18th Nov 2004, 13:12

My thinking is anyone giving praise or satisfaction to the merits of a 1999 Malibu either work for GM or are being compensated for their testimonial. My 1999 Malibu is a piece of crap and has been since the day of purchase. Who can I sue??? Tom Davidson..Ruskin, Florida.

11th Jun 2005, 14:25

I simply cannot believe the last comment made! I have a '99 Malibu and it's the best car I've owned in YEARS! Yes, I've had my share of things I've had to do on it, but, guess what, if you're replacing a whole lot of parts, such as brakes, transmissions, coolants, etc., you're driving this car waaaaaaaaay too hard! These cars cannot be driven like the dreamboats of the early/mid '70s people! These cars are built as if we live in Japan, where everyone is cheerful and pleasant and courteous and no one drives like a maniac! Give these cars a little TLC and you'll get a lot more back!

23rd Jul 2005, 17:07

The coolant leak that you are having is probably the coolant cap. When they go bad they allow pressure to leave the tank. Try replacing it.

11th Oct 2005, 17:19

First to address the comment from the person who said if we are having brake problems, etc we are driving way too hard. I stick to the speed limits and do not slam on my brakes. This car is just crap. About the coolant leak, it is probably leaking around the head gasket. Mine started doing that in the first year, but the dealer never could find the problem. They changed the water pump and the radiator cap, but the problem persisted. And outside garage found the problem after the warranty had run out. This is a very common problem in 1999 Malibus.

30th Jan 2006, 19:00

Just for the record I currently own a 2004 Chevy Malibu MAXX and absolutely love it. I average over 30 mpg hwy and spend a lot of time in my car. It's true the Classic Malibus are not near the car as the newer ones, but don't rule out getting a Malibu in the future. I know you won't be disappointed.

30th Mar 2006, 21:12

OK, I understand that some people are bashing the Malibu. Now although it may not be the "race car" everybody wants, it's still one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever driven, that is, if you drive it like one!!!

The Malibu has very decent power for a vehicle it's age. We've had ours for 7 years now, and they ONLY thing we've had to do is get a climate control knob replaced!!

Now don't get me wrong, most cars can be driven like they're owned by Jeff Gordon, but those cars ARE NOT STILL ON THE ROAD. If you want to be a race car driver, buy a race car!!!

Now if you think I'm just a Chevy-loving idiot that knows nothing, I have two things to tell you:

1. I'm 16 years old; and

2. I have a 2000 Ford that I think is leaps and bounds better than this car.

Although I like ford better, I just can't agree that it's not worth every penny we've paid. Now as a 16 year old kid, I like to drive fast... this car is MORE than satisfying for speed. And as far as the clicking under the hood goes, that's called "piston slap" which occurs because the pistons are too small for for the cylinders. If you thick-headed speed-demon wannabe's would pay attention to the recalls, you would know that they offered to replace the pistons for FREE.. AND you would gain about 20 horsepower off that! But that's over now, and you missed the boat.

I'm sorry, the Malibu is a good vehicle. If you want to pay the dealership, floor it off the lot, and never get checkups or manufacture oil changes done, then you'll miss out!!!

10th Apr 2006, 10:57

I am the owner of a 1999 Chevy Malibu and, yes, this car is a piece of crap. I bought the car brand new with only 23 miles on it. The brakes are crappy, the cooling system is horrible, the A/C never worked properly, now doesn't work at all and to top all of this off... had to have the ENTIRE engine replaced. Whenever I tell a mechanic the car I have to have work done on, they just laugh at me. Even the service manager at the Chevy dealer where I bought it says the Malibus are junk! So, for the less than 1% that say this car is great, hats off to you... you got lucky. I would say you're probably part of that small population that will win the lottery some day... just lucky individuals.

Sick of my Malibu!

15th Apr 2006, 13:46

I too have had the very real and expensive pleasure of owning this 1998 "Car of the Year". And to those who think that those of us with problems are driving the car too hard... not true...I am an old lady and I drive like one. I have treated this car with great care and it in turn has spat on me (with coolant) and almost put me in the poor house. I have heard some people say that they love their Malibu and that they have had very few or no problems... then I say get on your knees right now and thank the good Lord above because you are one of a very small group of very fortunate people.

My trouble started immediately with shaking at higher speeds. At 13,000 miles the brake problems started and did not stop until 4 years had passed, thousands of dollars had been wasted, and I finally had the sense to stop taking it to the dealer to get it "fixed".

CD player won't play Cd's, but will heat them to a temperature too hot for human hands. Radio knobs fall off repeatedly. A/C only ever worked intermittently and now not at all. Fan works at #3 and above only. Driver side window stopped going down. Glove box handle broke off in my hand and now rattles like a pair of maracas. Heat pump crapped out and had to be replaced. Alternator died with no warning right in the middle of a busy highway... I was lucky to get off the road without getting killed because when the power goes, so does the power steering! Cooling system has had leaks in many different places. Parking brake light signal flashes and rings and won't go off if the temperature outside is below 40*F. Cannot take the car out of park if the temperature outside is below freezing. Fuel gauge stopped working and it has almost been entertaining to guess which dash lights are going to work (or not work) each time I start the car.

I have owned many different makes and models of cars over many years and I have never had a car with such a long list of problems. It's bad enough that GM put out such a faulty car, but I'm flabbergasted at their lack of concern and the blame they try to put on us drivers! They know that these cars are a huge investment and that we need them... so I too say shame on you GM for executing and getting away with one of the biggest ripoffs in automotive history!