6.3

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$0
Average Mileage:
78,350 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. don't buy a Chevy Malibu (2 reports)
  3. repair pc board and resolder switches (2 reports)
  4. replaced A/C button on control panel (2 reports)
  5. clean the circut board (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #15

Nov 102008

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

typical a/c control on Malibu. Was replaced when car was purchased in 2006, and needs to be replaced again.

- Jack K., West Newton, PA, US

problem #14

May 152008

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,250 miles

My air conditioner has a mind of its own. I thought that I was the only one with this problem until I read this and the radiator cap comes off while I'm driving even after making sure its secured.

- Tonya M., Reidsville, NC, US

problem #13

Aug 062008

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

AC works when it wants to... especially on the 1st setting and upon startup

- Megan M., Austin, TX, US

problem #12

Jul 192008

(reported on)

Malibu LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

I bought this as a used car and warranty was not in effect. It decides when I am cool enough. I turn the blower up one more notch and it will come back on by itself. It may really be Christine the car!

- Jd B., Dunbar, WV, US

problem #11

Oct 282007

(reported on)

Malibu SE 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

A pretty simple fix. It took me more time to research the problem than it did to fix it...I just wish I had figured this out about two summers ago! I followed the steps in the pdf document found below and the problem was fixed! Highly recommended!!!

www.imcool.com/articles/aircondition/AC_ControllersAreRepairable.pdf

- Chad A., Marion, IA, US

problem #10

Jun 042007

(reported on)

Malibu 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

ac light goes on and off and so will cooling

- sticboy, Hammond, IN, US

problem #9

May 032007

(reported on)

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

Bought the vehicle back in July 06' AC just goes on and off by itself, when it was on it was felt when the button went off it would just blow warm air at ya

this model malibu I would not recommend

- Mike S., Baltimore, MD, US

problem #8

Mar 282007

(reported on)

Malibu 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

For the last 3-4 summers, in hot South Texas weather, my ac switch has decided that it has a mind of its own. It goes on & off whenever it feels like it. When it decides to stay on, the car cools down. However, that rarely happens. The end result? A hot car, in hot weather, with 2 small children. Since this seems to be a common complaint (this issue has more complaints logged than any other for the Malibu, online), why won't Chevrolet repair the problem for free? Why are we being asked to shell out hundreds of dollars for something that appears to be a manufacturing error?

- robindeanne, New Braunfels, TX, US

problem #7

Aug 072004

(reported on)

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

A/C Button light starts flashing by it self in some occasions with no reason getting the interior very hot in the heat of Florida any suggestions?

- reggie4828, Kissimmee, FL, US

problem #6

Jul 142004

(reported on)

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I live in Mexico City. Trips to work take sometimes about 1.5 hours and sometimes weather gets hot, specially in Spring and Summer. AC light installes in compressor actuator button went on and off, requiring me to turn it "off" and on with no response. Pain in the ass as temperature rises fast in that weather, and a sharp hit with my nail fixed it sometimes, but others never went on. Leather seat equipped by the way!! My advice: Never buy this cheap junk. Malibu last model is quite different in many ways, it has Europe´s platform (Opel Vectra's) and other amenities the "rental car" never had. Gabriel Zamora. Mexico City

- gabo63, Mexico CIty, Edo de Mex, Mexico

problem #5

Dec 272006

(reported on)

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

A/C randomly goes on and off by itself.

- dmains, Metairie, LA, US

problem #4

Nov 172006

(reported on)

Malibu DX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

a/c off suddenly and whole system is wrong and brake and anti-lock light on also. if a/c come back everything will be normal.

- gmmm, San Diego, CA, US

problem #3

Aug 122006

(reported on)

Malibu LS

  • 130,000 miles

Being that I am a able to repair circuit boards, I found the problem with this AC/heating control unit. The PC board that the switches mount in is very simple and has a problem with the traces on the PC board lifting and craking where the switch mounts to it. Over time the use of the push button switches causes movement and in turn open the trace. To fix this I soldered small wires from the switch connections to a point down the trace past the damage. Then I used some hot melt glue to hold the wire still and used it at the base of the switch to make it a more solid mount. This will prevent the switch form moving durring use and further damaging the PC board.

hope this helps.

- Kevin K., Acworth, GA, US

problem #2

Apr 082004

(reported on)

Malibu

  • 41,500 miles

I have replaced the A/C switch twice under warranty and now that the warranty is gone, I still have the same problem. General Motors is a pain in the butt to work with. I feel they don't care about you, just your money. I will never buy a Chevy/GM product again. I used to be a die hard Chevy fan but due to continued problems with my two Chevy's, I can no longer recommend a Chevy/GM product again!!!!!!!!!

- Kerry E., Charleston, SC, US

problem #1

Jun 102002

(reported on)

Malibu LS

  • 30,000 miles

This problem happend a year or so ago when the car was still under warranty, but of course it is happening again and the warranty is long gone. When the A/C is running the light on the A/C on/off button starts going on and off by itself. Everytime the light goes out the A/C cuts off and blows warm air. Also if you put it on "inside air" it will switch itself back to "vent". I have seen this problem a few times on message boards before. Someone please help me, it is getting hotter everyday!

- Mike N., Manassas, VA, US