27th Dec 2008, 10:49

I also have a Malibu!! I've had it for about 4 yrs, bought it used. It has almost 189,000 miles on it. I've replaced the brakes, rotors, calibers many times. I've put a new starter and alternator in it. Now my transmission is slipping, it has been nothing but trouble. And my ABS light has not ever gone off since I've owned it. Time for a new car!!

11th Feb 2009, 15:17

I can't wait to get rid of my 98 Malibu! It has cost me tons of $$.

I've had almost all of the above listed issues, including my theft system light triggering and not allowing me to start my car for exactly 10 minutes, it will go awhile without doing this, but out of nowhere it will happen again in spurts.

My A/C and heater only work on level 3 or higher (so much for a happy medium).

I've had my brake pads and rotors changed out way too often.

I've had numerous coolant leaks from various places, had my power steering pump changed, had to put in a new engine, you name it, it's happened.

I would never recommend a Malibu even to my worst enemy.

I'm actually in the market now for a new car and cannot be happier. Foreign car here I come :)

11th Jul 2009, 19:57

Wow, the same exact problems here.

The gas gauge will not work, jumps up and down all the time.

Brakes wear out all the time, ABS light is always on.

Power steering pump went out.

Water pump replaced. 2 times.

Lower intake manifold gasket replaced.

Theft lock acting up and won't let you start it.

Now the battery cable is in a position that it has been rubbed through the wires.

It has been an absolute money pit every time something goes wrong. Glad it isn't only me!

28th Jul 2009, 16:30

I've had all the same issues as you guys. I own a 98 Malibu (purchased in 2002) with 125,000 miles currently on it. The brakes need to be replaced constantly, and after dealing with this since the purchase date, I've come to realize that no matter how I drive the car it will ALWAYS need new brake pads every 6-8 months.

The first issue happened while driving home one day, and it really wasn't a big deal. The parking brake light wouldn't turn off. Took it into a shop and had them reset the dash light.

Everything else has been one big hit after another. I've had:

-The intake manifold gasket replaced at 80,000 miles ($700)

-A new ignition switch when the pins in mine just suddenly "collapsed" out of nowhere ($175)

-New struts for the front ($300)

-New rotors 3 TIMES ($200 each time, plus the cost of brake pads for the new rotors)

-New alternator just last week when all the gauge lights mysteriously came on at once and my car died. Luckily, I knew someone who replaced the alternator I got from the local pick-a-part and it wound up costing about $70 total to get me back on the road.

-A/C blower has been broken since I bought the darn thing. It started as just the first and second positions, but now it doesn't heat or cool the air at all, it just blows lukewarm air into my face at high speeds.

-Anti-theft system comes on every now and then. My shop taught me a trick, which is just to take the key out, wait a minute, then use the power door lock to constantly lock/unlock the doors. This (somehow) resets the system. Ridiculous? Yep. But hey, it works!

-Coolant leaks galore. I'm not even sure how this got resolved, because honestly, I'd rather not relive that year long period where I couldn't leave the house without my triple A card handy for the next time my car barfed out Dex-Cool all over the engine/underside of the hood. It's a nightmare knowing that it's not a matter of IF your car is going to break down on you, it's a matter of WHEN. That's what GM has taught me: If you buy Domestic, be prepared to shell out a bunch of money in the coming years for replacement parts. Again, not a matter of IF, a matter of WHEN.

As far as I'm concerned, if I'm not taking this to the shop 2-3 times a year, there is something seriously wrong. How's that for a twisted take on car ownership?

3rd Jul 2010, 06:35

I sure wish I had found this site before I bought a 98 Malibu. It was an excellent car for the first two weeks, then started running rough and smoking. Now I know what I have to look forward to.

15th Jul 2010, 17:35

We bought a used 1998 Malibu in 1999 (19,000Km). My husband drove it as a commuter, then my son had it and following two daughters.

In 2010 the car finally died quickly in an intersection at 340,000 kms! The oil pump had gone, the engine starved. We changed the oil a week before when the light came on and it went off. The car owed us nothing.

We had some of the above issues. Brake and calipers were an issue initially, but finally replaced without GM parts and the problem was corrected. Drove with the ABS light on for years (advised it was a sensor).

Moisture in the headlights and tail lights burnt out occasionally.

Power window motors and windshield wiper motors replaced.

Passenger door handle hung loose.

Glove compartment wouldn't close.

Moisture in the trunk.

Most expensive repair was the fuel pump.

The last year the A/C died.

We must have lucked out. Just bought another 1998 Malibu LS with 96,000KM pampered by a elderly citizen for our daughter to drive. Hopefully we will have as much luck as the last one!

7th Aug 2010, 10:06

I have a 2000 Malibu... and HATE it... Wish we could afford to buy another car. I don't trust it as far as I could throw it!!!

Wheel bearing after wheel bearing has been replaced... Rotors, anti theft kept me out of commission on different occasions for 10 minutes each while I had a screaming hungry baby in the back...

It shuts off while I'm braking, which locks the power steering and brakes (very safe for me, my kids and everyone else on the road), tie rod end a couple times (REAL SAFE), tranny slips.. and the RUST!!!

I know there are probably others that I haven't mentioned... but all in all, it's a stupid, stupid car, and I will never buy Chevy AGAIN!!!

1st Sep 2010, 19:55

I have a 98 Malibu with 230,000 miles on it. Other than normal wear and tear, the only thing wrong is ABS light stays on, and the A/C just quit. It started of by just cutting on and off by itself, and the light comes on now, but the compressor wants to kick in now. Anyone know how to fix it?

We also just bought a 08 Malibu, and love it