MyCarTSB

2000 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

144 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

144
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
Jan 2009Dec 2001
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (144)

highENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2020

Despite replacing numerous engine and cooling system components over $2000 in repairs, your car continues to leak coolant from under the lower intake manifold and won't start reliably. You experienced overheating twice on regular driving before the current issues began. The persistent coolant leak and starting problem likely indicate the lower intake manifold gasket may need replacement, or there could be a crack in the manifold itself that previous repairs haven't addressed.

NHTSA #: 11327519
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Jun 2016

2000 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE AND ENGINE OIL MAY DEPOSIT ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT OF FIRE. *JB

NHTSA #: 10876143
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2016

AS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START UP AGAIN AND HAS NOT STARTED UP SINCE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING ON I-10 HIGHWAY.

NHTSA #: 10870200
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2014

MY CAR HAS EXPEREINCED TROUBLE STARTING DUE TO THIS IGNITION SWIRCH, RECALL. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE BEEN TO SERVICE STATIONS AND THE MECHANINCS COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, CAUSING ME TO PUT OUT MONEY FOR A NEW STARTER, A NEW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, NEW FUEL PUMP ETC. THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE FACED WERE DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH NOT BEING IN THE "RUN" POSITION. HOW CAN I EVER BE COMPENSATED FOR ALL OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE NOT REALLY NEEDED ON MY CAR DUE TO SOME MAJOR CORPORATION BEING GREEDY AND KEEPING IT'S CUSTOMERS IN THE DARK ABOUT THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION. GM HAS BEEN PUTTING ME IN DANGER FOR YEARS NOW, AND I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS TO BE MADE TO CORRECT THEIR ERROR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE ROAD AND IN UNDESIRED PLACES, THIS IS UNFORGIVABLE! *TR

NHTSA #: 10637076
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2013

4-2007 GAS WAS POOLING AROUND ENGINE, REPLACED INTAKE GASKET, NEXT TIME I DROVE CAR , SAME PROBLEM,THEY HAD TO DO OVER ( THEIR DIME) BECAUSE FAILED TO REPLACE O-RING. 9-06-07 WOULD NOT START AT GAS STATION, 9-13-07 PASS LOCK SYS. INSTALLED IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER. 11-13-09 TURN SIGNALS, TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING, BETWEEN 11-13-09 @ 4-07-2010 , I HAVE BEEN BACK SEVERAL TIMES, BECAUSE SIGNALS FAILED OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. TOLD ME, THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY COULD SEE IT FAIL, WHICH IT DID ON 4-07-2010 WHILE I WAS CLOSE TO SHOP. FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY BAD, REPLACED. 6-10-10 HARMONIC BALANCER WORN AND SERPENTINE BELT & SEAL REPLACED. 2-23-12 WATER PUMP LEAKING, REPLACED. 6-14-12 REPLACED SPARKS PLUGS, WIRES, COMPLETE INJECTION FLUSH. 9-14-2012 STRONG FUEL SMELL (FUMES) INSIDE CAR AND UNDER HOOD, PERFORMED FUEL LEAK TEST, NO VISUAL SIGNS OF FUEL LEAK. CHECKED VENT CANISTER, GAS CAP, NO FUEL CODES. HAVE BEEN FUMES SEVERAL TIMES SINCE BUT BY THE TIME I DROVE TO SHOP COULD NOT SMELL FUMES. 4-22-13 FUMES VERY STRONG INSIDE CAR AND UNDER HOOD, DROVE TO SHOP AND THEY COULD SMELL FUMES , PUT IT UP ON RACK AND CHECKED ALL UNDERNEATH, NO SIGN OF LEAK UNDER CAR OR UNDER HOOD. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT SAY PROCESS OF ELIMINATION IS ONLY WAY. WHY ON 6-10-2010 NEED TO REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT AND SEAL AND AGAIN ON 2-08-2013 REMOVE AND REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER?? WHEN THIS CAR REACHED 62,000 I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT AND NOW I AM AFRAID OF A FIRE, GAS IS LEAKING SOMEWHERE!!!! I ONLY HAVE 97,461 MILES. IS NOT THERE SOME WAY OR SOMEONE WHO CAN FIND ORIGIN OF THE FUEL LEAK?

NHTSA #: 10512133
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2011

COOLANT IN THE OIL. HAS ALWAYS OVER HEATED IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC, NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO FIX BUT IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM & SAYS GM COULD CARE LESS & WON'T FIX IT. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU NEED BEFORE THIS VERY COMMON COMPLAINT IS RECOGNIZED & IS RECALLED???????? *TR

NHTSA #: 10429241
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 90 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,010. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10411883
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH COULD RESULT TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ UPDATED 02/28/11

NHTSA #: 10365791
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

NHTSA #: 10280463
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT AND CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 144,000.

NHTSA #: 10263232
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2009

HAD HAZARD LIGHTS REPLACED 5 YEARS AGO, PROBLEM CONTINUES. WATER PUMP BLEW, INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS REPLACED. DEX COOL PROBLEM CAR ALSO REFUSES TO START FROM TIME TO TIME, TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO DECIDE TO START. *TR

NHTSA #: 10253620
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2008

AFTER REPLENISHING RADIATOR FLUID IN MY 2000 CHEVY MALIBU WITH THE APPROVED FLUID, HAVOLINE DEX-COOL RADIATOR FLUID, MY CAR STARTED TO CONSTANTLY LEAK ANTI-FREEZE AND NOW I HAVE A LEAK AND MY RADIATOR "IDIOT" LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. THE CAR WAS PERFECTLY FINE PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION OF THE DEX-COOL BUT DAYS AFTERWARD MY TROUBLES BEGAN. THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM BEFORE AND AS USUAL 4-6 WEEKS I WOULD HAVE TO REPLENISH 1/2 GALLON OF FLUID. THIS IS NOTED ON EVERY DISCUSSION BOARD REGARDING THIS MODEL BETWEEN 1997-2003. IT'S TOO CIRCUMSTATIAL THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE APPLICATION OF THE DEX-COOL THAT MY TROUBLES BEGAN THEN FINDING THE SETTLEMENT OF GM REGARDING THIS MATTER AND IMPROPER GASKETS FOR THEIR MANIFOLDS AND WATER PUMPS (NYLON/SOLICONE BASED) THAT THE COURTS FOUND THAT THE COOLANT DOES INDEED CORRODE THESE GASKETS. NOW THAT MY CAR IS 8 YRS OLD, MY ABILITY TO RECOUP ANY MONEY ON USING THE PROPER/RECOMMENDED PRODUCT AS STATED BY GM IS MORE THAN LIKELY IMPROBABLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10252963
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS
Filed: Dec 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE COOLANT IS ALSO LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,600.

NHTSA #: 10252198
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA #: 10249653
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2008

NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS. THIS IS NOW THE 2ND TIME TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE 1ST REPLACEMENT WAS DONE 2006 FOR ~$750. NOW THE ESTIMATE TO REPLACE GASKET AND FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM IS ~ $800. NEW RADIATOR MAY BE REQUIRED IF THE SERVICE SHOP CAN NOT FLUSH OIL OUT OF THE RADIATOR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10247910
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jul 2008

AS STATED BY OTHER COMPLAINANTS, I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY COOLING SYSTEM. AFTER LOSING MY A/C NOW I'M FACED WITH LOSING THE WHOLE ENGINE. MY CAR CONTINUOUSLY RUNS HOT THE SO CALLED DEXCOOL COOLANT KEEPS SQUIRTING OVER THE ENGINE AND READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I'M FACING EITHER INTAKE REPAIRS OR WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT PROBLEMS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS NEITHER GMC OR OUR SO CALLED WOULD STEP IN AND PUT AND END TO THIS MESS. I GUEST LOBBYIST ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SAFETY OF AMERICA. *TR

NHTSA #: 10233574
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jun 2008

I WAS DRIVING TO TEXAS FROM MISSOURI, DOING THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS 70 AND ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AND ON A BRIDGE WITH KNOW SHOULDER,AND MY 2000 CHEVY MALIBU JUST SHUTS OFF ,NO WARNING AND WAS NEARLY HIT BY A SEMI 18 WHEELER ON THE BRIDGE, I FINALLY GOT OFF THE BRIDGE ,AND 15 MINUTES IT STARTS BACK UP AGAIN AND I GO ANOTHER 20-30- MILES AGAIN SAME PROBLEM,SO A CHEVY DEALER IN ARK BY THE NAME OF PETUS .WORKS ON MY CAR ,PUT A MAP SENSOR ON CAR AND CHARGES ME $158.00 AND TELLS ME IT IS FIXED. AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED,WELL 100 MILES DOWN THE ROADS IT HAPPEN AGAIN,WELL TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, AND THE LAST 60 MILES I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED AT $4.00 A MILE . I READ THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR. I NEED ANSWER, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO MY HOME IN MISSOURI, IF NEED TO MY MOTHER IS SICK AND I AM STUCK AND AFRAID TO TRAVEL FOR FEAR OF BREAKING DOWN. I THINK IT IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH CHEVY WITH THE MALIBU. *TR

