Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Repair Histories

Chevrolet Malibu problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys

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Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibus for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the Chevrolet Malibu problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.

For Chevrolet Malibu problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the Chevrolet Malibu problems and repair histories that follow it.

Year	Make/Model	Trips/Year/100 Cars	Compared to all models for the same year
2011	Chevrolet Malibu		21 Malibus, 9.5 months of data per Malibu, average 22300 miles Small sample size. Join or 21 Malibus, 9.5 months of data per Malibu, average 22300 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2010	Chevrolet Malibu		23 Malibus, 10.1 months of data per Malibu, average 32400 miles Small sample size. Join or 23 Malibus, 10.1 months of data per Malibu, average 32400 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2009	Chevrolet Malibu	30 Malibus, 9.7 months of data per Malibu, average 46200 miles 25	Fewest Trips Most Trips	see reported repairs
2008	Chevrolet Malibu		20 Malibus, 9.9 months of data per Malibu, average 50500 miles Small sample size. Join or 20 Malibus, 9.9 months of data per Malibu, average 50500 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2007	Chevrolet Malibu		11 Malibus, 7.8 months of data per Malibu, average 73500 miles Small sample size. Join or 11 Malibus, 7.8 months of data per Malibu, average 73500 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2006	Chevrolet Malibu		15 Malibus, 9.5 months of data per Malibu, average 71600 miles Small sample size. Join or 15 Malibus, 9.5 months of data per Malibu, average 71600 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2005	Chevrolet Malibu		17 Malibus, 8.7 months of data per Malibu, average 90800 miles Small sample size. Join or 17 Malibus, 8.7 months of data per Malibu, average 90800 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs
2004	Chevrolet Malibu		19 Malibus, 10.2 months of data per Malibu, average 106200 miles Small sample size. Join or 19 Malibus, 10.2 months of data per Malibu, average 106200 miles Small sample size. sign in to view	see reported repairs

Chevrolet Malibu in Texas, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Oct	2011	3000		First odometer entry
Nov	2011	4000	0	This car has had problems after the first week we owned it. Have taken it back to the dealer many times. They have gotten the Engineers out to try to find the problem they don't know what is wrong they just keep replacing componets.
Dec	2011	4000	0	Had to replace the transmission at 4400 miles. Junk this car has had every module and electrical part replaced. This is the worst car I have ever bought GM will Buy this car back as a lemon.

Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Mar	2011		0	left bolster on drivers seat, cushion collapsed. New cushion ordered, replaced plus added some of old cushion. Back in a week for same problem, they took it to an upholstery shop, glued in more cushion. Seat pan is bad design.
Jan	2012	17000	0	Wife went to stop and heard growling noise and brakes barely stopped. Not clear if she was on a slippery surface/gravel . It was test driven, inspected and the tires were rotated (overdue).
Dec	2012	33000		Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in California, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Oct	2011	5000		First odometer entry
Dec	2011	6000	0	Temperature actuator switches back and forth steadily at max temp setting. Problem may be with the air door not opening properly. Seems to stop when duct or air door is hot (after running blower on high for awhile). Engine won't turn over about half the time because of theft deterrent system. Guages initialize, but car doesn't start. Usually works second or third attempt. Dealership couldn't duplicate. Problem started around 4000 miles on odometer.
Oct	2012	13000	50	Problem with power seats. Key problem - kicked out an error code. Car failed to start because key & anti-theft system failed. Temperature door/damper actuator was bad, noisy, would hunt for the proper position (hit a spot where it would go back and forth or chatter). Paint peeling and chipping around fender edge by head light. Seat cover started to tear at seam.
Apr	2013	19000	0	Starting to have problems with anti-theft system again. Went to dealer to check for error codes. There was an error for not reading the key properly. Haven't had problem since new keys in Oct. Will try spare key & see if problem goes away.

Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Dec	2011	9000		First odometer entry
Aug	2012	15000	0	Rattle in sunroof cover
Mar	2013	21000		Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Arizona, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Jun	2012	32000		First odometer entry
Sep	2012	35000	0	Rear cupholder spring broken, replaced under warranty.
Mar	2013	43000		Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Illinois, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Dec	2010	65000		First odometer entry
Feb	2011	65000	0	When I traded it in, it had a problem with the steering. I don't remember what it was called. I just googled it, it was the intermediate shaft that would thud or clunk sometimes when turning the steering wheel.

