2011 Chevrolet Malibu Wheels Problems
2 owner-reported wheels complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (2)
THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING BEGAN FAILED WITH LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, WHICH COST JUST OVER $400. IF THE BEARING WOULD HAVE FULLY FAILED PRIOR TO MY SEEKING REPAIRS, THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SEPARATED TIRE AND BEARING FROM THE REST OF THE VEHICLE OR A LOCKED UP WHEEL, WHICH COULD HAVE STEERED ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT INJURY, DAMAGE OR LOSS OF LIFE. THE DEALERSHIP AND PARENT COMPANY OFFERED NO COMPENSATION OR INVESTIGATION, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THEY'VE REPAIRED MANY MALIBUS WITH WITH SAME ISSUE. I ASKED TO SEE THE FAILED PART, AND SAW EVIDENCE OF EXTREME HEAT BUILD-UP AND SIGNIFICANT RESISTANCE TO TURNING OF THE BEARING.
THIS PAST FALL MY LOW TIRE AIR LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR INTO FREE TIRE SERVICE WHICH IS A REPUTABLE TIRE COMPANY. IT IS WHERE I PURCHASED MY TIRES ALONG WITH A TIRE PROTECTION PLAN. THEY SAID THAT MY RIMS(WHICH CAME STOCK ON THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP) ARE CORRODING MY TIRES AND THEY COULD TEMPORARILY FIX THEM WITH A SEALANT. THEY SAID THE SEALANT COULD LAST FOR YEARS OR ONLY A MONTH; THERE WAS NO WAY TO KNOW. A FEW MONTHS HAVING THE SEALANT PUT ON (THIS PAST SATURDAY), I WAS ON MY WAY OUT OF TOWN TO KNOXVILLE (A 2 HOUR DRIVE FROM HOME) AND MY LOW TIRE AIR LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER OFF THE INTERSTATE AND MY TIRE WAS ALMOST FLAT. NOT ONLY DID THIS ALMOST CAUSE ME TO BE LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT, BUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS TIME I THOUGHT I WOULD REACH OUT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING ABOUT MY RIMS. MY FATHER OWNS A 2009 MALIBU AND HIS TIRES ARE NOT CORRODING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A COMPANY CHANGES THERE RIMS IN 2 YEARS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE OF THE WHEELS. IF THIS TYPE OF WHEEL IS CORRODING, DAMAGING TIRES THEN I COULD OF HAD A BLOWOUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ANYTIME. NEW TIRES WILL NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM EITHER. THE TIRES I HAVE ON MY CAR ARE STILL VERY GOOD TIRES. SO EVERY TIME I PUT NEW TIRES ON MY CAR, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE. THE ONLY WAY TO PERMANENTLY SOLVE THIS ISSUE IS TO GET NEW WHEELS ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER.