2000 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 944 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 47 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 37 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Campaign 14V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, other, storage, tank assembly, pressure relief devicesMar 12, 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Campaign 07E021000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, hazard flashing warning lights, switchAug 28, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.
WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Campaign 03V327000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and capOct 29, 1999
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL FILL FITTING IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED TO THE FUEL TANK. IN THAT CONDITION, FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD EXCEED THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT IN AN FMVSS TEST. FUEL LEAKS MAY OCCUR, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFUELING OR WHEN THE TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
Campaign 99V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
174 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2016, fire
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
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 1, 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?
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 9, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 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.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 15, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 14, 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.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 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.
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 28, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Dec 18, 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.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 24, 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.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jul 8, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jun 29, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 27, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 26, 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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2007
2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER COMPLAINT ON LEMON LAW. CONSUMER BELIEVES HIS VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE LEMON LAW SPECIFICATIONS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECTIVE CALIPER DESIGN CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS. AFTER REPLACING THE FACTORY SUPPLIED CALIPERS, THE PREMATURE ROTOR AND BRAKE PAD WEAR CEASED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. ONCE THE NEW GASKET MATERIAL WAS IMPLEMENTED THE INTAKE GASKET NO LONGER LEAKED. THE SAFETY HAZARD LIGHT CONTROL ASSEMBLY ON THE STEERING WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BECAUSE THE DEALER REPLACED DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS WITH ADDITIONAL DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH WAS COVERED UNDER A SPECIAL AGREEMENT WITH NHTSA, HOWEVER, GM REFUSED TO HONOR THE AGREEMENT. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2007
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED THREE TIMES UNDER AND OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING - ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT TURNING SIGNAL/WIPER WASHER SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR UNTIL CALIPERS REPLACED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT VARIOUS EMISSIONS AND FUEL VAPOR LEAKS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 12, 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.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 13, 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.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Aug 14, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 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.