1999 Chevrolet Malibu V4 Twin Cam from North America

Summary:

A high priced lemon

Faults:

It would be easier to list what hasn't gone wrong.

So at the top of my head here goes:

The plugs and wires fried out totally.

The sensors were all bad and had to be changed.

The alternator went bad and when that happened, it killed the battery with it.

The gas gauge doesn't work.

The CD stereo is fried. None of the lights light up on it and the CD player doesn't work at all.

The speaker in the driver's door works when it wants to.

The 1 and 2 settings on the fan speed no longer work.

The transmission is currently slipping.

The motor for the windshield wiper fluid had to be replaced.

The engine sounds like it's about to fall apart. I always get comments on how bad it sounds.

Tail lights and headlights burn out like there's no tomorrow.

Cruise control is tempermental and works when it wants to.

General Comments:

This car should be named the Chevy Lemon instead of the Malibu. If it wasn't for all the problems it would be a great car. It looks great, has nice power and pick up. But after this experience, I will never EVER buy a GM vehicle again.!!!

It's back to Dodge for me. My Shadow, which I got rid of for this lemon, was the best car ever!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th October, 2003

11th Mar 2004, 10:08

The comment seems to indicate that the car is really bad, but how can anyone manage to put 185,000 km on a car this bad? Somethings must have gone well, somehow!

1999 Chevrolet Malibu Base 3.1 from North America

Summary:

I love this car

Faults:

The only problems I have ever had out of this car is changing the alternator and battery. These things are expected with over 150,000 miles.

I've changed out the taillight bulbs.

I've put gas in it.

I've changed the oil quite frequently.

I've never really had any problems, great car.

General Comments:

As far as everyone else's problems, a few things I did right to avoid them:

If you do not use the orange Dex-Cool, you will blow your gaskets in no time. A friend of mine made the same mistake in a car with similar engine. Coolant turned to gel.

If you do not change the brake pads at first sign of squeaking, you will grind/warp the rotors. This might also throw your front end out of alignment from hard vibrations during braking.

Properly balanced wheel and alignments. I have never had to re-align my front end. I frequently drive my car faster than 80 - 90 mph and do not have any vibrations whatsoever. My tires always wear perfect.

I have 162,000 miles on my car. I personally know the previous owner and neither of us have ever had any major problems. I believe it is a good car.

I have great performance under the hood. No problems accelerating on highways or off the line at all.

Nearly zero noise at high speeds on highways.

No Problems. Love the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th October, 2003

12th Oct 2005, 20:37

The many problems associated with the 1997 (and other close year) Malibu vehicles are quite evident. Your commentary leads me to believe that you're defending the vehicle as being quite the opposite in terms of quality. Is this in an effort to place the blame on the owners for negligence of maintenance or service or to prevent the possibility of a recall? In particular, it took a good wrench over $900 to replace the lower intake manifold gasket after it had spotted my driveway. I've run nothing, but Dex-Cool. Dex-Cool Extended Life Engine Coolant has a crystallization (sludge) problem. I've kept my receipt for the repairs performed at the GM dealer, in hopes that I can use the refund someday for a nice down payment on a Ford or Dodge vehicle.

6th Jul 2006, 21:49

I have a 1999 Malibu and it's a beautiful car...BUT. I had intake gaskets replaced then 45 days later my head gasket blew. I am having the engine rebuilt and radiator is being flushed. Hope I get at least a full years service after the expense. If not Chevrolet has lost a lifetime customer.