need advice! 2004 chevrolet malibu maxx lt lemon law question

[dp2004]

What is the name of your state?
WI

overall i would like to know the following:
since i have had my car in 3 times for different steering problems and the dealer will not take the car back to try and fix the repair problems that i feel i'm still experiencing can i still apply for the lemon law? the dealer states they "fixed" the problem and will not take it back. other dealers in town will not accept the car to try and fix it because they told me Chevrolet Corp. paid my dealer to replace parts and fix the problems so since they didn't get paid from Chevrolet Corp. regarding my repair issues they told me to take it back to the same dealer. i don't know if i'm now stuck because WI lemon law states 4 unsuccessful tries or 30 days in the service repair shop.

i have had the car under 1 year and it has 7,000 miles on it.


here's an overview:

I bought a brand new 2004 chevy malibu maxx lt here in Wisconsin in may 2004. I brought the car in for repairs a total of 5 times, 2 for electrical and door lock and alarm problems and the other 3 were strictly for steering problems.

I had them replace the steering column because as I was driving home with my wife and 2 year old son,my steering wheel locked up and I couldn't drive the car or turn left or right. I had to stop in the middle of the street, turn on my blinkers, turn off the car and turn it back on after 10 minutes then the steering came back on. This problem could kill someone.

The 1st time after they gave me back the car after replacing the steering column. The car was returned to me and I could not turn the steering wheel left. I immediately returned the car to them. The 2nd problem was when they returned it to me after I told them I couldn't turn the steering wheel left at all. I now told them that the car was not aligned properly because the steering wheel pulled to the left when accelerating from a dead stop. With my hands on the steering wheel I had to physically turn the steering wheel to the right because I could feel it pulling to the left as I drove forward from a dead stop. I even tried it without my hands on the steering wheel in an empty parking lot. The steering is not even close to being aligned because it pulls hard to the left at 10 o'clock. Heiser Chevrolet told me that they "fixed" the problem and they will not accept the car to repair the moset recent problem I'm having. I then asked to speak to the general manager and he basically told me he can only crunch some numbers and get me into another car by trading mine in. He wanted me to give them more money to get into another car. I told them no deal and left.

 

[wnagel]

The lemon law differs in each state. Check your state for exact wording. I work on a dispute settlement board for Ford and buy back cars from consumers all the time. First, check the actual lemon law in your state. As mentioned before, each state is somewhat different. Check the back of your owners manual for a dispute resolution or mediation, which is the next step. File your complaint and attend your hearing. About 50% of the complaintants get new cars from this process. Even if you lose, don't worry, you don't blow your chances in court if you lose at Dispute Resolution. I would also suggest staying away from attorneys until after dispute resolution. One last note: Don't believe that just because your vehicle had three steering problems in a one year period, that your entitled to a new car. If the board determines you are entitled to a new car, they will deduct fair usage according to the amount of mileage, etc. So on a $30,000 vehicle, after a year or two, and 25,000 miles, you might be obligated to pay 7 or 8 thousand dollars more for a new car. There is no free lunch if that is what you are trying to do.

 

[dp2004]

trade-in question

I have repair orders to cover me there, nobody wants a free lunch....=)

the nhtsa wants to make sure chevrolet isn't getting a free lunch either because they just opened an investigation regarding this issue on the steering problem plus there's a new recall out regarding this I believe.

since i've had my fair share of problems with my 2004 Malibu maxx lt with 4 steering problem visits to my dealer and still no resolution......does anyone know if chevy corporate would allow me a better discount or credit towards a new Chevy other then the Malibu if I were to trade mine in?

it has 7,000 miles, fully loaded except xm radio, still owe about $18k on the car. i looked at my trade in value and was shocked when i seen it's only around like $18k. wow

the bbb is supposed to mediate with the chevy corporate rep i spoke to and see what they say.

let me know, thanks!
__________________

 

[wnagel]

The NHTSA does not list a recall for steering on your 2004 Mailbu. It does list a defect investigation for your vehicle. Unfortunately, not all defect investigations become recalls. Just because there is a defect investigation, does not mean you get a buy-back. It can give you more leverage when dealing with Chevrolet. If there is still a problem with the repair, ask to speak to the dealership zone represatative. Make an appointment as they don't like to give anyone his name or phone number. Anyway, he has much more power than the Service Manager at the dealership and can authorize much more at the repair level. You didn't mention if you are still having a problem with the steering or not?

 

[dp2004]

The NHTSA does not list a recall for steering on your 2004 Mailbu. It does list a defect investigation for your vehicle. Unfortunately, not all defect investigations become recalls. Just because there is a defect investigation, does not mean you get a buy-back. It can give you more leverage when dealing with Chevrolet. If there is still a problem with the repair, ask to speak to the dealership zone represatative. Make an appointment as they don't like to give anyone his name or phone number. Anyway, he has much more power than the Service Manager at the dealership and can authorize much more at the repair level. You didn't mention if you are still having a problem with the steering or not?

does my vehicle still pull to the left? yes. it nor supposed to, but it does when you slowly accelerate.

