8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,770
Average Mileage:
114,800 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace transmission (2 reports)
  2. replace valve body (1 reports)
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problem #3

Feb 232019

Malibu Maxx SS 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 147,300 miles

Car drove fine to destination with no sign of an issue. Went into reverse fine, but when I put it in drive, it just revved. I switched it into "Manual Mode" and was able to shift through all the gears. Topped off the trans fluid and issue persisted, ended up needing a new transmission.

- Samuel S., Ballston Spa, US

problem #2

Jun 262015

Malibu Maxx LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

Bought my 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Max (automatic) in 2007 with about 10,000 miles on it. It's had its share of recalls. From the beginning I would have an occasional slippage of the transmission.

Last Friday when I was trying to turn the car around I couldn't get it to go anywhere. The RPM indicator would soar but no movement. I "rebooted" meaning turned the car off and then on and it worked just fine. For the rest of the day it did the same thing a couple of times until it would slip into gear. Saturday I figured out that anytime I came to a full stop I had to shift the gear into park and then back to drive to get the car to move. Drove it to work gently, no freeway and called my mechanic. He came got the car.

He said the transmission is not blown so he believes replacing the valve body ($800 labor/parts) will solve the problem. Every time I take the car to him he has another story about the Chevy Malibu Maxx. I go home I Google what he said and it's true. Overall, I can't complain not having had the problems others are experiencing. My car is paid in full and I'm at retirement age and don't want to get in debt with another car.

I'm a scavenger always going to thrift store, Craigslist, etc. I have loaded a china cabinet, sofas, dressers, etc., in this car. It's got the biggest payload for any vehicle of similar size. It's got get up and go with its V6 and I drive like a maniac.If I invest $1,000 a year to keep her running, I just see it as two car payments. She's while and I call her Eagle Woman! I love my car!

- Nora C., Albuquerque, NM, US

problem #1

Feb 272014

Malibu Maxx SS 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Since I bought the car in 9/2011 it never shifted right. I kept complaining to the dealer (Herb Chambers) and they would tell me there wasn't an issue. The issue was my car WOULD NOT SHIFT. I WOULD PULL OUT and the car would not go, the rpms would go all the way up when I stepped on the gas but the car wouldn't shift into gear. This went on for a long time. I brought it back, they still said no problem.

Then I see a recall for shifter cable not shifting gears?? So YES THAT OBVIOUSLY WAS THE PROBLEM. I HAD TO Pay $2,000 for a new transmission, my car just stopped and wouldn't go forward! Never mind the COUNTLESS TIMES WE ALMOST GOT KILLED PULLING OUT AND HAVING CARS ALMOST REAR END US BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR!

I WANT MY MONEY BACK FOR THE TRANSMISSION.

I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN I FIND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SHIFTER CABLE!! YET GM TELLS ME THERE ARE "NO" RECALLS ON MY CAR??? WHICH IS COMPLETE BS!!

I WILL KEEP COMPLAINING UNTIL I RECEIVE MY MONEY BACK FOR THE TRANSMISSION THAT WENT DUE TO THE SHIFTING CABLE ISSUE!

- Colleen S., Burlington, MA, US