Maryland Malibu Maxx

[Misham0n]

What is the name of your state?I bought a 2005 Malibu Maxx late last December. In February at 1800 miles approximately my car seemed to have a tire blowout on the driver's side and hit an oncoming '88 Toyota in a local left turn. My insurance company investigated the accident and from no fault put me at fault. I paid about $1500 for the deductible and a 2 week car rental.

The Toyota barely had a scratch. It didn't need any repairs. The car is being driven daily by a neighbor. My entire frontend, tire, driver side door and various other parts had to be replaced. Total cost to the insurance company was $5000. The work was done by the selling dealer's body shop.

Last week the front end collapsed without any warning while I was making a left turn into a parking lot of a shopping center. There was no car to hit. It just collapsed and stopped. This was really scary. All work is being covered completely under the GM warranty. Three witnesses who saw the incident and who happened to run a car repair facility said some 'bolt' had not been put on in the factory or at the dealership.

I have 3 questions to any experts out there. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

1) What can I negotiate with the general manager of the selling dealer? The dealership has been very courteous and prompt. They have acknowledged a need for fairness. What are my options?

2) Should I inform my insurance company about the similarity of the two incidents and have them re investigate the first incident? At this time my premium is up $450 a year for the next 5 years.

3) How do I find out if the 2005 Malibu Maxx has a generic front end problem or is my car about to become a lemon? That implies I'm supposed to look forward to and survive a third incident under Maryland law! Should I wait for the third and burn??

 

[msiron]

wow sounds like you took a big hit for the tire blow out (if in fact it blew) I feel sorry for you there.

Your second incident sounds like improper bolting of the cradle aka sub-frame and the dealer knows they are responsible after working on it so let them know you know that!!!

 

[Misham0n]

Msiron

Thanks. I suppose improper bolting is not unheard of. For me it is an experience I dont care about. I had no trouble with any prior GM cars.

Is there any resource I should read up?

What should I negotiate? Any suggestions? With the punishment the car has taken I'm not sure she will perform well at 50000 miles plus. MY NEXT CAR WILL BE A TOYOTA HYBRID.

 

[msiron]

I do not think you have an inherent problem, it seems you had some serious damage from the accidents.

Improper bolting is NOT unheard of, it happens. I would talk to the GM not the SM... General Manager only. You must hold them accountable and they know when push comes to shove, they are responsible. In fact I don't think my dealer has ever won in small claims against a customer and we've had wheels fly off after work, body damage to vehicles, SM blew a customers engine and the list goes on and on. It is part of doing business.

Did they give you RO's from all the work at the dealership so you know exactly what was done to your car?

If you would like the VIS for your car since I know they won't give it to you, post your vin so I can run it in the GM database and post it.

Possibly you could run a search with the phrase 'dealership damage' or something like that.

 

[Misham0n]

Ro

Maryland

Thanks for the reply. The car has been in service for 23 days (including weekend days). I'm driving a loaner at this time. There has been no update since I met the General manager last week. In that meeting the General manager verbally assured me that some fair resolution would be made. Nothing in writing.

I do have invoices no ROs. This is my second reply. Wonder where the first went! VIN is 1g1zt62845f194873.

 

[msiron]

They have not done much to your car. Here is your service record. They did NOT do any struts - see claims below.

Copy and print this VIS and show it to them after they tell you that they did struts.

VIN: 1G1ZT62845F194873
VEHICLE INFORMATION
Merchandising Model : 1ZT68 -2005 MALIBU LS MAXX Warranty Start Date : 12/21/2004
BARS Order Type : 70 - RETAIL - STOCK
Delivering Dealer : FOX CHEVROLET OF TIMONIUM
60 E PADONIA RD
TIMONIUM , MD 21093-2300
(410) 667-6666
Service Contract : No Branded Title : No Warranty Block : No PDI Status : Paid

REQUIRED FIELD ACTIONS
Vehicle Has No Current Record Of Outstanding Campaigns

SERVICE INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Vehicle Has No Current Record Of Outstanding Service Information

ON STAR AND XM SATELLITE RADIO INFORMATION
Vehicle Has No Associated On Star or XM Radio Information.

APPLICABLE WARRANTIES
Description Effective Date Effective Odometer End Date End Odometer

36/36000 BUMPER TO BUMPER 12/21/2004 19 miles 12/21/2007 36019 miles

72/100000 SHEET METAL COVERAGE RUST THROUGH 12/21/2004 19 miles 12/21/2010 100019 miles

96/80000 FEDERAL EMISSION CATALYTIC CONV. AND PCM 12/21/2004 19 miles 12/21/2012 80019 miles

36/36000 FEDERAL EMISSION 12/21/2004 19 miles 12/21/2007 36019 miles
--------------------------------------------
CLAIM HISTORY
R.O Date R.O Number Type Labor Operation Odometer Reading

04/26/2005 225088 # E2930 - BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM - LOWER - RIGHT - REPLACE 4846 miles

04/26/2005 225088 # Z5001 - VIP FREIGHT/POSTAGE REIMBURESEMENT 4846 miles

04/26/2005 225088 # T2020 - TOWING 4846 miles

04/26/2005 225088 # Z7902 - 2-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 4846 miles

11/08/2004 A94873 I Z7000 - PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION - BASE TIME 0 miles

 

[Misham0n]

Wow! No struts and no record of the first accident?

Maryland

All the details you have are authentic. Wow! How does one get access to this material? I'm wondering why there is no record of the first claim? Is it because my insurance company paid for it? So it does not become part of the GM warranty record?

In the first invoice they replaced the fascia, fender, shield, insulator, wheel kit, stem, knuckle, arm kit, strut ASM ($131.46), link, molding, tire, frame ($744.67), molding, hub, headlamp and paint.

The car has keeled over twice. The struts may be damaged a second time. I'm wondering if I should even accept the car without proof of strut work. Two separate GM dealers have worked on the car. I will certainly ask the second dealer (politely) if they have overlooked the struts.

In my second invoice they claim that they replaced the inner half shaft, boot kit, arm and bolt. No struts. Its going to be a busy Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thanks a lot Good samaritan!

 

[itsacatsworld]

I wonder if GM cares that proprietary information to be used only by GM or GM authorized techs is being blasted over the internet? That dealership might have something to say to.

 

[msiron]

I wonder if GM cares that proprietary information to be used only by GM or GM authorized techs is being blasted over the internet? That dealership might have something to say to.

Your remarks are not helpful to someone who has an obvious serious vehicle problem.

A VIS is not secret agent shhhhh code... anymore than a car fax is (though general public cannot access it) and I can tell you for a fact that GM doesn't give a rats ass about anything other than their own pocket books.

Why don't you write GM or the posters dealership.

 

[teflon_jones]

There's no record of the accident repair in this because it's not warranty work, it's an accident repair.

As for what's fair, they've given you a free loaner and are fixing your car for free. Sounds like all of your damages are covered. I'd ask them for a couple of courtesy oil changes for your troubles.

 

[blackmaxx]

Malibu Maxx

I had a 97 Saturn, and a friend has a 2004 Malibu with Bridgestone Insigia tires. We had to replace a tire on the Saturn for a buldge and my friend is doing it now on his Bu. I just bought a 2005 Maxx and will be watching the tires very closely.