1998 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I RECEIVED MY CHEV RECALL LETTER REF RECALL 14350 TODAY. THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, JUST INFO THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT IN REFERENCE TO THIS SAFETY RECALL. PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY 1998 CHEV MALIBU IS : ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS-SOMETIMES ENGINE WON'T START ( IGNITION KEY WILL NOT GO ALL WAY TO START POSITION)-SOMETIMES ENGINE WANT SHUTOFF (IGNITION KEY WANT TURN BACK TO OFF POSITION). AS A RETIRED TRUCK MECHANIC I KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER (TUMBLERS ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY CAUSING THE LOCK CYLINDER TO JAM AND/OR BE COME LOOSE ALLOWING IGNITION KEY TO ROTATE OFF) . I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE REPAIR MYSELF BUT ALL PARTS OUTLETS TELL ME THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER IS NOT AVAILABLE (MUST PURCHASE $350.00 IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY) IF THIS RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE REPLACING THE LOCK CYLINDER,THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE CORRECTED. EXPERIENCED MECH/TECH CAN REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

NHTSA complaint #10637564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

A TOTALLY UNEXPECTED MALFUNCTION OF CRUISE CONTROL WHILE SET AT 60MPH, TRAVELING UP AND DOWN HILLY STRETCH OF US ROUTE #301 NORTHBOUND NEARING VA ROUTE #3 THE TRANSMISSION DOWN-SHIFTED, ENGINE ACCELERATED TO MAINTAIN SET SPEED (AS USUAL) WHEN HIGHWAY LEVELED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CONTINUED TO SPEEDUP RAPIDLY..65+70+75. DRIVER INSTANTLY APPLIED BRAKES W/ NORMAL PRESSURE THEN EVEN HARDER UNTIL SHE WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL W/ BOTH FEET. SEVERAL TIMES SHE PRESSED THE CANCEL CONTROL SELECTOR, STILL NO REAL SLOWING DOWN. AS BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE OVERHEATED RAPIDLY SMOKE AND SPARKS WERE SEEN BY OTHER MOTORIST, TWO OF WHOM TRIED TO OVERTAKE THEM AND HAND SIGNALED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WHICH SHE WAS SOON ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH ON A WIDE GRASS SHOULDER WHERE SHE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION+++STOP!! AT LONG LAST. ALL THREE (3) ADULT WOMEN WERE GREATLY STRESSED BUT RELIEVED TO BE SAFE. HER REAR SEAT PASSENGER HAD CALLED 911 ON HER CELL PHONE WHEN THEY REALIZED THE FRIGHTFUL DANGERTHEY WERE IN AND AS A RESULT THREE (3) DIFFERENT POLICE CRUISERS ARRIVED ALMOST INSTANTLY FROM THE COUNTY SHERIFF AND VA STATE POLICE. SEVERAL WITNESSES WERE INTERVIEWED FOR MORE DETAILS. THE VEHICLE IS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU 4DR. V6. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OLD, DRIVEN ONLY 4,000 MILES BY THE DEALERS WIFE, UNTIL MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED IT. SHE CONTINUED TO HAVE IT ROUTINELY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED THERE SO THERE IS WHERE SHE REQUESTED THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO HAUL IT TO THE NEXT DAY AT A COST OF $400. SUBSEQUENTLY THEIR SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANICS RAN DIAGNOSTIC SEQUENCES AS WELL AS SEVERAL ROAD TESTS AND WERE UNABLE TO REVEAL ANY ABNORMALITIES IN THE CRUISE CONTROL OR ACCELERTORPERFORM-ANCE FUNCTIONS. HOWEVER ALL FOUR (4) WHEELS BRAKES WERE BADLY BURNED AND WARPED. REPAIRS WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED $1,100 TO $1,300. OUR QUESTIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1) IS THIS EVENT AN ISOLATED RARITY? (2) WHAT CAN CAUSE SUCH A DANGEROUS FAILURE? (3) WHY HIDDEN?

NHTSA complaint #10279594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

DT: THE CONTACT STATED EVERY TIME SHE USED THE CRUISE CONTROL IT DEACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THIS STARTED APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - THE BRALKES FAILED AT LESS THAN 2800 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS.

