Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
09E012000SABERSPORT E (Equipment)1627005/11/2009OVSCGENERAL MOTORS CORP.04/07/200904/07/2009571108
Defect SummarySabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence SummaryDecreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Corrective SummarySabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket replacement equipment and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles produced by the vehicle manufacturer.in order to determine if your aftermarket lamp assembly is affected by this noncompliance, please review the list of model numbers provided to us by sabersport.the list can be found under document search located at the bottom of your screen.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
20060206/20/2002637248Some customers may comment that a stop and / or tail lamp may not work correctly or that the lamp assembly has water in it. *tt11/21/2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
00084200706/01/200410012147Stop tail lamp inoperative or intermittent and or water in lamp. *eh02/15/2005
000842007B08/01/2004000842007C634995Some customers may comment that a stop and / or tail lamp may not work correctly, or that the tail lamp has water in it. to include chevrolet classic 2005. *tt10/11/2002
00084200710/01/2000616363Stop and / or tail lamp may not work correctly, or that the tail lamp has water in it. *tt02/23/2001

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EA00010GENERAL MOTORS CORP.03/27/200008/09/2001STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY OVERHEAT
 Allege that overheating of the stop/tail lamp contacts may cause outages of stop/parking lamps.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
04/22/200402/08/1998
 My first issue is with the lights on the malibu. my light developed condensation in them which in the rear caused the light to glow dim, and caused e to get pulled over on a number of times. in the front it has caused the glass shield to fog causing me to fail vehicle inspection. there have are many other electrical malfunctions on my car such as the theft lock system, the power moon roof, the manufacturer's cd player, the headlight control switch. then it has a problem with emissions. the headliner is falling off the ceiling. *nm
03/10/200395000004/08/2002
 Poor manufacturing and quality of vehicle components. *nlm
03/01/20024
 Consumer states intermittently the vehicle anti-theft light would come on while driving, within a few seconds it would start to flicker on/off, when this occurs the vehicle would cut off, dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *jb also, consumer states dealer replaced fuse, multifunction switch, dome lamp wiring, ignition lock cylinder, power steering hose, fuel pump, engine mount, heater, left door window switch, right front seat belt, left front door handle cover, and left front door lock switch.*yd
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BACK UP LIGHTS
 The vehicles headlights keep blowing out, cause is unknown. please provide any further information. ts
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
02/04/20071870006
 I was driving my car on the byway and took the interstate merge lane while increasing my speed to merge into traffic i felt a snap in my steering wheel and gas pedal, i then lost the dash and the car immediately overheated, i had no real power to turn the wheel and the gas pedal was a loose push. being that i had merged onto the interstate when this occurred i had to drive an additional 5 miles to the next exit. not everyone has a cell phone. when i got to the next exit i was almost unable to turn the wheel enough to get it into the nearest parking lot, it was harder to turn than my first truck a 1959 ford twin i beam pickup. i fortunately didn't hit any one or anything. upon raising my hood after parking the car i am appalled to see that the tensioner pulley and one of the idler pulleys are gone and my serpentine belt is shredded. i have replaced the parts but since then i also found that within 5 miles the dreaded gaskets that so many people have complained about, and mine we already eating fluids in sipps before this, were gone. i have replaced the broken pulleys serpentine belt alternator waterpump and gaskets not a month later the other idler pulley that was unaffected in the first incident went. when the first two were replaced that dreaded squeaking stopped for about 3 days and started back up again. something must not be straight for me to have to keep replacing the moving parts that run on the serpentine belt and everytime one of them goes you loose your power steering and the car is hard to turn. not only that but the tail lights would be a better place for a gold fish than a light bulb. everytime it rains, or snows i have to replace tail lights. this car is the bane of my existence. i have the first idler pulley part still the rest of them were lost to the highway the thing is melted. *tr
10/27/2004512/28/2000
 Exterior brake tail lights are constantly blowing out. have replaced bulbs at my own expense four times in the last year. today i was pulled over by the police and issues a warning because it has blown out yet again. lost of condensation is gettin inside the lamp itself.*ak
06/02/20041203/09/2002
 The driver's side brake light blows every time it rains or there is water in the light - i have checked the lens for cracks and/or damages there are none - i have replaced the light 12 times in 4 months.*ak
4
