◆

Expensive Chevrolet Malibu repairs by problem area

Engine (34%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (19%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (27%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (0%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Chevrolet Malibu problem?

Chart based on 77 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the Chevrolet Malibu.

Chevrolet Malibu repair cost distribution

$2500+ (24%)

$1000 - $2499 (76%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (0%)

< $100 (0%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 55 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

41740 mi C $300	replace strut bushing
42240 mi C $1200	manifold replaced oil pan replaced
43680 mi C $240	another strut bushing replaced
44020 mi C $300	passenger seat mount cracked off
53940 mi C $1600	replace transmission
53940 mi C $380	left front wheel bearing

106000 mi US $400	Driver side sway bar replaced
120000 mi US $230	Replaced Catalytic Converter
155000 mi US $2200	Transmission failure required replacement
164000 mi US $850	Timing chain replacement

90000 mi US $700	Timing chain and camshaft position sensors replaced
109 mi US $4000	Full transmission rebuild
113000 mi US $2900	Replaced catalytic converter, all O2 sensors, and mass air flow sensor.

Return to top

50000 mi

US $1000

Fuel pump in trunk Water Pump

Return to top

81000 mi

US $1100

Timing chain and guides. guides had worn off and were sitting in the oil pan. solenoids for oil system replaced

90447 mi

US $4100

Vehicle slowed and stopped moving while driving city street. Engine rpm would speed up but vehicle would not move. Shut engine off for 5 minutes then tried moving the car again, was able to get off road then stopped moving again. Had towed to Chevrolet dealership. Problem diagnosed as major internal failure. Replaced transmission with GM Serta remanufactured transmission. Also replaced rear engine crankshaft seal while transmission was out - leaking.

56000 mi US $300	Flex pipe, the first pipe between engine and catalytic converter
66000 mi US $1050	Timing chain had stretched, needed to be replaced. Also replaced both cam solenoids. Dealer was very fair in working out an agreed price even though warranty expired (# years). Premature failure at only 66,000 miles. Replaced flex pipe, AGAIN! Went the economical route on first repair to save $200. The aftermarket pipe was noisier than the OEM and cracked in under a year. Have now paid twice for same repair. At least it's back to OEM quiet and no vibrations. :o)
69000 mi US $250	Normal wear and tear, brake pads & rotors.

Return to top

63800 mi US $400	Fuel pump died, left me stranded at Home Depot. (not a bad place to kill time waiting on a tow truck)
64400 mi US $1200	Check engine, fuel system

Return to top

80600 mi

C $1500

noise in suspension, tie-rod ends, changing also rear shocks

Return to top

70000 mi US $3000	transmission failed. replaced with a manufactured rebuild.
75000 mi US $130	starter motor
81400 mi US $175	sway bar end links
95000 mi US $500	Control arms
108000 mi US $120	Headlights

69000 mi US $3400	Transmission was slipping in first and reverse. Transaxle replaced. Transmission was rebuilt by the dealer in January 2014 for known defect. Transmission wave plate fractured.
71000 mi US $114	The transmission was shifting abruptly and slipping when warm. Transmission reprogrammed and 1 quart of fluid added.

Return to top

100000 mi US $120	Replaced the solenoids.
130000 mi US $100	Replace Transmission Fluid
147000 mi US $450	Replaced the headlight connectors. Previous ones damaged.
148500 mi US $1800	Wheel hub replaced.

88000 mi

US $1400

Whine in steering column was a broken part, which was replaced and the front end aligned. Cost $1,400

97960 mi C $1100	Replaced lower exhaust system including catlytic converter
106640 mi C $515	New Driver side front wheel bearing
135780 mi C $212	Replaced turn digital switch
137640 mi C $427	Left wheel bearing hub replaced
141360 mi C $427	Brake fluid lines replaced due to corrosion

61000 mi

US $1136

Car failed to start. Was able to start by holding accelerator to the floor. Dealer said it had jumped time because of a broken timing chain tensioner. Replaced tensioner and chain. Had engine light, returned to dealer, they had to replace the exhaust cam actuator solenoid... Again with the cam timing system.

Return to top

77700 mi US $1500	Transmission required rebuild
99000 mi US $105	Replaced steering gear Replaced right headlight low beam.
107000 mi US $110	Trunk hydraulic lifts were replaced. And, after replacing the passenger-side low beam headlight, in March, it went out again about 10 days ago...first week of July.
108000 mi US $1500	Major tune up - Included spark plugs, air filter, serpentine belt, brakes, struts. Replaced passenger side headlamp and wiring harness. Had replaced headlamp three months prior; unaware wiring harness was bad. More to follow. Recommended timing chain replacement. Budget disallowed. Seeking second opinion.
116000 mi US $300	Alternator failed. New alternator installed.

Return to top

123300 mi US $125	Replace stabilizer links
135000 mi US $1200	3 5 R wave plate broke

51000 mi US $1500	Steering column replacement, 20k miles after a rack and pinion. Two power locks on driver side Blower motor gone.
58200 mi US $500	Water leaking into headlamp
64100 mi US $1500	New struts Sunroof rattle, driver door rattle
63700 mi US $1050	Fuel pump was shot. I'm pretty careful about using reliable looking gas stations, but pump died at 77k. Car started one morning, idled roughly, then was fine for 20mi trip. Then it stranded me.

