My car kept stalling and one day it didn't start at all. The dealers first sure thought it was the fuel pump and the lines, so I got that replaced. About a month later my car would stall while driving. So, I brought it the dealer again and they replaced the alternator. Car ran fine again for a couple of weeks, and once again, it started stalling on me while driving. Sometimes it wouldn't start, or it would start and then die on me. I brought to the dealer again and they said I needed new spark plugs. Got that all done, and it didn't help one bit. Now, I drove my car all the way from minnesota to new york with no problem, but the day I got here, I started having problems again. My car won't start or it will and it stalls on the through-way, which is very scary, unsafe and inconvenient! I called the dealership here, and I told them what was going on and before I even told him what kind of car it was, he asked if it was a chevy malibu and I said yes. He told me chevy knows about all this happening to almost every malibu they have and they aren't doing anything about it! He said it has something to do with the anti-theft passlock making it so the security comes on in the car and locks the car up because it's faulty. I can't afford anymore repairs and I've been in 2 accidents because of my car randomly stalling! I am glad my 6-month old wasn't in the backseat at any of those times! What am I suppose to do if I have an emergency and can't get my car started because chevy knows about this problem, yet they aren't doing any recalls?!
1999 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 144, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I bought the car in 2003, 3 months later the anti-theft light began coming on keeping the car from starting for at least 10 minutes. April 24, 2007 the car would not start at all. I contacted chevrolet several times, and no definite answer for the problem could be given. I could not afford to let them try to figure the problem out. I work in a not so safe part of town and the car stalled in an empty parking lot at night and I could have been robbed or worse. This was very unsafe for people. If a person needing medical attention was driving one of these defective malibus it could have resulted in very serious problems if not even death to the owner.
My 1999 chevy mailbu has had many problems. I will start with the 2 fuel injecters replaced 2 months after purchasing. The car begin to run rough then would have problems starting. Then there was the altanator, the thermostat, the head and intake gaskets and the numurous electical problems. The electrical problems still cannot be solved after numrous tripsto the repair shop. Most of the problems have been corrected on more than one occasion. As a consumer I hope you will help us malibu owners who are in destress. I know the auto companies are in financial trouble but that still does not excuse making an unsafe auto. I am afraid enough not to drive my car. I feel I put my family and myself in danger taking thsi car on the road. I hope you will help correct this problem. I feel my only next option is to contact a lawyer over my legal rights.
I purchased a 1999 chevy malibu in november 2003. I have replaced the brake pads at least 10 times ($20 each time), the rotors have been replaced 3 times ($70 each time). The brakes give you no warning they just quit suddenly which has almost caused several accidents. The ABS light always comes on and when this happens you can guarantee the ignition switch is about to lock up on you. The rear windows quit working, I hear a weird popping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving down the highway. The anti theft system has came on 6 or 7 times and will not allow me to crank the car(once it happened while my child was having an asthma attack and I was attempting to take him to the er). If you hit a bump in the road sometimes it sounds like a small explosion in the front end and causes the steering wheel to jerk uncontrollably for several miles. I have taken this vehicle to several mechanics who absolutely refuse to work on it because of the general fact that it is a 1999 malibu, now my ignition has completely quit, actually it hung in the start position and was making my starter grind and almost catch fire, this has happened several about 15 times, but usually after jiggling the key a few times it comes undone, but not this time. My dad had to take my battery off in order to make the engine die. So now my employer got so fed up with me being late or calling in because of my car problems that I was terminated. I am a single mom with 2 children, both have chronic asthma and have to be rushed to the er with severe asthma attacks all the time, and now I have no way to take them should the need arise. The parts are going to cost me $200 and the cost of labor and now I have no job. If you call chevrolet all they tell you is to take it to a dealer and let the mechanic look at it for a fee, and then they want to charge you more than I make in 2 months, and they never even ask you any personal info so there are no documented claims on your calls.
1999 chev malibu gm pass lock ii security system activates and prevents use of car. People with medical problems can not depend on car.
Vehicle has just reached 62000 miles. Most recent incident - all dashboard warning lights came on-car died and had to be towed to dealer. Replaced alternator - supposedly "common" at this mileage. Six weeks prior - coolant indicator keeps coming on. Dealer replaced lower intake manifold gasket and water pump. Also told common in this car at this mileage. Brakes done also - rotors needed replacement - again supposedly common in the malibu.
Car will not start, replaced starter, relays. Dash lights come on but it won't turn over. Repair shop said it is ignition switch @$254.00l. I can't afford to repair. Tried to start it few days later, perfectly ok and starts everytime for about a week or two, then no warning and it doesn't start again. Engine cuts off while driving even. Air coditioner blower doesn't work on 1-4, only if fan on 5. Fuses have started to blow. Cig 4x, radio 2x. Dash light "theft system" stays on at times after start and while operating. Could this be any part of why car doesn't start????? My mechanic is bewildered to say the least.