Chevrolet Malibu in New Jersey, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Dec	2009	1000		First odometer entry
Jan	2010	1000	0	Electrical short smell emanates from engine compartment. Dealer acknowledges odor but attributes to "new" car smell. Suggested that chemicals on metal components will burn off by 1000 miles.
Jul	2010	7000	0	Wiring harness. passenger air bag would not engage if someone was sitting in passenger seat. Recalled.
Oct	2010	10000	0	Rear cupholder spring retaining hinge popped out. Cup holder has two retaining plastic ends that it swivels from. They remounted it without the hinge.
Mar	2011	14000	0	Air bag warning light indicated servicing
Jul	2011	19000	0	Rear cup holder hinge defective. Left rear shock
Aug	2011	20000	0	air bag sensor light Chrome plating on interior door handle was defective. Handle trim sharp to the touch.
Sep	2011	21000	0	Air bag sensors needed to be replaced.
Sep	2012	38000	0	Key remote: battery holder post broken off
Mar	2013	45000		Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Minnesota, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Mar	2010	0		First odometer entry
Apr	2010		0	Clunking noise that seemed to emanate from rear was apparent when car hit certain bumps. Later diagnosed as a problem with sunroof that only sounded as though it were from the rear. Problem found to be sunroof assy somehow bumping against something else when car was driven over bumps.
May	2010			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Pennsylvania, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Feb	2009			First odometer entry
Feb	2009		0	Transmission had forgotten how to shift; had to be reprogrammed using "quick learn"
Mar	2009		0	Bad smell from cowling; had to be disassembled and sprayed. Problem not yet resolved
Jun	2010	16000	0	OnStar module is faulty
Aug	2010	18000	0	OnStar module that gives directions was not working correctly.
Jul	2011			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Delaware, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Sep	2008	0		First odometer entry
Jan	2009	3000	0	Powertrain shudder and growling usually from 40-50 that often continues into a constant rumble and shake at, above, or below that speed. GM Engineers tested it, but nothing would occur for them, so a portable data recorder was installed to monitor.
Feb	2009	3000	0	Alarm/lock light appeared on dash board after braking lightly to slow in traffic. Nothing else came on or ran differently, but I went straight to the dealer and no codes, etc. showed up, GM Tech had no ideas, so it was just turned off/on to reset.

Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Jul	2008	0		First odometer entry
Sep	2008	1860	0	Small buzz coming from the door trim. Fixed by a drop of glue, very simple.
Dec	2008	4960	0	Rear window defroster grid does not work, the ground was not connected. DIY fix: plugged in the connector.
Jan	2009	6200	0	Radio would cut out momentarily (very infrequent occurrences). Dealer replaced the radio, so far so good. Plastic steering column shroud loose, dealer glued it. A quarter panel at the rear right side kept popping out. I fixed it myself, seems good so far. Possibly a small assembly error.
Mar	2009	8060	0	Front door locks developed a significant clunk that occurred when opening doors. Dealer installed striker panel spacers and aligned the doors, problem fixed. On a side note - as a result of the adjustment the front doors sit a bit lower than a rear ones.
Aug	2009			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Manitoba, Canada
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Jun	2008	0		First odometer entry
Dec	2008	6820	0	The brake fluid in the master cylinder started to break down about 3 months after owning the car. Come cold winter months, the brakes would squeak when depressed. Dealer changed fluid to a modified DOT3 fluid as per bulletin #PIT3779J.
Sep	2009	16740	0	Brakes were squeaking while they were applied. The pads were tested, but still had plenty of braking material left. Shop decided that it was likely due to bad pads, so they replaced them. Squeaking has gone away.
Nov	2009	17980	0	Brakes squeak excessively during stopping. Brought the vehicle in, and service consultant decided that brakes should be looked at. Service technician says brakes should not be squeeking like this at only 26000 km, so replaced under warranty.
Jun	2010	22940	0	Noticeable clicking noise coming from rear when going over a bump. Dealer troubleshooted and discovered it was a rattle originating from the seatbelt mechanism. Applied some foam tape around the mechanism, and the problem was solved.
Oct	2011	39680	360	Brake pads were low. Hadn't reached the indicator yet, and mechanic said it would have to be replaced likely within next few months. I said since the car was in, just replace the pads.
Mar	2012	51460	0	Both driver and passenger lower ball joints had slight play. Both were recommended for repair, and as a result was repaired under extended warranty. Estimated cost would have been $1385 had I not been covered under extended warranty.
Jul	2012	56580	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...
Mar	2013	71300	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.

