1998 Chevrolet Malibu LS review from North America

Brake rotors had to be replaced 3 times while under the 36,000 mile warranty. Finally I replaced them again myself at 60,000 cause they were warped again. I replaced them with OEM spec. rotors and they seem to be working great!

Fan switch would not work on speed 2 and had to be fixed.

A/C switches from max to normal on its own. Or sometimes it switches off. Will be fixed under the extended warranty.

Water pump went out at 60,000 miles. Dealer fixed under warranty.

Rear brake lights where the electrical wiring plugs into the socket, signs of overheating.. (melting around the connection)

The ABS light now stays on all the time... will be fixed under extended warranty maybe... Mentioned this to the dealer 2 years ago about intermittent problem... now stays on all the time... told me sensor might have dirt on it.

Engine oil seeping around the head gasket around the 55,000 mile mark. Dealer fixed under warranty.

Headlights always have moisture in them after a car wash.

Overall... the quality of this car is not very good!! Seems even the dealer knows this when you take it in for repairs over the last 5 years. When you tell them the problems... always the same remark... It's common with the Malibu... especially the warped rotors, bad water pump, switch problems on the fan speeds, and the bad A/C switch. I mean... this engine has been around for years... they put it in numerous makes. There ahould not be this many problems. The bugs have should have been worked out by the engineers years ago!! I guess that's why Japanese built cars always lead the pack in quality workmanship.