1999 Chevrolet Malibu from North America - Comments

The most recent problem is the car lunges forward and stalls at every stop. Even in bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway. The dealer had it in the shop for 11 days. The Chevy dealer has no loaner cars, I had to rent a car. I authorized repairs for not more than $400, but after several days of calling them they called back and said I owed them $1200 for work they performed, and they estimate another $600 to 'maybe'fix it. Then they said they weren't even sure if the work would fix the problem.

I told the dealer I would take legal action. Then he agreed I only owed the $400 I had signed for. I paid $400, but the car is still not fixed. I've taken it to numerous used car lots to use as a trade in and most already have a Malibu. One person told me if I wanted to use a Malibu as a trade in he would not do business with me.

There has been so many repairs done to this car since I purchased it. The scariest one was after having the car for less than a year the fuel line broke causing the fuel to gush out in a store parking lot as many people yelled at me to "get out and run" and "it might blow up!"

I've had the brakes repaired numerous times, the air conditioning doesn't work properly, some of the locks on doors won't lock automatically, all outside lights have been replaced, this car has been towed atleast 5 times for numerous reasons. I only drive it in the city and only have 97000 miles on it. I've never been in an accident. The interior is in excellent condition. It's not like I have treated this car wrong and yet I have poured money into repairs almost constantly since the 1st year of ownership.

I wish there was a way we could all band together and sue Chevy for all the money we've put out in repairs for this lemon. Today I will go to a used car lot and purchase a Mazda. I've had 2 RX7s and both lasted me over 10 years and I sold both at over 210,000 miles on it. Nothing was wrong with them, I just figured they were getting too old.

I'd do anything to have back my old car. Today I will donate my Malibu to the Polly Klass Foundation.

I am currently having this same problem. What parts have you replace/repaired. I have replaced the ignition module behinde the key and rebuilt the transmission. This made the problem not as bad. My car is a 1997 and has 90,000 miles on it.

The problem with the stalling sounds like a bad torque converter solenoid (TCS). The transmission in the Malibu is a GM Hydramatic 4t40e. It has a lock-up torquer converter. What happens is that as the car gets up to speed the computer sends a signal to the TCS and it causes the torque convertor to lock itself to the flywheel. This is a measure to reduce torque converter slippage and reduce fuel consumption. As the car slows to a stop the TCS is supposed to release the converter so that at a stop the converter can spin freely. Siting at the light the TCS may be functioning intermittently where it suddenly engages the locking of the converter and so causes the car to briefly surge forward and then the engine stalls as it tries to spin against the stopped transmission. A bad TCS is a fairly common problem in this family of transmissions. This problem is allegedly fairly technical for the DIY guy to attempt so making an intelligent suggestion like "...hey there Bob... I got a Malibu with a 4T40 in her that seems to have a torque converter solenoid acting up... can you loook at her for me?" might nudge the technicians a bit. Good luck.

I have a 99 Malibu LS and have had so many problems. I can't believe they haven't had any recalls on these cars. I have replaced the air conditioner control panel 3 times. The check oil light came on after the first oil change I ever had and the dealer states they can't find the problem or duplicate the issue. It happens every morning I start the car. I have replaced water pump, alternators, pulleys, brakes and calipers. The radio doesn't get reception. It has been fixed and then happened again 3-6 months later. I have had even more repairs than I have listed, but I can't keep track anymore. I have a friend @ work that has a 1998 Malibu and he has the same issues as me?? I say that's a manufacturers problem. My parents/family has always bought Chevy products, but I will not continue after this experience. The latest is I filled my car up tonight and the gas gauge worked fine before that when I got back in the car the gauge went to empty and the light came on and chimed. I restarted the car and the gauge went to full then right back to empty. I have tightened the gas cap and tried to problem solve, but haven't had any success. If I could go buy a new car tomorrow I would. I have recently bought a house so I can't. If someone knows some fixes to these issues please help!! Thanks.

Dear Friends {Malibu Owners} We purchased Our 1999 LS and aside from the basic "Maintenance issues " that Car has Not let Us down Yet. I've owned GMC and Chevy cars and trucks and with the tires We purchased for Syracuse winters for that Malibu it has NOT missed a Day at work NOT even in complete Whiteout conditions. In fact it was the Only car We witnessed moving forward. AND AFTER 178K That Car got 30 MPG to white plains NY From Weedsport and it Only took 10 Gallons of Gas to complete the trip, YES IN THE BEGINNING THE brake's DID GIVE US SOME TROUBLE, but after a Cheap fix the problems have all, but said so long! All I did was Make Sure the Caliper pins that the brake floats in and out on were "WELL CLEANED" and Lubed properly. As for the TRANS PERFECT! In fact My Malibu Uses Less oil Now with 176 thousand on it than My pick up with 66 thousand on it. The One thing I didn't however like was the BOGUS PLASTIC CENTER CAPS THAT SEEM TO BREAK DOWN WITH THE WEATHER AND FALL OFF NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN.