19 problems related to alternator/generator/regulator have been reported for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!! :).
Alternator failure.
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.
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. The consumer stated the alternator failed.
Electrical system went out while driving on the interstate due to alternator failure.
All Malibu's seem to have the same problems, low miles high miles, ect brakes are replaced at least three to four times a year with minimal miles each time, head gasket leaks, alternator replaced twice, battery twice, electrical shorts twice, ignition switch handles terrible, not safe, car was suppose to have high ratings, lying to get people to buy junk.
Two repairs in one week, alternator had to be replaced,dash lights started coming on & guages going crazy! car wouldn't start after being parked for 1 hr, then when jump started it, died again in few minutes, replaced alternator, battery, then next day ignition failed, key wouldn't turn in ignition, had to be towed to my mechanic (this was the third (3rd) time the ignition switch locked up like this and the key wouldn't turn & the car would not start & entire ignition assembly had to be replaced, 2x earlier it was under warranty. . . This time it cost me over $400. 00 (the part alone cost $289. ) I am so frustrated w/ this problem, as dealership repaired it the first 2 times & they didn't seem to understand it. This is the second battery I've had to purchase since I bought the car brand new in January 2000.
Alternator replaced. Dealer thought would remedy stalling/coolant leak at 38000 miles. Manual said no maintenance needed until 150000 or 5 years. Dealer told her to replace coolant, it kept leaking. Finally, dealer found crack in intake manifold, replaced that. Water pump was replaced due to leaking. The a/c had never worked properly. The battery cable snapped off due to corrosion.
Car purchased 5/00-2 map sensors, fuel filter, shortage to alternator, been in shop 6times in 2months, car stalls in the middle of traffic and at rest. No solution found. Dangerous in traffic!!.
Electrical system malfunctioned, causing brake light to be inoperative/ air conditioner to turn off/ abs light to come on and off, and vehicle to stall unexpectedly which may result in a crash. Dealer replaced battery/ alternator, and etc. Took to dealer for these problems 13 times. Dealer could not determine cause. All left side and right side brake lights failed. The a/c was shorting. The vehicle stalled on highway on the day it was repaired. The consumer believes the vehicle was unsafe.
This car is not reliable or safe!. No safety defec tmentioned.