2001 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 739 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 37 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 29 people were injured and 2 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
Representative owner complaints: engine
176 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 16, 2008
I AM A SINGLE MOM OF TWO, AND AM FRUSTRATED THAT ALL OF MY SAVINGS HAVE GONE INTO THIS MONEY PIT. I HAVE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE, AND ITS GOING OUT AGAIN! I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, HEATER CORE WHICH ARE DYING, AND THE THEFT SYSTEM TWICE. I HAVE HAD A FUEL LEAK BY MY ENGINE AND HAD IT ENTER INSIDE MY CAR AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN, MY ABS BRAKES ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT, AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF MY COMPLAINTS! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE LEAK. SHE HAD TO PLACE ANTIFREEZE IN HER VEHICLE EVERY MONTH BECAUSE IT WOULD LEAK OUT CONSTANTLY. SHE NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO HER VIA EMAIL. THE SECOND TIME, SHE SPOKE WITH THEM AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. FROM THERE, THEY WILL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A DEFECT. GENERAL MOTORS FURTHER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,00 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 18, 2007
I HAVE MALIBU 2001 WITH 56000 MLS ON IT. TODAY I HAD TO CHANGE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.$950 TOTAL...BESIDE THIS A HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY THEFT SYSTEM,BRAKES ,LIGHT HAZARD SWITCH. AIR CONDITIONER ..ETC. THIS IS THE MY LAST GM CAR..PERIOD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 15, 2007
ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD VALVE GASKET DEFECTIVE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE LOW ANTIFREEZE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ANTIFREEZE HAD TO BE REFILLED ONCE A WEEK. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,849. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE WAS INFORMED BY TO MECHANICS, THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 30, 2007
I HAVE TWICE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. BOTH TIMES IT HAS STARTED AS A SLOW SEEP FROM THE END OF THE ENGINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. AT FIRST WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PUDDLES, JUST A LOW FLUID INDICATOR ALARM. THEN WE HAD INTERMITTANT PUDDLES. THE LATEST OCCURENCE INCLUDED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH ABOUT AN HALF A GALLON OF FLUID INTO THE ENGINE, AND IT WAS 200 MILES FROM HOME. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE NOT DRIVING WHEN THE FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED, SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FIRST REPAIR OCCURED IN JANUARY 2005 AT 101K MILES, THIS ONE IN AUGUST 07 WITH 144K MILES. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE AT AN ASCE SHOP AND COST $700, THIS ONE WAS AT A DEALER AND COST $1200. I DESCRIBED THE INCIDENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND HIS FIRST QUESTION WAS, "GM CAR?" IT IS QUITE COMMON AND WELL KNOWN TO MECHANICS.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 21, 2007
CAR INITIALLY WOULDN'T START, WOULD ONLY TURN OVER. CAR WOULD DIE IN TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO WARNING REQUIRING TRYING TO COAST TO A SAFE PLACE OUT OF TRAFFIC IF POSSIBLE WITH A SEVERE POTENTIAL TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND EVEN WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON. CAR TOWED TO CHEV DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. TECH SAID GASKET WAS LEAKING CAUSING ENGINE TO HYDROLOCK. THIRD TIME DRIVING THE CAR SINCE REPAIR, CAR DIED IN TRAFFIC AGAIN ON FREEWAY. CAR IS SETTING AT DEALERSHIP AGAIN WAITING FOR TECHNICIAN TO DIAGNOSE SINCE OBVIOUSLY THE $1200 REPAIR JUST COMPLETED DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 13, 2007
I OWN A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND OUT OF THE BLUE ONE DAY MY ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN RIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE NOT YET HAD IT CHECKED DUE TO FINANCE PROBLEMS. NOT ONLY THAT I ALSO HAVE TO CHANGE MY WHEEL BEARINGS EVERY WEEK TO TWO WEEKS. I HAVE HAD THIS CHECKED AND THE GARAGE I TAKE IT TO FOR ALL MY REPAIRS CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT EITHER. PLEASE HELP THANK YOU, MRS.SPARKS *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2007
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT. STARTED LOSING ANTIFREEZE - LEAK ON DRIVEWAY. MECHANIC TRACED THE LEAK WITH DYE TABLETS AND SEALANT TABLETS -- AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS I TOOK IT CHEV. DEALER AND THEY TESTED EVERYTHING AND REPLACED THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WAS TOLD THIS MODEL CAR HAD MANIFOLD PROBLEMS. IT COST ME $990. I HAD THIS WORK DONE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THOUGHT MAYBE WITH THE OTHER MALIBU'S HAVING PROBLEMS THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL -- I'M WAITING. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2007
THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE KNOCKING NOISE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. 5 DIFFERENT DEALERS STATED THAT THE TEFLON FROM THE ROCKER ARMS IN THE ENGINE WORE OUT AND THATW AS WHAT WAS MAKING THE AWFUL NOISE. ITWAS COSMETIC, SO TO FIX IT WOULD COST A LOT OF MONEY. *AK ALSO, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE CAR HAS CRACKED CAUSING THE ENGINE/RADIATOR TO LEAK ANIFREEZE OUT THE EXAUST. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS. I CAN GO ON AND ON WITH MY CAR. I HAVE MAINTAINED IT EVERY 3,000 MILES METICOUSLY AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 12, 2007
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVORLET MALIBU WHICH HAS CLOSE TO 67000 MILES, AND NOW ITS SHOWING SIGNS OF COOLANT LEAKING ,AND COOLANT HAS TO BE TOPPED UP EVERY 200 MILES OR SO, AND THE COOLANT USED WAS DEX-COOL, GM RECOMMENDED. ALSO THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) UNIT AS IT WAS NOT COOLING AT ALL, AND WHEN CHECKED THE FREON. GAS LEAKED OUT ,AND YET TO FIND WHERE THE LEAKING IS FROM. MECHANIC MENTIONED THE COOLANT PROBLEM WAS THERE IN ALL MALIBU MODELS STARTING 1998. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROBLEMS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 21, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES ON HIS 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU (50000 FAILURE MILEAGE) HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ANTIFREEZE LEAKS INTO THE OIL. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC SIX TIMES CONCERNING THESE ISSUES. THE BRAKE AND MANIFOLD PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 27, 2007
DEFECTIVE GASKETS CAUSES ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO ENGINE AND MIX WITH ENGINE OIL. COMMON PROBLEM FOR YEARS ON CHEVROLET MALIBU'S AND GM HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL. OR CONTACTED CONSUMERS TO NOTIFY THEM OF THIS ISSUE? I HAVE ALWAYS WELL MAINTAINED MY CAR AND DONE SO TO MANUFACTURERS SPECS. THIS IS OBVIOUS DISREGARD FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 22, 2007
ENGINE LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE, TURN SIGNALS GO IN & OUT, FUEL GAUGE NOT ALWAYS RIGHT, MAKING A LOUD BANGING NOISE, AND NOW DEAD WON'T EVEN START. 2001 CHEVY MALIBU 3.1L V6 $22,000 & ONLY 67,000 MILES. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2007
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU, WITH 51000 MILES MY COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC FILLED THE COOLANT. TWO MONTHS PASSED AND THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE MECHANIC FILLED THE COOLANT AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT. IT TURNED OUT, THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. I WAS INFORMED MY CAR HAD A FAULTY MANIFOLD GASKET. IT COST ME $600.00 TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED. I HOPE THERE IS A RECALL SOON. I HERE THAT MANY GM VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2007
I HAVE PURCHASED TWO (2001) CHEVROLET MALIBU'S THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSES ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK. I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WITH MY FIRST MALIBU BACK IN 2005. BASED ON DOCUMENTATION OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS THAT I SUBMITTED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE REPAIR WAS COVERED OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY AND I ONLY PAID THE WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE. MY SECOND MALIBU WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A NON-GM DEALERSHIP IN THE FALL OF 2005. I PURCHASED THE SECOND CAR DUE TO THE FIRST ONE BEING A TOTAL LOSS IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME LEAKING GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE SECOND CAR. I CONTACTED GM DIRECTLY TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE CAR FIXED. THE CAR HAS 103,341 MILES ON IT. REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE, THE MECHANICS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAY THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT BECAUSE THE GASKET(S) ARE CHEAP PLASTIC. AS OF DATE, GM IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR WHICH COSTS $700+. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I USE TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE WILL ONLY OFFER A DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND LABOR. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT AT FAULT. IT IS GM'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 61 PAGES OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REFERRING TO THE SAME LEAKING GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 7, 2007
I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO GET A SIMPLE OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED MY VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTING ANY WHERE FROM$ 800-$1000.00 . ON MY SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT GM CARS ARE HAVING OVER 70,000 MILES. INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS CAN LEAD TO ANY NUMBER OF VERY SERIOUS, AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS. WHILE THE PART ITSELF ISN'T COSTLY, THE LABOR TO REPAIR IS COSTLY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2006