 Brake lights went out at unknown time to driver resulting in rear end collison by another automobile. instrument panel went black and emitted a black smoke resulting in unoperative use of any fan/heat/defrost..main instrument of power windows on driver side operated enough to roll down windows but not roll up drivers side resulting in ice/snow/rain buildup. alternator went out 4 times resulting in power failure on highway resulting in crash into guard rail. please provide us with any information to protect our family and prevent any future accidents..thank you very much. nlm
01/01/1998
 Consumer states that the right brake light keeps going out. the dealer has ruled out the fuse or bulb. when bulb is wiggled light comes back on. the dealer has no remedy. nlm
505/01/1997
 Rear brake light housing assembly is melted on both the left and right side of the vehicle. *ak
12/11/2000108/01/1997
 Broken brake light - chevrolet is aware of bad circuit behind the light panel. *ak
09/13/2000102/01/1997
 Left brake lights shorted out due to water in tail lamp assembly
04/02/1998110/18/1997
 Brake light bulbs failed. mjs
07/20/1999107/01/1997
 We have had numerous things repaired or replaced on this car. everything from the carpet to the radio to warped rotors. we are currently trying to get out of our lease due to the number of problems that we are experiencing. it's become quite a nuisance to have and we are dissappointed and even angry at the fact that these many problems have gone uninvestigated by the dealer that we take it to for repairs. fortunately, there have been no serious malfunctions with the car causing accidents. we have an extensive list of repairs done to the car starting less than six months from the date of purchase. to date, we have had this car serviced for repairs on average, once every six weeks.
07/03/1998209/24/1997
 Right rear brake light socket and bulb melted due to the heat generated inside the unit.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS - SWITCH
11/16/2006108/20/2006
 The turn signals are not reliable they might work one time and the next time they wont work. there is a lot of rattling sounds coming from the rear wheels, the steering column makes a weird sound when being turned. *jb
05/16/20051
 This is a follow-up to my report of the failure of the flashing of the turn signals and hazard warning lights (oid#10121781). i replaced the hazard warning switch in the dash on june 4, 2005, and this fixed the problem. this is the same part that is under a recall for the 2000 and 2001 models of this same car (nhtsa campaign id number 03v327000). as suggested previously, i think it would be appropriate to extend the recall to the 1997 models, since it is the same defective part.
05/16/2005559001
 The turn signals and hazard signals suddenly stopped flashing. intermittently, they flash rapidly when activated, but they typically just stay on continuously. this appears to be the same problem which led to a recall on the 2000 and 2001 models of this same car (nhtsa campaign id number 03v327000): exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch. i think it would be appropriate to extend the recall to the 1997 malibu models.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
03/01/2008740001
 I would like to get a replacement,discount or free service on my 1997 malibu. i've had my car since 2004 and had to get another motor in 2005 which is needed now .this car has put me down a lot not only problems with the motor but the ignition locked up and i had to replace that as well as the brakes and rotors that last about 2 or 3 months. i also have a problem with the lights not working properly they only work on high beam. i can't find a more reasonable mechanic that's willing to repair the motor that i currently have due to the type which is a 2.4 and a used motor cost about half the price of a new one. please help! *tr
09/15/199714000107/15/1977
 I bought a 1997-malibu ls brand new. before it turned 14,000 miles had to have work done on brakes. before even turning 30,000 miles i had to replace a complete brake job, (2nd set) tires, water pump, wheel cylinders, my head lights pop on, and i have a little over 33,000 miles.the dealer were i bought the car said unless they see the lights pop on.they could do nothing. gm sent out a recall. which i did take my car into dealer. i took it to the dealer i bought it from a few times.i moved back to indiana and took it to coyle chevrolet in new albany. i have had nothing but problems with this car.both dealers said there was nothing i could do as a consumer..i am mad as hell-and feel i was ripped off, and will not recommend to no one to ever buy a malibu. i had one in 1969. and, it was the best car. when you pay around $25,000.00 for a new car-you would think you would not have all the brake trouble. i to this day do not feel safe with these brakes. i am a single women and thought by buying a new car i would feel safer. please check into this. as soon as i can afford to get rid of this car i plan too. i have spent several hundred dollars on out of pocket repairs. battery-2 brake jobs-abs brakes-wheel cylinders-roaries-water pump. *la
03/02/2004506/20/1997
 There have been repeated failures with this automobile. the passlock anti-theft system often locks up the ignition, the headlamp and tail lamp assemblies have excessive moisture in them, causing the bulbs to burn out, the air conditioner fan motor shuts off, and the drivers seat is loose. these problems have repeatedly been reported to the dealers, and they have been unable or unwilling to repair them.*ak
04/01/200010004/01/2000
 Moisture buildup in headlight assemby of both sides. also, during rain or car wash, water pours into passenger side floor. unknown origin point of the water.
