chevrolet malibu sedan with rusted left and right brackets that are welded to the k frame and hold the steering arm**cc the consumer had persistent problems with the brakes. *jb

On 2000 chevrolet malibu's and other malibu's of the same body style, rust will occur underneath the fuel door. the rust appears to start from the backside of the quarter panel and work its way to the front. i have noticed this on many malibu's of this body style. *tr

While parked in the garage to have a water pump installed mechanic tried to start the vehicle and the key would not start it. vehicle was towed to home since the weather was bad. a lock smith came and the entire dashboard and other components had to be replaced.*ak

I have encountered the following problems in the year since i purchased said vehicle: -signal &/or hazard lights work periodically -radio & lighter short out/blow fuses -a/c not working -a/c cuts on automatically w/ recirculation button -vent only works on level 3 or higher -water present in trunk -uneven tire wear -erratic gas gauge readings -coolant ran completely out w/out reason. *jb

While driving 5 mph there was a noise from under the hood, once hood was raised consumer saw engine had fallen. dealer determined that brackets had broken, causing motor mounts to fall and engine to disconnect on both sides.*ak consumer had an extended warranty, however dealer would not pay for the labor and broken bolts. consumer states vehicle is also experiencing problems with the brakes. *slc

Bought my car new off show room floor and have had numerous problems since had it in for starting problems battery problems fuel problems window problems door lock problems engine noise engine oil leaks vibration problems brake problems dying problems popping noises in front end struts bottoming out rough ride and steering problems and so on too many to list all have had front end realigned stuts checked and repalced brakes checked and replaced wheel studs replaced fuel pump and float replaced pistons replaced battery replaced remote start system replaced alarm system replaced window regulator replaced front crank seal replaced alt checked and tested started checked still having fuel problems brake problems vibration ect had in this last week fo 6 days and when returned still having engine noise steering problems radio problems fuel problems and found impact mark on l/front of bumper one of dealers tech's hit something and now wanders to left left head light out of line and pushed back under fender hood out of line fenders bumpers driving lights and numerous other problems and damage possible that i am unable to detect at this time have contacted chevy and complained have talked with dealer and still no responsibility taken and statements of we might have bruised it it has been wrecked now i amd paying good money for junk and want refund of all costs to me and the car taken back engines should not need to be overhauled at 14000 miles the car is 2 yaers old and acts like its 20 need responese and info to help resolve problems trying to have returned under lemon law uniform conformity act and magnuson-moss act car has become instrument that is substantially impaired and whose opperation is frought with apprehension sincerly unhappy and hurt consumer is the highway safty devision interested and going to do anything for all of us who are having problems or are we out of luck ????????? response requested

Ac automatically turns itself off switch replaces. whining sound occurs during ac/heat fan operation fan motor replaced. ac/heat directional controls work intermittently problem continues. transmission slipping upon slow acceleration reported 3 times 1st & 2nd times couldn't duplicate problem 3rd time in shop 30 days replaced multiple components. engine misfiring diagnostics indicated 3,6,2,5 cylinders misfiring replaced all ignition coil packs problem continues. turn signal buzzes and clicks hazard switch replaced. air leak around passenger side door reported 2 times 1st time couldn't duplicate 2nd time door realigned. brakes cause excessive vibrations upon stopping rotors and pads replaced at 24000 miles reoccuring at 38000 miles.*ak

Dealer wants to replace airbag/pistons/door seals.*ak

This complaint stems from the time i have had this car. a popping noise that comes from the rear of the vehicle from either both the trunk area and or suspension, a hollow sound not very loud though. it happens on uneven surfaces at very low speeds. i brought the car to the dealer four times and sometimes the sound or sounds are noticed but nothing is done,except for lubrication. sometimes it is hard to duplicate and at other times it can. also it never happens at highway speeds. only slow speeds and on right or left turns. i hope that the engineers can discover it. the car is a 2000 chevrolet malibu. vin [xxx]. the car is still under warranty. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr