99 Malibu gas guage drops down

[Johnny R]

99 Malibu LS 3.1L 110,000 km. Lately, within a couple of minutes after I start driving this car, the gas guage suddenly drops down to empty, the low fuel light comes on and the ding-ding-dinger alarm dings. I just keep driving for another 10-15 minutes in town without any problem. Next time I start the car the guage works normal, until I'm on the road for a few minutes then the problem comes back. Two questions please:
1.What is the problem?
2. Will this condition shut down the car ecause it thinks it is out of fuel even though the tank is full?

[ChevMali99]

The gas gauge thing is a common problem in the Malibu... As long as you learn to count your mileage per gallon / per fill up you'll be fine. As I've read through the many posts addressing the issue and its solution, I've come to the conclusion it's not worth fixing this problem, because there's really no fix.

[wafrederick]

There is a fix,replace the whole fuel pump or get the sending unit.You can just get the sending unit from the dealer on most GM sending units and all you need is your insurance slip on hand.Dealer needs the vin off the vehicle to order the part.

[Johnny R]

Thanks for the reply guys. I undrstand that the tank has to come off to replace the fuel pump/sender unit, which is pretty pricey. I will let it go.
WAFrederick, I don't know what the insurance slip has to do with this?