What 361 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Hev

ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I WAS GIVEN, THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE AN AVERAGE OF 36 MPG FOR HWY. I DRIVE 100 MILES EVERY DAY ROUND TRIP AND 98 MILES OF THAT IS HIGHWAY AT POSTED SPEED OF 60-65 MPH. I AM STILL GETTING ONLY ABOUT 27.5 MPG ALMOST A YEAR LATER. I TRADE IN A 2009 SATURN AURA THAT WAS GETTING ALMOST 32 MPG AFTER 100,000 MILES. I'VE HEARD THAT IF YOU DISCONNECT THE ECOASSIST IT WILL HELP THE MILEAGE GO UP? MY DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE A LOT OF MALIBU OWNERS OUT THERE THAT ARE ALSO DISAPPOINTED AT THIS MPG. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET TO AT LEAST 30 MPG? *TR

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TWO TIMES IMPACTED BY BEHIND WHEN STOPPED DUE TO TRAFFIC, FOLLOWER CARD DID NOT NOTICED IN TIME DUE TO STOP LIGHT NOT LIT. SAME SCENARIO IN BOTH CASES. NEED ADVISE ON GM RECALLS FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES COVERAGE. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND FAILED TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTATED AND JERKED INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

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A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT OF INSUFFICIENT FRONT END GROUND CEILING HEIGHT IN 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS EQUIPPED WITH 16" TIRES. WHEREAS, 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS EQUIPPED WITH 18" TIRES DO HAVE SUFFICIENT CEILING HEIGHT TO SAFELY PARK IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PARKING LOT, THAT HAS PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS. THESE PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS ARE LOCATED IN PUBLIC PARKING LOTS AS IN WALMART, POST OFFICE, SHOPPING CENTERS, MALLS, FOOD STORES, AIRPORTS, ETC. YOU NAME IT, WHEREVER THERE IS ARE PUBLIC PARKING SPACES, A MOTORIST WILL BE CONFRONTED WITH A PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS. HOWEVER, 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBUS EQUIPPED WITH 16" TIRES, WILL ENCOUNTER FRONT END BUMPER DAMAGE AS THE CHEVROLET MALIBUS CEILING HEIGHT OF ONLY 5.5 INCHES, WHERE STANDARD PARKING SPACE BUMPER STOPPERS ARE 6 TO 7 INCHES HIGH. THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT CAUSES THE FRONT BUMPER LOCATED BY THE BLACK RUBBER MOLDING TO BE PONE FOR DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE BLACK RUBBER MOLDING, DO TO NO FAULT OF THE DRIVER. . THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED A FULL DISCLOSURE OF THIS DEFECT UPON PURCHASE AND/OR ENTERING THE LEASE AGREEMENT AND/OR FINANCING THE VEHICLE AND/OR A CASH PURCHASE THAT THE STANDARD 16" TIRES, HAS INSUFFICIENT FRONT END GROUND CEILING HEIGHT THE CAR WILL BE PRONE TO DAMAGE DO TO NO FAULT OF THE DRIVER. THE DEFECT CAN BE CORRECTED BY INSTALLING 18" TIRES, AS 18" TIRES DO COME STANDARD WITH SOME MODELS OF THE CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONSUMER IS THE INNOCENT VICTIM AND BE DEEMED TO BE HOLD HARMLESS FOR ANY DAMAGES BY THE DEFECT, AND FAILURE FOR A LACK OF A FULL DISCLOSURE UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

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I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ON 12/05/2014 STATING: "THE LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2014 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCREASED FRICTION IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO STICK IN THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE TURNED BUT IT MAY REQUIRE INCREASED EFFORT. DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO YOUR CHEVROLET DEALER AS A RESULT OF THIS LETTER UNLESS YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR VEHICLE HAS THE CONDITION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE." I AM FILING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT TO HAVE THE 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU RECALLED. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. ALTHOUGH I AM NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING, THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WANT HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WHICH IS WHY CHEVROLET HAS GIVEN A "10 YEAR OR 150,000 FREE SERVICE ON THIS PART". AS A CONCERNED OWNER/CONSUMER, I DON'T BELIEVE CHEVROLET IS ACTING RESPONSIBLY IN HANDLING THIS POSSIBLE SAFETY TRAGEDY. PLEASE INTERVENE AND HAVE THIS MODEL CAR RECALLED. THANKS FOR YOUR PROMPT CONSIDERATION. *TR