AFTER HAVING TO REFILL MY ENGINE COOLANT ON A REGULAR BASIS I FINALLY TOOK MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I EXPECTED A LEAKY HOSE BUT FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM WAS A FAILED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSING THE COOLANT TO DRAIN INTO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER GUARANTEED ME THAT IF I DIDN'T PERFORM THE $900 REPAIR THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT, AND THAT THE ODDS OF SAVING THE ENGINE EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR WERE ONLY 50/50. THE OTHER OPTIONS I WAS GIVEN WERE TO COMPLETELY REBUILD THE ENGINE ($3000+) OR "CUT MY LOSES AND TRADE IT IN NOW." AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM, RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE GASKETS, THAT CHEVROLET HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALER, A COOLANT LEAK WAS FOUND ON THE ENGINE NEXT TO THE INTAKE GASKET. A SECOND OPINION WAS SOUGHT AT ANOTHER INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALERS AND WHEN THE LEAK WAS CONFIRMED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO ADD COOLANT TO THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDOWS WERE COATED BY THE COOLANT VAPOR, ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A PUDDLE WAS NOTICED UNDER THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A FAULTY INTAKE GASKET. A NEW GASKET NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Oct 23, 2006
5 MOS AFTER PURCHASING CAR, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE FOLLOWING PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED: IGNITION MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, FAN BELT, WATER PUMP, KNOCK SENSOR, CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, IGNITION SWITCH. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2006
MY 2001 MALIBU IS STARTING TO OVER HEAT AND LEAK COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING COOLANT IN CONSTANTLY. I WENT TO A MECHANIC, HE STATED IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT CHEVROLET/GM WILL NOT RECALL THE PROBLEM. I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $600 FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I WAS THINKING ABOUT BUY A NEW CHEVY, BUT AFTER THIS ISSUE I WILL NEVER BUY AN AMERICAN CAR AGAIN!!!*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Aug 6, 2006
MYSELF AND MANY OTHER 2001 CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE MAJOR ENGINE GASKETS IN THEIR CARS. I AM DISABLED AN THE CAR WOULD STALL EVERYWHERE PUTTING MY SAFETY IN JEPORDY. THE ENGINE CAN'T MAINTAIN COMPRESSION BECAUSE OF THE LEAKS. GM REFUSES TO EVEN RESOND TO MY EMAILS. I URGE YOU TO CHECK INTO THIS MATTER. I EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER TO LET GM GET AWAY WITH THIS. IT HAS COST A LOT OF MONEY NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY FACTOR. PLEASE CHECK THE MYCARSTATS.COM TO SEE ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS.EGR VALVE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN THE PROCESS OF FILING MY COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND THE DOJ THE DEALER INADVERTLY PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION THAT THA ENGINE HAD BEEN LEAKING BEFORE WE PURCHASED IT. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2006
I NEED TO KNOW WHO I CAN SPEAK WITH IN REGARDS TO GM HAVING A RECALL ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FOR 2000/2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE MANAGER AT ADVANCED AUTO PARTS THAT SEVERAL MALIBU OWNERS COME IN TO PURCHASE COOLANT, AS WELL AS MYSELF, AS OUR GASKET IS LEAKING, WHICH CAUSES US TO HAVE TO REFILL AT LEAST EVERY OTHER MONTH OR SOONER. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, TO THE POINT THAT I FELT A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE. SOME INDIVIDUALS NOTED THAT THEY CONTACTED THEIR CAR DEALER AND THE GASKET WAS CHANGED TO A NEWER ONE THAT THEY ARE USING IN THE NEWER CARS. HOWEVER, I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO, AS THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I NEED SOMEONE TO CONTACT ME ASAP REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. IT'S NOT FAIR TO MYSELF, THE CONSUMER, TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT CORRECTED. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR IT NOT BE RECALLED. PLEASE, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO MY CONCERN. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jul 7, 2006
5/05 COOLANT LEAK- REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET $1100.00 8/05 COOLANT LEAK(CONTINUED)- REPLACE HEAD GASKET, COMPLETELY REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT-$1085.00 1/06 REPLACE EGR VALVE, SOLENOID, GASKETS $435.00 I'VE BEEN AROUND CARS ALL MY LIFE, MY FATHER WAS A MECHANIC. MY POINT IS THAT I KNOW IF YOU TAKE CARE OF A CAR IT WILL LAST LONGER. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR AND I KNOW GASKETS SHOULD NOT DETERIORATE THE WAY THESE DID. LOOKING AT THE REPORTS ON MYCARSTATS.COM IT APPEARS TO ME THAT WHAT EVER MATERIAL WAS USED FOR THE GASKETS IN THIS CAR MUST BE DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS TO BE ANY THING ELSE. MAINTAINING MY CAR IS A PRIORITY FOR ME AS I AM DISABLED. TO HAVE A MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN IS A MAJOR ISSUE. THIS CARS ENGINE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN COMPRESSION BECAUSE OF THE LEAKY GASKETS. IT KEPT STALLING REPEATEDLY, I FEEL PUTTING MY SAFETY AT RISK. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK THIS OUT WITH THE DEALERSHIP BUT IT'S CLEAR TO ME WHAT THEIR PRIORITY IS AND IT'S NOT ME OR MY CAR. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE GASKET MATERIAL THEY USED IN THIS MODEL WAS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER YEARS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN GM IS READY TO ADMIT. *JB