Faults:

Brakes replaced at 38,000 miles.

Coolant turned to mush at 58,000 miles.

Thermostat and outlet at 58,000 miles.

Brakes replaced at 62,000 miles.

More refrigerant problems at 67,000 miles.

Getting ready to replace seals due to refrigerant problems 68,000 miles.

General Comments:

The car has serious issues with brakes and I am assuming the Dex-cool antifreeze gumming up with possibility of engine failure.

The car does ride ride and handle nice, and is confortable on long trips.

In my opinion I would not purchase another Chevy Malibu until they fix the bugs that are in the car, and change how the antifreeze reacts to the engine.

Faults:

Brakes, brakes, brakes! Nothing but trouble with brakes. They have been completely replaced, at GMC's cost, twice. I've had the rotors filed down or replaced several times. I've told GM on their surveys that I'm disappointed with the car, and not once have they replied. So far, in under two years, the car has been in five times for brake problems. When I apply the brakes, the car shakes like crazy, especially on the highway or going downhill. On gravel, wet, or snowy roads, the car grinds and skids, and sometimes doesn't stop at all. I hit a snowbank last winter in order to stop. And it wasn't my driving or the road conditions. I don't feel safe, which is especially bad since my son is in the car with me. As soon as I can afford to get rid of it, I will probably do so. The dealer has no explanation as to why I'm having these problems.

General Comments:

Drives like a dream, very smooth on corners and at high speed. Lots of pick-up power for passing.

Gas mileage is surprisingly good for a 6 cylinder.

I do love the features in this car, and the interior is really nice. The car is loaded so there's lots of choices. Seating is comfy, too, and everything is within reach for the driver.

Lots of security and safety features, which is nice.

Windshield wipers are squeaky. I replaced them, but after a few weeks, it started again. Irritating.

Faults:

My car has been ticking since new, took it to the dealer, told me that is how the Malibu sounds. Now it is much louder and I am told it is a lifter. Now it falls under my ext warranty instead of the manufacturer taking care of it.

Front brakes bad at 38,000, seems awfully low, but most of the people on here have had worse!

General Comments:

I am really not that disappointed in this vehicle, as I had much worse problems with the Pontiac Grand Am. However, I cannot say I am thrilled with GM in general, however my husband insists on them. I feel their service at most dealers leaves something to be desired, and they are quick to write it off if they don't want to look for the answer. I am knocking on wood as I type this, but I really do enjoy my Malibu and have not experienced any problems yet that the majority of you have. I do hope that GM addresses these problems that so many seem have going on, as I don't have that many miles yet, so they may be coming. I paid 22,500 new and now I owe 16,000 but the trade in is 7500. I sure won't be able to get rid of it any time soon.

Faults:

First problem was engine oil light coming on.

That was about one month after I received the car. It was a quart low.

Six months later the engine oil light came on again and again was a quart low.

Next oil change I asked them to tell me if it was low and it was again one quart low. Dealership says that is about normal.

About six months ago I started having trouble with brakes pads. I told them the driver's side front was bumping and grinding when braking.

Dealership replaced pads and ground down the rotor. When I left dealership car almost didn't stop. Had to return with it. I guess they left air in line. The brakes were worse than before I had them fixed. I had to pay for pads.

Brought car back in within warranty on pads. Still grinding.

Dealership attempted to tell me it was the way I drove the car. I had less than 20,000 miles at that point. Again they ground the rotors. Telling me pads were thinner on the 2002 Malibu.

I called GM the first time I brought car in for brakes as dealership wanted me to pay for putting the pads on the car when they had to work on rotor. I paid for new pads the first time.

Second visit was under warranty. I just took the car back in within 3,000 miles of the last set of pads and it was grinding again.

I had filled out the GM survey and told them how unsatisfied I was with the car.

GM called and asked me to bring Malibu in to dealership for the third time for brakes and two minor problems.

I picked car up today and they had replaced rotor on left front. Said they did not replace the pads as they were good. That seems strange to me. For now it seems to be working fine.

On second trip for brakes I had a complaint that my car wouldn't start correctly. It was making a click click sound and then would finally start. The morning of the appointment, I went to start it and it would not start. They had to send a wrecker. The dealership tried to tell me it was the battery. I told them I knew what bad batteries performed like and this wasn't it. I told them to keep it over night and try to start it in the morning. They did and called to say it was the fuel pump.

Air-conditioning vent louver fall off on passenger side.

Dealership had to order part and fixed it on this last visit.

My radio knob paint came off.

GM told me it was due to oil on skin. Funny, I have never had any other car do this. They did replace the entire stereo.

General Comments:

I do want to say that GM has really tried to resolve these problems and has called and checked on the car while it was in repair and called me at home. Keeping fingers crossed that all the little problems are resolved. I love the way the car drives and how much room is in the vehicle.