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TL* THE CONTRACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,350.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VISION WAS OBSCURED BY THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTING ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. UPDATED 01/12/15*LJ UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN

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THE STEERING JERKS TO THE LEFT AND WHEN CORRECTING IT BACK THE STEERING HITS A STICKY SPOT. THERE IS NO VIBRATING OR ADVANCE WARNING, IT IS JUST A QUICK PULL AND THEN A STICKY SPOT. *TR

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WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A TWO LANE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE STEERING DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT IN THE LANE TO A SMALL DEGREE SO WHEN CORRECTING TO STAY STRAIGHT WOULD FEEL A STICKING POINT AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO OVERCOME IT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER. IN MY INSTANCE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO TURN INTO A SEMI TRUCK. THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 35 DEGREES WITH DRY STRAIGHT ROAD. *TR

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THIS CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED FROM THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT, WE WERE FINALLY TOLD IT WAS MORE THAN LIKELY TIED DOWN TOO TIGHT ON THE DELIVERY TRUCK. IT HAS MANY ISSUES SUCH AS THE BODY DOESN'T LINE UP, THE ELECTRONICS ARE BAD AND THE CARE HAS SHUT DOWN GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY TWICE, THE PAINT IS DIRTY AND PEELING, THE GM REP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE VEHICLE BUT THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT AND REFUND MY MONEY OR GIVE ME ANOTHER NEW ONE. *TR

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HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK VIRGINIA DEALER SERVICE FOUND GM HISTORY CODE DTC U0121 FOR THIS FAILURE. MY 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU SUDDENLY AND FULLY CEASED OPERATING WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC RED LIGHT IN DOWNTOWN NORFOLK VA; EVEN LOST ALL ELECTRICAL INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY / HAZARD LIGHT NOT OPERATING. THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WHILE TAKING FOOT OFF OF BRAKE AND PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN; ALL DASHBOARD DISPLAYS WENT DARK. IT TOOK 3 ATTEMPTS TO RE-START THE CAR OVER A PERIOD OF 11 MINUTES (PAUSED FOR SOME TIME AFTER 2ND TRY). VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING DURING THIS INCIDENT! WE THEN BROUGHT THIS CAR TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK SERVICE DEPT. WHO FOUND CODE DTC U0121 INDICATING "LOSS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE EBCM" ON OUR CAR COMPUTER HISTORY FOR OCT. 27 2014 CORRESPONDING TO THE DATE AND TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. THIS DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY SEEN ONE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF THIS SAME TYPE FOR ANOTHER OWNER OF 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU, WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THIS DEALERSHIP HENDRICK CHEVROLET NORFOLK VIRGINIA. THIS DEALER SERVICE VISIT IS DOCUMENTED ON THEIR INVOICE NO. [XXX]1 DATED 10/27/2014. MY WIFE AND I ARE NOW EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR WHICH HAS THE CHEVROLET STOP-START ENGINE TECHNOLOGY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAVE NO FIX FOR THIS AT THIS TIME AND THAT I SHOULD DIRECTLY REPORT IT TO CHEVROLET / GM WHICH I HAVE NOW ALSO DONE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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I PULLED TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE CAR WENT INTO AUTO STOP. AS I TRY TO NAVIGATE RIGHT THE STEERING LOCK UP ON ME. THIS MADE THE CAR START CLIMBING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT THE WALL. *TR

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WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HVAC FAN CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE POWER INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO BLOWING REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE KNOB WAS POSITIONED. THIS PREVENTED THE DEFROST FUNCTION TO ENGAGE, AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS POOR VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, AND THE HVAC FAN WOULD STILL NOT FUNCTION. I CHECKED THE FUSE BOX, AND THE FUSE WAS NOT BLOWN. LATER IN THE DAY, I STARTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND THE FAN WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS MALIBU DOES FALL INTO THE PRODUCTION DATES OF THE NOV 2013 VISIBILITY RECALL. *TR

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2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE USE OF TIRE/COMPRESSOR KIT AND SAFETY ISSUES. *TGW THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS SPARE TIRE AND JACK IN THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE/COMPRESSOR KIT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THE KIT WAS ONLY USEFUL FOR A FLAT TIRE. IT WASN'T USEFUL FOR SIDEWALL FAILURE OR A BENT RIM. *JB

