Faults:

I got this car in 2005 from a previous owner, and it was 8 years old with 144 thousand km on it. I bought the car fully loaded for 1500 bucks.

After three months of owning it, I had to replace the transmission mounts because of a defect in the design. The new mounts had a new design; thicker rubber and bigger in size.

Around the fall, I had to replace my two wheel bearings, rotors, calipers, and brake pads, because the owner who had it last didn't take good care of it while driving the car with screwed up brake pads, which were very worn out. This caused the damage to the rotors and calipers.

A year later I had to replace the two front table bushings, and one master wheel cylinder.

My fan speeds were not working on one and two. The solution to that is the blow motor resistor. It was very easy to replace, and not costly at all; around 35 bucks, and that part was redesigned, and it's now longer in length and better quality.

I also have a leaking intake gasket, which is the big defect on this type of car, that mostly happens to all Malibu's, but GM has a new redesigned intake gasket, which is thicker and has a thin layer of silicon. That, I'm still working on money wise to get fixed. It's been leaking for a year, and it's still running; just have to keep topping it off with engine coolant.

One more thing; I had to replace the radiator hose that is located near the battery that goes to the engine. It split open because of age and use, from heat and cold. Only cost 50 bucks for the hose.

General Comments:

I have to say, overall, it's a great car. I have no grudge against it. Every car isn't perfect; lots of cars have their own defects and problems. It's a lot better than the Corsica I had, which was a 2.2, which caused me to replace the transmission 3 times, and the engine once.

This Malibu is the best Chevrolet I have owned. It's comfortable, reliable, very nice interior design, roomy, peppy, great style.

If I had to get another car again, it will be a Chevrolet. The next car I'm thinking of is a Monte Carlo.

Faults:

The rotors needed to be replaced every time the brakes did, around every 25,000 miles.

The ABS sensor went out at 85,000 miles and required an entire new wheel hub assembly.

Radio lost reception strength at 110,000 miles.

Engine gasket leak around 150,000 miles.

General Comments:

The car's engine always ran well, even with 171,000 miles.

The biggest problem is the constant need to replace the rotors. Apparently, they are too thin to be turned down.

The car still handles very well, but the seats become uncomfortable on long trips.

Faults:

Well, here goes. Tail lights used to blow out pretty much on a weekly basis, or at least every time it rained. Replaced the "tail light circuit boards" and the little clips that hold them in broke off the lenses, now both tail lights are sealed with black duct tape and silicone and appear to be holding for the present time.

Fan switch / AC controls seem to have a mind all their own, you hit a bump and the thing switches from vent to recirculate, now thew fan speed switch works only on positions 4 and 5.

Rear defroster wire tabs fall off the back glass at least monthly, no matter what you use to repair them. Finally took a hunk of kids modelling clay and jammed them on with that, holding for now.

Ignition switch and theft system regularly makes me late for work. Note to other owners, if THEFT SYSTEM light blinks and car won't start, leave key in ON position and don't touch a thing for 10 minutes, the computer SHOULD then allow you to start the car normally.. we hope!!

Interior rear view mirror falls off at least monthly, at least the light wiring keeps it from breaking on the floor when it lets go.

General Comments:

When it is behaving, it has PLENTY of zip, I drive at highway speeds A lot and it can pull 21-22 MPG with the AC on all day.

Seat belts a bit tight for a big guy like me even with height adjustment.

Factory CD player KICKS BUTT period!!!