NHTSA #: 10232652
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2008

I OWN A 200 CHEVY MALIBU AND HAVE HAD TO REPAIR AN INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE- ONCE AT 92,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 105,000 MILES. GM KNOWS THAT THEIR DEX COOL ANTIFREEZE EATS THROUGH THE GASKETS BUT DOES NOTHING TO FIX IT. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE GOV.'T LETS THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED WITHIN 100,000.00 MILES. THE SPEEDS ON THE FAN DID NOT WORK SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND AROUND 50,000. MILES THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK . I DID HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND BOTH WERE COVERED BUT THESE ARE NOT THINGS THAT SHOULD BREAK DOWN. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE SITTING AT A LIGHT AND TURNING LEFT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SIGNAL. I DID EVENTUALLY GET A RECALL ON THIS BUT IT WAS WAY AFTER IT WAS FIXED. GM MAKES JUNK AND THE GOV.'T SHOULD HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10225182
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2008

I OWN A 200 CHEVY MALIBU AND HAVE HAD TO REPAIR AN INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE- ONCE AT 92,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 105,000 MILES. GM KNOWS THAT THEIR DEX COOL ANTIFREEZE EATS THROUGH THE GASKETS BUT DOES NOTHING TO FIX IT. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE GOV.'T LETS THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED WITHIN 100,000.00 MILES. THE SPEEDS ON THE FAN DID NOT WORK SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AND AROUND 50,000. MILES THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK . I DID HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND BOTH WERE COVERED BUT THESE ARE NOT THINGS THAT SHOULD BREAK DOWN. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE SITTING AT A LIGHT AND TURNING LEFT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SIGNAL. I DID EVENTUALLY GET A RECALL ON THIS BUT IT WAS WAY AFTER IT WAS FIXED. GM MAKES JUNK AND THE GOV.'T SHOULD HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10225183
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2008

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT THE END OF 2000 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AT AROUND THE SAME TIME (THANKSGIVING) IN 2001. MY FUEL PUMP WENT OUT IN 2002 AND MY MECHANIC JUST TOLD ME THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS ARE LEAKING AGAIN. HE SUGGEST TO REPLACE THEM SOON. IT COST $900 TO GET IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME WHICH WAS NOT UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN. I JUST PAID THE CAR OFF AND HAVE TO FORK OUT ANOTHER $700-900 TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE TO GM THAT THERE IS A HISTORY OF GASKETS PROBLEMS IN SEVERAL CHEVY MODELS ESPECIALLY THE MALIBU, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND NO COMPENSATION HAS BEEN AWARDED TO ALL THOSE HARD WORKING PEOPLE WHO TRUST THE CHEVY NAME. IF NOTHING IS DONE I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVY AGAIN. PONTIAC HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SOME OF ITS CARS A FEW YEARS BACK AND RECALLED ALL MODELS WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON THEM. WHY WONT CHEVY. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR A LEMON LAW ON THE CHEVROLET MALIBU!!! I AM SURPRISED THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS NOT BEEN FILED AGAINST GM FOR SELLING SUCH A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT!!! I HOPE THAT NO ONE HAS HAD AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH RESULT FROM THIS DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE CAR!!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10219321
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE LOW COOLANT WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH COOLANT. THIRTY MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE LOW COOLANT WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT VERIFIED HIS VIN; HOWEVER, IT WAS INVALID. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

NHTSA #: 10209901
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Oct 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED HOT. THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE LEVEL. HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CARMAX AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSED THE FAILURE. CHEVROLET STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED.

NHTSA #: 10205476
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2007

SMALL LEAK DEVELOPED AT REAR OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. CAUSED OVERTEMP AND ALL COOLANT BOILED OUT. @ $800.00 TO REPAIR. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE 2 SEPARATE REPAIR SHOPS INFORMED ME THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL, TO THE EXTENT THE DEFECT IS POSTED ON ALL REPAIR DATA BASES. IT IS VERY COMMON TO SUSTAIN A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA #: 10202948
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2007

FROM THE TIME I GOT MY CAR IN 6/07, I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AC SYSTEM HAVING A MIND OF ITS OWN. 1 AND 2 WON'T WORK AND THE AC POWER LIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AND RESETTING IT TO PULL THE AIR FROM OUTSIDE INSTEAD OF CIRCULATE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING IN THE MORNING AND HAVING TO WAIT ABOUT 15 MINUTES. HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING, BUT HAVE ONLY HAD IT 2 MONTHS. OCCASIONALLY WHILE AT A LIGHT OR IN PARK, I FEEL THE CAR JOLT SLIGHTLY AND THE RPM GAUGE MOVING, AND WHILE IN PARK PRESSED THE GAS TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD DO, AND WHILE MY FOOT WAS STEADY ON GAS, THE RPM WENT UP AND DOWN LIKE CRAZY. MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE LOOKED AT MOTOR BRIEFLY AND SAID I HAD A BAD SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10200814
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, DETAILS RE: THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS NOT IN THE MANUAL. THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS OF SOMEONE SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE SEAT BELT. THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, UNLESS THE HAZARD BUTTON IS USED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS SWITCH (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #03V327000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,778. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB

NHTSA #: 10200274
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2007

I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS 3 YEARS., APPROXIMATELY WITH FREQUENT LOW COOLANT LEVELS AND LOW OIL LEVELS, IN ADDITION TO NOTICING A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT AFTER TURNING CAR OFF. I WAS INFORMED RECENTLY , DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE IN MAY, 2007, OF A COMMON PROBLEM OFTEN OBSERVED IN GM 3.1 L AND 3.4L V-6 ENGINES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED AND ALLOWED CROSS CONTAMINATION OF THE COOLANT AND OIL SYSTEMS. THE OIL SYSTEM LEAKED INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM, CLOGGING THE FLOW OF ENGINE COOLANT AND DAMAGING OTHER SYSTEMS, GASKETS AND FLUIDS. THE COOLANT LEAKE D INTO THE OIL SYSTEM AS WELL, CAUSING ENGINE WEAR.*AK NOW I AM TOLD IT WILL COST ABOUT $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER GASKETS AFFECTED BY THIS LEAK. THE MAIN EXPENSE IS FOR THE LABOR TO REACH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN MID-ENGINE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL GM 3.1L AND 3.4L V-6 ENGINES SINCE 1996, AND THAT THESE ENGINES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED, IN SPITE OF THE FREQUENCY OF THIS COMPLAINT. MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SINCE THIS ENGINE'S PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN SINCE BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR, I BELIEVE I AM JUSTIFIED IN REQUESTING THAT GM COVER THE COST OF ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS TO REPLACE THIS LEAKING GASKET BEFORE THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED.

NHTSA #: 10194097
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2007

MY ENGINE STALLS AT LEAST 2 TO 3 TIMES A MONTH, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BECAUSE IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM... AND IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.... *TR

NHTSA #: 10189429
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2007

2000 CHEVY MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE, 800.00 TO FIX. REPLACED GASKET AT DEALER, TOLD CAR WAS A FIXED AND THEN THE HEAD GASKET FAILS, WITHIN HOURS OF LEAVING REPAIR SHOP. *JB

NHTSA #: 10185245
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2006

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ALONG THE FREEWAY AND WITHOUT ANY NOTICE THE CAR WENT FROM HAVING A NORMAL TEMP TO RED LINING ON THE TEMPERATURE. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND TURNED ON THE HEAT. AT THIS POINT NO HEAT CAME OUT AND SOON AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND DIED. I CRUISED IT OFF THE FREEWAY AND ONTO A SIDE ROAD. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND A PASSERBY WAS NICE ENOUGH TO STOP. I ENDED UP REFILLING THE COOLANT AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WHERE I NEED TO GO AND RETURN HOME. I HAD REFILL THE FLUID LEVEL MULTIPLE TIMES. I TOOK IT TO A RADIATOR SHOP THAT STATED THAT THE SEALS ON MY ENGINE WERE LEAKING EXHAUST INTO THE FLUIDS WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THEY STATED THAT CHEVY WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DEXACOOL COOLANT IN THE VEHICLES AND THAT IT WAS EATING AWAY THE SEAL IN THE ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA #: 10176624
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Dec 2006

2000 MALIBU ENGINE GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE AIR CONDITION CONTROL HEAD WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10176469
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A LEAK WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA #: 10171410
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2006

COOLENT LEAKS AND OVERHEATING,WHAT THE HELL GM WAITING FOR,WE NEED TO GET THIS INFORMATION OUT TO THE BUYING PUBLIC TO STOP BUYING GM PRODUCT THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND-BY. FIX YOUR PROBLEM. YOUR COOLANT CALLS FOR REPLACING 100,000 TO 150,000 MILES, NOT EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. THE JAPANESE AUTO MAKERS WOULD HAVE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM A LONG TIME AGO AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS IN ORDER.STOP-F----- YOUR MALIBU OWNER

NHTSA #: 10170855
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2006

WE LOST ALL OF OUR ANTI-FREEZE THINKING WE LOST A HOSE. UPON TAKING IT IN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC HE HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKETS FOR THE 2ND TIME. UPON SHOWING THE MANIFOLD TO A MECHANIC FOR GM HE FOUND A BUBBLE IN THE MANIFOLD WHEN IT WAS MOLDED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10164868
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2006

I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM BELOW MY CAR. IT HAS 76,000 MILES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY, MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. THIS IS A $1000 PROBLEM THAT I FEEL CHEVY HAS REFUSED TO RECALL BECAUSE AT $1000 A POP, WHO WOULD? *JB

NHTSA #: 10162597
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jun 2006

FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON 2/01/06 - COST OF REPAIR $800. WHEN SERVICE WAS COMPLETED, GM MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING AND CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS AN ADDITIONAL $1,000! WE HAVE NOT YET HAD THE PART REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST AND THE CAR HAS HAD LIMITED USE SINCE. GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ALREADY AND STOP HAVING THE CONSUMERS PAY FOR THEIR LACK OF USE OF RELIABLE PARTS!! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR PROBLEM GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED. *NM

NHTSA #: 10160842
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2006

MY CAR WAS RUNNING HOT AND IT SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING UNDER THE HOOD, SO I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP TO HAVE FIX AND THE WORKER TOLD ME IT WAS A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. IT WOULD COST ME CLOSE TO $850 TO FIX. THE PART ITSELF ONLY COST $89, BUT THE LABOR IS WHAT I WAS PAYING FOR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS CAR ON A COLLEGE STUDENT BUDGET. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS I CHECK TO SEE IF IT IS A RECALL PROBLEM, BUT IT IS NOT. THIS IS NOT FAIR THAT THE COMPANY KNOW THEY SOLD DEFECTIVE CARS AND NOT PLAN ON DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *NM

NHTSA #: 10159695
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OFF THE ROAD EACH TIME AND IT RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED NO PROBLEM. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR AND A FUEL RELAY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. UPDATED 05/10/06

NHTSA #: 10155974
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE HEAT INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT, COOLANT AND WATER WAS ADDED TO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, UPON INSPECTION THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD BEEN LEAKING. THE GASKET ALLOWED THE COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVER HEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA #: 10155844
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2006

I WENT IN TO FIND OUT WHY I HAVE NO HEAT AND THE REPAIR GUY SAID THERE WAS ANTI FREEZE LEAKING ON TO ENGINE BLOCK. HE SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKETS AND THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDED REPLACING AND IT WOULD COST $1500. *NM

NHTSA #: 10154415
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2006

WHEN I WENT TO THE STORE I NOTICED A SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM MY CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD TO COOL DOWN THE ENGINE SINCE I ASSUMED IT MIGHT HAVE OVERHEATED OR SOMETHING OF THE SORT AND IT WAS ONLY THE RUN OFF. I ADDED MORE FLUID (EVERYTHING WAS FINE) AND NOTICED THE NEXT MORNING IT LEAKED AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC (TO GET MY HAZARDS MODULE REPLACED SINCE THEY BEGAN TO START A FRITZ) AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET AND WOULD BE $850, NOT TO MENTION HE REFUSED TO OFFER THE RECALL CLAIM BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PAPERS. *JB

NHTSA #: 10153425
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN ODOR WAS DETECTED AND THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING ON THE GROUND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BY RAISING THE HOOD, THERE WAS FLUID ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

NHTSA #: 10150110
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2006

1. LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING COOLANT. 2. HORN IS INOPERATIVE (2ND TIME). 3.HVAC KICKS OFF AND RECIRC. WILL NOT HOLD ITS SETTING. (ON-GOING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS). *JB

NHTSA #: 10149148
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2006

THE INCIDENT IS THE FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP, A SLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AT ONE POINT THE LEAKAGE OF COOLANT, AND ALSO THE OXYGEN SENSOR. ALL OF WHICH WERE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED BY THEIR MECHANIC EXCEPT THE OXYGEN SENSOR. HOWEVER, THE CAR STILL HAD A PROBLEM WITH IDLING AS THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE MECHANIC. MY HUSBAND HAD TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES, ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND THE CAR WAS STOPPED BY A POLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST TIME THAT IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE PROBLEM WERE JUST MASKED ONLY FOR US TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO THEM FOR THEM TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF US. *NM

NHTSA #: 10147910
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2005

INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK..LOSS OF COOLANT..OVERHEATING ENGINE..HEATER MALFUNCTION SPORADICALLY. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES BUT ABATED SOMEWHAT AFTER SERVICE AT A RADIATOR REPAIR FACILITY RODDED THE RADIATOR TWICE ,FLUSHED AND REFILLED THE SYSTEM WITH NEW COOLANT AND INSTALLED NEW THERMOSTAT. MILEAGE WAS 39,500. *NM

NHTSA #: 10145202
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2005

THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CAR HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING AFTER THE CAR WAS WARM. WOULD USUALLY HAVE TO GIVE THE CAR GAS TO GET THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT WAS THE LEAST OF MY PROBLEMS SINCE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE OIL. THE COST OF REPAIRS FOR THE LEAKING GASKET WAS OVER $650 AND TOLD WAS QUITE COMMON IN 2000 MALIBUS AND IF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE OR DESTROY THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE WIRES, PLUGS, IGNITION COIL AND FUEL FILTER WHICH WAS AN ADDITIONAL $475. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE WIRES, PLUGS, COIL AND FUEL FILTER AS USUAL MAINTENANCE COSTS, HOWEVER, THE LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH IS QUITE COMMON FROM BOTH YOUR WEBSITE AND CHEVY WEBSITE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED A POTENTIAL RECALL. OR INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME FUNDING BY CHEVY TO OFFSET THE HIGH REPAIR COSTS TO MANY OWNERS OF THE MALIBU WHO HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPAIRED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10142716
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2005

I PURCHASED A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU LS IN DECEMBER OF 2002. AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE SOMEONE WORKING IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A GM DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD MADE A BIG MISTAKE. HE SAID THE ENGINE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. THE ONLY WAY OF FIXING THE PROBLEM ALSO INVOLVES REMOVING THE ENTIRE ENGINE FROM THE CAR. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005 MY CAR HAS DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED A MECHANIC TO FIND HOW COMMON A PROBLEM THIS IS FOR THE ENGINE. HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION IT HAPPENED TO ALL GM V6 ENGINES. THIS FAILURE IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL EXPENSE WHICH I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDING TO FIX. WITH LESS THAN 65,000 MILES I DO NOT FEEL A CAR SHOULD DEVELOP MAJOR MECHANICAL DEFECTS. *NM

NHTSA #: 10140353
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2005

DEX-COOL COOLANT LEAKED INTO ENGINE OF MY 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR MANY GM OWNERS, AND IT IS WELL KNOWN BY EVERYONE EXPECT GM. BOTH THE DEALER AND CHEVROLET SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, THAT I MUST PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED, ABOUT $1500.00. CHEVY MUST ADDRESS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM .*JB

NHTSA #: 10139618
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2005

INTAKE GASKET COOLANT LEAKING PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTS TO OVERHEATING AND ENGINE FAILURES.

NHTSA #: 10133894
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2005

CAR HAS HAD A LEAK FOR A MONTH AND WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT TO A CAR MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD AN INTAKE GASKET LEAK AND THAT IT WAS VERY COMMON AMONG CHEVROLETS. THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD WAS THAT THE MANUFACTURE HAD DESIGNED A POOR GASKET AND THAT ONCE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED THAT THEY CAME OUT WITH A MORE DURABLE GASKET. THIS REPAIR WAS QUOTED AT $700. WHY IS IT THAT IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE MAKERS RECOGNIZE THIS WAS A PROBLEM WHY IT IS THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX A FAULTY OR DEFECTED ITEM? *NM

NHTSA #: 10131522
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2005

DT: THE RESERVOIR FOR THE COOLANT HAD A DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSED IT TO LEAK. IT CAUSED AN O-RING TO PULL AWAY AND LET COOLANT SPLASH ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 750 TO 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RUN HOT. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY TO HAVE PROBLEM REMEDIED. *JB

NHTSA #: 10129986
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2005

TOOK MY 2000 MALIBU IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WAS TOLD THE INTAKE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS LEAKING. COULD REPAIR IT FOR $825. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. WAS QUOTED $765. HAD DEALER FIX IT. BUT HAD TO USE THE "UPDATED" GASKETS. WHICH NEEDED "UPDATED" BOLTS.(APPROX. $40 EXTRA) WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING FROM WEEP HOLE. REPLACED. TOTAL COST $966.56. MY CAR HAD 51,XXX MILES ON IT. I FEEL THAT GM HAS HAD ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING AND THAT THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AS THERE IS NOW AN UPDATED GASKET TO BE USED. WAS TOLD BY ONE SHOP THAT IS THE DEX-COOL EATS AWAY AT THE GASKETS. IF THE COOLANT IS GOOD FOR 100,000 OR 150,000 MILES. GM SHOULD COVER ANY DAMAGE THAT IS CAUSED BY IT WITHIN THAT MILAGE.

