8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$470
Average Mileage:
113,000 miles
Total Complaints:
37 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (20 reports)
  2. wait 10-15 minutes for the anti-theft light to go off (11 reports)
  3. put in 2 not 1 but 2 new ignitions switches and spend alot (2 reports)
  4. turn key to on, let warning dings finish sounding, turn key to start (2 reports)
  5. keeping the wheels straight (1 reports)
  6. use new key (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #37

Feb 012015

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

NOTHING LIKE BEING LATE TO WORK OR AN APPOINTMENT DUE TO THE CAR WILL START WHEN IT WANTS TOO!!!! I LOVED MY VEHICLE UP UNTIL NOW. THINKING ABOUT GETTING RID OF IT DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS THAT KEEPING OCCURING I.E. ABS LIGHT ON TOO AND EVERYTHING LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE AND CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- malibuks, Mankato, MN, US

problem #36

Jul 112014

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

GM should pay for this to be fixed cause it was a bad idea for this to be put into a car to begin with. every 5 yrs it cost people to spend money they should not have to spend. im so tired of the situation with the security theft deal.

- Ella S., Orange, TX, US

problem #35

Nov 152011

Malibu 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

Whoever it was at GM who thinks the security system should be combined with a second rate stereo system that has to be upgraded is a dumbass! But for some reason AC/Delco has those guys fooled for sure. GM should figure out that their problems are management related, with a tendency for using cheap quality materials.

- George H., Shreveport, LA, US

problem #34

May 102013

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

GM says they will not pay for towing or the repair. Loss of work hours and no car. Numerous complaints throughout the internet regarding this serious issue with the Anti-Theft locking. Won't allow you to start the car. Lights keep flashing, dash lights up and dings. Not a battery issue. Waited the allotted 10-15 minutes with key in ignition on "ON". Still won't work. Tried again, same. Instructions online for advanced mechanical work. Key lock will not reset. GM refuses to acknowledge the issue and correct it. "Tort" time???

- Grate I., Glen Ellyn, IL, US

problem #33

Oct 302009

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

I find that if the car is parked with the wheels turned, I have difficulty starting the car. It makes no sense, but I turn the key to accessory and move the wheels to a straight position and then take the keys out and then restart the car, it seems to start up most times Otherwise then , the darn theft light comes on, and I have to wait the 10 minutes before starting the car again. Pain in the arse!

- taylorny, Deer Park, NY, US

problem #32

Nov 072011

Malibu LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

started a month ago, went to leave work, car tried to start sounding like the fuel wasn't working. then i noticed the LOVELY<<< theft light staying on!!!!! sat a hour went back started up ARRRRRRG Damn then it locks the steering wheel and dies after I drive it home.my repair man says to drive to where you have to don't turn key off till you are to your destination. as long is running.Its a pain and worries me, to go anywhere!!!!!

- necy55, Waco, TX, US

problem #31

Mar 012010

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

I know now why people dont buy American made automobiles were a bunch of morons!!

Chevrolet says that they wanna charge me $99 just to diagnose there OWN problem than whatever to fixit but than go to say its the way the car was made with this "THEFT SYSTEM" thats build into the car. WOW theres been several times I've been late to appointments and ex.. Its ridiculous! Next time I will stick to the foreign cars no wonder the aliens call us americans idiots! If I could afford it I would sue the sh*t out of them! Many incidents could have been avoided if they did make this car so stupid I would call it a plain HAZARD

- nikki209, Modesto, CA, US

problem #30

Nov 012010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,000 miles

This problem is very irritating and a huge inconvenience as well as a danger. I would like to share that for now, before I even put the key in the ignition, I wait for all of the interior lights to go off, and then put the key in. It seems to be working for now, I am sure until the day I am running late for work that is.

- Lulu S., Chicago, IL, US

problem #29

Sep 132010

Malibu V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

This problem has made me late for picking up my daughter from school and has upset my boss many times. I'm freaking sick of mechanics telling me that there is no problem with my car it makes me mad because i know its the passlock

- Lori A., Delhi, CA, US

problem #28

Oct 202010

Malibu

  • 175,000 miles

I own a 1999 Malibu and all of a sudden this dumb ass anti theft light started coming on and will not go off or allow me to start my car! Has caused a big hassle for me and I just don't know how to disable it or if even CAN BE DISABLED! ERRRRRRRRR I want a newer Malibu but if its a possibility that the new ones do this I don't think I want another one!

