NHTSA Complaint #10041291 — 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW (HAD 4 MILES ON IT) IN AUGUST OF 2000. WITHIN A MONTH, THE A/C MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE, AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL WHENEVER AT A STOP. DURING THIS SAME PERIOD OF TIME, THE BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING, AND I REPLACED THEM ON MY OWN. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE WITH THEM SINCE. THEN THIS YEAR, 2003, IT COMPLETELY DIED ON ME WHILE DOING 70 IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY IN SAN DIEGO. MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR, AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I COULDN'T EVEN TURN ON THE FLASHERS TO LET OTHER DRIVERS KNOW WE WERE IN TROUBLE. OBVIOUSLY, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND WE HAD TO CROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, SOLELY PROPELLED BY OUR EXISTING MOMENTUM, WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO STEER. I AM BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO ASSESS WHAT THE ISSUE IS, THOUGH I AM SURE IT IS THE ALTERNATOR. THE BATTERY WAS TESTED, AND DIAGNOSED AS PERFECT, OTHER THAN NEEDING A FULL RECHARGING (IT WAS DRAINED BY ANOTHER COMPONENT). ONCE I DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG, I INTEND TO GO TO CHEVY, AND HARASS THEM UNTIL THEY FIX IT. THEN, I AM GOING TO TRY AND ENTER INTO ARBITRATION, AND HOPEFULLY GET RID OF THE CAR ALTOGETHER. IF ANYONE HAS THE "SOLUTION" TO THE STALLING PROBLEM, PLEASE EMAIL ME ! MJARAMILLO @ EXCITE . COM *JB