Head gaskets replaced at 53,000.
Spark plugs replaced 53,000.
Fuel injectors very dirty and cleaned at 53,000.
Dex-Cool sludge in cooling system.
Spark pug wires all replaced 53,000.
Brakes replaced twice.
Rotors replaced with last brake job.
Driver auto window intermit. works.
Loud wind noise.
AC shuts off at random times.
Severe rust on alloy wheels.
This car was supposed to be a nice alternative to a comparable Honda. Wrong. GM has now come out with a new add campaign admitting they made crummy cars in the 80s and 90s. This is one of them. This car is one of many that have problems with head gaskets. GM has yet to rectify the problem by issuing a recall. There are numerous class action lawsuits against GM pertaining to the head gaskets and particularly the Dex-Cool antifreeze which is nothing, but bad news. Overall a nice car until the warranty runs out and then your headaches begin.
My problems began well before the warranty ran out. Brakes seem to be a common failing in this car. If you get one used, take it to a non GM mechanic, have rotors turned and aftermarket good quality pads installed. Then make sure the tires are NOT the same ones the car came with, if so replace. These cars are a bargain on the used car market, this is for a reason.
I own a 1999 Malibu. It has 89K miles. I started having cooling problems at 50K. The “new and improved,” change-antifreeze once every 5 years system, couldn’t hold water long enough to drive up a full tank of gas. There were no obvious puddles of water under the car. It is a slow leak. At first, I replaced the radiator cap. That didn’t help. Next I had the head gasket replaced. I still get the low water warning light. I made my last payment a month before I had the engine overhauled.
According to my mechanic, the special orange antifreeze that GM uses in it’s cars, while not corrosive to aluminum, is extremely corrosive to steel and rubber. He also said that the material used for head gaskets is made from rubber/plastic products.
I will never buy another GM product again.
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