Return to top

53320 mi C $100	Front struts top towers. Bearings seized causing the coil springs to retain the steering movement.
54560 mi C $1000	Left front Wheel bearing, and lower suspension arm joint

71500 mi US $4350	Bought used malibu. Seller said probably needs front wheel bearing. Dealer said it was bad alignment, rear tires bulging on inside sidewalls. Today temp guage went to 3/8 up instead of 1/4 up. Has me a little worried.
49200 mi US $300	Drivers side door lock assemblies had to be replaced front and rear. Also check engine light comes on. Code reader says catalytic efficiency not right. Mechanic, oil change people, friend in business say not a problem, but it's annoying.
82300 mi US $250	positive cable was not insulated, and had corroded everything in sight. Needed new battery and cable. Firestone shop a RIP-OFF in Santa Fe, NM

55880 mi C $1100	Driver side strut mount bearing was seizing. Loud clunks could be heard as I was steering both left or right. Since the old struts had to be removed anyway, I decided to install all new springs, struts too. No quick strut avaialable...
71300 mi C $1650	Replaced both front control arms and replaced both rear sway bars. The ball joints in the front were loose, and the bushings in the back were cracked. GM basically requires replacement of the whole control arm and sway bar kit.
89900 mi C $700	The steering column and rack were chattering causing clicking when turning. The steering column was replaced.
134440 mi C $280	Rear shocks getting noisy. Auto shop replaced both rear shocks.
143080 mi C $850	In addition, the power door lock for driver side door was replaced as it wasn't locking/unlocking anymore.

Return to top

138000 mi US $350	Oil leak AROUND THE FILTER, THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGE
151800 mi US $325	Replace the o-2 sensors
187100 mi US $2300	Transmission rebuilt

Return to top

65000 mi

US $24000

compressor and lines leaking

Return to top

54000 mi US $4000	Had no foward gears, only reverse
75000 mi US $800	Rear shock absorbers were leaking... replaced both ..

42000 mi US $100	Replaced sensor in steering column causing buggy power steering; covered under extended warranty with $100 deductible.
63000 mi US $100	Power steering known defect repaired. Steering column replaced.
96000 mi US $1200	Could not mount new tires; discovered failed right front shock; replacement ball joint (RF) and replaced suspension components all around.
101200 mi US $200	Lashings replaced,bushings replaced, steering column lubricated.
101000 mi US $250	Some grounds wore out, causing the car to enter limp mode.

Return to top

34100 mi C $380	Part replaced.
43400 mi C $1250	Both front struts were leaking and strut bearings were noisy.
58860 mi C $500	Ball joints
69940 mi C $600	Driver side wheel bearing was making humming noise. Replaced.

7000 mi US $1000	replace control arms, tie rods and bearings
34000 mi US $200	power door lock and power side mirrors not working replaced the switches for both
67700 mi US $400	replaced half shafts replaced rack & pinion steering
118000 mi US $300	Control arms replaced

44020 mi C $1300	Worn Intermediate Steering Shaft Leaking left front strut
47320 mi C $125	Airbag light coming on and off intermittently due to loose wire in steering column
48360 mi C $1200	Leaky crossover pipe gasket

Return to top

57040 mi

C $1100

Lower control arms replaced, sway bar bushings are also in need of replacement. Tires replaced

Return to top

172000 mi

US $1200

Engine light. Needed EGR valve repair

54560 mi C $100	Leaking rear seal on the drivers rear caliper necessitated a caliper replacement.
76880 mi C $150	Amber bulb fixture in headlight assembly started to melt and scorched the assemblies. New assemblies and led amber bulbs purchased and installed. Problem returned - headlight assembly daytime running light amber lenses caught fire. Replaced bulbs with gm 13502232 and new knock off lenses. Found GM TSB 06-08-42-004B. Also affects HHRs.
104160 mi C $100	Replaced both upstream oxygen sensors and the mass air flow sensor - mileage improve a LOT
110980 mi C $2500	Transmission completely failed - no gears in forward or reverse

124200 mi US $1400	R and R first to second shift solenoid and second to third shift solenoid.
130000 mi US $374	Remote auto start did not work because of dead electric component in hood latch assembly. Once replaced,, the auto start worked fine.

Return to top

72000 mi

US $1500

steering box, struts repair and replace

82000 mi US $2200	Automatic transmission stuck in second gear. Solenoid open circuit was the trouble code. Transmission removed and rebuilt.
98500 mi US $573	New struts installed.