NHTSA complaint #10143477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU ENGINE STARTED RACING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *MR THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING ON HIGH SPEED UNTIL THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. *SC TPS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10134523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

AFTER A FEW MINUTES (MAYBE 10 TO 15 MINUTES) OF STARTING/DRIVING, GAS PEDAL "STICKS" IN THE CLOSED POSITION REQUIRING ADDITIONAL FOOT PRESSURE TO MAKE IT ADVANCE TO A REASONABLE RPM TO EITHER BREAKE INERTIA OR CONTINUING DRIVING. THIS PROCESS BECOMES DANGEROUS TO THE EXTEND THAT A HIGHER/UNWANTED ACCELARATION RESULTS DUE TO THE PEDAL NOT TRAVELING SMOOTHLY.

NHTSA complaint #10110786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING UNSATISFACTORY TRANSACTION WITH GMC, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED THEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE SHOULD BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR HER REPAIRS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE SENT OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10103153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

UPON SETTING UP CRUISE CONTROL IT FAILED TO SET, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE AIR BAG WARNING HARNESS CONNECTION. THESE PARTS WERE CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER.*AK WRONG PART SENT.

NHTSA complaint #10094803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

I LIGHTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, LIFTED MY FOOT OFF, THEN PRESSED AGAIN - THE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED, THE MECHANIC SAID THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD SNAPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10041170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

I LIGHTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, LIFTED MY FOOT OFF, THEN PRESSED AGAIN - THE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED, THE MECHANIC SAID THE THROTTLE CABLE SNAPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED - 2ND FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10041172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP POSITION WITH FEET ON THE DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.

NHTSA complaint #10026401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

DEFECTS IN 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1000 TRYING TO REPAIR THE ABS SYSTEM (INCLUDING REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS FOR WHAT GM CALL AN "UPDATED WIRING HARNESS," REPLACING LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL BARONS, AND REPLACING THE ABS RELAY). THE BRAKES CONSISTENTLY HAVE TROUBLE AND PULSE WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING CONSIDERABLE TROUBLE WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE CAR. THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON, CREATING CODES IN THE COMPUTER, WITH NO VISIBLE REASONS FOR THE CODES. THE GAS PEDAL HAS ALSO BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AS IT HAS A TENDENCY TO STICK. THE LEFT REAR STRUT MOUNTS HAVE ALSO BROKEN AND HAVE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (QUITE COSTLY). I AM BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10021020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 50 MPH, VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE RELEASE SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #552177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

FUEL PEDAL MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. YH

NHTSA complaint #607105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

DESIGN LOCATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TOO CLOSE TO THE TRANSMISSIION HOUSING RESULTING IN CONTACT WITH HOUSING BEFORE REACHING PEDAL. YH

NHTSA complaint #607390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET BETWEEN 60-70 MPH , WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE, DRIVER HAD TO REPEATEDLY APPLY BRAKES BEFORE THE FINALLY ENGAGED, RESULTING IN SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.DEFECT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES, AND DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #846557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. BRAKE PADS ARE MOVING UP AND DOWN, AND THERE IS VIBRATION WITHIN BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH, AND AS CONSUMER WAS GOING AROUND THE CORNER, CRUISE CONTROL WENT UP TO 76 MPH. WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL OR UP A HILL CRUISE CONTROL WENT UP TO A HIGHER SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #838705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS

AT 60 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AT THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT NOT SET. IT SET ITSELF AS INDICATED BY THE "CRUISE" LIGHT ON THE DASH AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF, BUT KEPT ACCELERATING AS INDICATED BY THE GAS PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. I APPLIED BRAKES AND IT STILL WOULD NOT TURN OFF. AFTER REACHING 80 MPH, I WAS ABLE TO START SLOWING DOWN, EVEN THOUGH I COULD FEEL THE CAR CONTINUE TO TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR ON THE DASH WAS STILL ON. AFTER TRAVELING 1/4 MILE, I FINALLY GOT THE CAR STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE RPM'S WERE PULSING BETWEEN 2500-3500 AND CONTINUING TO CLIMB. I TURNED OFF THE KEY. SMOKE WAS BOILING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. IT TOOK A FULL 15 SECONDS FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO RELEASE FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION. I COULD HEAR A "POP" AND FEEL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SPRING BACK TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP IS BLAMING MY FLOOR MAT.

NHTSA complaint #706699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, TOOK FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR KEPT GOING. DEALER STATED THAT A SMALL ROCK WAS TRAPPED BEHIND THE GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE'S PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED.

NHTSA complaint #826131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.