1999 Chevrolet Malibu LS V6

Summary:

Too many problems

Faults:

Front brakes and rotors replaced under warranty 3 times. At 35,000, just before the warranty expired, front brakes started squeaking without being applied. Lee Johnson Chevrolet couldn't find anything wrong. You have to take the car to them 3 times for a problem before they find, or patch it. The engine ticked loudly after about the first 1000 miles. Dealer says that is normal for a Malibu. I have never heard this sound on a car with under 100,000 miles. After about the fifth time in to the dealership my wife stopped some kid working on the lot and says please tell me I'm not crazy, do you hear this noise? He says all diesels sound like that! The dealer replaced the engine, and at about 2000 miles this engine sounds the same as the old one. Called Chevrolet, they gave us a case number. Now the warranty is expired and Chevrolet has no record of a case number and I feel the dealer has treated us like we have been a bother to them, and I don't think they even care to get repeat business from us.

I love this car, but I cannot keep it in fear of the future costs. I have always been a Chevy man, but I will never own a new one again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd November, 2002

1999 Chevrolet Malibu LS V6 3.1 170HP

Summary:

A good Car with power..

Faults:

Nothing Really.

General Comments:

I fine the Malibu LS is a good car so far and with a 7 year 140,000Km warranty your good...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th October, 2002

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 2.1

Summary:

Not trustworthy

Faults:

I have a 1999 Chev Malibu, for sale, Any one interested. Cheap!!!

The car was great for the longest time, but like every one else the brakes were the first to go.

In the last 8 months, the temperature light and gauge is reading hot. I removed the thermostast and it is still running hot. It does not over heat ever day, but a least 1 day a week. No one has been able to help me as of yet. Normally the car need to be running for over an hour to get hot, but on other days it will over heat in 10 minutes. Do these cars have two t-stats???

Last week the car stopped dead on the freeway. After A repair bill of $400.00 and the alternator and battery were replaced, I found out that most cars with these computers need electricity to run. Anyway, the Alternator fried the battery and all of the gagues can on as the car stop running.

So today is going to be spent tring to repair the over heating problem.

Wish me luck, I will need it as I own a Malibu.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th September, 2002

25th Jun 2003, 19:26

My understanding is that the overheating can be caused by a poor intake gasket design. It tends to go bad at around 40000 miles or so. do a web search for malibu intake gasket and you'll see. Thousands upon thousands of people have the same problems...

22nd Aug 2003, 11:50

You cannot remove a thermostat. The water passes through the radiator too fast to be cooled properly.

Also, todays engines need a specific temperature to run properly.

To get rid of heat, turn off a/c, turn on heat and open windows; if you are really stuck.

- Also, use anti-freeze, properly mixed, not water.

Meck.

30th Sep 2004, 11:20

The comment about the Intake gasket failing is most likely the culprit. My 1999 Malibu started doing this and then got MUCH worse. This was a $600 repair. DO NOT let the engine red line, aluminum block engines can warp and ruin other gaskets in the engine.

30th Jul 2007, 16:01

My 2001 Malibu overheated also. After spending over $700 for a new manifold gasket, it overheated again, spewing out antifreeze again... just like the first time. It turned out to be the cover on the antifreeze overflow tank needed to be replaced. Wish I had known that before spending the $700.