2006 Chevy Malibu, Bad Alternator within first two years

Just posting this in case others experience the same issue (you know, power in numbers kind of thinking).

My 2006 Chevy Malibu flashed the battery light and chimed three times a few times in the last few weeks. Took the car to the dealer and they found the alternator to be "bad" and replaced it. The car was purchased new at the end of 06.

(We've also heard a vibrating noise every so often coming from the passenger side dash which sounded a bit like the wipers were loose *but they weren't*. May not have anything to do with the alternator but thought I'd mention it since it was in the dash area that was right on the other side of the alternator location.)

You may have been taken. I had to replace the battery in my '04 Maxx at the 2.5 year point, but the alternator is still fine. Unlike the previous 2 Chevys, which had to have the alternator replaced within the first 3 years.

I haven't heard of any big problem with the alternators in the '04-'07s.

Shops LOVE to replace the alternator when only a new battery is needed.....

You may have been taken. I had to replace the battery in my '04 Maxx at the 2.5 year point, but the alternator is still fine. Unlike the previous 2 Chevys, which had to have the alternator replaced within the first 3 years.

I haven't heard of any big problem with the alternators in the '04-'07s.

Shops LOVE to replace the alternator when only a new battery is needed.....

In this case, I wasn't being taken, the alternator replacement was completely covered under the 3/36K warranty.

That doesn't mean anything. In this economy, dealer's service Dept.'s are struggling and Chevy dealers, in particular (not saying other brands don't do this too) love to do extra work and get reimbursed. Last month, the writer writer actually whined that all I needed was an oil change (which I get at a huge discount due to the program that was in effect when I bought the car).