Faults:

20k - Rotors warped - Dealer turned them

35k - Rotors Warped - Replaced Rotors and Pads myself. - No break problems since

37k - Environmental controls switch broke. Fan speed 1 and 2 don't work.

39k - Faulty pass-lock on ignition switch

42k - ABS hub sensor replaced. Tires replaced.

61k - Hazard and turning indicator problems. Some intermittent hesitation during acceleration (unsolved)

65k - ABS light came on again - pulled fuse - not replaced

72k - replaced bushing on front right tie-rod assembly myself

80k - Theft-lock system disabled

97k - Front wheel bearings need to be replaced, just detected an engine coolant leak.

General Comments:

My previous car was a Pontiac Sun fire. I loved that car. Lots of factory recalls, but I personally had no problems with the car.

The Malibu has had nothing, but problems since day one. I didn't have the stomach to go through all the brake trouble, so I decided to replace the pads and rotors Myself. I have not had any break problems since.

I have had many cars in my life, and drove them all to 100k+, but not once have I ever had to replace the wheel bearings. My next car is a Honda.

Faults:

Check coolant level light came on around 28,000 miles. Ended up having to have the head gasket and water pump replaced.

Two months later, after an oil change at the dealership, the check coolant light came on once again. I popped the hood and found that the coolant reservoir cap had been left off when the oil change was done and all of the coolant had evaporated out. Luckily, no damage was done to the engine.

At 45,500 miles, my check engine light came on. Immediately pulled over and took the manual out of the glove compartment and read up on the situation. Since the light was steady, and not flashing, it suggested that I use up that tank of gas and try different gas after that. Filled up and fifty miles later, the light went off... for a week. Light comes back on and I take it in for diagnostics. Found that the fuel sensor had gone bad - that explains it running out of gas with a 1/4 tank full - and that the evaporative fuel solenoid was bad. I had both of these replaced last week.

Lo and behold, today the check engine light comes on once again. No telling what the service dept will tell me tomorrow.

General Comments:

This car squeaks as you drive.

Gas mileage is horrible.

Seems to me that too many things have gone wrong with the car and there is just 46,000 miles on it.

Faults:

Purchased new tires at 42,000 miles, but I knew I would need them when I bought the used car.

Brake problems began around 50,000 miles and I paid $450.00 to have the front brakes overhauled with new rotors and pads. After 3 trips back to the service department they decided to replace the calipers The brakes have been OK since, but the warranty on the work will soon be up. (6 Months)

I noticed the radiator dripping and brown clumps in the fluid around 75,000 miles. After researching the problem I believe that the intake manifold gaskets need to be replaced. I will be taking the car in for service next week at 79,000 miles.

I received a recall notice for the rear flashers or hazard signals. I have not had any electrical problems, but will also have this corrected when I take the car in.

General Comments:

Overall I maintain a slightly positive feeling about the Malibu. I purchased it as a used car and have gotten decent use from it to this point, but I hope that the problems do not begin to show up more frequently.