1999 Chevrolet Malibu: won't start

Filed Dec 5, 2011 · Body, Brakes · NE

I bought this car from a private owner not a dealership. The only problem it had when we bought it was the fuel gauge did not work. Now almost a year later I have multiple problems. The worst is while driving down the road at 65 MPH my car just shuts off, no warning, the steering locks up and this happened with my 2 children in the car it was very scary. Then while sitting at a red light when I got ready to drive it died on me again. Each time I have had to pull over, sit for a few minutes, then try to restart and it usual does until dec. 2. It died and now it will not start. It will crank, the fuel pump is working and I have spark. Other problems: while checking oil one day I leaned against car and it shocked me; brake lights work when they want to; cannot lock doors from drivers side; coolant has to be refilled every week (no leaks have been found); trunk is not wanting to open with button or key; radio/antenna gets 1 station; A/C worked when we got it and apparently the diode or something went bad but you cannot buy just the diode. I am tired of all of these problems and have read many others like these. My main concern is the car dieing while driving down road and locking everything up.

Filed Aug 12, 2011 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · ID

I try to start my 1999 chevy malibu and it will not start the security system light blinks then about 10 minutes later I have a chance of starting it again. Sometimes it wont start the second try either then I wait another 10 minutes to start it. I am lead to believe this is something with the anti theft system. These vehicles need a recall so owners may have there cars fixed at the manufactures expense not ours. I just bought this car and it did seem ok for the first couple months. It is an ongoing problem.

Filed Apr 4, 2011 · Electrical · NY

1999 malibu wont start ,theft light on.

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · Electrical · AL

I have had this 99 malibu for almost a year now and I have actually got to drive it for about 3 months but now it will not crank at all because of the theft system I have had problems with this since I bought the car and now the car is done it will not start at all I am a single mother and I need a dependable care and it sure isn't going to be a chevrolet.

Filed Oct 4, 2010 · Electrical · 33,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the anti-theft warning light would illuminate sporadically and when doing so, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they were unable to duplicate the failure to determine repairs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times yet the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 33,000 and the mileage was 62,000. Updated 02/07/11 *bf updated 02/11/11

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Electrical · 122,152 miles · OH

The theft system light kept coming on. It won't start I have to wait about 20mins before the light goes off . I have had my car for 2 -3 years. The problem started about a year ago. How can one light give me so much grief. My car is not worth stealing. Is this problem included under safety standard 102 (09v‑073) chevy malibu recall ? Please advise.

Filed Jul 15, 2010 · Electrical · NE

My 1999 chevrolet malibu, like many others, does not start half the time, because of its passlock system that is horribly unreliable and doesn't recognize the key. It makes this car almost worthless, as I never know when it's going to start or not, and it's caused me to be late to tests and even miss class numerous times. Something needs to be done about this passlock anti-theft system, it's a burden on so many of us chevy drivers. It happens to me once a week.

Filed Jan 18, 2010 · Electrical · OH

I bought a 99 chevy malibu for my daughter. Only 55,000 miles on it. The vehicle all of a sudden started acting up, lights flashing, power locks going crazy locking and unlocking, all the gauges on the dash are going crazy, vehicle ended dying and wont start. Bought a brand new battery $80.00, then purchased a alternator $150.00 vehicle still not running correctly , vehicle ended up not running at all , had the vehicle towed to a gm dealer and they put the veh on diagnostics (charged $95.00) and was told that cannot run diagnostic because there is an electrical problem....fixed that problem ($300) and the vehicle still wont run because of the anti- theft lockout system failure (which I mentioned to the dealer, because of doing research on the internet) I have read online that there are several (more than several people) that all have the same issue with this vehicle, but are being taken for a financial ride with the repair facility not being able to figure out the problem and replacing part after part and the vehicles still don't run. Gm obviously has been aware of this problem and the consumer is stuck to foot the bill with a obvious defect that they included in this vehicle. I really would like to know what it takes for a recall on a part that the manufacturer is fully aware and has done nothing to fix the problem, other than charge the consumer $$$$$$$ to fix their mistake. I have read over and over how people are stranded with this vehicle all because of a defective part : anti- theft lockout system failure.

Filed Sep 12, 2009 · Electrical, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · MN

1999 chevrolet malibu. No start problem due to a defective ignition switch and or anti-theft system. Ongoing problem. No set time or conditions. Have key separate from others. Not a weight of key ring problem. If a stall occurs or in an emergency occurs, vehicle is disabled for 10 minutes.I have tried to garner any and all information I can, including the non-help from chevrolet to by-pass or correct this problem. This problem started approx. 4 years ago and is very random.

Filed May 29, 2009 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · OH

1999 chevrolet malibu, the theft system will malfunction and the car will not start for 10 to 15 minutes. This is a safety issue if the car happens to stahl at an intersection or you need to get away quickly from robber or carjacker.

Filed May 13, 2008 · Electrical, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · NY

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?!

Filed Sep 14, 2005 · Electrical · 106,000 miles · AZ

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.