Faults:

The front end shakes badly, especially when braking from any speed greater than 55 mph.

Both front and back brakes were replaced at about 36,000 miles. Completely, with rotors. Just this week I noticed a bit of drag, so chances are they need to be replaced again.

The alternator was replaced at 50,100 miles after two months of troubling, randomly-occurring electrical problems. My mechanic initially told me that the alternator performed well on an electrical test, but the problems ceased once it was replaced.

The ABS brake light comes on unexpectedly even on the driest roads anytime the temperature is a little cold.

The air conditioner condenser cuts off after about 5 minutes in the summer heat, so I pretty much swelter. This happens at all settings and especially on the hottest days. The air conditioner seems to work best when its about 65 degrees outside and it's not really needed.

The bearing in the front end just recently started a high pitched whining, especially after the car has warmed up just a bit.

The factory tires were absolute junk. I ended up replacing them with Yokohamas which perform surprisingly well for a relatively inexpensive tire. The Yokohamas have handled far better this year on the snow and ice than the Firestones ever did.

General Comments:

In the two years I have owned this car I have had pretty much every problem mentioned by other reviewers.

I loved everything about my Malibu when I first got it. Now, I hate to even look at the car. I have not found it to be a reliable car and I'm beginning to think that it's really not all that safe. What makes my experience even more disappointing is that other family members have been quite pleased with their Chevrolet products, a Venture van and two Sonomas. My previous car was a 1990 Pontiac Grand Am which lasted for nearly 11 years, got about 200K on the odometer, and actually performed pretty well until about the last two months of its long life. I'd buy another Pontiac in a heartbeat, but I guarantee I'll never buy another Chevrolet.

Faults:

6 sets of tail lights including the 3rd stop light (bulb explodes). Alternator went, bearing in front end is howling, and now it is running rough once the motor warms up. Rattles throughout the car. People have knocked Hyundai's and say buy American. I say to hell with Chevy and go Hyundai. I put 115k on a Hyundai Excel that cost me 6500 brand new and paid zero repair dollars as it never game me a problem. No rattles on any of the 3 Hyundai's that I owned.

The resale value of the Malibu is no better than any of the Hyundai's.

General Comments:

Will never buy another American car.

Faults:

I replaced the engine at 40,000 miles.

I have replaced 5 sets of brake pads and 4 rotors.

The fan only works on settings 3, 4, and 5.

Constantly blows out tail and brake lights.

There is a bad vibration in the front end.

The rubber rail on the drivers side window bunches up and stops the window from going all the way up.

The gas line had a leak on the firewall.

Replaced all 4 tires at 35,000 miles.

General Comments:

Please do not buy one of these deathtraps. I've had so many problems with it, it is ridiculous. Even though the engine is pretty quick, and it handles good, it's not worth all the aggravation of ownership.

The original Tires were absolute garbage, and I replaced them with BF Goodrich's.

The engine blowing at 40,000 miles really was the start of all the trouble. The new engine was fine, but the car always had something breaking constantly. Stay away!