26th Aug 2003, 20:14
2000 Malibu... I have had most of the problems mentioned. Brakes were replaced before 20,000 miles, ventilation fan barely operates on settings 1 and 2. I had it in the shop for antifreeze leaking at the motor seal and the car shimmies when I go to slow down. I've talked to 2 other unfortunate consumers who have had the displeasure to say the least of buying a Malibu. This car should be recalled. I've always enjoyed the reliability of a Chevy until I bought this car. It was my 1st brand new car too.
Next one will be a foreign car. Chevy has lost several Billion dollars in not taking responsibility for defective cars. Law suits, explosions, warranty repairs, many recalls.
13th Nov 2003, 12:08
My wife bought a 2001 chevy malibu brand new. It had 7 miles on it when she bought it. We had the pads and rotors replaced in 2002. 6 months later it was grinding. We took the car to a different brake shop and did the same thing again, $320 later and 8 months they were bad again. Meanwhile we had the ARG valve replaced and the flashers. It took 3 times to get the ARG valve corrected. At this point the brakes are dangerous. I bought new pads, rotors, and a right front caliper, and had a friend that was a mechanic replace them for me. 2 months later the brakes are rubbing again. I had my mechanic friend look at it and he said the right side was heating up way too fast. We are taking it to the dealer today to find out why. We also been thinking of trading it in for a foreign car. The car is a LEMON. JAY FROM TN.
2nd Dec 2003, 13:59
I own a 1997 Malibu, I have had to replace the alternator twice, too many brake pads replaced to count (thank goodness for lifetime warranties),rotors replaced twice with under 36,000 miles (warranty on rotors run out before your car warranty does), the head liner started falling in 2000, it squeaks at every little bump in the road, had the intake gasket replaced in October, and now at 100,000 miles my motor has completely locked up. I loved my Malibu at first, but now it is nothing, but the worst decision I've ever made.
20th Jan 2004, 11:45
I found this website because I was searching online for information about the idler pulley and belt which went this morning while I was driving to work. I didn't find anything helpful, but was shocked to read all the comments.
I bought my 1998 Malibu with 36,000 miles on it. 50,000 miles later, I have replaced the cooling fan motor and the serpentine belt, fixed the driver's side window, and, of course, replaced the brake pads once. (I dented a rim, but it was pouring out, and I did not see the pothole.) Today is the first time I have had a problem with it in a long time, and I cannot help, but think it may have something to do with the fact that the temperature last week barely hovered around 0 for a high, yet was 40 on Saturday.
My Malibu has been nothing, but great - I get good gas mileage (about 26 highway, and once made it from Quebec City to Massachusetts on one tank of gas), it is fast, and reliable. It handles well in the snow, and fits 5 adults comfortably, not to mention the trunk is HUGE. While I do not care for the restyling, I hope that GM has better engineered the new Malibu and Malibu Maxx so that future buyers will be more satisfied. I do have to admit tho, my next car will be a Nissan...
Sandy, Massachusetts.
12th Feb 2004, 12:48
I own a 2001 Chevy Malibu. I bought it at 23,000 miles, and have had it for two years. I have had the rotors fixed twice. I am now having a problem with starting the car. When I turn the key in the ignition, the car starts, but does not continue running. I took it to the dealer and he can't find what the problem is, because the car started several times for him. I am told that the Key has a chip in it that sometimes causes problems with starting the car. I still owe $9000.00 on the car. I will never buy a Chevy auto again. I think Chevy should honor their customers in a better manner. Most of us are now stuck with a large bill and a very poor product.
1st Mar 2004, 10:20
Me and my wife own a 2001 Malibu we had to replace the egr valve at 74,000 miles and after replacing it you need to have the computer reprogrammed to keep engine light off and to improve gas mileage, and had intermittent blinkers and had to replace the hazard switch, which now has a recall on them for the hazard switch. Other than that no other problems.
12th Mar 2004, 22:09
I own a 2001 Chevy Malibu LS and have had several of the problems mentioned here. Today I spent $700.00 to have the intake manifold gasket replaced. If you are losing antifreeze, check this out... I could have blown the engine. Brakes replaced once, but overall, I am pretty pleased. I have 84,000 miles on my Malibu and have found it to be reliable. GM should, in my opinion listen to the consumers and fix the recurring problems. I would think that if enough people complained, eventually GM would have to take corrective action. Is there a site to go to where we can legitmately list our issues and perhaps get them resolved?
13th Mar 2004, 11:58
I have a 2002 Malibu and I'm looking to trade it before things go really bad. The problem is these cars are worth nothng other a loss when traded. Oh by the way I have had to change brakes twice witin 21,000 miles.
19th Mar 2004, 21:51
WE bought our 1999 Malibu in Aug of 2000 and have nothing, but problems ever since. First it was in the shop seven times during the first 7 months for suspension and brake problems. We have replaced the Brakes and Rotors several times as well as the water pump, intake gasket for leaking, gas gauge won't work and air conditioner has been recharged twice and now the cam shaft has broken requiring a new engine all with only 80,000 miles on the car. The car still drives like it is on ice and vibrates at higher speeds. It was a "G.M buy back" with only 23,932 miles on it when we purchased it. I believe G. M has released a lemon in this model and should be held accountable for their actions. I believe we should ban together in a class action law suit to get these problems resolved. There are over 900 complaints on the NTSB (national transportation and safety board) web site for the 99 Malibu alone and most are for the same recurring problems listed here. We have contacted a lemon law Lawyer and will take legal action. We are very displeased with this car. H. D Hall Tulsa, OK.
16th Aug 2003, 11:08
I have a 1997 Malibu. It has 33,000 miles on it. I recently had it servced at the dealership to replace the rotors and the brake pads and to check why it did not start intermittently. This has been happening on and off for eight months and was checked a couple of times previously, but the dealership could not find a problem with it on each occasion. A few weeks later it was back at the dealership to replace leaking rear wheel brake fluid and to check again why it did not start intermittently. They installed a new ignition system which they determined was the problem after speaking with GM. This is one month later and it is going back to the dealership because today the brakes were bumpy when applied and then later the car would not start. The car is so unreliable now I am afraid to drive it.