More of the same. Just got my estimate for the manifold ~ $700. Brakes have been redo 2x and blower doesn't work. Rear tail light replace 2x. Also had ABS sensor replace @ $300. Wish I would have had these problems sooner. All start at 60,000+ and no warranty.
I have the same whining sound from the dash area as mention in the 14 March 2003 comment. Source seems to be the left forward corner (driver's side) of the dash. Sounds a lot like a taunt rubber band held out the window at high speed. It happens anywhere above 60 mph during warm weather. It does not seem to be related to air flow as operating the heater/cooling system and opening/closing the windows make no difference. It really makes travel very annoying. Hope someone has an answer.
Hello I was just reading all the comments on the Malibu's. I own a 1997 and just had to replace the front wheel bearings. The car started out with the ABS light coming on a couple of times and a rubbing sound when I turned sharp. If any one has info on the water in the back floor board we are having that problem now along with the head gasket leaking.
Email donnieandjessica@yahoo.com.
I have a 1999 Malibu and since I purchased it in 2002 I am having brake light problem. For some reason my brake light stays on and will not go out. The brakes are working fine and the fluid is ok. What could possibly be wrong.
"I have also heard the whooshing noise when parallel parking and recently I have noticed that my brake and ABS light comes on periodically, and as long as those lights are on my power windows, heater/ac or anything else electrical won't operate."
Your alternator is beginning to fail. When your system voltage drops, the power train control module will sense it before the low voltage light on the dash comes on. Replace your alternator before you get stranded.
This is a common problem on the Malibu's. The alternator is located in an area where it does not get sufficient cooling air and it overheats, causing premature failure.
I reached 90,000 miles on my 97 Malibu. I have already had to replace the blower fan, right hub bearing, brakes every 15,000 miles, and noise coming from the steering column. Now my coolant light won't turn off, so its back to shop for that head gasket. It seems like an endless battle of problems. I like my Malibu, but I wouldn't buy one again.
I have a 99 Malibu with the 2.4-4cyl.4-speed automatic and have put 91,000 miles on it and I have to say it is the most reliable most powerful 4-cylinder powered car I have ever owned. But I have put 4 sets of front pads and replaced the rotors recently and have all the noises I have read about and the tail lights are a joke does any body know of an upgrade for them. I sure hope I don`t encounter any of the nightmares others have posted and I surely hope Chevy at least takes some kind of responsible acknowledgment of these issues as I will probably be looking elsewhere for my next vehicle. G.W.Walkama.
I have a 98 Malibu, and while it's great at gas mileage and great driving control, I have had pretty much all of the same complaints as everyone here. Coolant leak, although it wasn't anything serious, ABS light coming on (it was a computer problem, so fixed under warranty), and now I need to replace the axial and bushing and serpentine belt. I tried to replace the belt on my own.. but there's a part in the belt's way. Anyone know if it is safe to remove this part that seems to be connected to the motor?
With very low miles on our '99 Malibu, we have been the lucky ones. We've been through the coolant light, quick tire wear, excessive brake wear, etc.
One comment here is dead on -- ABS light might indicate that you need a new alternator. That happened to us, and it is about a $400 charge. The battery also went out within the first 10 months.
We've also replaced the $20 micro relay (6 months ago) that controls the daytime running lights. While on vacation, we stopped at a restaurant and noticed the lights were staying on continuously, even though they were turned off and the key was out of the ignition.
SO NEW PROBLEM... Dash lights go on and off at their own will. If we turn the headlights on manually, the dash lights go out, including the radio clock. Radio and all electrical stuff still works. All fuses are good, but there seems to be a short some where. Any clue?
--D&C in D.C.
My 1998 Malibu LS has 70,000 miles on it the problem started with a leak in the radiator then the ABS light came on. I had a warranty which cover 150.00 I had to pay $198.00. I'm at 98,000 miles the steering belt came off in traffic on Atlanta busy highway I-285 then the coolant light came on. I had to tow my car to a Chevy dealer they fixed the problem replaced the belt top the coolant off $264.11 The next problem occurred 2 days later the steering wheel is hesitating to turn left. I took it back to the same Chevy dealer a mechanic looked at it and stated your steering box an pinion are going bad that's what cause the belt to come off. estimate:$1061.00. Why wasn't I informed about this problem I asked. The attendant answer he doesn't know. Chevrolet knows about the problems with this particular car and there should have been recalls sent out.I'm looking into this situation if anyone else wants to jump on the band wagon email me at:d_wyatt22@msn.com.
We have a 1998 Malibu LS, and have experienced many of the same problems noted here. One of the most annoying problems we had was the whistling noise coming from the windshield/dash area during highway driving (65+ mph). We finally figured out where the whistling was coming from--the driver's side mirror. While driving down the highway, I rolled down the window in an effort to make the irritating noise stop. I simply put my hand over the top of the mirror (where it connects to the door) and the whistling stopped. I'm not sure how one would actually "fix" this problem, but at least knowing where the sound is coming from is a start!
