Five problems related to starter have been reported for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
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.
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!.
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.
Defective intake manifold gasket and then the head gaskets blew on me requiring expensive repairs.