3rd Jun 2003, 09:37
I have a 1998 Chevy Malibu which has numerous problems. I have changed the brake pads at least 5 times within a time period of 6 months. My radiator fan does not come on half of the time when the temperature in my car is the warmest. The only time it comes on is when the air conditioner is on. I would not purchase another Malibu because of the costly repairs which are constant each month.
3rd Jun 2003, 14:51
I have a 1999 Malibu LS and like many of the posters here am sorely disappointed with the constant brake wear problems, fan motor not functioning on 1&2, and piston slap. My question is, why don't we Malibu owners FORCE GM to recall these cars, or to pay up for past brake problems that owners have paid for out of their own pockets. I'm not a lawyer, but can anyone tell me what would prevent Malibu owners from banding together in filing a class-action lawsuit against GM to get them to remedy these problems once and for all, and to reimburse people for their expenses in getting them fixed heretofore? This is really ridiculous. How can GM ignore the extent of these problems? Maybe someone will have to get hurt when their brakes don't stop their car because the rotors are so warped.
3rd Jun 2003, 18:28
I purchased my '99 Malibu in October of 2002 with 32,000 miles. The dealer agreed to turn the rotors & replace the pads after I complained about rough braking during my test drive. Now 8 months later, I'm having front brake pulsations.
After doing some research (http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners/) I found a service bulletin (00-05-23-002B) on correcting the front disc brake pulsations using a "Brake Align Correction Plate" kit. The bottom line is this kit brings the rotor lateral run-out to within the specification. This is something that should have been done when the car was built, and should not have to be done now at my expense.
I drive 300 miles a week, and don't have time or money to spend at the Chevy garage, so based on all the other problems that I have ahead of me, I will probably accept the loss and trade this car before it gets any worse.
5th Jun 2003, 12:11
I bought my 99 LS malibu new. Shortly afterward the driver side window control shorted out with the window down- fun. They replaced it free of charge. The tires require rotation about every other oil change, and if you let it slide you can get wheel problems like some listed above. By design the ventilation does not use the fan for setting 1 or 2. These just open vents to outside air, but the air intake is weak, you can barely feel it. At 69k it just developed a minor oil leak, but it only shows up during chassis lube. I suspect the recalled piston problem and expect some of the repairs will be covered.
Everything else worked to spec. Little inconveniences come up now and then- I bent the soft aluminum rim brushing a curb, the four-way flasher button icon popped loose, after normal replacement the brakes squealed a little, the plastic shell over the seatbelt buckle broke off, and I had to replace the battery in the key fob. My coolant system was maintenance-free and the brakes lasted as long as advertised. All in all I'm happy with it and, if the oil leak doesn't precede the pattern of decay of every other gm car I've owned, I hope to make it last a long time. Once you're in a Malibu, you're in it for the long haul because your trade is worth jack.
10th Jun 2003, 09:39
I also own a Chevy Malibu 2001- I have had to turn rotors several times, brakes are a constant issue - my husband said it was my driving - aha, it isn't. My turn signals work on and off, the hazards are gone. The door locks are going. No blower on 1 & 2, I have a leak in my passenger window seal, check engine light is on and I have replaced the starter already. This morning it won't start... the vehicle has 60k miles -
26th Jun 2003, 07:29
I have a 1998 Malibu with 58,000 miles on it. Many problems also:
The windsheild washer fluid doesn't work,
The air conditioning doesn't work,
Noise when braking,
And a coolant leak.
I've also had to fill the power steering fluid...
Everyone who owns a Malibu V6 should be aware that the intake gasket tends to go between 40,000 and 60,000 miles, and you'll very likely get coolant leaking into the oil. Look for it...
Also, I've heard about lawsuits involving dex-cool, so it may be wise to have the coolant checked periodically.
Good luck, your car is a piece of crap...
17th Jul 2003, 07:48
Hmmm.
Just got my 2000 Malibu out of the GM shop. I have a 160,000 bumper to bumper warranty, car has 89,000km. They just billed the warranty company $4,800CDN. Replaced the power steering pump & replaced the engine with an official GM rebuilt, yea they fixed the issues with piston slap, just go 20 over and make it all fit right. It took a lot of fighting with the extended warr company, I did my homework. My car was in the shop for a week before authorizing. Had I not had oil & filter receipts I would have been screwed. Brake issues, too many with premature wearing & brake noises. Fan switch was replaced much earlier. All known issues. Except for a few known issues the engine being major I like the car. Brake pads I just change myself every spring no need to turn the rotors if you catch the wear at half way, avoids overheating them.
Regards.
Jim.
25th May 2003, 14:18
My Malibu is a 2001 with less than 24,000 miles on it. I started having problems with the brakes with less than 10,000 miles on it. I am retired and drive mostly highway miles. At 13,000 miles they checked my brakes and said they have to turn down the rotors. They wanted to charge me for this because the brakes are warranted for only 12,000 miles. They did give me a break and GM took care of it. Now they said I need new rotors and pads. I talked to GM customer service and they said that this is normal wear and they won't help me with the cost, which is around $400.00. GM doesn't want to admit that the Malibu has brake problems.
I have had a lot of other problems with the car. They did take care of it under warranty. I also like the Malibu, but I will probably never get another Chevy.
I would hate to have this car after it has 50 or 60 thousand miles on it. It would be better to buy a new Honda or Toyota and just have car payments with out the aggravation of all the repairs that the Malibu will need.