A/C recirculate button cuts off and on-has been replaced and still does it.
Driver side window stopped working and control had to be replaced, but dealer did not put door back together right. Window works now tho.
Gas gage is broken. I have to reset my tripometer every time I fill up with gas and have to refill when the trip says 230 miles or I will be walking.
Low coolant light always comes on. Leak in coolant, but we don't know from where.
Paint is coming off the hood and bumper and hood is now rusting. Hoping for rust-through so Chevrolet will have to fix the hood for free.
Trunk leaks water.
Black smoke comes out of the tailpipe when the car is cranked up.
Had to replace radio because the original one was not installed right. The wire that plugged in to the back of the radio just touched the radio and got mostly static.
Ticking sound comes from underneath hood.
Transmission slips. It makes a noise like it is going to fall out of the car when I shift from reverse to drive or park to reverse or drive.
Speedometer is off by 5MPH.
Squeaking brake pedal.
Rear suspension squeaks.
Fog lamp lenses hold water.
Both sun visors should have a lighted mirror.
Never have had to replace any bulbs. The originals from the factory still work-all of them.
I find it hard to believe this reviewer and that he is the original owner/purchaser of this car. Also, don't include complaints about "what your dealer hasn't done" in a review that should address universal issues specifically involving the car manufacturer and you, the owner.
I am a second owner of a 1999 Malibu (45,000 miles when purchased) and while it may not be as "tight" or well built as a Nissan, I'm at 85,000 miles and I haven't had to do anything aside from regular maintenance except for getting a valve replaced in the infamous Dex-Cool coolant system... all it takes is a little TLC and regular maintenance.
I agree totally with the reviewer. I have a 1999 Malibu that we purchased with 36,000 km on it. It has given us nothing, but grief. All of the troubles listed above and more. Wheel bearings are now being replaced for the second time. Thank God the first time it was under the manufacturers warranty. As for the paint, it is peeling from the bottom of all four doors and around the gas tank (which is disguting). I wouldn't purchase another Malibu even if it meant walking.
My thinking is anyone giving praise or satisfaction to the merits of a 1999 Malibu either work for GM or are being compensated for their testimonial. My 1999 Malibu is a piece of crap and has been since the day of purchase. Who can I sue??? Tom Davidson..Ruskin, Florida.
I simply cannot believe the last comment made! I have a '99 Malibu and it's the best car I've owned in YEARS! Yes, I've had my share of things I've had to do on it, but, guess what, if you're replacing a whole lot of parts, such as brakes, transmissions, coolants, etc., you're driving this car waaaaaaaaay too hard! These cars cannot be driven like the dreamboats of the early/mid '70s people! These cars are built as if we live in Japan, where everyone is cheerful and pleasant and courteous and no one drives like a maniac! Give these cars a little TLC and you'll get a lot more back!
The coolant leak that you are having is probably the coolant cap. When they go bad they allow pressure to leave the tank. Try replacing it.
First to address the comment from the person who said if we are having brake problems, etc we are driving way too hard. I stick to the speed limits and do not slam on my brakes. This car is just crap. About the coolant leak, it is probably leaking around the head gasket. Mine started doing that in the first year, but the dealer never could find the problem. They changed the water pump and the radiator cap, but the problem persisted. And outside garage found the problem after the warranty had run out. This is a very common problem in 1999 Malibus.
