Replaced the front brakes last year at 21,000 miles. $100.
Replaced the battery last year. $45.
Replaced the alternator this year.$130.
Replaced the blower motor resistor this year (to make the fan work on all speeds) $140.
Flushed the brake fluid $60.
Replaced the serpentine belt this year $100.
We bought this brand new and the first 3 years were trouble free, didn't anything except change the oil. Just in the past 2 years (mainly this year) things have started to go wrong. But after 5 years I would expect some things to break. This car never left us stranded, and the tires are still in excellent shape. Of course I rotate them and take care of them like youre suppose too.
Overall we're happy with it and plan on keeping it for a long time yet.
The perfomance and handling is decent for a family sedan. Nice quiet ride down the road.
I would recommend this car, but judging from the bad experiences of a lot of other malibu owners, I would be sure to thouroughly check out any Malibu you might be interested in.
Like you we purchased our 99 Malibu LS new. We have a white sedan and for the first three years trouble free. We now have yellow spots under the white paint, it doesn't look like rust, but I think it is primer. The only paint that has peeled off is on the mirrors.
My problem is really with the brakes, I had them replaced pads and rotors at 47,000. The right front caliper seemed to be hanging up. I now have 70,000 and just spent another 400.00 replacing the pads and rotors and it was the same right front that seemed to be hanging up. Reading other comments about the Malibu and talking to Chevy and service writers at ALL DATA. I think GM needs a recall and reimburse us for a defective brake system.
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