I bought my 2016 Malibu from an individual two years ago with only 62,000 miles. It’s now at 102,000 miles, and since May 2023, I’ve spent over $7,200 on repairs.
I have replaced the head gasket, water pump, timing chains, catalytic converter, O2 sensors, tires, brakes, and exhaust flex pipe. Now it needs front control arms and rear shocks/struts, which will cost another $2,000.
I am pretty careful with maintenance, and the car was in great condition when I bought it. It was garage-kept before I started using it daily.
Do you think switching from garage storage to daily driving could be causing all these issues?
Has anyone else with a 2016 Malibu had similar problems?
I have worked on several Malibus from that year, and encountering issues as they age is not unusual. It’s frustrating but transitioning a car from being garage-kept. The list of repairs you have mentioned does seem a bit high for the mileage, though. Have you looked into whether there might be any common issues with that model that could be causing these problems?
I guess that makes sense. I had not thought about the transition from garage-kept to daily driver being a factor. I am planning to get a comprehensive inspection from a different mechanic to ensure there are not any hidden issues.
Did you buy the car from a dealership or a private seller? Sometimes, how the car was maintained and driven before you got it can impact its performance later on.
Sometimes, how the car was maintained and driven before you got it can impact its performance later on.