I bought my 1999 Malibu sedan with 62000 km. Mistake! Looked great (still looks great), but is nickle and dimming me to death. ABS indicator light always on, must replace drivers side hub (speed sensor) $365.00 w/labour. Gone through 4 brake pad replacements at $155.00 a crack. Drivers side calliper collapsed (there is a way to fix callipers replace boots, add a $16.00 can of spray lube for sliders info I later learned) I was recommended by chevy dealer you should really replace both sides at the same time $470.00. 8 months later, had to replace both rotors, pads $390.00. Now I am told the manifold gasket leaks, must tear off top half of motor quoted $780.00. A reliable source has instructed to try to tighten bolts ever so slightly (don't snap em' off). 1 in 3 may be fixed this way. My Malibu now has 202,000 km on it, I' ve owned it 5 years now. I LOVE it, I want to know why is this happening to me? I am sure every clip in the dash has been replaced (interlinking cable trouble around 90,000km cost $460.00) glove box latch (plastic everything) broke (clip replacement $65.00), power windows (wiring fix $140.00), bolts fell off inside of passengers side back door handle (haven't fixed yet, because the door must be taken apart). The factory Cd player has worked great! The cigarette lighter is a part time appliance, as is the extra accessory outlet. Once in a while the anti theft light comes on, pull over, turn engine off, restart car (hold your mouth right) and it will stay off. Always check the gas cap after full service fueling, if the cap is not on proper the check engine light comes on. Do not park with the front wheels facing right, you may not be able to shift out of park, straighten the wheels out and try again (do not call a tow truck). Once you know your glitches, your good to go!!
Just for the record I currently own a 2004 Chevy Malibu MAXX and absolutely love it. I average over 30 mpg hwy and spend a lot of time in my car. It's true the Classic Malibus are not near the car as the newer ones, but don't rule out getting a Malibu in the future. I know you won't be disappointed.
OK, I understand that some people are bashing the Malibu. Now although it may not be the "race car" everybody wants, it's still one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever driven, that is, if you drive it like one!!!
The Malibu has very decent power for a vehicle it's age. We've had ours for 7 years now, and they ONLY thing we've had to do is get a climate control knob replaced!!
Now don't get me wrong, most cars can be driven like they're owned by Jeff Gordon, but those cars ARE NOT STILL ON THE ROAD. If you want to be a race car driver, buy a race car!!!
Now if you think I'm just a Chevy-loving idiot that knows nothing, I have two things to tell you:
1. I'm 16 years old; and
2. I have a 2000 Ford that I think is leaps and bounds better than this car.
Although I like ford better, I just can't agree that it's not worth every penny we've paid. Now as a 16 year old kid, I like to drive fast... this car is MORE than satisfying for speed. And as far as the clicking under the hood goes, that's called "piston slap" which occurs because the pistons are too small for for the cylinders. If you thick-headed speed-daemon wannabes would pay attention to the recalls, you would know that they offered to replace the pistons for FREE.. AND you would gain about 20 horsepower off that! But that's over now, and you missed the boat.
I'm sorry, the Malibu is a good vehicle. If you want to pay the dealership, floor it off the lot, and never get checkups or manufacture oil changes done, then you'll miss out!!!
I am the owner of a 1999 Chevy Malibu and, yes, this car is a piece of crap. I bought the car brand new with only 23 miles on it. The brakes are crappy, the cooling system is horrible, the A/C never worked properly, now doesn't work at all and to top all of this off... had to have the ENTIRE engine replaced. Whenever I tell a mechanic the car I have to have work done on, they just laugh at me. Even the service manager at the Chevy dealer where I bought it says the Malibus are junk! So, for the less than 1% that say this car is great, hats off to you... you got lucky. I would say you're probably part of that small population that will win the lottery some day... just lucky individuals.
Sick of my Malibu!
I too have had the very real and expensive pleasure of owning this 1998 "Car of the Year". And to those who think that those of us with problems are driving the car too hard... not true...I am an old lady and I drive like one. I have treated this car with great care and it in turn has spat on me (with coolant) and almost put me in the poor house. I have heard some people say that they love their Malibu and that they have had very few or no problems... then I say get on your knees right now and thank the good Lord above because you are one of a very small group of very fortunate people.
My trouble started immediately with shaking at higher speeds. At 13,000 miles the brake problems started and did not stop until 4 years had passed, thousands of dollars had been wasted, and I finally had the sense to stop taking it to the dealer to get it "fixed".