Chevrolet Malibu in Alberta, Canada
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Aug	2007		10	seafoamed the engine: 1/3 in the tank, 1/3 in the crankcase and a 1/3 up the vacuum line.
Apr	2009	54560	100	Leaking rear seal on the drivers rear caliper necessitated a caliper replacement.
Oct	2009	61380	45	replaced faulty evap canister purge valve
Oct	2010	76880	300	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.
Sep	2012	96720		Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Utah, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Mar	2007		0	Visors fall down - Replaced under warranty Steering Gear knocks Check gas cap warning when gas cap is on - Warranty Fuel gauge only reaches 7/8 full Gas cap was replaced on first trip but the computer needed to be reset on a second trip. Fuel gauge i
Apr	2007		0	The visors and steering knocks resolved without incident under warranty. Gas cap replaced The fuel tank was replace after the cluster and fuel level sender units were replaced. The tank was apparently warped but the mechanic did not see the problem or
Jan	2009	60000	16	Replace remote fob from Ebay and dealer programmed for free.
Jun	2010	75000	40	Replaced front brake pads. Replaced turn signal bulb
Dec	2010	83000	3000	Transmission stop going forward. Only reverse worked. Transmission was rebuilt. Could have used a transmission fluid change a few miles ago.
Mar	2013	123000	200	Replaced both tie rod ends and passenger control arm. Should have been $700 but did the work myself.

Chevrolet Malibu in Georgia, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Nov	2008	0		First odometer entry
Jan	2009	1000	0	Phone bluetooth would not stayed paired. Replaced Onstar communication module to repair bluetooth loss of pairing when car shut off.
Aug	2012	35300	300	Blower resistor failed
Mar	2013	40000		Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Wisconsin, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Nov	2008	4000		First odometer entry
Feb	2009	9000	32	Bluetooth needed upate to get to resync with phone.
Dec	2009	22000	0	center console broke latch
Mar	2010			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Tennessee, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Sep	2008		0	A piece of paneling in the center console where the back 12volt plug is kept popping out when I would lift the console door. It was fixed a week later and covered by warranty with no issues. Tire wheel arch also had a missing panel plug; was replaced.
Nov	2008	12000	0	A small piece of panel in the middle was popping out when the box in the center was opened to its fullest. Slightly annoying to have to pop it back in, but was replaced quickly and have had no problems.
Mar	2010			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in New York, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Dec	2011	50000		First odometer entry
Dec	2011	50000	1500	Radiator blew for the second time. Dealer refused to honor warranty. Chevrolet stinks.
May	2012	55000	850	Motor mounts and arms replaced

Chevrolet Malibu in Washington, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Nov	2008	52000		First odometer entry
Dec	2008	54000	4000	Had no foward gears, only reverse
Jun	2010	75000	800	Front rotors were warpped... replaced front rotors and pads... Flushed break fluid and wheel alignment Rear shock absorbers were leaking... replaced both ..
Jun	2011			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Hawaii, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Mar	2008	25000		First odometer entry
May	2008	26000	0	Steering tie rods replaced. Second time. Rear hatch struts failed. Both replaced.
Dec	2008	33000	0	Steering rod. Again.
Jun	2011			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet in West Virginia, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Dec	2007	121000		First odometer entry
Jan	2008	122000	600	Replace intermediate steering shaft 8-07, problem resurfaced 1-08, states known problem, repacked and advised should consider trading in, very noticable high speed vibration, common on Malibu.
May	2008			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Alabama, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Sep	2008	49000		First odometer entry
Oct	2008	51000	200	CD stuck in the CD-rom. Rear mirror broken.
Dec	2008	54000	200	Both remote are not working. Changed to new ones for 100$ each with 50$ labor.
Mar	2010			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in Florida, United States
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
May	2010		300	ABS light came on. Passenger side wheel hub found to be the culprit. Wheel hub replaced.
Jun	2010			Most recent odometer entry.

Chevrolet Malibu in
Month	Year	Odometer (in miles)	Cost	Problem/Repair Description
Nov	2006		357	Body Control Module Replacement - Heater did not work. Vehicle was in the shop for 1 business day.

Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Repair Histories

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Chevrolet Malibu Reliability through December 31, 2012

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2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2008 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

2008 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

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2007 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

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