I own a 97 Chevy Malibu. I have had it for two years and my parents had it from the time it was new. Here is the list:
1. Coolant Light- New Head gasket needed, $750.00 in the shop right now. Mechanic told me the coolant was not going into the engine oil. Small relief.
2. Battery- I have replaced the battery once. My Parents replaced the battery once. When they had the battery replaced at Chevy, the mechanics failed to take off the handle on the battery and the handle was resting on the battery terminals. After a year they snapped off.
3. Alternator- I had to replace the alternator at 60,000 miles. $500.00
4. Brakes have only been replaced twice. I feel lucky. Last time I bought Midas lifetime brakes, at least I will only pay for labor from here on.
5. A/C- Blower fan seems to have lost a couple of speeds, I replaced the head unit and that did not help. I will just drive around this year with only three speeds.
6. ABS light comes on and off every so often, afraid to see what the problem is. As long as I have brakes I am not fixing it.
I have had the car for two years 30,000 miles. The car has 84,000 miles. This is the last American Car I will own. My previous car a 1986 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck had a 135,000 miles on it when I sold it to a friend. He has since put another 175,000 miles on the truck. Has only had to replace brakes once and the clutch once at 175,000 miles. This is the car My sister and myself and numerous friends learned to drive stick on. SHAME ON YOU GM FOR PUTTING OUT SUCH A SHODDY PRODUCT. I am conferring with a lawyer and a couple of other Malibu owners to seek restitution and replacement of common problems. If you would like to add your name or let me know of your problem, e-mail me at wavy41269@aol.com.
David.
Hi here is an update regarding my problems with the Malibu 1997 LS. Well it has been a few thousand miles since the Manifold Gasket was replaced and now I had to have the Water Pump replaced. I am still gathering names from this site and others to try and get GM to address the problems and maybe get some restitution, please email me so I can add you to the list. Once I have enough names I am going to meet again with a lawyer to see what can be done, I had many names, but I think I am not getting some of your emails. I will leave both addresses for you to contact me. Hope to hear from you if you are having these problems: Intake Manifold Gasket, Alternators, Batteries, Water Pumps, ABS Light problems, brake problems, and heater/ac blower motor problems. Thanks.
Wavy41269@aol.com
drwavy41269@hotmail.com.
Yup. bassically everything you guys talked about same thing happen with me. I own a 98' malibu n I changed brakes.. ill go 4 da impala 05.
Hi guys, OK
I have some solutions and need some more.
I have a Malibu 98, 143 miles (yes! bought it at 138 miles).
1- AC motor won't run at speeds below 3? Solution a 30+ dollars resistor (bought mine at Carquest)
2- Window won't open? Usually driver side window control panel receives rain when the window is open (so either drive with closed window or suffer the consequences). The problem is that water gets into the panel and damages it, causing the switches to fail. For my case, I used switch of rear window to replace one in front panel since I don't have kids yet.
3- Overheating, fans won't run except when AC is on. Tried to switch and replace relays and temp sensor, but still having the problem. Coolant is full, but fans won't start without AC on, even if temp reaches 75%!
4- Bulbs and brake lights... you know you can find those cheap, but yes, they do run out quickly
5- Shift interlock solenoid something... you cannot find this part easily, dealer will suggest replacing the whole thing at 250+tax or even more... (symptoms: on cool mornings, the car won't shift out of park position)
6- Checked the engine at a mechanic. At that mileage, I had a clogged tube (the one of the catalyst) and the engine light (of pollution) was on and off so it wouldn't pass inspection... poor dealer changed a 250 dollar valve (at sale time) and after a month of purchase my light came back on... one trip to a friend of mine and he found the carbon clogged tube (it's about an inch inside the engine, near the butterfly valve). So my friend (mechanic) cleaned it and the light went off permanently (for now).
7- When you add coolant (after losing some), the low coolant light comes on even if tank is full. For me, this went away when the car overheated (must have pushed the air gap off the radiator tubes and re-initiated circulation).
8- Theft system? It's not your key's issue, it's a mechanical failure inside the "key-house" or some grease gone dry and preventing the theft needles from detecting your key. One time I cleaned it with a metallic wire surrounded by plastic and it went OK for about 6 month. Now it is coming on again and car makes you wait 10 minutes before turning on (if you're lucky enough to have it work again)... this causes my wife to arrive late for work, so now she is leaving 30 minutes extra before and is the first to arrive to work... so there might be a "good lesson of morale" here.
9- Have a dried leather dashboard? I used a mop that comes at 1$ or so and it really wetted and waxed the dashboard.
10- Radio!!! When you take off the battery, the radio asks you for codes. If you don't have them, don't try random... it will lock more. Advice? PURCHASE those codes once and for all at your dealer (about 50$)
11- Squealing belt (because of oil coming off the engine)... no comments, very expensive to fix.
Now my priority is the overheating and fans that won't turn on automatically... any tested ideas?