Faults:

Water in oil.

A/C heater fan switch.

Water pump.

Always ticked when cold, and still does until warm.

General Comments:

Hi wanted to add my comments about the 97 Malibu. I have actually a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass GLS, which is the same car, but just has the name Oldsmobile on it.

She has the 3100 SFI motor, which was optional on the Malibu, but the base motor in the Cutlass, but the most common motor in the Malibu. She is a good looking car, has plenty of power, but most of the same problems, which started at around the end of 90,000 miles, and she has 102,000 on her now.

Her air did not want to work on 1, 2 or 3, but worked on 4 and 5. All I had to do was replace the fan switch; problem solved.

She still ticks on cold starts, but did since she was new.

I have recently had problems with water getting in the oil; I was told it's due to a faulty intake design, which a lot of 3100 sfi owners have suffered.

I do all my car repairs myself, and have not had time to fix this problem of my water getting in the oil, due to my time consuming job, so I keep Bars Stop Leak in it, and so far it keeps the water out of the oil. So the internal leak must not be too bad. I will correct this motor problem when I get time to do so.

Other than that, I love the car and drive it everyday everywhere, and it has never left me stranded unless I run out of gas. I think she will run another 11 years; if not I will yell at it and make it do it.

Faults:

A/C Condenser bad.

ABS system always grinding. Brakes went bad before 20000 miles/ brakes & calipers. Now calipers are bad.

Wheel cylinders went out.

Master cylinder went out.

General Comments:

When I bought the car, it had low miles. I thought it was a great deal, boy was I wrong. So far since I have had the car, I have had to put 1400 into the brakes, and 700 into the A/C repairs.

They should have recalled the cars and fixed these issues before closing their doors.

Faults:

Where to start?

The head gaskets blew at 92,000 miles.

The ABS light on the dash, para-normal happenings there.

The A/C switch, if your over 40 and female you might not want to get one of these cars. HOT-FLASHES ALL AROUND.

The leather seating surfaces. Joan Rivers has less wrinkles and cracks!

General Comments:

It appears to be a nice automobile, until you own it for a day or two. I now understand why this car was traded-in for a different car. It has gotten me by for the time being but, i would never purchase another Cutlass again.

Faults:

I have been experiencing all the common things that everybody else has experienced with this car. However, I may also have a not so common problem. When I try to accekerate too quickly, the car won't go, it just sorta chugs along. I can fix it by taking my foot off the gas pedal and slowly pressing it back down. Then one time, I was flying down the highway at 75 mph and I pulled in front of a semi truck after passing him, and I couldn't excel... I had to pull off the highway so I didn't get run over. This could have been a serious accident including my two small children in the back seat.

General Comments:

I could use some advice to save money on diagnostic testing. Any input would be greatly appreciated.