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THIS AUTO JERKS WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL,THEN WHILE GOING 60 MPH UP A HILL DOWN SHIFTS FOR MORE SPEED,THEN I REACH THE TOP OF HILL CRUISE STAYS IN LOWER GEAR AND PICKS UP SPEED. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

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2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, HE NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY BECAUSE THE AC SYSTEM WENT OUT OF CONTROL THROWING THE AIR DIRECTLY TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING IT OFF. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AGAIN. A FEW MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, AND THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED, THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE VERY ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CLAIMED THE ISSUE WAS FIXED, BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM WITH THE AC. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 13V567000. *JB

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING RIGHT, THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT TIRES, LINE SIZE: P215/60/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE BLISTER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S TIRE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFLATED THE TIRE. HOWEVER, THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 701. THE DOT NUMBER WAS 6YX8BN4 3613.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE PARKED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

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PURCHASED THIS CAR ON APRIL 22, 2014. AT 738 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR BRAKE ISSUES. WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO WAIT AT LEAST TILL THE CAR HAD 1700 MILES ON IT SO THE NEW PARTS WOULD SETTLE. I READ IN A NEWS PAPER ARTICLE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD A OPEN RECALL ON IT. I THEN RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MAY 16 2014. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE RECALL. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THERE SYSTEM CONCERNING THIS MATTER. MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THERE WAS A VALID RECALL ON THIS CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR BACK 4 OTHER TIMES FOR THIS BRAKE ISSUE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I STILL HAVE THE INTERMITTENT BRAKE ISSUE IN WHICH ONE MECHANIC AGREED THAT HE FELT THE LONG PEDAL ON THE BRAKES.. GM STATES THAT THE CAR IS PERFORMING AS SHOULD. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CONTACT THE NEW GLOBAL SAFETY CHIEF([XXX] ). THIS SOUNDS LIKE IGNITION SWITCH DRAMA ALL OVER AGAIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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ON 7/8 I WENT IN FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE. GM TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SET MY BRAKES. MY CAR HAS WHAT IS CALLED AN AUTO STOP FEATURE THAT SAVE FUEL. AFTER THEY FIXED MY BRAKES AND I DROVE AWAY MY AUTO STOP WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. I TOOK IT BACK RIGHT BACK ON 7/8. THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED THE AUTO STOP. I DROVE AWAY AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME. AUTO STOP STILL NOT ENGAGING. I TOOK IT RIGHT BACK. I THEN CALLED NINE DAYS LATER THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT WHEN I GOT THERE IT HAD NOT BEEN FIXED AND THEY TRADED OUR RENTAL FOR WHAT THEY CALL A DRAC CAR. THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESET THE COMPUTER COMPLETELY. THEY THEN CALL BACK AT 3:30 TO TELL ME IT WAS FIXED. THIS WAS 7/14. I PICKED IT UP TODAY 7/15 AND AUTO STOP IS NOT WORKING. THEY WANT ME TO KEEP IT A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE I BRING IT BACK. *TR

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THE AUTO STOP/START FAIL TWO TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT IN TWO TIME TO GET IT FIXED . WHEN DRIVING IT WILL DOWN SHIFT WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,800 AND THE CURRENT WAS 7,100. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN USING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WITH THE LIGHT SHINING ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD IT BLOCKED HIS VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 400. UPDATED 8/19/14*CN UPDATED 08/27/2014 *JS

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FIRST OF ALL THANKS NHTSA FOR RECALLING THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. WELL ANOTHER PROBLEM HAS AROSE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THIS MORNING. WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES COMING DOWN HILL SHE STATED THE VEHICLE SLOWED THEN SPED UP WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. SO I THEN ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK. DESCENDING DOWN THE SAME HILL I FELT THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE WHILE I HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED DOWN. IT SEEMS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT HELPING THE VEHICLE SLOW DOWN AT TIMES.. MEANING THE TRANSMISSION IS UP SHIFTING INSTEAD OF DOWN SHIFTING TO HELP SLOW THE VEHICLE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS SITE AND THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE(VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NO. PIC-5652-B). I WILL HAVE IT LOOKED AT ASAP. OF COURSE I ALREADY KNOW DAY CENTENNIAL SERVICE DEPT WILL SAY THEY CANT DUPLICATE MY CONCERN. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL BE A SAFETY RECALL. *TR

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