NHTSA #: 10128734
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2005

FUEL PUMP WENT BAD ON 06/01/05 ($583). WHEN SERVICE WAS DONE TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP, MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING. TO REPAIR IT WILL COST $1300.

NHTSA #: 10124473
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2005

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE "INTAKE IS LEAKING COOLANT" ON MY 2000 CHEVY MALIBU AND THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $825.00. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ARTICLES OF OTHER MALIBU OWNERS ON THE INTERNET THAT EITHER CURRENTLY HAVE OR HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT WOULD SEEM APPARENT THAT THE INTAKE IS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC HAS ADVISED THAT UNLESS REPAIRED, THE ENGINE WILL BE DESTROYED. CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING ON A FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR? THE LOSS OF LIFE WOULD BE TERRIBLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY 17-YEAR-OLD SON THINKING THAT I WAS PURCHASING A CAR THAT WOULD PROVIDE HIM SOME ADDED PROTECTION AND NOW I FIND OUT HE IS DRIVING A TIME BOMB. IN LIGHT OF THE NUMEROUS REPORTS, I WOULD LIKE CHEVROLET TO REPAIR MY CAR AT NO CHARGE TO ME.

NHTSA #: 10122367
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2005

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS DEFECTIVE ON ALL 3.1 L GM ENGINES LIKE THE ONE IN MY 2000 MALIBU. GM DEALERS KNOW THAT IT ALWAYS LEAKS AROUND 70 K MILES, AND JUST KEEP TRYING TO REPLACE IT. EVERY MECHANIC IN THE COUNTRY SEEMS TO KNOW THIS FACT, AND MAKE ABOUT A THOUSAND FOR IT FROM EACH OWNER.

NHTSA #: 10122156
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2005

I PURCHASED MY 2000 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 8,000 MILES AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH IT UNTIL RECENTLY. EVEN THOUGH I FAITHFULLY CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES I AM NOW EXPERIENCING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH 65,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHICH I AM STILL PAYING OFF. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT GMC HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE THAT IS IN MY VEHICLE. IT NOW HAS AN INTAKE VALUE FAILURE AND PISTON PROBLEMS. I HAVE OWNED MANY OTHER VECHILES AND AS LONG AS I MAINTAINED THEM THEY RAN GREAT UNTIL 100,000 PLUS MILES. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE? NOT IMPRESSED. I THOUGHT GOING GMC WOULD GIVE ME A RELIABLE VEHICLE. I NOW HAVE TO PUT IN OVER $1,000 OR REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR $3,000 TO $4,000. WHEN I GO TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHILE I WILL KEEP THIS IN MIND!!!!!

NHTSA #: 10120544
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2005

3.1 ENGINE LEAKING COLLANT AT HEAD GASKET. MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM 3.1 V6 ENGINES. ABOUT $600.00 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR.

NHTSA #: 10120311
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Apr 2005

HAD TROUBLE STARTING CAR. REPLACED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND BELT. SAME THING HAPPENED; CAR WOULD TURN OVER, BUT NOT FIRE. AUTOMOBILE REPAIRED, REPLACED BATTERY; NEXT DAY, CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. WOULD START WITH A JUMP, BUT WHEN I STOP, IT DIES. *AK 3 OCCURENCES; SAME PROBLEM. I'VE USED AAA 3 TIMES FOR SAME ITEM. I ONLY HAVE 1 MORE SERVICE CALL LEFT!!! ALSO, INTERIOR LIGHTS DON'T WORK ALL THE TIME. BRAKE NOISE ON RIGHT SIDE.

NHTSA #: 10117887
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2005

MY WIFE'S 3.1 GENERAL MOTORS V6 NEEDED A MANIFOLD GASKET AND RELATED ITEMS REPLACED ON HER 2000 MALIBU WHICH ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES AND IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. MY 1995 LUMINA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER CHECKING WITH MANY SHOPS AND GM DEALERS (AND A CO-WORKER WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TODAY)...IT IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT @ EVERY 40,000 MILES. IT COULD TURN OUT TO BE A VERY BAD DEAL FOR MANY CONSUMERS AND IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNEW OF DEFECT FOR YEARS. JUST A HEADS UP FOR YOU. *JB

NHTSA #: 10115961
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2005

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, FAN DOES NOT OPERATE ON SPEEDS 1 & 2, BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS NEED REPLACED EVERY YEAR, HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET BEGAN LEAKING AROUND 70,000 MILES. THE COOLANT IS LISTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL AS NOT NEEDING SERVICE FOR 150,000 MILES BUT IT TURNED VERY ACIDIC IN LESS THAN HALF THAT TIME AND ATE THE GASKET CAUSING THE NEED FOR COSTLY REPAIRS OR ELSE RISK PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. TURN SIGNAL ISSUE RECALLED BUT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE'S VIN. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SIGNAL INTENTION TO TURN OR SWITCH LANES AND WAS UNSAFE ON HIGHWAYS. HAVE YET TO EXPERIENCE COMMON FUEL PUMP FAILURE THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. NOT RECALLED IS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM OF THE LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET BECAUSE IT IS NOT DEEMED A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS CAN BECOME SAFETY ISSUE IF ENGINES CATCH FIRE OR FAIL ON HIGHWAY DUE TO COOLANT LEAK INTO MOTOR OIL. COST TO REPAIR LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET QUOTED AT $743. CURRENTLY DISCUSSING WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED IN TSB 03-06-01-010B (10/24/2003) AND THERE ARE SEVERAL CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITS. TSB DESCRIBES REPLACING FAULTY GASKET WITH A NEW GASKET THAT HAS IMPROVED SEALING QUALITIES. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY TSB FOR 2000 MALIBU OTHER THAN TURN SIGNAL RECALL. GM IS BEING INTENTIONALLY DISHONEST WHEN OWNERS INQUIRE ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA TAKES NOTICE OF THE MULTITUDE OF SAFETY ISSUES CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE AND CAN OBTAIN A SATISFIABLE RESOLUTION FROM GM TO MAKE THIS VEHICLE SAFE FOR OWNERS OR JUSTLY COMPENSATE THEM FOR THE REPAIRS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE.*AK

NHTSA #: 10114119
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2005

COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM MY 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND MY COOLANT PUMP. THE CAR HAS ONLY 52,000 MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND COOLANT PUMP. THE COST WAS $1250. I WORK AT A COMPANY WHERE I KNOW ALL THE OTHER CHEVROLET MALIBU OWNERS. THERE ARE TWO OTHER: ONE OWNS A 1999 AND THE OTHER OWNS A 2000 MALIBU, BOTH WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. THE 2000 OWNER HAS HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED FOR $950. THE 1999 OWNER HAS HAD THE COOLANT PUMP REPLACED AND WILL PROBABLY NEED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED. I FEEL THAT CHEVROLET HAD INITIALLY INSTALLED DEFECTIVE CHEAP PARTS IN THIS MODEL AND WILL NOT OWN UP TO IT. *AK

NHTSA #: 10112547
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2005

I HAVE A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 38000 MILES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. I WAS TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN MANY GASKET FAILURES ON THE MALIBU BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. REPAIR COST IS ESTIMATED AT $645.00 BY THE DEALER. I AM NOW UNABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR OR SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS NOW IN STORAGE. *JB

NHTSA #: 10112352
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2005

THE MALIBU ENGINE SMELLED HOT AND FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. A MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT COOLANT IS LEAKING ONTO THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WE HAVE ADDED FLUID A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE GASKET WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD REPLACE THIS SINCE IT IS A COMMONLY KNOWN PROBLEM ON THIS CAR. *NM