- Kendra W., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #27

Aug 062010

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

The ignition switch was replaced the day we took it for a test drive for purchase in 2006. Now it went for a second time. GM screwed up big time on this. The sensor shuts down the fuel to the engine so it will not start for at least 10 minutes. Forbid you have to take someone to the hospital, or some when is trying to attack your wife. She gets in, and the car wont start. GM should be held responsible for the repairs on this. Its typical Malibu problem.

- Jack K., West Newton, PA, US

problem #26

Jul 122010

Malibu 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

2nd time this had happened. 1st time, had the ignition switch replaced, and that didn't fix it. It was the Body Control Module. This time, I have no idea, it won't start and the gauges are not working.

- krose, Ironton, OH, US

problem #25

Feb 182010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,156 miles

just like alot of people this sh*t with the anti theft system 28 miles from home at work car wont start and light just blinks son of a bi....

- Joseph M., Brooklyn, NY, US

problem #24

Oct 092009

Malibu 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

anti theft on wont start wait 10 min. thanks for some new things to try

- thelemps, Sac., CA, West Bank & Gaza Strip

problem #23

Oct 022009

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,119 miles

Like so many others the only thing I could do was wait the 5-10 minutes for the theft-system to stop flashing. At first it only happened occasionally, then not at all for a couple of weeks, and then it started happening every time I tried to start my car. At this point I discovered that my key was very slightly bent so I tried switching to the spare key. It's only been a few days but as of yet it hasn't happened since.....but I'm not holding my breath.

- Tabitha M., Victoria, BC, Canada

problem #22

Oct 152009

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I have been dealing with this BS over a year and I swear as soon as I can afford it, this car gone. To many times I have been on my way home and that damn light comes on and I find myself sitting. Day or night it doesn't matter. I bet if I was a thief the damn thing would start right up.

- Grace P., Cleveland, OH, US

problem #21

Sep 112009

Malibu 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I feel the pain of all Chevy owners having to put up with the anti- theft lockout system failure. I hope the engineers that thought up that one are laughing all the way to the bank, and they better not get lost in my neighborhood. As I was suggested to do , take the 5 mn. to fill out a complaint form to the nhtsa about this problem. enough people complain, it get fixed. besides the inconvenience, think if you had to get a kid to a hospital, move your car for an emergency vehicle,or stay too late in the wrong area, this is dangerous !! Chevrolet does not give a crap about you after the sale, they already have YOUR money. Fill out the form and make them pay to repair this dangerous defect

- dgary, Chaska, MN, US

problem #20

May 112009

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,274 miles

To anyone having the anti theft problem with GM's passlock(pain in the a##) i read a possible solution that has worked for me and beats the 10 minute deal.

Turn key to on.

Let all the the warning dings sound out.

When quiet turn key and start.

As the guy that posted it said it had worked for him and may for others. I tried hopingly and it worked for me. Its a no cost attempt and possibly a solution for some. It sure beats the 10 minute deal also a pain in the a##. Thanks to Ray S for the original post. Hope it works for some.

- mikedavies, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

problem #19

May 232008

Malibu 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,999 miles

The theft system light kept coming on wont start have to wait about 20mins there is one time that i had to wait an hour every time i put the key in the theft system light would come on again. when i slowed down at red lights the car don't want to idle and dies but it always started right back up.the car does i all the time now its in the shop they run the computer on it this what is said. Theft System password incorrect, map sensor. gas running to rich, Theft system fuel disabled, BCM lost of communication. Hope it helps someone that's having the same problems.

- Angie B., New Haven, KY, US

problem #18

Sep 012008

Malibu 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,000 miles

Car was bought from a co-worker who had lots of problems with the anti-theft light. This problem happened to me only twice. Not a big deal, really. It was my kid's car, and he has since got rid of it.

- 2manycars, Okc, OK, US

Read the next 17 complaints »