CD player won't play Cd's, but will heat them to a temperature too hot for human hands. Radio knobs fall off repeatedly. A/C only ever worked intermittently and now not at all. Fan works at #3 and above only. Driver side window stopped going down. Glove box handle broke off in my hand and now rattles like a pair of maracas. Heat pump crapped out and had to be replaced. Alternator died with no warning right in the middle of a busy highway... I was lucky to get off the road without getting killed because when the power goes, so does the power steering! Cooling system has had leaks in many different places. Parking brake light signal flashes and rings and won't go off if the temperature outside is below 40*F. Cannot take the car out of park if the temperature outside is below freezing. Fuel gauge stopped working and it has almost been entertaining to guess which dash lights are going to work (or not work) each time I start the car.
I have owned many different makes and models of cars over many years and I have never had a car with such a long list of problems. It's bad enough that GM put out such a faulty car, but I'm flabbergasted at their lack of concern and the blame they try to put on us drivers! They know that these cars are a huge investment and that we need them... so I too say shame on you GM for executing and getting away with one of the biggest ripoffs in automotive history!
I' have owned my 1998 Chevy since 2000 bought it with 21'000 miles. My car was 1 1/2 years old. Was an OK car for the first year. After the car reached 33'000 I started having a ton of problems. My water pump went out, no biggie I replaced it. Then My brakes wore out (second time I replaced within the year). Then a couple months later replaced the brake shoes again and again after a couple months, until I finally realized the caliper had gone bad... replaced that. My head gasket busted at 38'000 miles... 38'000 MILES!!! I had water in my oil and was over heating. At 46'000 miles I had to replace the whole entire engine. I also noticed that my transmission was slipping, so I got a deal on both engine and transmission so I replaced them both. A couple years later after I bought a factory engine I am now having to replace it again. ANOTHER stinkin' engine, a factory engine from CHEVY!! I do not drive hard I drive fast in the freeway just like everyone, but I do not drive hard. All this and not to mention the little things like the AC (if you call that little) the radio, the windows, etc etc... CAR is better than some I'm sure, but its has a Bow Tie, I expected a whole lot better, guess GM fooled me = (
If you're leaking coolant somewhere and you don't see it, its probably the intake gaskets. They fail on every V6 Malibu. Don't waste time, the coolant leaks into the engine and causes BIG trouble. It's a common problem GM won't do anything about.
I have to agree with the folks that are having issues. My wife bought a 1999 Malibu and for as much as I had to spend on the car to fix it, I probably could have bought a new one. So far, I have had to replace the alternator, and a couple months after we had it, the Intake Manifold gasket had to be replaced (800 bucks), the brakes have been replaced several times, there is a terrible squeaking noise now coming from the rear end, and we have fixed the windows twice. The car started overheating and the mechanic said it was a thermostat, (125 bucks), so it stopped for about a week and it's back to overheating. We took it back to the mechanic, and he says it's now a head gasket (1275 bucks) If I have it fixed. I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, he told me he doesn't think it's the head gasket, but maybe try a thermostat. I thought I already did this. The trunk leaks water, the tail lights fill up with water when it rains. The Glove box handle broke off, I had to have to O2 sesor replaced. I really am at a loss with this car and don't know what I should do with it now considering that I have gotten two different diagnosis from two different mechanics, and either way I look at it, it should cost me another 1275 bucks to take apart the top half of the engine, even if the mechanic is wrong and it isn't the head gasket. I think GM has done a wonderful job with pulling the wool over my eyes, and I think the only thing they missed is to make the car water tight, because my frustrations with it at this point make me want to drive it into a very deep secluded pond. That's if it could make it that far. Malibu stands for My A$$ Is Literally Broke Unfortunately.
Yes I too, have had Nothing but trouble with my 1999 Chevy Malibu. Right now the reverse is starting to slip, and I also have had most of troubles listed in the other comments. I will NEVER buy another Chevy. Infact our mechanics apologize, Every-time we have to take it in for Yet another repair.
Cha ching!!! A. D Acworth Ga.