Recalls: Holden Malibu
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Holden Malibu
2012-14 Holden Malibu: rear seatbelt buckles may detach
In February 2015, a recall was issued for Holden Malibu vehicles that were manufactured from 10 October 2012 to 13 November 2014. In these vehicles, a pivot pin inside the twin buckle seatbelt assembly for the right-hand rear and centre rear seatbelts may not have been assembled correctly and may slide sideways. If the pivot pin were to slide sufficiently, the right-hand rear or centre rear seatbelt buckles may detached from their anchoring plates such that the seatbelts would not restrain an occupant in the event of a collision – this would increase the risk of injury to the occupants. The recalled Holden Malibu vehicles had VINs in the range KL3GA6919DB006567 to KL3GA69U9FB021745 (PRA 2015/14554).
2015 Holden Malibu: rear seatbelt buckles may detach
In July 2016, a recall was issued for Holden Malibu vehicles that were manufactured from 9 July 2015 to 13 July 2015. In these vehicles, a pivot pin inside the twin buckle assembly for the right rear and centre rear seatbelts may not have been assembled correctly, and could therefore move sideways. If the pivot pin moved sufficiently, the right rear or centre rear seatbelts buckles may detach from their anchor plate – the seatbelt may therefore fail to restrain an occupant, thereby increasing the risk of injury in the event of a collision. The recalled Holden Malibu vehicles had VINs in the range KL3GA69U9FB071986 to KL3GA69U9FB076417 (PRA 2016/15531).
Problems and faults: Holden V300 Malibu
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Holden Malibu 2.4i: ‘Service Engine Soon’, won’t start and DTCs P0016/P0017
In June 2016, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PIP4548F for 2012-15 Holden Malibu vehicles that had 2.4-litre LE5 petrol engines. In these vehicles,
- The ‘Service Engine Soon’ light may illuminate; or
- The engine may not start (i.e. no cranking); and,
- Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0016 and/or P0017 would be stored.
These symptoms may be due to movement of a camshaft reluctor on the camshaft. The reluctor was a press fit (i.e. interference type) and not indexed/keyed to the camshaft. Furthermore, an ‘overheat condition’ may cause the reluctor to spin on the camshaft when hot. If the reluctor were to spin far enough, it could cause a crank no start condition. If the reluctor for either of the intake or exhaust camshafts were not correctly positioned, then the affected camshaft(s) needed to be replaced.
2013-14 model year Holden Malibu: steering wheel resistance moving off-centre
In June 2015, General Motors issued Service Bulletin 14232A for 2013-14 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles; in Australia, the equivalent model was sold as the Holden Malibu. After driving long distances on a straight road, the steering wheel may exhibit increased resistance to moving off-centre due to increased friction in the steering system. While the steering wheel could be turned in this condition, increased effort would be required. To fix, the power steering control module was to be re-programmed on 2013-14 model year vehicles.
In the USA, General Motors extended warranty coverage for this condition to ten years or 150,000 kilometres from the date the vehicle entered service, whichever came first.
