1999 Chevrolet Malibu Base from North America - Comments

Brake rotors warped after first trip 6000 miles.

Fuel injector went bad at 12000 miles.

Somewhere in there my center console became discolored (twice) Replaced.

Changed brake pads (SIGH)

Windshield washer wouldn't squirt water. A week later the car wouldn't start. Found a bad battery and fixed windshield washer. The windshield washer motor was covered in battery acid.

Left Taillight went out and both sides retaining water. Replaced both rear taillight assemblies.

Rattle in the passenger front tire area? Ended up being the upper strut bearing.

Firestone tires were crap. Got me some GOODYEAR'S now.

Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning oh did I mention Air conditioning. The first time the A/C select would just turn off the compressor by itself. The dealer changed the control head. Two months later it was blowing out of the the wrong vents IE. I chose feet it blows defog. Changed the Control head again. Then all the freon leaked out. They found out that it was the evaporator. Now my car is in the shop today because I want the A/C on recirculate, but my Malibu wants to run on vent. I switch it and it switches back. Bad control head AGAIN. But now it is out of warranty at 40000 miles.

The radio wouldn't pick up stations, but it ended up being a lose connection in the passenger floor board for the antenna.

Can someone find me the Transmission dip stick? I thought I loved my Malibu, but it was the haze of owning my first NEW car. I like my Malibu. It handles great, has great power and is a joy to drive... all the was to the repair shop. (HA HA) I would buy this car again if Chevy would give me a 7 year guarantee that I would not be in the shop or they would pay me a 1000 dollars every time I had to go.

Hey E Mail me, I want to know where to get a replacement Center console for the Chevrolet Malibu 97, just the part that moves and doubles as an arm rest Thanks

Volcomstone@earthlink.net.

Hey,

I also have been having trouble with the air conditioning. Like you said it automatically switches from recirculate to vent on its own. Sometimes it also completely shuts off the compressor. I have been trying to find a fix to this problem and have not been having much luck. If anyone has any information on what to replace or any ideas please e-mail me at prsrwinter@hotmail.com. Thanks so much.

There is NO transmission dip stick, you have to take it to the dealer for service. This information is in the owners manual.

The above person is right in that there's NO transmission dipstick in the system. We Malibu owners are at the mercy of the mechanic. Here's an idea: just have its fluid level checked at every oil change. That may be too frequent or unnecessary, but it's a small price to pay to ensure that the transmission doesn't crap out before its time. I've had my '98 Malibu LS for a year now and I only recently learned from a friend that transmissions are sealed on this car as well as its Olds twin, the '97-'99 Cutlass that a mutual friend owns. Anyway, my tranny slipped and I was alerted to a leak via the passenger-side seal. Got the seal replaced and as of now the car shifts smoothly again just like it did the day I test-drove it. My car's fine now, but sometimes I can smell the coolant when I exit after parking it, so I'm not gonna let it off the hook just yet so to speak. Reading what looks like horror stories submitted here so I can see if I can avoid the problems myself.