Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - LINKAGES | ||||||
| SQ01002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/26/2001 | 09/30/2002 | ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE | ||
| There is no summary currently available | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||
| 11/28/2012 | 82000 | ||
| Tl the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 80 mph as the engine rpms increased to 4,000. the contact had to coast onto the shoulder and turned the engine off in order to stop the vehicle. the contact then noticed smoke being emitted from the engine area. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who test drove the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure recurred several times. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was 82,000. kmj | |||
| 11/28/2012 | 82000 | ||
| Tl the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that when the freeway was entered the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 80mph, the rpm increased to 4,000. the contact had to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder and turned the engine off to bring the vehicle to a stop and the engine emitted smoke. the contact was able to drive the vehicle home. the vehicle was taken to the dealer test drove the vehicle; however the failure did not duplicate. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure was experienced several times. the vin was not available. the failure and current mileage was 82,000. li | |||
| 10/15/2005 | 40000 | 1 | |
| When we would just start the car it would rev up to between 3000 to 4000 rpm and it would stay that way. this was only one way that it would act up. the other ways were when you were just driving along and the car would start to accelerate on it's own. both ways you had to ride the brake and ride it hard in order not to hit the person in front of us. we had it in to one dealer twice with nothing getting fixed. we took it to a different dealer three times, they randomly replaced different things (guessing) at our cost, but problem still persisted. we even took it in when it was revving up to 3000 rpm, while they were under the hood it even went higher! we were told to turn it off because they were afraid it would blow, but when we came back to pick it up they said that it didn't happen again and they couldn't fix it if it didn't do it for them again. they told us that the best thing for us to do was to trade the car in on a different vehicle, we told him that this thing is a problem that should be taken care of and not just traded in. we contacted gm and told them that this is a problem that can cause serious harm not only to my wife and myself but to others. gm did nothing to assist with the problem. they said that if the dealer couldn't fix it that they couldn't help us. they wouldn't even contact the dealers to see what the problems were. we have approx. 116,000 miles and it now has additional problems with the acceleration. we still have the car because we can't afford another at this time, but i feel like i'm driving a time bomb. *tr | |||
| 10/15/2005 | 40000 | ||
| When we would just start the car it would rev up to between 3000 to 4000 rpm and it would stay that way. this was only one way that it would act up. the other ways were when you were just driving along and the car would start to accelerate on it's own. both ways you had to ride the brake and ride it hard in order not to hit the person in front of us. we had it in to one dealer twice with nothing getting fixed. we took it to a different dealer three times, they randomly replaced different things (guessing) at our cost, but problem still persisted. we even took it in when it was reving up to 3000 rpm, while they were under the hood it even went higher! we were told to turn it off because they were afraid it would blow, but when we came back to pick it up they said that it didn't happen again and they couldn't fix it if it didn't do it for them again. they told us that the best thing for us to do was to trade the car in on a different vehicle, we told him that this thing is a problem that should be taken care of and not just traded in. we contacted gm and told them that this is a problem that can cause serious harm not only to my wife and myself but to others. gm did nothing to assist with the problem. they said that if the dealer couldn't fix it that they couldn't help us. they wouldn't even contact the dealers to see what the problems were.we have approx. 116,000 miles and it now has additional problems with the acceleration. we still have the car because we can't afford another at this time, but i feel like i'm driving a time bomb. | |||
| 06/13/2012 | 118000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that after shifting into park, turning off the ignition and exiting the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated and crashed into a building. a police report was filed and no injuries were reported. the vehicle was destroyed. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was not inspected for the cause of the acceleration failure. the failure and the current mileage was 118,000. | |||
| 06/13/2012 | 118000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that after shifting into park, turning off the ignition and exiting the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated and crashed into a building. a police report was filed and no injuries were reported. the vehicle was destroyed. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was not inspected for the cause of the acceleration failure. the failure and the current mileage was 118,000. kmj | |||
| 06/13/2012 | 118000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that after shifting into the park position, turning off the ignition, and exit the vehicle it suddenly accelerated and crash into a building. a police report was file and no injuries were reported. the vehicle was declared total. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 118,000. pm | |||
| 05/09/2009 | 103957 | ||
| Intermittent issue at start with vehicle rpms elevating to 3500, if put into drive the vehicle speeds to 45 mph. happens at different times (cold, warm, hot). have had iac and tps sensors replaced (2 times) and most recently the power control module. each fix works for a few weeks, then issue begins again. most recently fremont chevrolet had vehicle for 10 days and could not get it to repeat; therefore, could not have computer read or provide problem and repair. no service completed. | |||
| 07/14/2009 | 158214 | ||
| When i take my foot off the gas pedal my car keeps accelerating. from a stop it will accelerate to 45 mph without me touching gas pedal. on the freeway it keeps accelerating until i brake.this condition is intermittent and can be canceled by me turning off car and restarting the engine. i have a 2001 chevy malibu | |||
| 07/01/2007 | 65676 | 1 | |