NHTSA #: 10110734
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2005

THE INTAKE GASKET ON MY 2000 MALIBU IS LEAKING AND IT'S GOING TO COST 550.00 TO REPAIR IT. CALLED JACKSON CHEVROLET AND SERVICE MGR. STATED HE PURCHASED MALIBU FOR WIFE AND HE ALSO REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET. THE SERVICE MGR ALSO STATED THAT ALL THE MALIBUS WITH THAT MOTOR ARE BAD ABOUT THE INTAKE GASKETS LEAKING. CALLED GM AND THEY SAID CAN'T PAY FOR REPAIRS. WILL NOT BUY A GM AUTOMOBILE AGAIN. STILL NOT FIXED. PUTTING WATER AND ANTIFREEZE IN IT EVERYDAY. *NM

NHTSA #: 10106518
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jan 2005

CAR WAS GETTING HOT THEN COOLING BACK DOWN,WHILE GETTING HOT HEATER WOULD NOT WORK. TOOK TO MECHANIC, HAD THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP REPLACED. CAR RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS,THEN SAME PROBLEM. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC. HE SAID ITS POSSIBLE THE THERMOSTAT PURCHASED WAS DEFECTIVE. INSTALLED NEW THERMOSTAT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. GOT IN CAR DID NOT GET HOT AND COOL BACK DOWN IT GOT TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND HEATER WORKED. THREE DAYS LATER, CAR STARTED GETTING HOT, COOLING BACK DOWN AND BUBBLING THE WATER OUT OF THE OVERFLOW RESERVOIR. THERE ARE NO LEAKS ANYWHERE,NO BLOWN GASKET, OR CRACKS. THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING A BIG PAIN. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT CAUSED BY MANUFACTURER AND IF THE PROBLEM CANT BE FIXED, I KNOW ILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GM {GREAT MISTAKE} VEHICLE AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA #: 10106404
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2005

VEHICLE IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE OUT THE INTAKE GASKET MANIFOLD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER WILL NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM FOR REPAIR. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE COMPONENT SHOULD BE RECALLED TO THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS IT EXHIBITS. *NM

NHTSA #: 10103179
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2004

(1) THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. (2) THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS RADIATOR FLUID DUE TO FAULTY GASKETS. FORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM WAS OBSERVED BEFORE THE ENGINE OVERHEATED OR CAUGHT FIRE, BUT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF COOLANT CONTAMINATING THE ENGINE OIL: FURTHER CONSEQUENCES WILL LIKELY OCCUR IN THE FUTURE. (3) THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED. A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BUT REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN CONTRACTED. A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER (BILL HEARD) GAVE AN ESTIMATE OF $1000 FOR THE REPAIR. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAULT IN CHEVY MALIBUS AND OTHER GM CARS WITH THIS ENGINE TYPE. THE SERVICE REP AT FIRESTONE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM SEEN IN THIS CAR, AND THE SERVICE REP AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IN MALIBUS, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAIL "MORE OFTEN THAN NOT." *AK

NHTSA #: 10104607
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2004

MANUFACTURER USED PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH CAUSED ENGINE TO LEAK COOLANT AND OVERHEAT. WHY USE PLASTIC? WHAT HAPPENS TO PLASTIC WHEN IT CONTINUOUSLY HEATS AND COOLS, IT FAILS. A RELATIVE HAS THE SAME ENGINE IN A DIFFERENT MODEL CAR FROM THIS MANUFACTURER AND HAS THE SAME ISSUE. NOT MODEL SPECIFIC, BUT ENGINE SPECIFIC. CHEVROLET 2000 MALIBU.*AK

NHTSA #: 10095752
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2004

I PURCHASED A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN DEC 1999. THE CAR HAD 6 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE NOTICED THE CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING A LITTLE, AND I AM HAVING TO FILL THE COOLANT UP ONCE EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS(WITH NO NOTICABLE LEAKS). *AK AT THIS POINT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SHOPS TELLING ME THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS REPLACED (COST 5-700 DOLLARS!!)--I STILL OWE 11000 ON THE CAR. I HAVE READ AND SEEN MANY OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE AND AM VERY DISSAPOINTED IN THE FACT THAT GM WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP OUT. OF COURSE NOW THE CAR IS AT 66000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY--SO I MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR--SINGLE MOTHER/GOING TO SCHOOL/WORKING FULL TIME THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECT OUT OF A NEW CHEVY....

NHTSA #: 10093591
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2004

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 03V327000. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE BECAME BECAME INOPERABLE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10092740
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2004

I REPEATED HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND/OR NOT GOING INTO GEAR COMPLETELY AND THIS PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON A FEW OCCASIONS. I FIRST SUSPECTED SOMETHING WAS FAULTY SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE - WHICH WAS A GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE I HAD TO PAY ALMOST $2000 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. ITEMS REPLACED INCLUDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SOLENOIDS. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT I HAVE COOLANT LEAKING AND ASSUME IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET - BUT HAVE NOT HAD IT DIAGNOSED YET.

NHTSA #: 10090944
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2004

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE NEEDLE WAS REGISTERING AS HOT ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK *TS

NHTSA #: 10081761
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2004

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATES THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA #: 10091475
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Sep 2004

I AM THE OWNER OF A CHEVROLET MALIBU. THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVING SPEEDS OF 55 OR MORE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR. FIRST, IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. SECOND, IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIRD, THE CAR QUIT ON ME AND MY DAUGHTER WHEN WE WERE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR. WE COULD HAVE KILLED OURSELVES AND SOMEONE ELSE. *JB

NHTSA #: 10090464
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2004

AS READING OVER THE WEBSITE I NOTICE THE 2000 MALIBU IS PRETTY MUCH A LEMON. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIO, PRETTY MUCH EVERY GASKET IN THE ENGINE, THE FUEL PUMP, BRAKES FRONT AND REAR, NOW MY TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK, JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL I HAVE TO CHECK TO SEE IF I QUALIFY, MY ENGINE KNOCKS ON COLD STARTS, AND IT PRACTICALLY LOSSES ALL POWER WHEN I GO TO ACCELERATE . . AND TOP IT OFF MY TRANSMISION SLIPS. . THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO . . AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. *JB

NHTSA #: 10082310
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2004

OIL LEAKED INTO COOLANT SYSTEM OF OUR 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND FLUSHING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THIS ENGINE ONLY HAD 40,900 MILES ON IT. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR GM ENGINE (3.1 LITER).

NHTSA #: 10081301
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2004

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 61K MILES. DISCOVERED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS AS OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED AND COVERED UNDER RECALLS, BUT SOME WHICH ARE NOT. WORST PROBLEM IS INTAKE GASKET IS LEAKING RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK AND COOLANT MIXING WITH OIL. GM DEALER STATES THERE ARE NO CAMPAINS OR RECALLS ON THIS ITEM, ALTHOUGH I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON DOZENS OF WEBSITES.*AK

NHTSA #: 10081036
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2004

AFTER STOPPING FOR AN ERRAND AND SEEING A PUDDLE OF COOLANT ON THE GROUND, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE LEAK CHECKED ON. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND A LEAK IN THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET. THE SHOP ADVISED THAT THIS REPAIR WAS COMMON AND POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE TYPE OF COOLANT USED AND POSSIBLY DEFECTS WITH THE GASKETS OR INTAKE MANIFOLD. THEY PROVIDED AND ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS BETWEEN $600.00 AND $800.00 DEPENDING IF ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED (POLAR CHEV IN WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN) WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE REPAIR AND REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THEY DO A LOT OF THESE REPAIRS ON THE MALIBU AND IMPALA BUT THE REPAIR IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CONTACTED ALSO. THEY SAID NO SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OR BULLETINS ISSUED ABOUT COOLANT LEAKS ON THE 200 CHEV MALIBU. FROM RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE IT APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES AND CHEV REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *JB

NHTSA #: 10079127
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2004

LIGHT FOR LOW WATER WOULD COME ON. ABOUT 3-4 TIMES EVERY 6 MONTHS STARTING 2002. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS DRIVEN, EVEN JUST A FEW BLOCKS. AT THAT POINT, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT FAR FROM HOME WHEN THE MAJOR TROUBLE STARTED. THE REPAIR REPORT READS "LOW COOLANT LIGHT IS ON AND THE OIL APPEARS TO HAVE WATER MIXED... ADVISE... LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING -REPLACED LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. ALL RELATED GASKET/SEALS. 6 HOURS OF LABOR IN CARY, NC. TOTAL BILL $768. + $50 FOR TOWING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS A LOT FOR A RELATIVELY "YOUNG" CAR. THANK GOODNESS THE LOW WATER LIGHT WORKED -- BUT NO EXCUSE FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10075437
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jun 2004

