16th Aug 2002, 14:47

Third engine, Yeah right, anyway, the "Loud" tapping sound is normal and only happens during cold starts and it stops once the car gets even slightly warm. If the sound annoys you that much, just by some octane boost and some fuel additive for about five bucks and your worries are over.

12th Nov 2002, 09:29

We also own a 1997 Chevy Malibu, and I have to concur that the car is an absolute nightmare. We are careful to perform routine maintenance - oil every 3,000 miles, belts replaced when required, etc. In short, we do what the manual instructs us to do. We have had the car towed three times in the last year, once for brake failure, another time for electrical (alternator failure), and the third time because of a broken idler pulley. The ignition switch has failed regularly since we bought it, about every 11,000 miles. So far we've gone through four switches. Furthermore, the dealership sold us an extended warranty for about $1,800 - and they have repeatedly refused to honor it. Advice: if you already own this car (you poor soul!), find a good towing company and keep a bottle of aspirin handy for the inevitable headaches. We will never buy another Chevy.

22nd Dec 2002, 22:30

I'm amazed at how many people either absolutely hate their Malibu, or absolutely love it. I have a '97 Malibu LS that I purchased new. Other than replacing the standard items (ie brakes, serpentine belt, tires, battery, etc.) I've had to replace the alternator, the 'anti-theft' sensor in the ignition, and the circuit breaker (or whatever it's called) that caused me to lose the 1st and 2nd speed to the fan. Other than that, I've had great luck with the Malibu. Mine has just over 192,000 miles on it. One of my friends at work, who also owns a 97 Malibu, has just over 215,000 on his. I guess when GM made this car, they either made a fantastic one, or a real lemon. - Diane.

19th Feb 2003, 14:31

The car is quick and that is all it has going for it. It is poor in quality, reliability, and is expensive to keep running. $1,200. yesterday for 6 injectors. Last month the alternator. Drivers side window fell inside the door this past summer. The left front wheel bearing is howling. Six sets of tail light bulbs... so far. The third stop light blows the top of the bulb off repeatedly. The diagnostics cannot find the bulb explosion dilemma. The car is a typical GM piece of garbage as has been the case for the past 15 or so years. Buy a Hyundai and get a 100k mile warranty that you'll probably never need. I had three and never had to bring them in. Only routine maintenance. Should have stayed with Hyundai, but wanted to believe in the American car, but can't make it to work in the Malibu. I use my daughter's 1984 BMW 318i to get around when the Malibu is sick. I can't wait to go back to a car (Hyundai) that gets slammed, but is truly reliable unlike the GM Chevy Malibu. I'd like to drive it off the levy. It should stand for Garbage Motors.

4th May 2003, 10:08

Some people posting to this site do not understand the real issue, or they work for GM and are trying to tow the company line (which is: Blame the customer!).

See GM Technical Service Bulletin 01-06-01-005, Engine - Ticking Noise on Cold Start Up, issued January, 2001. I don't think it's the owner's problem, it's GM's problem for designing a turd.

16th Aug 2003, 11:34

I am a single mother with two small children. I purchased a 1997 Malibu in June of this year and my car is in the shop now for the second time. I had no idea that this was such a problematic vehicle until I stumbled on this site. Right now I am having braking problems and LOTS of vibrations when my car gets to 65 or above. I had only planned to keep this car for a year and trade it for something else. I only hope now that I CAN trade it.

27th Aug 2003, 22:13

In 1998 I purchased a 97 Malibu and it had been good, till... The a/c keeps cutting in/out whenever it feels like it. There is a (for lack of a better term) 'hesitation' on occassion. ex: drove to a mall 5 minutes. away, shopped and when I started the car to come home I would put my foot to the floor and the car wouldn't go anywhere. But, worst of all is the water that's being lost from the radiator... into the manifold.

I try to buy American whenever I can, but from now on car purchases I make will be of the foreign kind. GM has seen to that. And when their employees get laid off because sales are down they can only blame themselves.

8th Dec 2004, 17:58

I guess I've been fortunate. I have a 97 Malibu with 250,000 miles and have replaced a window motor, struts and an intake within the first 6 months of owning the car. I drove the car for 70,000 and the power steering pump and AC went out. I have replaced the crankshaft sensor and power steering pump went out again. It has always made the ticking sound when started and I called when I first got the car. I was told at that time it was a wrist pin tolerance problem and it was just engineered that way and there was nothing to worry about. This has proved to be a true statement. I had the transmission rebuilt 10000 miles ago. Brakes are frequently in need of replacement. I replace the pads about every 7500 miles. I have replaced both calipers on the car. I am need of a camshaft sensor presently. Tonight the ABS light came on. It's time to replace it I think.. It has been a overall good car considering it's been wrecked three times.

22nd Apr 2006, 09:14

To the person up referring to buy a Hyundai, I've had three friends who have bought a Hyundai and all three of them had to replace the transmission many times. So good luck with you. Also, I have a 2001 Malibu LS and the only problem I've had is coolant leaking from a hose and the loud ticking noise. The ticking noise is because the lifters are going. That's all I ever had go wrong with my Malibu, because I don't drive like a maniac like some of these other people. And they wonder why the car is falling apart.

13th May 2006, 12:07

OK OK.. the Malibu is a great car, its quick it pulls hard and stuff does not go wrong in it, I got a 2003 Malibu it's a 3100 SFI.. I get no ticking no nothing.. last year I did have to replace the brake pads and they went bad once and I oped for the ceramic more expensive ones and they are great, nothing else has gone bad with the malibu.. its got 90k on it and its running fine.