1999 Chevrolet Malibu LS from North America - Comments

The alternator on this Chevy Malibu was replaced 3 times. The brakes were replaced countless times and the head gaskets were replaced 3-4 times. Now the engine is shot b/c it had overheated too many times.

Buyer Beware! This car is a money pit. After the first 50,000 just open up your wallet. I now realize what Chevy meant by no tune ups until 100,000 miles. By then the car is falling apart and you don't want it anymore! I have put so much money into this car and now all I have is an empty wallet and no vehicle. For the same amount of money, I could have purchased a very nice used foriegn SUV, fully loaded! You cannot count on the Chevy Malibu when you really need it. My 1 year old daughter and I got stranded on the side of the highway. It was terrifying! If you have kids, don't buy this car! I love the USA, but the cars stink.

I could not agree more. I have a 2005 Malibu that has been nothing, but problems! I am 51 years old and it is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. It has been in the shop four times with steering, suspension and check engine light problems that the dealership cannot seem to fix and Chevrolet refuses to do anything about. Just the repair documentation would take several pages to fill. The really sad thing is the car has less than 3000 miles on it and I am stuck with it. I would not recommend this car to anyone and am very disappointed with the pathetic customer service of Chevrolet.

I have a 1999 Malibu. 4 sets of brake pads/rotors/calipers replaced so far. The rear tail light assembly replaced because of leakage. The front motors mounts replaced. The entire strut system needs to be done next. Leaks radiator fluid. This car is so gone. Never again Chevy.

I have a 1999 Malibu that was purchased in 2001 with 12000 miles on it. It is the worst vehicle out of 15 or so that I have owned. I am a GM/Chevy person, but this car is horrible.

Bought the Malibu new in 1999. Have replaced the a/c computer chip 4 times, leaked coolant through the head gasket, had it replaced and now the same thing is happening and the head gasket needs to be replaced again, 2 sets of brakes, 5 batteries, 3 alternators, new serpentine belt at 40,000 miles, a/c chip needs to be replaced again. I will NEVER own another GM car.

I bought my 1999 malibu new. Overall it has been a good car. I have experienced some of the problems mentioned i.e., brake rotors, fan switch and rear brake bulbs constantly burning out. My malibu has the 2.4 L 4 cylinder and is the highlight of my ownership. I have had no coolant or any other type problems at all. It has 88,000 miles on it and runs as good as new. One other issue has been the road noise from the front end. I thought it was my tires, but found out the wheel bearings need replacing at the tune of $570.00. I have never owned a vehicle that had a wheel bearing go out. I would not rule out buying another chevy, but will definitely look at other brands. Good luck to everyone.

I purchased my 1999 Malibu in 2000 with 15000 miles on it. I had to replace the alternator at 40000 miles. Have replaced brakes and rotors too many times to count. A/C switch went out at 50000 miles and this caused power windows to not work at all. Passenger power window has never moved faster than a snail's pace. At 60000 miles my fuel gauge started acting up, and still is (once I get down to 1/2 tank of gas, it drops to empty and the alarm sounds). Now the temperature gauge is reading hot intermittently, the defogger/heater only work some of the time and my brakes need to be replaced again. I love the car itself, the ride is comfortable, but the problems are extremely frustrating and difficult to track down the source.

"The alternator on this Chevy Malibu was replaced 3 times. The brakes were replaced countless times and the head gaskets were replaced 3-4 times. Now the engine is shot b/c it had overheated too many times."

This sounds more like you are in need of a new mechanic. I have close to 100,000 miles on mine and have had very few problems (nothing I couldn't fix myself). You are going through brake pads because you are replacing junk with junk. Buy better pads. You are going through head gaskets because your mechanic is not doing the job correctly.