1999 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1 V6 from North America

Summary:

They should be deemed unsafe by the goverment

Faults:

Brakes every 12,000 miles!

Speed Sensor 42,000.

Fan Speed Resitor 30,000.

A/C Control head 40,000.

Intake Manifold Gaskets 46,000.

Tie Rod 46,000.

Strut Mount 70,000.

Power window motor 31,000.

Alternator The Day after I bought it.

Water Pump 83,000.

Engine 52,000 As a result of the intake manifold gasket.

Fuel Pump 84,000.

Ignition Some where in there.

Transmission not sure what, it started to slip I stopped driving it and traded it in the next day before it got bad.

General Comments:

This car handled great. But it also liked to handle my check book. I have never had such a bad car. I traded it for a 06 Elantra that I already have 30,000 miles on. Problem free miles. I have never evan thought about getting rid of a car with under a 100,000 miles on it. But when the transmission started to go it had to go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th April, 2007

14th Apr 2007, 21:14

As the owner of a 2001 GM compact I find this review almost unbelievable, though I certainly won't be rude enough to infer that the reviewer is not being truthful.

My car has never had one single problem, has not required a brake job yet (at 59,000+ miles) and the brake linings still aren't showing much wear.

My brother drives Chevrolets, and has since the 80's, and has never had any problems with any of his.

My wife owns a GM SUV and it, too, has performed flawlessly.

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1999 Chevrolet Malibu from North America

Summary:

I got my money's worth out of it

Faults:

Electrical issues with the turn signals/four-way flashers, often failing to work after the car had been running for a while.

Engine occasionally roared when put into park, as though it were stuck in gear.

Seemed to require constant refills of coolant/antifreeze.

Definitely lost fuel efficiency over the years.

General Comments:

I loved my Malibu - it handled great and had plenty of room for me, my wife and anyone else who needed a lift. The fold-down rear seat came in handy on many a shopping trip, too.

There were a couple of nagging issues, but most cars have those.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th February, 2007

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 2.4 from North America

Summary:

Garbage can on wheels

Faults:

Transmission blew at 61,500kms.

A/C doesn't work on first 2 settings.

Main computer chip malfunctioned.

4 Way hazard switch is faulty, signal lights only come on once in a while.

General Comments:

It was a beautiful, sunny day when my 95 Probe got totalled off. I was waiting to turn left at an intersection, the light turned red, I waited till it was safe then some lady blows it.

So now I'm looking for a new car and get suckered into buying this grandpa sedan by my Pops, cause it's low km's and in great condition.

I'm not too pumped about it initially, but maybe things will come around and it'll grow on me, I think to myself. And boy did it grow on me. Like a cancerous tumour on your colon, or a wart on your... well I'll keep that to myself.

Shortly after I bought it the transmission blew at 62000km. 2500$ fix which I couldn't afford. Pops pays it. Thanks Dad.

Go to turn on the A/C on a hot prairie day. I don't do this often because the car is so under-powered I need all the help I can get. Notice that the 1 and 2 settings on the A/C don't work anymore. And that's how it still sits.

Try to forget about it and signal to turn right. Signal lights don't come on. It's a faulty hazard switch, almost every time since then I want to signal I have to jiggle the hazard switch. Which, is, about 1 1/2 years.

I love doing that.

Also, this summer I went to buy groceries with the car (I own a sportbike so the car is driven an absolute minimum).

The car doesn't start, doesn't turn over, nothing. Battery is fine. Try later and it does, so I take it to the shop. 500$ fix, take it home and park it.

Get back in a week later to buy groceries and the same thing happens. The theft light turns on and it won't start. Eventually get it to the shop and 'oh jeese, we were getting a faulty signal, so it's another 500$ to fix'.

So as you can tell I'm not impressed with the quality of this car. My Ford (I never thought I'd say this...) was a much better car. I'm avoiding GM from now on.

I am currently in the market looking to improve. So if any of you want a 1999 Malibu with low km's, leave a comment.

It's a great car ahahahaha.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th October, 2006

28th Oct 2006, 16:38

1. Your tranny, haven't heard about major problems.

2. Your turn signal, it is a recall, call GM.

3. Not starting, common problem. Do this when it happens; turn the key to the on position for 10 minutes until the security light stops flashing, turn the key off, and then start it.

4. A/C, it is the blower motor resistor. Originals were faulty, not a recall, but if you are mechanically inclined, a part is 30 dollars and it is located behind the glove box, and it is a simple unplug old, unhook, and plug the new one back in.

2nd Dec 2006, 06:19

1999 Malibu, 3.1 Engine.

I have had my Malibu 1.5 years, 40000kms later, now has 142000kms, and have replaced the front pads, first when I bought the car and again now. Replaced the strut mounts, I wish the garage would have told me this was a result of the struts being worn so I could have replaced the struts at the same time, now 10000kms later, I get to replace the mounts and struts. Otherwise the car has been a reliable, peppy (uncomfortable seating) car maintaining 31 mpg. the car was previously owned, but very well maintained, I know this as I know the previous owners and know they look after their vehicles, only replacing parts with GM parts, unfortunately I cannot afford the GM and replace with after market parts.

Would I buy another, only if it were previously owned by the same person I bought this one from. They do have a 2005 century!