Message for GMMerlin

Man, I have read your posts and believe you deal out information in honest to God good faith. That's why I would like your opinion about the Malibu situation that myself and five of my co-workers find ourselves in. (Plus I know another person away from work--Malibu--same problems)

The problem I have is this:

It's just mind-boggling and un-believable that all of my fellow Malibu owners have had the same groups of problems. We bought our cars at different dealerships and at different times. Three of us have had the Head Gasket go bad, oil gets into the coolant and perhaps vice-versa. Mine had this happen at 58000 miles. another owner had the gasket go bad at 52000 miles. The third guys gasket went bad at 60000 miles. Two of us had the alternator go bad--one of which has gone bad twice inside of 40000 miles. My car (58000 miles gently driven) now has problems with a wheel bearing and a bushing (I assume) because it makes a metalic noise when I hit even the smallest of bumps. Three of us have the blower doesn't work on 1&2 problem. I have a problem with the hazard switch (recall pending--blinkers won't work) My car also has an intermittant problem with the tranny. Seems like the torque converter unlocks around 2000 RPM with steady throttle (flat road)(new problem)

All these problems are common (except tranny--still don't know what that problem is caused by)and I consider these to be FACTORY, DESIGN RELATED DEFECTS. These are not operator error caused problems--because I keep the maintenance UP TO DATE and drive sensibly and carefully ALL THE TIME.

My question is--Shouldn't GM do SOMETHING to help out Malibu owners since these cars are obviously FULL of defects. And since GM doesn't seem to be willing to help (Me at least--I am being very nice though when I speak with people--instead of getting all mad and irrational even though I feel like EXPLODING because I bought a car that TURNS OUT to be full of defects--nice car--but COSTLY, COSTLY defects) Are we--the consumer just "screwed" and must deal with the FACT that "Hey--the car is not under warranty"???

I'm sorry--but nobody expects to replace major engine gaskets at 58000 miles--or wheel bearings---or control arm bushings. (Unless you drive for NASCAR) These cars are OBVIOUSLY LEMONS---they are just 50000 mile lemons.

We are thinking "Class action lawsuit" in order to recover some costs of repairs. This may not work though--still haven't asked any lawyers if it's a reasonable option.

Maybe we should file a group complaint?? Hell I don't know--maybe we can all just pool our cars together and canabalize them to keep ONE running--eventually we'll run out of parts though



Steer me right Mr. GMMerlin!

Sincerely,
Jeff Beatty

Well being the fact that I am employed in some aspect by GM..I don't feel it would be in my best interest to directly comment on your concerns.
The N body platform is a very popular car line for all divisions that offer it.
The more of a product that is owned by the public, the more common it would be for you to run into someone that has the same problem.
I am sure that those "in the know" at GM are working to fix these problems and restore your faith in the GM products.
Unfortunately, I am not in a position to do anything...As you have these problems, I'm one of the ones that has to do my best in repairing and preventing these problems from happening again.
I wish there was something I could do or say..but to be totally honest there isn't.
Just remember...I didn't design it, build it or sell it to you...I'm just the one that has to figure out how to fix it.
Merlin

Something to consider here are tha ramifications to emissions. If these issues directly affect emissions, GM is responsible for repairs. If not, you might casually inquire about some of these vehicles being repaired under a recall or "hidden" warranty. This happened with the 2.3 engine in the late '80's, early '90's. Ray