Brakes and rotors have been replaced 3 times since 2002- A/C goes off and on- ignition switch replaced due to electrical failure- driver's side window don't roll down- alternator and battery replaced- intake manifold gasket and radiator replaced.
Car fails to start more than frequently. Was told to replace ignition switch, a cost of $254.00. Don't think car should already need ignition replaced. Car has died completely while driving on the interstate numerous times. Also has something to do with if dash lights come on or just theft deterrent lights. Day running lights are equal to reg headlights, all system lights turn on when car is started, no need to even turn switch on, could this be normal? Mechanic installed a switch under hood that connets directlyto my starter so when car fails to start I push switch and she starts right up, he said something in column but he not able to pinpoint. Steering column doesnot lock, ever!
Dt: the igition switch shorted out and left consumer stranded.the heater switchers burned out, can be replaced but it will burn out again. Took vehicle to the dealer, and had an igintion switch put in this week. Dealer didn't say what caused the problem.
It took several attempts before it would start. The vehicle stalled in traffic and had taken several attempts to start again. The mechanic suggested that the problem was with the starter switch. *ak
On several occasions my car has failed to start for no apparent reason. The alternator and ignition system have all been checked out with no problems and I had my battery replace because I thought that was the cause of the problem. The very next day after having my battery replaced, it happend again. Each of these times, I attempted to start my car and it would sound like it was trying to start but fail to turn over. Each of these times, my theft system light was blinking. If I wait several minutes, eventually the car will start. This has happened in cold and warm weather and has stranded me and my 2 young children many times. Also, now my the fuel gauge in my car has begun to fall to empty even when it is full with gas. My gauge suddenly went from 1/4 of a tank to empty a few minutes into my trip. I stopped to fill up my gas tank and was only able to put 7 gallons of gas in it when I know my gas tank hold 13 gallons of gas. This is a new problem just starting yesterday (3/16/05) but has happened every time I start my car since then.
Consumer stated alternator bracket broke.
The rubber molding around the back light encasing is loose, so water is constantly seeping in causing the back lights to stop working. This is an ongoing problem. I have to constantly change out the bulbs. My brake light in my window is the only one working at this time.
Intake valve. Seal leaked , lost anti freeze almost over heated engine.
I have a theft systme light that comes on in my car and it won't let me start my car,,I have had it in the shop numorous times and they can't find anything wrong,,and all they told me was when this happened to switch keys,,dumb but it works sometimes but why should I have to do this..it is a 1999 chevy malibu 4 dr. With only 53000 miles on it.
Within the past year we have had multiple system failures with our 1999 chevrolet malibu with 47,000 miles. The intake manifold gasket has leaked, the brake pads, rotors, and wheel cylinders were repaired, the theft deterrent system and ABS warning lights come on repeatedly, and the alternator and water pump have failed. The passlock sensor and body control module have been replaced to address the theft system warning light and the harness and individual wheel speed sensors have been suggested for the ABS warning light. Chevrolet should be requred to recall the vehicle to address some or all of these problems.
Multiple tail lamp failures on my 1999 chevrolet malibu. I have replaced more tail lamps than I can remember. While replacing them the last time I noticed that the place where you plug in the lamp was starting to melt. I think this is a hazard. The lamps are not burned out when I have to replace them. They just don't make contact with the contacts after a while. I have to put new ones in to get them to work again. This last time I almost couldn't get one to work.
1 - brake failure at 15,000 miles; replaced brakes 4 times after dealer and manufacturer (chevrolet) failed to repair; I purchased 3 calipers, 4 rotors and many brake pads at costs of $1,000. 2 - gas guage sending unit failed after 60,000 miles; could not determine proper fuel level; purchased and replaced unit at cost of $325. 3 - intake manifold failed at 45,000 miles; vehicle experienced severe overheating; dealer charged $700 to perform valve job after charging $700 to replace intake manifold; 4 - battery failed after 25,000 miles; positive post fell out of battery; purchased replacement and did not have vehicle towed to dealer because I was in california from texas on a trip - costs $70 .
Tried to start 1999 chevy malibu on 4/26/04-ignition module had gone out of vehicle-now to replace it I have to apy for it completely because the warranty has expired- I only have 53,500 miles on my car and I feel the manufacturer should be responsible for some of the cost
The vehicle's anti theft system would engage intermittently. As a result the consumer was unable to start the vehicle. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Vehicle had catalytic converter and alternator go out completely within 10k of each other. Once the cat had gone bad, it caused the valve seals on the engine to need to be replaced along with the intake manifold gasket, a $1300 job not covered by extended warranty. Also have had break pad problems with them wearing unevenly. The vehicle was at a chevrolet dealer for almost a week before they guessed the problem-no one actually looked at my engine to verify that the seals needed to be replaced, I was so annoyed with waiting for a diagnosis, I had another mechanic complete the work and replace the cat. These problems also resulted in a midnight tow two hours away from home since my car would not start, taking more time and money out of my hectic schedule.
