7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$390
Average Mileage:
46,200 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. replace switch (4 reports)
  3. change actuator (1 reports)
  4. sell car (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #11

Feb 102012

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,807 miles

what is the problem to get it fixed is it the Blower Motor resistor or what else can it be?

The resistor costs $45.00 please advise.

- Paul J., Coaldale, AB, Canada

problem #10

Jun 072009

Malibu 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,500 miles

It's me again, hey guess what....another problem with the 2003 Malibu I thought I'd mention to see if anyone else had the same problem. Issue is with the control switch that regulates the flow of air into the cabin. Before it worked fine on all levels, but now, as has been this way for some time now, it only works on levels 4 & 5...either you sweat or freeze or get blown apart on the higher adjustments. I phoned a Chevy dealer and they said its a pricey fix since the whole dash needs to be removed to replace simple plastic piece. Yet another wonderful GM experience!! GMC....Gotta Mechanic Comin'!

- 96tbirdlx, Chicago, IL, US

problem #9

Jul 152006

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

I have a recurring problem of the A/C Header control switch going bad every summer. It happened first when I bought it in 2006. The dealer fixed it for free as it was still under warranty. It went bad again the next year and the dealer replaced it again as it was replaced less than 12,000 miles before. It went bad again the next year but I was out of state and could not get it fixed within the 12,000 mile window and waited until the summer of 2009 when I moved to Texas to have it fixed. It cost $500 to replace it for the third time. It just went out again this month but once again I am just past the 12,000 mile window.

This seems to be a common problem with Malibu's as far back as 1997 but GM as yet to own up to the problem and fix it. But they promise that their Quality has improved if we would just buy a new vehicle from them. Yeh right.

- Doyne M., Frisco, TX, US

problem #8

Oct 012008

Malibu LS 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

The blower motor resister needs to be replaced. I'm not sure if this problem is also causing the lights on my panel to go out that controls the heater or the A/C.

- malibudiva, Waldorf, MD, US

problem #7

Nov 012006

(reported on)

Malibu 3.1 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

AC kept turning off and on. I took it in to the dealership to find a bad switch. Switch also had to be replaced again at 67000 miles

- wildaboutjesus, Cleveland, TN, US

problem #6

Apr 172007

(reported on)

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Some of the fan settings wouldn't work. They replaced some sort of control switch/fuse.

- Derek S., Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #5

Sep 102007

(reported on)

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,427 miles

the vehicle only has 20K. I have it stored, I am not driving it. I decided to drive it for the weekend and the actuator that controls the door between the heater and the A/C did not operate. Dealer said I was S>>>T Out of Luck.

- antonf, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

problem #4

Aug 042007

(reported on)

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

i bought this car off the internet. first mistake. within a week the a/c switch would shut the air off. i called the car lot to get it fixed and was told it is not a warranty item. now the air shut off each time i try to adjust the fan speed or turn on the recycle switch i hate this car!!

- D S., Millbrook, AL, US

problem #3

Jun 262007

(reported on)

Malibu 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,325 miles

in order to get the air blowing through the vents and the floor vents at the same time, i have to put it on the direct vents first and then back up one. the dealership stated that this was standard because there is so much pressure that it keeps the vents closed. i might be a woman but i'm not stupid. they were just too lazy to fix the problem

- Diane M., Greely, Ontario, Canada

problem #2

May 012007

(reported on)

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Last year the recycle air button in the car kept going off every 2 seconds and switching t fresh air. After about 8 months of this crap, i decided to have it checked out. The dealership told me that the wires got stripped somehow (don't ask me how, I have no clue) and that the switch was busted. Total cost to fix it was about $600. It wasn't covered by the warranty because I was about 2K miles out of my warranty. What a load of crap. I'm never buying a chevy again. Heart beat of America my *ss. By the way, this is just one of many problems I had.

- Ivan G., Frisco, TX, US

problem #1

Mar 072007

(reported on)

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

The airflow switch to control the air flow from recirculated air and fresh air. I would push the button to have the air recirculated and within seconds to a minute it will automatically switch to fresh air. I took it to the dealership while it was under warranty and they supposedly fixed it but 2 years later the same thing happened.

- k-boogie, Glen Burnie, MD, US