Faults:

You name it and it has gone wrong on the car - brakes, transmission, radio, premature tire wear (had to replace all four at 20,000 km.), heater fan, gaskets, oil leaks, flaw in dash, numerous rattles, battery, and so on and so on. I have been going out of my way to talk to other Malibu owners - without a word of a lie every single owner I have spoken to has had numerous difficulties with their Malibu.

My dealer has been super (Murray Chev-Olds in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan). They have fixed the problems and have given me a loaner every time. I have been in contact with the manufacturer's head office (G.M. in Ottawa, Ontario) several times through mail and over the telephone - by now they have a huge file of complaints from me. The head office "humors me" but has done absolutely nothing to rectify the matter. In fact, they have ignored my latest complaint.

General Comments:

The Malibu has serious flaws. I am very happy that I bought the extended warranty. I have another 2 years left on this warranty and then will definitely get rid of this headache.

For all the errors G.M. made in developing this car it does ride quite nicely on the highway when all the mistakes are repaired.

We are never sure if the car will make it to our next destination. We worry a great deal about what will go wrong next.

Faults:

Rotors have been replaced 4 times now. Brakes at least 8 times.

Computer went bad, causing the car to run very funny. The dealer had my car three times before they found anything wrong with it.

Engine makes a lifter sound. Had new pistons put in under warranty. When the dealer did that, my fuel economy went from 30MPG to 23MPG. I am not at all impressed with that due to the price of gas in Michigan right now. Average $1.899 per gallon.

New ignition cylinder replaced three times. This car has a Toyota ignition, believe it or not.

General Comments:

This car has plenty of power for what it is, and handles very well. I think it rides very smooth. Much thanks to Meyer Chevrolet in New Era, MI for promptly fixing problems, and always supplying me with a loaner car that is just as nice as mine to drive.

Faults:

AIR-CONDITIONER

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There is something intermittent about the Air-Conditioner. Sometimes it just does not work, other times it's OK. I have had it checked out twice by two separate dealers. They both put a temperature probe into the dashboard vents and say that it is within specification.

I am working on a theory that it is related to how I turn it on. I have noticed that if you have the car running and then turn on the air-conditioner, it sometimes does not work. However, if you leave it on and then turn off the ignition and restart the car, it remembers to keep the air-conditioner turned on, and hey presto: Cold air!

FRONT DISC BRAKES

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It seems that I am not alone in experiencing rotor warp. Symptom is a vibration/shaking as you brake. The dealer did resurface the rotors about 4 times even though they did not initially admit Chevrolet has a problem with rotor warp. However, when they wanted to charge me for resurfacing and I complained, they then replaced both rotors with a new and improved variety which I think is better, but still I have started to notice a small vibration.

I have purchased 3rd party cross-drilled rotors and carbon fibre brake pads from KVR Performance 1-800-636-0854 (Located in Ottawa, Canada). I will be installing them as soon as I have worn out the existing ones.

RATTLES

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This car seems to have quite a few rattles. Sounds mostly like plastic-on-plastic

Top speed seems to be governed at 105MPH (somebody told me)

General Comments:

LIKES

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Left hand cup holder - only because I am a south-paw!

Nice handling (LS model). I once rented a sedan 2.4 litre and being used to my LS, I just about drove it into a ditch when I attempted a sharp curve at high speed - The sedan handles much worse than the LS.

Spacey and comfortable to drive. Good sound insulation - except for internal rattles!