The problem is the power steering system is a new electric system that never got the bugs worked out of them. There is a upcoming recall on this problem coming out on Dec. 10, 2004. The question is if my dealer put the updated part number on it or not. Refer to Campaign# 04050.

do you think that Chevy would at least offer a credit or discount towards a new Chevy vehicle if i were to trade in my current Malibu in? im not really looking for a buyback actually.

 

[wnagel]

I seriously doubt that Chevrolet would offer a discount on a trade. They are not in the trade business, that is the business of their dealers. The dealer would gladly trade you as they would any customer. You can call any Chevrolet dealership in the country and give them your VIN number and they can run it to find out if there are any outstanding recalls. A campaign is not the same as a recall. Have you considered the fact if the campaign fixes the problem to just keep the vehicle? Obviously you wanted this vehicle at some point and if they can fix the problem, why not keep it? Again, taking your issue to a dispute resolution can benefit you. It costs you nothing to do it, and you might qualify for an extended warranty, buy back, or whatever. We really have an open checkbook from the automakers in dispute resolution, you have nothing to lose.

 

[dp2004]

I seriously doubt that Chevrolet would offer a discount on a trade. They are not in the trade business, that is the business of their dealers. The dealer would gladly trade you as they would any customer. You can call any Chevrolet dealership in the country and give them your VIN number and they can run it to find out if there are any outstanding recalls. A campaign is not the same as a recall. Have you considered the fact if the campaign fixes the problem to just keep the vehicle? Obviously you wanted this vehicle at some point and if they can fix the problem, why not keep it? Again, taking your issue to a dispute resolution can benefit you. It costs you nothing to do it, and you might qualify for an extended warranty, buy back, or whatever. We really have an open checkbook from the automakers in dispute resolution, you have nothing to lose.

ok so lets say they wont offer a buyback, exchange or even a credit/discount if i were to trade mine in to them even though i have repair orders, TSB's about steering problems and an open investigation as i stated earlier, what would they offer? im not willing to keep a car that has 6 repairs in 8 months, who would buy it from me? nobody. loses value, use and safety because of what happened overall.

 

[wnagel]

Don't be so melodramatic. There are cars that have 40 and 50 TSB's and numerous recalls. People still sell them everyday. Check out your warranty - it says that the manufacturer will repair for 3 years 36,000 miles. Did the manufacturer keeps its claim to you? I'm guessing yes.

Should a vehicle be perfect when it is delivered to you? Of course it should, but with the complexity of todays vehicles, it's an impossibility. Things break, that is why they have a warranty. At the point you are at, if you came to my dispute resolution board, I would probably recommend that the manufacturer give you an extended warranty. I would have to research each specific repair and decide if they are connected, etc. Having 6 repairs in 8 months might or might not be alot. How many actual days out of service did you suffer? Did the dealership offer or give you a free loaner vehicle? These are the standards that dispute resolution or a court will be looking at.

 

[dp2004]

Don't be so melodramatic. There are cars that have 40 and 50 TSB's and numerous recalls. People still sell them everyday. Check out your warranty - it says that the manufacturer will repair for 3 years 36,000 miles. Did the manufacturer keeps its claim to you? I'm guessing yes.

Should a vehicle be perfect when it is delivered to you? Of course it should, but with the complexity of todays vehicles, it's an impossibility. Things break, that is why they have a warranty. At the point you are at, if you came to my dispute resolution board, I would probably recommend that the manufacturer give you an extended warranty. I would have to research each specific repair and decide if they are connected, etc. Having 6 repairs in 8 months might or might not be alot. How many actual days out of service did you suffer? Did the dealership offer or give you a free loaner vehicle? These are the standards that dispute resolution or a court will be looking at.

hey when it come to driving a 2 year old safely along with my wife ill do what it takes to get into a safe car no matter what.....bar none

 

[You Are Guilty]

hey when it come to driving a 2 year old safely along with my wife ill do what it takes to get into a safe car no matter what.....bar none

Then why did you buy a Chevy Malibu?

 

[dp2004]

Then why did you buy a Chevy malibu?

my wife owns a 2002 without any problems so i figured it's a great car.

do you if a regional GM rep can offer trade assistance if i were to trade the car backin to the dealer or would chevy copr do this?

 

[blackmaxx]

Bridgestone Insignia tires...

Car not tracking straight... I would suggest anyone that owns a car with these tires, rotate them frequently and inspect them personally for buldges. I know of a few cars that have had trouble with them. Keep the pressure dead on as well. I suspect they are not the fantastic 75K tire they claim to be. My friends 2004 Malibu has a buldge now and Bridgestone won't replace. They say he hit something. I had the same thing happen on my 97 Saturn SW2. Now I have a 2005 Malibu Maxx. I really like the car so far, but this thread concerns me. I've read about left pull on the steering that was corrected by tire rotation or replacement. I would suggest Michellin's as a high quality replacement tire. I've had very good luck with them in the past.

 

[TimStudiesLaw]

This post is 4 years old, i'm pretty sure they have solved their situation by now.
Stop reviving dead posts.

 

[Zigner]

Not to mention - he shouldn't spam this forum.