MY 2000 MALIBU WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT STARTED LOSING COOLANT AT ABOUT 48,000 MILES. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1,000 DOLLARS TRYING TO GET IT TO STOP LOSING FLUIDS. THE LAST REPAIR WAS A NEW GASKET SET PER SERVICE BULLITIN #03-06-01-010 DATED MARCH OF 2003. IS THERE ANY OTHER COURSE OF ACTION THAT I CAN TAKE. I CANNOT AFFORD ANY MORE EXPENSES ON IT. ALSO THE TURN SIGNALS SEEM TO FAIL WHEN MY CAR HEATER DOES NOT HEAT UP, THEY COME BACK IF I TURN MY EMERGENCY FLASERS ON AND THEN OFF. *AK

NHTSA #: 10075019
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2004

MY CAR HAS HAD THE SIGNAL LIGHTS REPLACED, THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED, & THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED ALL PROBLEMS W/ MY CAR BEFORE I HAD REPLACED WERE VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME & MY 2 CHILDREN. I WILL NEVER BUY OR REFER ANYONE TO BUY A CHEVORLET MALIBU . *AK

NHTSA #: 10068240
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2004

WATER PUMP FAILURE, TURNING LIGHTS FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA #: 10066413
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2004

INTAKE GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA #: 10066041
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2004

HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET ON MY 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. *AK

NHTSA #: 10065764
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

WHILE DRIVING TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER TO KNOW IF THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10065145
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

VEHICLE : 2000 MALIBU VIN : [XXX] I'VE READ THAT THERE ARE TECHNICIAN NOTES, SENT BY GM CORP., ABOUT A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE 2000/2001 MALIBU V6 3.1 ENGINE FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING AND FOR PISTONS,VALVE GUIDES AND LIFTERS WITH VALVES 1,2,3,4 AND GM'S REMEDY WITH UPDATED PARTS LIST TO REMEDY THE DESIGN PROBLEMS. MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THESE WITH THE APPROPRIATE VIN #. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ASSISTANCE BUT HAVE ONLY RECEIVED A PERSON THAT TRANSMITS BUT DOES NOT RECEIVE IN THE CONVERSATION. I HAVE ALL THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR OIL CHANGES, AIR & FUEL FILTERS ETC. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I ALSO HAVE COPIES OF GM CORPORATE BULLETINS TO THE TECHNICIANS ACKNOWLEDGING THE DESIGN FLAWS AND THE CORRECTIONS AND PARTS LIST TO REMEDY THE DESIGN FLAWS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, ONE YEAR OLD WITH 26,879 MILES. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO 3 DIFFERENT TECHNICIANS WHO HAVE STATED THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I PRESENTLY HAVE THE VEHICLE AT DON'S BROOKLYN CHEVROLET WHERE THEY ARE REPAIRING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND DIAGNOSING FURTHER PROBLEM WITH THE PISTONS AND LIFTERS. ROBBY STATES THE PISTONS NEED REPLACING TO ELIMNATE THE PROBLEM. I AM A LOYAL CHEVROLET CUSTOMER FOR OVER 30YRS AND CURRENTLY OWN A 1993 CHEVY LUMINA EUROSPORT, PURCHASED NEW, 2000 CHEVY MALIBU, PURCHASED USED 1 YR OLD, AND A 2002 CHEVY IMPALA LS, PURCHASED NEW, BEING A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND NEVER HAD A NEED BEFORE, I NEED ASSISTANCE AS THIS HAS BEEN A DESIGN FLAW THAT GM KNEW ABOUT, I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR GM'S PROBLEM. GM SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEMS NOW BEFORE AND ENGINE BLOWS ON THE FREEWAY OR ANYWHERE ELSE AND SOMEONE IS EITHER INJURED OR KILLED. PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL AT [XXX]. *JB UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 10063814
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AT 49000 MILES. GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT TAKE ACTION ON IT. THE MOST DISCOURAGING THING ABOUT THE PROBLEM IS THE CONTEMPT THAT GM SEEMS TO HAVE FOR THEIR CONSUMERS. THEY RELEASED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO THEIR DEALERS REGARDING THE PROBLEM, YET THEY DO NOTHING FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY AN OBVIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT. MY REQUEST FOR COST ASSISTANCE FROM GENERAL MOTORS WAS MET WITH A FLIPPANT ATTITUDE TOWARD THE LOSS OF MY LOYALTY AS A CUSTOMER.*AK

NHTSA #: 10062044
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

VEHICLE DIED UNEXPECTEDLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK

NHTSA #: 10061533
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2004

INTAKE MANIFOLD BEGAN LEAKING AT 45000 MILES (500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE), HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS 4 TIMES IN 65,000 MILES. THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE ENGINE JUST DIES. IF I LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE IT WILL CRANK BACK UP. ASE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE IGNITION MODULE, SO I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND THAT DID NOT FIX IT. I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING FORUMS ON-LINE AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD AND SEVERE PROBLEM, I UNDERSTAND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE FAN SWITCH HAS QUIT WORKING ON POSITONS (SPEEDS) 1 AND 2...THAT HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 37,000 MILES ON (NOT UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY) ....I ONCE WAS A DIE HARD CHEVY MAN..THANKS TO THIS CAR I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *AK

NHTSA #: 10060444
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2004

ANTIFREEZE USED IN OUR 2000 MALIBU HAS BEEN FOUND TO FREQUENTLY CAUSE DETERIORATION AND FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THERE HVE BEEN MANY CASES SITED ON THE INTERNET WITH NAMES AND SPECIFICS AND CHEVY/GMC REFUSES TO ADMIT IT IS THE ANTIFREEZE. THEY TOLD ME LAST NIGHT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE PLANT WHERE THE CAR WAS MADE.*AK

NHTSA #: 10057132
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2004

AT 55000 MILES HAD TO REPLACE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. LOOKS LIKE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU.GM MUST DO SOMETHING.*AK

NHTSA #: 10057050
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jan 2004

ON YOUR SITE I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING COOLANT LEAK DUE TO POOR SEALING OF THE MANIFLOD GASKET THAT ACCORDING THE SEVICE BULLETIN ON THIS SITE, REQUIRES NEW GASKET TYPE TO REPLACE THE OLD, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS CLEANED AND COATED WITH THREDLOCKER AND TORQUED TO A REVISED SPEC. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE ONCE TO MY CAR AT ABOUT 30K MILES AND FORTUNATELY COVER UNDER WARRANTY, IF NOT IT WOULD HAVE COST ME $1050, PROBLEM IS NOW THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN AT 79K MILES AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY....HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD THIS HAPPEN? WAS THE SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT AS A PERMAMANT SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM? IF NOT HOW LONG SHOULD THIS WORK BE GUARANTEED? WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A FATALITY TO RECALL A VECHICLE? IN ADDITION I ALSO HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH THAT ALSO EFFECTED THE WIPERS, NEITHER WOULD WORK, AGAIN THIS REPAIR WAS SUBMITTED AS WARRANTY WORK. I HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO BOB BELL CHEVY ABOUT HOW HOT THE DASH INSTRUMENTS GET TO TOUCH AND HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE RELATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REPAIRED, TO NOTE..WHEN I FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT THE HEAT WHEN TOUCHED TO CHANGE INTRUMENT SETTINGS I WAS TOLD "THAT'S NORMAL". GRANTED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED SOME OF THE WORK BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY A $250 DEDUCTABLE W/EACH PROBLEM. ALL THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THIS NHTSA SITE BY MANY PEOPLE AND ADDITION OTHERS I KNOW PERSONALLY AND WHO I HAVE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH ALSO HAVE THE SAME YEAR MALIBU WITH ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS....WHY HASN'T THE MANUFACT. RECALLED THE CAR FOR THESES PROBLEMS, SURELY ALL CAN CAUSE FIRE SAFETY PROBLEMS. HOW ARE RECALLS DETERMINED AND WHAT CAN WE ALL DO????????????? I NEVER DREAMED CHEVROLET WOULD BE SO CHEESY. MY LAST CAR WAS 12 YEARS OLD AND OLDS CUSTOM CRUISER WAGON - NEVER GAVE ME A PROBLEM THAT WAS SO MAJOR AS THESE NOTED HERE, I SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOT RID OF IT FOR THIS MALIBU!*AK

NHTSA #: 10054588
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2004

VEHICLE OVER-HEATED, TAKEN TO DEALER WHICH HAD BEEN SERVICING THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW. DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND WATER PUMP CHARGING $1400.00 THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24000 MILES ON IT AND WAS LESS THEN SIX MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER WOULD NOT WORK WITH ME AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. *CB

NHTSA #: 10053295
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2004

THE LOWER INTAKE IS LEAKING COOLANT, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IT WOULD NOT COVER IT UNLESS THE LOSS OF COOLANT CAUSED A HEAD GASKET TO BLOW OR ANOTHER TYPE OF MAJOR DAMAGE. I WORK WITH 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE MALIBU'S AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA #: 10069360
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2004

THE PAINT ON HOOD STARTED CHIPPING @ OR ABOUT 30K DEALER SAID NOT WARRANTY PROBLEM. BEGINNING APR 2002 CAR INTERMITANTLY HAS HAD A "SURGING" IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING & PUTTING IN GEAR. AT FIRST JUST 1 OR 2 TIMES IN 3 OR 4 MOS. NOW THE LAST 8-9 WEEKS IT HAS HAPPENED MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY, THEN 2 WEEKS AGO THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME ERRATIC IN ACTIVATION & NOW WON'T WORK AT ALL.

