Does the chevy malibu have a timing belt or chain?

The Chevy Malibu comes standard with a timing chain on the engine. This is an improvement over a timing belt in my opinion because it will not need to be replaced. A timing belt service is usually the most expensive service that You will have to do on Your car, and it will need to be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. A timing chain on the other hand should only need to be replaced every 300,000 miles. You should still inspect Your chain at least once a year to make sure that it is not loose and that it is free from any debris that could cause it to bind up and fail.