50000 mi US $1500	Radiator blew for the second time. Dealer refused to honor warranty. Chevrolet stinks.
55000 mi US $850	Motor mounts and arms replaced

Return to top

65100 mi C $4910	Lower left control arm/ball joint Catalytic converter replaced under warranty, but this did not fix the original noise symptom EGR flex pipe and valve replaced
75220 mi C $750	Noisy front wheel bearing. Both front wheel bearings replaced at dealer suggestion.
75420 mi C $292	Evap vent valve fault, engine light on
78120 mi C $320	Control arm, right side
82860 mi C $537	Front driver side caliper seized and replaced.
85140 mi C $125	Replacement of faulty aftermarket left lower control arm assy under warranty
86280 mi C $125	Collapsed brake line caused caliper seizure
86800 mi C $205	check engine light for large evap leak = cracked purge canister solenoid
90400 mi C $225	Right front seized caliper, replaced
91240 mi C $115	Collapsed brake line caused seized caliper, different wheel than February.
94860 mi C $286	Exhaust system, resonator replaced

83000 mi US $3000	Transmission stop going forward. Only reverse worked. Transmission was rebuilt. Could have used a transmission fluid change a few miles ago.
123000 mi US $200	Replaced both tie rod ends and passenger control arm. Should have been $700 but did the work myself.
165000 mi US $250	Replaced shocks and struts first time in 165,000. Rides much better
183000 mi US $3000	Transmission was slipping. We decided to junk the car instead of repair it.

201000 mi US $2000	Ball joints, tie rod ends and lower control arms
217000 mi US $600	Loose outer tie rod ends wore out front tires

108000 mi US $250	Both rear calipers were replaced because of leaking.
136500 mi US $1200	Replaced both front structs, strut mounts, strut bearings, front and rear stabilizer busings.
157000 mi US $257	Wheel bearing was making noise so I took it to the dealer. They replaced the rt-fry wheel bearing.
192000 mi US $125	Replace rusted exhaust flex pipe.
219000 mi US $125	Flex pipe on exhaust had rusted through.

32000 mi US $331	replace battery
33000 mi US $1886	interior lining of doors delaminating Inside door panels delaminating

127000 mi

US $1700

Rear Main Oil leak and Oil Pan leak. Replaced both and tune up performed.

Return to top

70500 mi US $115	Knock / clunk from front-end steering at low speed (or even while parked). Dealer mis-diagnosed as bad ball-joint and inner-tie rod (it's the common intermediate steering shaft issue). Will do repair myself. Cost was for diagnostic fee.
72000 mi US $1000	Replace struts, shocks, lower control arms, sway bar links and bushings. Upgraded to lowering springs.
94000 mi US $400	Installed new springs, front & rear to replace lowering springs. New upper strut mounts (w/bearings), rear sway bar links and bushings. Alignment. Installed parts myself
100300 mi US $180	Replaced exhaust y-pipe. I purchased part and had it installed at a local garage where my friend is the shop manager. I received a discount on the labor. Other shops quoted over $600 Replaced all 4 rotors and pads. Pads were replaced for free under limited lifetime warranty from Advance Auto. Replaced 1 brake caliper. Flushed brake fluid. Repairs completed myself.
104300 mi US $500	Passenger-side brake flex-hose collapsed locking brake on. Brake overheated ruining rotor, pads, caliper and wheel bearing on passenger side. Replaced parts ruined and also replaced remaining brake hoses.
109100 mi US $400	Rear Control Arms replaced due to bad bushings. Upper, Lower, Trailing and Lateral control arms.
123000 mi US $120	Motor mount and transmission mounts replaced. Work completed by myself in about 4 hours Car was exhibiting a noise that sounded like a whine. Dealer mechanic noticed a vacuum hose that had fallen off so he cut off the end and reattached.

124000 mi US $575	Replaced passenger and driver lower control arms. Replaced 2 tires on front end.
150700 mi US $2750	replace starter

Return to top

176700 mi

C $1400

Seized calipers on rear brakes, leading to excessive wear on front brakes. Required replacing rear calipers.

Return to top

127000 mi

US $1500

Full new exhaust system including two new catalytic converters.

58700 mi US $1488	Replace driver seat frame. (Welds cracked) Replace intermediate steering shaft Replace windshield washer pump
92000 mi US $1900	A/C compressor replaced, bearings started whining Replaced RR caliper due to leak Replace power driver seat adjuster switch

42426 mi C $1009	New brake pads and rotors, front and rear - Fuel injection service - Knocking in steering - replaced steering shaft
43396 mi C $487	Howling noise in front end - Installed new RH front hub assembly.
47558 mi C $2020	Rattle in steering column - installed new steering column #3 !!! Install new LH & Rh front Ball Joint & Control Arm assemblies.

Return to top

74000 mi US $700	Fuel Pump replaced.
75000 mi US $1400	Engine replaced due to Dexcool contamination.

148000 mi

US $1000

maintainance with fuel pump and all other staff

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans

See TrueDelta's information for all Chevrolet models.

Expensive Chevrolet Malibu repairs by problem area

Chevrolet Malibu repair cost distribution

2012 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2011 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2011 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2010 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2010 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2008 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2008 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2007 Chevrolet Malibu 4-door

2006 Chevrolet Malibu

2006 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2006 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Hatch

2005 Chevrolet Malibu

2005 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2005 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2005 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Hatch

2004 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2004 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2004 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Hatch

2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

Chevrolet Malibu Expensive Problems