1999 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews

Good Daily Driver V-6

Written by: Brett on 10/11/2007

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

My wife bought this car when it was a year and a half old w/ 30,000 mile (Program car). It currently has 131,000 on it. Car has been suprisingly reliable. Only problems have been the brakes (replaced twice), ignition switch cyl. (PASS key/Anti- theft problem $200), intake manifold gasket leaking (well known problem w/ GM V-6's $600), A/C switch in dash panel will turn off/on while driving ($200), gas gauge is inaccurate (will read good till half tank then when turning a corner will peg out to empty). Other than these problems this has been an excellent car. Spending a $1,000 for 100,000 miles is not that bad to maintain a car that gets about 26 MPG HWY still w/ a V-6.

Favorite Features

Decent power/MPG w/ V-6, comfort is great for being 6' 4",

Suggested Improvements

GM's intake manifod design on V-6 engines (Well known for leaking), cup holder on drivers side hits my left knee, Gas Gague, Brakes, PASS key system

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Okay car

Written by: crazychemist78 on 09/02/2007

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

We bought our 99 Malibu used. It handled fairly well, not at all as you would expect for its size. Since then, it has had new brakes 2x, has a perpetual coolant leak and constant electrical problems. The fuel gauge no longer works, two relays have gone out, the HVAC controller died, the blower resistor burnt out taking the blower with it. The windows work when they want to. The factory CD/cassette players no longer work. Not much power for a V6 (I could out-accelerate it in my 4cyl 5spd Kia Sephia.) Smooth ride. When the windows are rolled down hot air comes up through the floor. Have since bought a 2002 Malibu which has been a dream, so it could have just been this particular car or year.

Favorite Features

Rides smooth. Decent gadgets. Handles much tighter than you'd expect for its size. Decent room. Nice exterior styling.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the electrical problems. 4 wheel disc brakes. Most other issues seem to have been fixed by the 2002 model.

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Been an excellent car

Written by: Darrell on 07/05/2007

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Approximately 140,000 miles on it right now and still going strong. Have only performed regular maintenance items since purchasing this car and have never had a major problem. Great mileage with the 4 cylinder and the power is good for a car this size.

Favorite Features

Mileage is much better then my truck. Low cost of maintaining the car

Suggested Improvements

Should be able to disable the automatic daytime lights

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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The Usual Suspects, Dont Buy

Written by: fladad on 04/21/2007

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

I have owned this since new and despite babying it, it's been a huge disappointment in reliability. Replaced brake rotors 4 times, alternator, AC wwitch panel, new radiator and just now a blown head gasket. I will sell it as soon as its fixed. GM quality is still horrible.

Favorite Features

The ride is nice, leather seats are great,

Suggested Improvements

Build quality with brake rotors and tires. Why can Toyota/Honda build engines that last 200k plus and GM cant?

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Lo and behold

Written by: nomorechevies on 02/02/2007

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I bought this car because I got a deal. I'm on this site looking for a new car and felt I owed it to anyone thinking about a Malibu to say don't do it! I was surprised to see that everyone on here has had similar problems. Head gaskets, coolant goes down without a leak, heat/AC only works on the third or fourth setting- first two burnt out, went thru wheel bearings left and right, I have put more money into this car than I paid for it! I thought I just got a lemon, apparently so did everyone else who bought it. It was comfy, pretty good on gas, and nice to drive. When it was actually running. Or not in the garage with 5 mechanics around it who couldn't pin what was wrong with it.

Favorite Features

Roomy inside, comfy for me and my family, 6'5 boyfriend actually fit in it better than most cars.

Suggested Improvements

Stop making junk, or start owning up to the obvious problems with this model. It was nice when it actually ran and between visits to garage.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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After 8 yrs

Written by: not a lemon on 12/01/2006

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Bought this car new and after 8 yrs still haven't had major problems. The only 2 issues with this car I have had are the rear lights (brake/reverse) burn out frequently and have had water pump replaced twice. Other than this, the last 93k miles have been problem free.

Favorite Features

V6 has good acceleration and smooth ride

Suggested Improvements

Rear lights needed to be corrected.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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1999 Malibu Review

Written by: RB on 09/17/2006

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

The car from the outside is very nice with it's soft lines and curves. The muffler is tucked up under the body, unlike some cars of this class. The look is sporty for a functional sedan. The reliability suffers with some poor engineering and very high cost parts. Problems with my car have been repeated lock cylinder and intake gasket replacement, with overheating issues. For the cost of repairs, the car continues to be strong competition for cars in this price range, and functionality.

Favorite Features

Body design and 6cyl power are very nice.

Suggested Improvements

Better road noise suppression. Fix known problems with Dex Coolant, and intake gasket. Get rid of Passkey design for replacement of lock cylinders with something less costly to fix. Reduce cost of replacement parts, such as $400.00 hub assymblies that need to be replaced when wheel bearings go out

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Eh...

Written by: princessbanana on 06/08/2006

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

This car was just ok. Purchased at 63,000 miles. Heater and air conditioner went out within first year of owning it. Tires went bald fast, needed to fill with oil every two weeks after it hit 70,000 miles. No "get up and go". Forget about good gas mileage. Needed new transmission as soon as I hit 101,000. Automatic windows work only when they want to. Back window motor went out. I put almost half as much in to this car as I paid for it. Don't count on this car lasting over 100,000 miles. Save your money. Buy a Honda or a Toyota.

Favorite Features

My favorite feature was the XM radio that I installed myself.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A great car

Written by: Chopsticks on 05/19/2006

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

When purchased it had many features found only on moe expensive cars. It is comfortable and roomy inside. I will buy another.

Favorite Features

Daytime reduced lightheadlights Automatic increase to full headlights at dusk. Key in ignition reminder

Suggested Improvements

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My baby

Written by: Laura on 05/19/2006

Vehicle

1999 Chevrolet Malibu 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I have had my Malibu for about 6 years now. I purchased it used basically good as new as it had only been driven for one year prior. It drives nice, is quite reliable and the factory speakers sound good. Although I have had to replace the brakes three times in the past two years. Other reviews mention the AC a lot, I have noticed my AC turning on and off on one occasion, and it has not acted up since. I wrecked the Malibu about a month ago going 45 mph, without a seatbelt on. I slammed on the brakes and the car skidded about 10 feet into the back of the car in front of me. Not sure what speed I was at when I hit the car, but airbags weren't deployed.

Favorite Features

Good trunk space. Most people mistake my factory speakers for subs. Good acceleration, Very good handling. Seems to be more comfy if you are fairly short.

Suggested Improvements

My ABS light turns on from time to time and I have taken it to get looked at, and was told that my ABS is fine. No one has an explanation.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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