5.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$230
Average Mileage:
58,350 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. change battery (1 reports)
  3. replace sensor (1 reports)
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problem #7

Jul 272010

Malibu LT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

The key fob has not worked for longer than a few days and it was replaced at least three times until we were tired of dealing bringing it back and forth to a dealership so we used the key. The car electronically seems to malfunction and always has. the trunk just stopped opening with the trunk release and the horn would not honk and then randomly I will it honk it and it would work like five times a year ? It might be honking today I'm not sure. It was not a loose connection and it really is dangerous because when people cut you off/ you need to warn somebody about something you cannot honk. My drivers side heater in the seat malfunctioned and quit working shortly after buying it and again randomly every once in a while we're just decide to heat up. I don't think it has worked the last few years at all. The seat on the driver side feels like it's disconnected from the floor a little. I have my car worked on numerous times and it always says service airbag. I take good care of it and get oil changes regularly but to be honest it was kinda a money pit... In fact I just had to get a new engine put in the car and I am at 90,000 miles. Supposedly the catalytic converter became loose broke in half and as I was driving a piece of it flew into the engine and broke some valves and messed the engine up. Because it is almost paid off I decided to put a newer engine in and because I replaced much of the car already. I have had two break jobs and a new transmission. I do like the car it's a pretty good car considering all my luck. Also by my air-conditioner on the dash – the vinyl is peeling away in a small area? My mirrors plastic case broke from the visors. I could understand all of these things happening if I was abusing the car but I don't have kids in the car or animals. I know I was only supposed to talk about one complaint but I don't really have time to issue them one at a time. So overall electronically the keyfab not working, horn not always honking, the chair being disconnected from floor the r leather peeling from the dashboard. The trunk not opening with the trunk release. Visors breaking. Issues with my steering column. The passenger side not heating up. There is a panel on the passenger side that is plastic and falls off repeatedly. My air Bag needing service t all times. And already needing a new engine before I paid the car off well its been a adventure But I know it could be worse so I hope that everybody has a wonderful day and maybe I'm not the only one that dealt with all of these strange issues. Or maybe I'm missing something and there is uses or something electronically that somebody could help me out with? Thanks Kelly

- kellymt, Great Falls, MT, US

problem #6

Mar 012010

Malibu Maxx LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

My remote stopped working completely. I called the dealer and was told It should cost

about$ 48.00 . I took it into the dealer and was told that it could not be repaired and I would have to buy a new remote for $175.00 . I went across the street to the local walmart and bought a battery. I opened the case and replaced the battery...VOILA......

It worked and has been working like new ever since. The battery cost about $3.50 .

Man, Labor sure is high at that dealer. WHEW

- Henry G., Foley, AL, US

problem #5

Oct 072009

Malibu ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,254 miles

Took the car to the shop because the remote starter is not working. The guys told me that the car's computer is not registering that the hood is latched, and therefore, if the hood is not latched, the remote start will not start the car. The part/sensor that's in the hood latch is approx $98 and to have it installed and get it working again...$157! But if your remote start isn't working, that could be the problem.

- Sarah S., Harrisburg, PA, US

problem #4

Mar 022007

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I've had 3 horns, 2 stereos, a knocking in the front wheels as I turned the corner, right or to the left. Oh but they are still checking in on it. I still haven't heard any thing yet about it. The knocking was reported 2 months after I got the car. And 5 years later its still going on. The lights flash on & off when riding down the street; the lights will just start blinking like in a horror movie! Now the break lights flash while driving down the street. I can't get the gear shift out of park and the check engine light is always on.

The dealership says they did a test and can't come up with a solution. They say there's nothing wrong with the electric and don't know why the remote starter not working. I have had a 72 Blue Malibu and a 99 Dark-Cherry before this. This is my last Malibu...the straw that broke the camel's back. I had more problems with the 2004 Malibu than with the 72 and 99 combined!

- Felicia H., Ypsilanti, MI, US

problem #3

Oct 012007

Malibu Maxx V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I bought the car used; the remote start has never worked.

- Melissa A., Elkton, MD, US

problem #2

Oct 012008

Malibu LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,317 miles

I just want someone to guess what I might do to fix this problem--I haven't asked the dealer yet, they just declared bankruptcy

- carol2801, Poway, CA, US

problem #1

Sep 112008

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,656 miles

My keyless remote wont work. The keyless start wont work either. Not sure whether it was a factory keyless start or was put in later. Either way I still need to know. And YES I did change the battery. I even checked some fuses to see if they blew, and nothing. I do have to say that the same day my horn went out too. But that was easy to fix, changed the fuse.

- jhinken, Fremont, NE, US