NHTSA Complaint #752696 — 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU

THE HUB CAPS ON ALL CHEV MALIBUS ARE ATTACHED WITH 5 PLASTIC LUG NUT S THAT SCREW ON TO THE LUG NUTS THAT HOLD ON THE WHEEL.THE PLASTIC NUTS ARE COVERED WITH THIN CHROMED METAL.ALL 5 OF THE PLASTIC LUG NUTS MUST BE REMOVED PRIOR TO BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE TIRE IN CASE OF A FLAT OR IF SERVICE IS NEEDED.THE TORQUE NEEDED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC LUG NUT EXCEEDS THE BINDING STRENTH OF CHROMED METRAL COVER ON THE PLASTIC LUG NUTS.ONCE THE COVER SLIPS ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE HUBCAP AND THEREFORE THE TIRE.3 OR MY 4 HUBCAPS HAD TO BE DESTROYED TO BE REMOVED.EACH ONE REQUIRED 30 MIN AND LOTS OF EFFORT.A FEMALE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WOULD BE IN SERIOUS DANGER.MY MECHANIC CALLED THEIR FRIENDS A THE CHEV DEALERSHIP AND ASKED HOW TO REMOVE THE HUBCAPS...THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT THE HUBCAPS WOULD NEED TO BE DESTROYED TO GET THEM OFF.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTY PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR DEATHS OF PEOPLE TRYING TO CHANGE A FLAT!!!