NHTSA #: 10069828
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jan 2004

I BOUGHT MY CAR ON 7/21/01, IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 10/3/01, 7/12/02,12/11/02, 6/23/03 AND 6/24/03. THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL AND THE ENGINE AS WELL. CHEVROLET HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS MANY TIMES BUT IS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD. EVERYTIME I TAKE MY CAR IN, I AM TOLD IT'S NOW SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT HAS BROKEN. MY CAR WILL BREAK DOWN AND SOMETIMES IF I ALLOW IT TO SIT FOR 10 - 20 MINUTES IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. FOR AS MANY TIMES AS MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED, IT HAS BROKEN DOWN AT LEAST THREE TIMES BEFORE I TAKE IT IN. MY DISPUTE WITH CHEVY IS MY CAR IS A LEMON. THEY CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE DIAGNOSTICS IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CHEVY INFORMED ME THAT DOES NOT MEAN THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM IT JUST MEANS THE COMPUTER CANNOT DETECT IT. I HAVE FILED WITH THE BBB AUTO LINE BUT BECAUSE MY CAR HAS MORE THAN 24,000 MILES THEY SAY I AM OUT OF LUCK. CHEVY IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY CAR. MY DISPUTE IS SHOULD A CAR BREAK DOWN AT LEAST 5-10 TIMES A YEAR?

NHTSA #: 10069875
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2003

LEAKING COOLANT FROM AROUND ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER DIAGNOSIS: LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. MILEAGE 30,000. PREVIOUS REPAIR COMPLETED ON WATER PUMP FOR BAD BEARINGS AT 28,800 MILES. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT USED IN THE BUILDING OF THESE MOTORS.*AK

NHTSA #: 10050714
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2003

THE ENGINE COOLANT CONSTANLY RUNS LOW OR EMPTY. I HAVE TO REFILL IT ALL THE TIME. NOW I FIND OUT I MIGHT HAVE A LEAK FROM THE COOLANT THAT IS RUNNING IN MY OIL. CAR ALSO HARD TO START SOMETIMES. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HAVING TO FILL UP THE ENGINE COOLANT CONSTANLY. SHE HAS A 2002 MODEL. HAVING TO FILL IT UP THAT OFTEN IS NOT NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA #: 10050629
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Dec 2003

INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT OWNER EXPENSE OF $800. DOLLARS AND HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

NHTSA #: 10050047
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, BUT DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10047927
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2003

MY 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU (36,000 MILES) RECENTLY STALLED 4 TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. ON FRIDAY 10/7 I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO CUT THE CAR BACK ON. AT WHICH TIME IT RESUMED DRIVING NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES. THEN IT STALLED AGAIN. I TOWED THE CAR INTO TOWN AND DROVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. (YES, THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY AROUND TOWN). THE REPAIR SHOP TESTED IT AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP I DROVE ABOUT 40 MILES (AGAIN AT GREATER THAN 75 MPH) AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. IT STARTED BACK UP IN 2-3 MINUTES. THEN 30 MILES LATER STALLED AGAIN. THIS TIME ON A PART OF THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER! I COASTED THE CAR UNTIL THE SHOULDER REAPPEARED, PULLED ON TO IT AND RE-STARTED THE CAR. THE CAR DOES NOT SHOW ANY SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM IN MY DAY-TO-DAY DRIVING AROUND TOWN. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT SUITABLE TO DRIVE FOR LONG DISTANCES OR AT HIGH SPEEDS DUE TO THIS CONDITION. *LA

NHTSA #: 10046782
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2003

COOLANT LOSS CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CAR TOWED TO GARAGE. HAD TO REMOVE AND REPLACE INTATKE MANIFOLD GASKET, REPLACE THERMOSTAT, AND REVERSE FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM. TOTAL COST $664.31 WAS ADVISED TO FILE COMPLAINT AS GARAGE HAS HAD AN AVERAGE OF ONE REPAIR LIKE THIS A MONTH ON MAILBUS AND IMPALAS. *LA

NHTSA #: 10043571
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT VEHICLE LOOSES POWER. WHEN THIS OCCURS CONSUMER HAS TO COAST VEHICLE TO A STOP.*AK

NHTSA #: 10044364
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2003

2000 MALIBU HAS DIED 7 TIMES WHILE DRIVING DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL FILTER AND PUMP,RADAR CAP ,IGNITION MODULAR, IGNITION SWITCH,MAIN COMPUTER AND IT STILL DYING. I HAVE JUST LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLAINT THAT PEOPLE HAVE AND CHEVROLET TELLS ME THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THEM.I WILL NEVER BUY OTHER ONE. *LA

NHTSA #: 10041650
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2003

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW (HAD 4 MILES ON IT) IN AUGUST OF 2000. WITHIN A MONTH, THE A/C MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. WITHIN 6 MONTHS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE, AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL WHENEVER AT A STOP. DURING THIS SAME PERIOD OF TIME, THE BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING, AND I REPLACED THEM ON MY OWN. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE WITH THEM SINCE. THEN THIS YEAR, 2003, IT COMPLETELY DIED ON ME WHILE DOING 70 IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY IN SAN DIEGO. MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR, AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I COULDN'T EVEN TURN ON THE FLASHERS TO LET OTHER DRIVERS KNOW WE WERE IN TROUBLE. OBVIOUSLY, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND WE HAD TO CROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, SOLELY PROPELLED BY OUR EXISTING MOMENTUM, WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO STEER. I AM BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO ASSESS WHAT THE ISSUE IS, THOUGH I AM SURE IT IS THE ALTERNATOR. THE BATTERY WAS TESTED, AND DIAGNOSED AS PERFECT, OTHER THAN NEEDING A FULL RECHARGING (IT WAS DRAINED BY ANOTHER COMPONENT). ONCE I DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG, I INTEND TO GO TO CHEVY, AND HARASS THEM UNTIL THEY FIX IT. THEN, I AM GOING TO TRY AND ENTER INTO ARBITRATION, AND HOPEFULLY GET RID OF THE CAR ALTOGETHER. IF ANYONE HAS THE "SOLUTION" TO THE STALLING PROBLEM, PLEASE EMAIL ME ! MJARAMILLO @ EXCITE . COM *JB

NHTSA #: 10041291
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Filed: Sep 2003

FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT REGISTER A HALF TANK OR LESS. VEHICLE HAS TO HAVE A FULL FUEL TANK. ALSO, WITHOUT WARNING OR CAUSE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, AND WILL NOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WAS BAFFLED BECAUSE HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10038550
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Aug 2003

ENGINE OVERHEATING, ALSO THE TURN SIGNALS ARE ERRATIC, WHEN THEY DO NOT WORK I HAVE TO TURN MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON, THEN OFF, AND THE TURN SIGNALS WORK THEN. AS FAR AS THE OVERHEATING GOES, I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR (OVER $350.00) THEY SAID THEY FOUND WATER IN THE OIL AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET. IT STILL IS NOT FIXED. THIS CAR HAS 45,000 MILES.