07/01/1997
 No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
08/01/1998405/05/1997
 Headlights get water caught in them and fog up, making visibility poor for the driver at night. dealer has replaced the lenses, and problem is occurring again.*ak
02/01/200009/01/1997
 Brake pads failed with out audible warning damaging rotors. bulb bases in rear light both melted for 2nd time. pwr window fails intermittently. noise in suspension, dealer couldn't find it.brakes also not covered under extended warranty, very expensive to repair. model should be investigated by all the complaints listed.
04/02/1998110/18/1997
 Headlamp assembly leaking. mjs
 Headlights are steaming up due to water entering inside of headlight, causing poor visibility.dealer told consumer to leave highbeams on for 1 hour to dry out the water. *ak
304/01/1997
 Headlight lens' have constant moisture in both lens, they freeze at night and eventually the bulbs will melt the ice, but lighting is distorted. i've reported this 4 times to dealer. the 1st time, they replaced one lens and after further complaints, their comments were chevrolet won't authorize replacement any more replacements so they take off the lens and wiping them dry. that lasts until the next rain. this is very frustrating especially when driving in freezing rain and fog. they never seem to dry out.
01/29/1999102/01/1997
 After washing my 1997 chevrolet malibu i noticed that both front headlights were condensated covering 75% of both lenses. vechicle was taken to the dealer, when i picked up the vechile i was told that was a normal condition and i was to drive the vechile for 2 to 6 hrs with the lights on to correct it. i primarily drive this car for vacations and i always have the car washed when i reach my destination. after driving many hours, it is ludicrous to think that i would want to drive for even one more hour. i feel that it is a defect, causing the headlights not to operate at 100% causing an unsafe condition, especially at night. i contacted general motors 1-800 number and was told the same thing that the dealer told me. i feel that the explanation is completely unacceptable and causes an unsafe condition. both g m and the dealer refered to their bulletin number 638206a. ii was also given a number from g m (990079295).
106/17/1997
 Water goes into the front headlights, causing poor visibility. *ak
12/17/1997211/05/1997
 Head light fogging replaced two times.
03/12/1998205/01/1997
 Moisture or water forms in the headlight casing and in the bulb area, causing the headlights to become dim or foggy, cause unknown. dealer sealed the casing which did not remedy the problem. the consumer will be notified when it is to make replacement.*ak.et.
05/01/199803/10/1998
 While driving the headlight on the drivers side went out due moisture in the seal casing. the dealer has repaired the vehicle. *ak
02/03/199604/08/1998
 Headlights fog up on inside after every car wash. dealer says units are designed with vents, and nothing can be done to correct problem.
03/25/19975004/04/1997
 Headlamps will not operate when vehicle is cold. if vehicle is warm, headlamps come on automatically. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
02/01/1997
 Switch that activates high beam lights malfunctioned. this is in reference to complaint # 7 of the nhtsa complaint reports for the 1997 malibus. *ak
 Switch which activates high beam lights does not work effectively. has to hold in position to have high beam lighting. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
10/27/2004512/28/2000
 Exterior brake tail lights are constantly blowing out. have replaced bulbs at my own expense four times in the last year. today i was pulled over by the police and issues a warning because it has blown out yet again. lost of condensation is gettin inside the lamp itself.*ak
03/02/2004506/20/1997
 There have been repeated failures with this automobile. the passlock anti-theft system often locks up the ignition, the headlamp and tail lamp assemblies have excessive moisture in them, causing the bulbs to burn out, the air conditioner fan motor shuts off, and the drivers seat is loose. these problems have repeatedly been reported to the dealers, and they have been unable or unwilling to repair them.*ak
402/01/1997
 Tail light failed. *yc
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
104/01/1997
 Turn signal indicator does not turn off once a turn is completed. nlm
08/04/1997102/01/1997
 Signal light switch failed.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH
12/04/1997111/05/1997
 Turn signal control failed.
10/13/19981005/01/1997
 While driving, signal lights do not work (not always, never know when you will have them. service dept. replaced switch, now it is worse. never happens to service when they have the car.