1999 Chevrolet Malibu: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Electrical · VA

Well started when I first bought this stupid pos. Gas gage didn't ever work. I never know !much gas I've got. Then the ABS light started coming on flashing. Had it checked out by a mechanic but couldn't find anyway to fix it. The brakes then started in on me almost causing an accident but the other car didn't realize I had no way possible to stop. They just quit working no notice. I then lost the ability to roll down the back window then the door on the drivers side quit locking. To make things better the passenger front window quit and lock completely gone. Can't even unlock it with the key. Steering then started. Started hearing a big clunk when trying to turn the wheel and it started locking up. Now it's been less than six months since buying this car and it's immobile. I have sunk so much into it that I couldn't afford to pay my lot rent so it's drove me to be homeless trying to live out of this thing chevy wants to call a car had to give my pride and joy my two children to my ex husband. I lost my job over not being able to get to work and late over car trouble. I've almost gave up on life and am currently sitting in this thing at a wal-mart with no way to pay to get it to turn left or right no way to repair it no way to pay for food or to replace this car. It's destroyed my lively hood as a woman and mother taking away everything I've worked so hard for in life. Once in a blue moon can ask for enough money to stay in a cheap motel(not any kids would be good in if my meaning is understood) to get a shower but that's as far as help can go.

Filed Apr 21, 2005 · Suspension · 73,318 miles · KY

I was driving my 1999 chevrolet malibu down my driveway when I heard a loud clunking noise. The front passenger side of the car went down almost to the ground. I turned car around to go back to my home and smoke started pouring from under the car. Had to have it towed to the dealer where the spring and strut had to be replaced. They had broken and cut into the tire. Extended warranty paid for the broken spring and strut but would not replace other side. Just have to wait for it to break. I had to pay to replace the tires which had only 30,000 miles on them. The malibu has 72,000 miles on it. I bought it at 29,000 miles. Have had to replace 4 fuel injectors, replace brakes, have had the blower control fixed twice, still does not operate on 1 or 2 setting, check engine light and anitlock brake light comes on and off for no reasons, replaced belt tensioner twice, serpentine belt twice, had oil leaks, has a loud tapping noise when first starting engine (was told that this is common in this car) (sounds like a valve problem to me. I am keeping this car only until the extended warranty is about to expire. It has been a lemon since day 1. This model of malibu should have been recalled. It is a danger for anyone to drive. Thank god I was in my own driveway and not on the expressway with my grandaughter. No more chevrolets for me!

Filed Apr 10, 2005 · Suspension · 88,189 miles · CT

(1) I was driving my 1999 chevrolet malibu about 35 MPH on a town street. (2)without warning, I heard a loud bang from the left front wheel. The car instantly made a sharp left hand turn into the oncoming lane. There were no oncoming cars. I was able to quickly regain control of the can and get back into my lane. I pulled down a side and looked at the left front tire and it looked normal. Under the hood looked normal. I proceded home. The left front wheel had a noticable clunk over the slightest bump in the road. I went home about one mile and took the left front wheel off. I noticed the coil spring around the strut had fractured. The base of the coil spring, (the pearch it was sitting on was bent) was close to the tire. I noticed a rub in the tire was caused by the fractured spring. The fracture was clean except some corrosion was evident at the start of the crack propagation. I have photos if you want. I will also ask for the fractured spring. (3) the car had both front end struts replaced and coil springs replaced.

Filed Jan 8, 2005 · Suspension · 97,235 miles · OH

I was pulling out of a parking space and heard a loud clunk following with the vehicle dropping a few inches. After I got the vehicle towed I pulled off the left front wheel and noticed the spring broke off, and there was a fracture that occurred in the first active coil above the lower isolator. The coil spring did not damage the tire, but was lying on top of the tire prior to removal. Nothing has been repaired yet, and yes the old parts are still and will be available.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 48,000 miles · UN

Air controls switch back & forth from fresh to recirculate. Car has refused to start twice & antitheft system activated. Intake manifold leak upper and lower. I had the gasket replaced and gm canada paid for the labor and I paid for the parts, approx $180 canadian. I believe there was 78000 km (48,000 miles) on the car at the time. Seatbelts are slow to retract. Clunking noise in front end, they can't identify or fix. Recall on rotors caused pads to fail.

Filed Jul 24, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 44,497 miles · MN

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.

Filed Oct 11, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · MN

Clunking/grinding sounds coming from front end when turning corners and/or going over bumps (such as r/r tracks, driveway approaches, etc); brakes shuttered and barely responded while driving 35-40 MPH down decline in a light rain; rotors were replaced 8/2000 but noise has not lessened. Cold air comes in from door handle of driver sd door, making it necessary to continuously drive w/defrosters on when temperatures are @/below 50 degrees; very poor acceleration, engine sluggish and misses when accelerating; very poor gas mileage avging 21-23 mpg hwy. On 4-cyl engine; rear tail light replaced due to condensation formation when 1st purchased; rear passenger brake light burnt out and need of replacement.; rear passenger door 3" section of paint corroding and in need of repainting/finishing.