My 2019 Chevy Malibu Has Terrible Transmission Problems

DEAR SUZANNE

By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 150 – November 2023 | Malibu Owner

Dear Suzanne, 

My car is a perfect example of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, seemingly harmless on the outside but terrible when you look under the hood. I have a 2019 Chevy Malibu that I purchased brand new, and while it drives great, looks are what made me pull the trigger on this beautiful car. 

But ever since I got the car, it’s been one issue after another with the transmission. I know that a faulty transmission affects the car’s resale value, among other things. I mean, I’m not particularly looking to sell the car, but I’d love to keep my options open and I don’t want anything to jeopardize that. 

The problem I’m having with the car’s transmission is that it pops out of gear for no reason. This happens whenever I switch to reverse and then step on the gas to go back. It feels like the car wants no part of anything that has to do with reversing. It really lives by the saying “forward ever, backward never” into perspective, right? 

The few times I have reported this issue to the Chevrolet dealership, they have had no solution to offer. It’s excuse after excuse that always ends up with them being unable to replicate the issue. By the time I take the car back to the dealer for the next repair, the problem is worse than it was the last visit.

One morning I was on a harmless trip to work, just like every other day. But when I tried pulling out of the driveway the engine revved before going into gear. I had to take my foot off the gas before it stopped revving and the engine died off. Efforts to restart the engine proved futile so I had to call the tow company. 

When I visited the dealer, they discovered that the transmission fluid was bad. When I asked how this could have happened, they said it was a result of overheating caused by constant, rough switching of gears. The solution, they claimed, would be a simple draining of the fluid and then replacing it. But for some reason they still have my car in their service department. 

This is not the first time something like this has happened. The only difference is that the car didn’t just die off. Usually once the car warms up the issues subside. I guess this time was different because of the contaminated fluid. 

Regardless of what the cause was, it doesn’t change the fact that I am still without my vehicle. All of these constant issues and repairs are beginning to take a toll on me. If there’s anything I can do about this, please let me know? 

Malibu Owner

Your  2019 Chevy Malibu Needs a Vacation

Dear Malibu Owner, 

The car problems you’ve been experiencing are very similar to those reported by other Malibu owners and funny enough Sierra owners as well. They all have the same transmission issues and describe that it feels like you’re getting hit from behind when you shift into gear. It can also do this when driving at cruising speed on the freeway and try to accelerate. It seems like this specific transmission isn’t reliable at all.

Other issues that you may run into, if you aren’t experiencing them already, are that there may be a delay in acceleration and/or faulty brakes. With the brakes, it could be that they feel stiff or they get stuck down without engaging. When it gets to this point, it poses a danger to both the car occupants and other road users. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND WARRANTY

It’s best to seek the assistance of a reputable lemon lawyer before it gets any worse. Qualifying for a lemon law claim depends on the number of times you’ve taken the car in for repairs. If you’ve taken your car in for repairs at least twice for the same issue or three times for different reasons, then you qualify for assistance under the lemon law. These visits must have occurred while still under the manufacturer’s warranty. 

Moving forward, your lawyer can file a lawsuit under the lemon law against the automakers for selling you a lemon car. The compensation you stand to get from the lawsuit can come in a few different forms. 

SETTLEMENT OPTIONS

The first offer is the buyback or repurchase option. It means the automakers would refund your money and take the car off your hands. The automaker would pay back everything including the monthly payments, the down payment, and the taxes and interest you paid. It means you get a refund for everything you spent on the defective vehicle. Also, if you took out a loan on the car, the automakers pay that off for you so your credit isn’t affected. 

However, if you added some extra parts to the vehicle, you do not get a refund. This is because these parts were not included in the purchase contract. So if you want to retain them, it is best to remove these aftermarket parts and sell them on your own.

In addition, the automakers also retain the right to charge you for what is called the mileage offset. This is simply their right to charge you for the period you drove the car without any issues. It is usually based on the number of miles you were at when you took the car in for the first repair. Regardless of the mileage you were at, your attorney can get them to waive this in full or half. 

The second option you can opt for is the replacement offer. What you get here is another vehicle from the manufacturer as a replacement for the one you have now. It will have a similar mileage, price, and model as the one you currently have. This option is not recommendable since you may end up getting another lemon as a replacement. 

The third offer is the cash and keep option. The automakers will give you some cash as compensation for everything you went through, and you still get to keep the car. If you accept this offer, you withdraw your lawsuit and cannot file another claim against the automakers on this same vehicle. 

The good thing about this option is that you get to keep your vehicle as well as its original warranty. If you later wish to sell the car, you don’t have to deem it a lemon to whoever buys it next. 

LEMON LAW TIPS

One good thing about your case is you won’t have to pay any attorney bills. This is because lemon law cases in California are taken on full contingency so consumers don’t have to worry about the legal fees attached. The automakers have that covered on your behalf. So as a result, the total original settlement won goes over to you.

Make sure to take it in for repairs while you’re fighting your case. Every repair order makes your case that much stronger. While you’re at it, gather all relevant documents like the purchase order and warranty. Any communication with the dealership will be useful for your attorney as well. 

I hope there’s something in here that was able to help you move forward. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask your attorney. Best of luck!

Suzanne

Free Legal Advice About Your 2019 Chevrolet Malibu Lemon Law Claim

Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about California’s lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (323) 553-7525 to discuss your situation with someone who understands how frustrating it can be to have a lemon car, and what to do about it.

DEAR SUZANNE is a weekly column written by Suzanne Henderson and published in LemonLawyers.ORG. If you have a defective lemon vehicle and have questions about California Lemon Lawyer or how to file a claim in California, please write to help@lemonlawyers.org. While not guaranteed, we will try to feature your letter in this column to provide you the answers you need, as well as enlighten other consumers who may have lemon problems similar to yours.

Disclaimer: Suzanne Henderson is not a lawyer and the points discussed here are intended for general information and reference purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult a CA Lemon Lawyer to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.

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Featured Image:

• 2019 Chevrolet Malibu ©Kevauto (CC BY-SA 4.0 License)