Consumer complained about an anti-lock brake problem. The transmission was also performing poorly and the ignition switch required a little jiggling before it ignited. The intake gasket leaked and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle became inoperative.
This 1999 chevrolet malibu was purchased in july 2001 in had a water leaking problem took 3 tries before they found it needed thermostat gasket didn't even have one in it they sold it to me .this way with a promise it had been fixed. Within the first year I had the car they had to replace both front wheel bearings & strut bushings. Then the alternator went out & it cause my battery to go bad overcharged it they replaced alternator but refused to re-emburse me for the battery. Then ignition switch caused problem with anti-theft system would not start. Had that replaced in march 2002. Then anti-lock brake system went out had to have it replaced window switch very slow had to be cleaned another one not working at all now, not covered under warranty, at this time also had to have anti theft system fixed again light on all the time another bad ignition switch. Also had blower motor & relay switch for heater to go out over the summer most of the interior lights have long ago burnt out & had to be replaced lock out for trunk lid also broke not covered on warranty. Hub caps have lug nuts made in them that screw onto your lug bolts stripped out when took for repairs by dealer refused to replace them because they cost $500.00 for a new set. So I purchased the lug nut part & repalced it myself at a dealership for $10.00 set of 5. November of 2002 brakes & rotors were replaced in jan. 2003 brake pads replaced again in march 2003 pads replaced again in july 2003 pads replaced once again then in sept. 2003 master cylinder replaced in oct. 2003 master cylinder replaced again now it's nov 2003 & master cylinder being replaced again tomorrow.these cars have a real brake problem that needs to be fixed it's costing a fortune.
Consumer said while driving at highway speed the vehicle died. Driver was two lanes from the shoulder. Police had to stop traffic while vehicle was pushed to the shoulder. Mechanic replaced a # 48 fuse for fuel pump injector.
Consumer stated that while driving at any speed, the anti lock brake light illuminated and remained on the entire time the vehicle was in motion. *ak the consumer stated the alternator failed.
#1 on the stock radio, which came with the malibu, the lights illuminating the radio buttons and knobs burnt out. First along the bass, treble, fade & balance turn knobs and now all the preset buttons #'s 1-6. You can't see anything on the radio in the dark now. #2 I have terrible reception of fm (some times) and am (all the time) radio stations. This has gotton worse since I owned in 6/13/02.
At about 27000mi (3000mi. Service) I notified dealer of squeaking in front & rear suspension bushings. Dealer sprayed lube on rear (about $100)and notified me that they would have to lower complete front end to lube front, approx $200 more. Extended warranty didn't cover. At 30000 mi service dealer notified me I needed complete brake job. I inspected brakes while on lift. Mechanic said he made mistake! He said that he hadn't pulled wheels of yet. Said there was 80% left, repair invoice said 50% left. A little over a week later there was a puddle of trans fluid on garage floor & air conditioning smelled like urine when on, also switching itself from recirculation to fresh. Took car to dealer, they replaced switch, deductible $se on extended warranty, sprayed something in outside vent (mold they said?), and tightened trans cooling line, their fault! Three days later cooling leak, dealer replaced water pump, deductible $'s on extended warranty. Two weeks later the rear power window actuator (motor & cable assembly) quit! I might have used this window 12 times since I bought 99 malibu ls from champion chevrolet, reno,nv. New in 12/99! All things considered, I feels like they are sabotaging my vehicle to get back at me for discovering they lied about brake job! Also after reading your complaint list, I realize that I am not alone thinking that brakes, steering vibration, and reliability in general is poor on this vehicle.
Have had many problems with this car! Bought car 2/17/2001.....-8/15/2001 had to replace alternator....2/24/2002 had intake manifold gasket replaced because of coolant leakage, cost was 600.00.....06/20/03 had to replace battery due to leakage and corrosion around positive cable.......7/24/03 had to replace brake pads and have rotors turned for the second time....I think that there should be a recall for some of these things!!!!! Car now has 70,000 miles on it... Thought I was buying a good car!! :)
Altenator replaced at 44500 miles, thought that was the problem but when started up vehicle slams into gear and has no reading on the engine temp, engine warning light continued to stay on odbii testing reads 2 codes both are cooling system input sensor failure, car is now sitting in the garage as repairs are too expensive right now, gm should take responsibility for this failure, as this car is well maintained, I can tell you this I wil never buy another malibu again in my life.
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