| Approximately the first of july 2007 our vehicle began accelerating rapidly. my husband had to apply the brakes to stop the speed. even with his foot off the gas pedal, it would accelerate up to 65 mph and he had to apply the brakes very strongly to slow it down. when he would take his foot off the brakes, it would continue to accelerate. this did not happen 100% of the time, but was more apt to happen after the vehicle had warmed up. it did not cause an accident, due to his careful driving. we took it in to the repair garage on 7-24-07 and they determined that the throttle position sensor was faulty and needed replacing which they did and we have not had any problem with it since then. we thought we should register this complaint in case other like vehicles have had this same problem. *tr | |||
| 07/01/2002 | 12000 | 1 | 07/01/2001 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the driver side floor mat slides back and forth. the floor mat blocks both the accelerator and brake pedals. the vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer. the failure mileage was 12,000 and current mileage was 41,000. updated 3/5/08 *cn the consumer stated the problem persists unless mats are repositioned with each entry and dealer advised consumer no other complaints about the defect. the consumer further stated to buy new mats at the tune of $48.00 to solve the problem. updated 03/05/08 *tr | |||
| 07/28/2007 | 77450 | 4 | 12/21/2005 |
| Was driving car just pulled off from a red light making a left turn and car started to pull forward then could not steer myself went off road almost into trees then jerked itself left pulling back to road and onto oncoming traffic then stopped was able to drive home slowly w/ hazards on. 2nd incident was driving and car started to pull /jerk forward fast tried to put on brakes and was very difficult to bring car to a stop almost felt like was not going to stop w/all my pressure applying to brakes was still hard to stop car. all 4 incidents were similar in that car kind of took off on it's own and was not controllable as far as steering or braking. this car is in local chevrolet dealership for last few days for them to find/correct this problem our daughter is driving this car and it's not safe right now for her to drive. the dealership can not find the problem. first they thought anti lock brakes had a glitch, or the transmission,but car is not doing this when they take for short drives and they can not pin point this problem. ,but there is most certainly a problem. i do not want my child to get hurt or worse driving this vehicle b/c no one can detect the problem. also car had a burning rubbery/like a belt smell before at least 2 of these incidents. all belts check out ok. no problems. i have a relative that had a chev van that in last year or so car basically took off on it's own at a speed of 50mph. could not stop vehicle was putting all weight pressure on brake car finally came to a stop. prob wound up being a computer chip in transmission triggered the cruise control computer chip transmission had to be changed . please check into this to see if related to our issue. thank you. *jb | |||
| 11/28/2003 | 48599 | 1 | |
| My husband got in our 2001 malibu backed it up, put it into drive, barely touched the accelerator, the car immediately took off in high throttle he could not figure out what was causing the acceleration next thing he knew the car was underneath his chevrolet 4-wheel drive with a 6 inch lift kit. car then pushed truck approximately 3 to 6 feet into a nearby oak tree causing car to be totaled truck to receive extreme damage as well. he called the police & reported the accident. i contacted gm they sent an investigator out to investigate the problem with the cars accelerator. the investigator hooked a computer up to the car that was supposed to record the last 5 seconds before impact, took some pictures, started the car to listen to the motor (he stated the car was stuck in high acceleration) moved some things under the hood (the gas cable) a loud clicking noise was made then the car was once again started & was fine. three days later i received a call from gm advising me that the results found were that they were not responsible. i in turn asked for a copy of all information that was used in determining this decision including a copy of the pictures that were taken as well. i was told that the pictures were the property of gm & some information was as well but i could be sent a small portion of the information used in this determination process. a week later i received a letter from gm which read thank you for allowing us the opportunity to review the product allegation involving my malibu, but our investigation revealed no evidence to support the product allegation. therefore, gm is unable to assume responsibility for damages & they suggested that i resolve this matter through my insurance company. i later investigated this on the internet to find that gm has also been having some defects with this computer that records the 5 seconds before impact & that they have also had several complaints of this sudden acceleration which happened in our case. | |||
| 06/11/2002 | |||
| While trying to apply brakes the vehicle will accelerate. consumer has to put vehicle in neutral position when applying brakes. contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything. *ak | |||
| 06/29/2002 | |||
| Vehicle was going 60mph as throttle lost pressure and engine was hesitating. problem was intermittent, and already been in to dealer 6 times. fuel pump/ ground wires, and fuel filter were replaced to correct the problem that was still progressing. dealer was contacted. please provide more information.*ak | |||
| 08/31/2001 | 20 | 04/01/2001 | |
| Car repeatedly fails to maintain set speed and accelerates rapidly without warning which almost caused several accidents. i had dealer look at the cruise control and they said this is normal on this model. i contacted chevrolet directly (case: c04708022) and they agreed saying it was something i would just have to live with. | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL | |||
| 02/01/2005 | 75000 | 3 | 11/01/2001 |
| Dt: the contact stated the vehicle continued to accelerate after releasing the gas pedal. the first time when the problem occurred the vehicle worked properly after tapping the gas pedal. after the third time the vehicle was taken to a dealership, who determined that the problem was the throttle sticking. the vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. *ak | |||
| 08/07/2004 | 5000 | 10 | 08/24/2001 |
| Car parked all day in hot summer sun. gradually decelerate for traffic signal by easing off gas pedal. excessive braking required due to gas pedal stuck. i believe a component of the gas pedal inside the passenger compartment is expanding due to interior temperature causing binding in gas pedal component. once passenger compartment cools down pedal operates normally. | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CABLES | |||
| 06/20/2006 | 47000 | 1 | 05/17/2001 |
| While waiting at a traffic light to make a left turn, the engine revved up to its maximum speed. luckily my husband was driving and was able to make it around the corner and off the road. the only way besides the brake to slow the engine was turning it off. when he checked he found the accelerator cable had come out of the clip on the top of the engine. (there are two wires side by side. the front one--accelerator--was the one that came out) since he pushed it back in place it has been fine, but it can be a very dangerous thing to happen. he has taped the wire in place just in case. *jb | |||