NHTSA #: 10032584
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2003

MY CHEVROLET 2000 MALIBU LEAKED A WHOLE LOT OF DEXCOOL COOLENT ONTO THE GROUND...SO FAR, IT'S COST $900 TO FIX THAT AND A WATER PUMP. I'M NOT SURE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE CONSTRUED AS ONE. THE CAR HAS 5600 MILES ON IT.*AK

NHTSA #: 10028406
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2003

WE OWN A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. THE HEAT/AIR REGULATOR DOES NOT WORK UNTIL IT IS MOVED TO THREE, FOUR OR FIVE. IT DOES NOT WORK ON ONE OR TWO. MY BROTHER OWNS 97 MALIBU WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND MY SISTER HAS A 98 MALIBU WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10026031
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2003

MY CAR IS ONLY 3 1/2 YRS. OLD, BUT, I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT THAT I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING. LAST SUMMER, I HAD TO HAVE MY BATTERY AND SURROUNDING WIRES & HOSES REPLACED DUE TO A CORRODED CABLE WHICH HAD LEAKED ACID EVERYWHERE--LUCKILY UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, MY INTAKE VALVE GASKET IS RUINED, SO ANTIFREEZE LEAKS OUT CONSTANTLY AND THE CAR IS PERPETUALLY ON THE VERGE OF RUNNING HOT. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADD ANTIFREEZE AND WATER TO KEEP IT FROM OVERHEATING, ALTHOUGH, IT STILL SMELLS OVERHEATED ALL THE TIME. IT WILL COST ME BETWEEN $900-$1100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THE PART ONLY COSTS $150 DUE TO THE LABOR INVOLVED IN REMOVING THE TOP OF THE ENGINE TO GET TO THE GASKET. SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS ALREADY RUN OUT, I'LL HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL MYSELF. I DON'T APPRECIATE THIS BECAUSE I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AT THIS TIME, NOR DO I FEEL THAT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER SHOULD FOOT THE BILL SINCE THE CAR IS SO YOUNG AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT I CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10025831
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2003

I BOUGHT THIS CHEVROLET MALIBU LS IN 2000 AND ALREADY I HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: ALTERNATOR IS OUT, AIR COMPRESSER OUT, BLOWER MOTOR IS OUT, BATTERY IS OUT THEY ARE STILL CHECKING ON THE OIL LEAKAGE. *NLM

NHTSA #: 10023136
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

NHTSA #: 10022391
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Apr 2003

HAZARD AND SIGNAL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS ENGINE NOISE (CONSTANT SQUEAKING OR TICKING) AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONS. *JB

NHTSA #: 10016240
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. *NLM

NHTSA #: 10011991
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2003

THE CAR FIRST DEVELOPED A MISS IN THE ENGINE, THEN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55-65 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE POWER. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEARLY CAUSE SEVERLY ACCIDENTS. I WOULD PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND THEN THE CAR WOULD START AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO ONE MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE PLUGS, WIRES, AND IGNITION COIL. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC THEYDID A DECARBON TREATMENT ON ENGINE. I GOT THE CAR BACK AND IT BROKE DOWN THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC HE REPACED A FUEL FILTER. WHEN I DROVE IT HOME IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME MECHANIC, AT THAT POINT HE DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS UNTIL IT BROKE DOWN ON HIM WITH THE COMPUTER HOOK TO IT. HE THEN REPLACED PART NO. 22683260 MODULE 3.107 137 AND PART NO. 22626099 RING 3.112 G31 CHECK FOR RECALL OF FUEL TANK FITTING AND DID NOT REPLACE. I LEFT THE PARKING LOT OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TURNED AROUND AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME MECHANIC HE HOOK UP THE COMPUTER SAID HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE LIGHT WAS ON AND PUT GAS TREATMENT IN THE TANK AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT HOME AND ONCE I HAD RUN OUT THIS TANK OF GAS UNHOOK THE BATTERY AND HOOK IT BACK UP AGAIN AND THE LIGHT SHOULD GO OFF. II DID THIS AND THE LIGHT CAME RIGHT BACK ON. AT THIS POINT I HAVE A CAR WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT WHICH I OWE A LOT OF MONEY ON AND CAN NOT TAKE IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY FOR FEAR IT WILL BREAK DOWN LEAVE ME STRANDED OR GET IN AN ACCIDENT, OR CATCH ON FIRE. I HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO GM THREE WEEKS AGO WITH NO RESPONSE. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS I HAVE SPENT OVER 1,500 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND THE MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME NOW THE NEXT STEP IS TO TEAR DOWN THE ENGINE AND REPLACE THE PISTONS. WHAT CAN A PERSON DO IN THIS CASE WHERE DO I TURN FOR HELP?????????

NHTSA #: 10003168
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CrashFiled: Nov 2002

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STALLING AT INTERMIT TIMES SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE STALLING WOULD CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO BE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO THE DEALER, AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN ALTERNATE DEALERSHIP, THE KEY CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND ON THIS OCCASION, THE CONSUMER HAD STRUCK A UTILITY POLE AND TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *SCC

NHTSA #: 568263
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2002

THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THEN STALLED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW ENGINE AND THERMOSTAT WAS NEEDED. TS *JB

NHTSA #: 8021523
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2002

ON GOING PROBLEM OF CAR STALLING AFTER RAN FOR AN HOUR OR MORE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAS BEEN IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM MANY TIMES. I SEE HERE THAT I AM NOT ALONE BOTH WITH MY PROBLEM AND GM'S LACK OF ADDRESSING IT. PLEASE ALL FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT RFOLEY1@TAMPABAY.RR.COM IF YOU HAVE HAD BETTER LUCK AT SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. MR

NHTSA #: 768178
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 55MPH THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING.*JB

NHTSA #: 8019206
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2002

WHILE DRIVING 55MPH VEHICLE CUT COMPLETELY OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR STALLING PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR. *YH

NHTSA #: 8016380
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL START TO DIE OUT WHILE DRIVING. LIGHTS WILL START TO DIM, AND VEHICLE WILL START TO SLOW DOWN. BUT, THEN IT DOESN'T SHUT OFF, AND CONSUMER IS ABLE TO KEEP DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA #: 8015840
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2002

BOTH ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND MADE THE REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 8014658
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2002

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COLD START NOISE, DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM NUMBER 5 AND 6 PISTONS. *SLC

NHTSA #: 566811
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES. AND AS SOON AS PULLING OVER THE VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP AGAIN. CONTACTED DEALER

NHTSA #: 8010893
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT 70-75 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING IT SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA #: 8009923
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2002

I REALIZE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM MY CAR SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT INDICATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE MANY TIMES WITHOUT RESULTS. IF THERE ARE OTHERS WHO WOULD CARE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS A GROUP PLEASE CONTACT ME. *AK

NHTSA #: 759673
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2001

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH, THEN AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER BOTH TIMES, COULD NOT FIND CAUSE.

NHTSA #: 8001247
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2001

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED/ANY TIME ON A DAILY BASIS. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 896434
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2001

THE CAR HAS A PING IN THE MOTOR AND COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATS.

NHTSA #: 9003558
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2001

THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE IN ENGINE DUE THE PISTONS BEING TOO SMALL. ALSO, IT IS CAUSING GAS TO RUN OUT QUICKER. DEALER HAS FIXED PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER BELEIVES THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, CONSUMER STATES THIS MOTOR WAS USED IN THE CEHVROLET LUMINA ALSO, SAME FACTORY PITONS WERE PUT BACK IN ENGINE WHEN OVERHAULED. *JB

NHTSA #: 889153
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2001

VEHICLE WILL STALL AT SPEEDS OF 50-65 MPH, TO DEALER 5-6 TIMES, CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 884763
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA #: 884068
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2001

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN OIL CHANGE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING AND TICKING NOISE UNTIL VEHICLE WARMED UP. MANUFACTURER HAS RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM ,AND SAID THAT IT WAS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT IT WAS NORMAL. DEFECT WAS IN THE PISTONS.*AK

NHTSA #: 883894
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2001

THE VEHICLE MAKES AN EXCESSIVE TAPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE UPON INITIAL STARTUP DUE TO PISTON DESIGN, SOME ENGINE NOISE IS EXPECTED UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP, THERE IS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE TO REDUCE THIS NOISE, THE VEHICLE ALSO FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO CUT OFF WHEN IN PARK OR AT A STOP, INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. NLM

NHTSA #: 560347
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2001

WHEN IN ON POSITION THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 881815
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA #: 734767
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILD UP ON THE PISTON RINGS, CAUSING ENGINE KNOCKING AND ERRATIC OPERATION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK

NHTSA #: 872550
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2000

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA #: 871868
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2000

GM PLACED SMALLER PISTONS IN THE MOTOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A TAPPING NOISE ON COLD STARTS. NLM

NHTSA #: 553452
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jul 2000

VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM OF STALLING. HAD REPLACED THE FUEL MODULATOR & THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES. BUT, STALLING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA #: 866256
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2000

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A REAR END CRASH. NEED TO WAIT BEFORE RESTARTING VEHICLE. PROBLEM OCCURRED 3 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. BUT INSTALLED A CHIP TO VEHICLE SO IT CAN RECORD THE PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 865558
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2000

VECHICLE MADE A RATTLING NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER & FOUND THE PISTONS HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER SAID THAT THE NOISE WAS COMMON. *AK

NHTSA #: 863807
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2000

VEHICLE STALLS/COMPLETELY DIES WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA #: 863464
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2000

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING, AND OCCASIONALLY DID NOT START. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE, THE O2 SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, WAS ALSO REPLACED. *AK *ML

NHTSA #: 856208
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 1999

TURNING SIGNALS AND FLASHERS HAVE BEEN FIXED. THEY WANT ME TO BRING THE CAR IN ON MONDAY SO THEY CAN REPLACE THE PISTONS. I THINK THEY SHOULD GIVE ME ANOTHER CAR. *AK

NHTSA #: 714897

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