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
739 reports, newest first.
Equipment, May 31, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 27, 2006
3.11 GM V6 ENGINE HAS A COMMON PROBLEM OF A NOTABLE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK, WHICH OIL AND COOLANT SYSTEM CONTAMINATES ONE OR THE OTHER OR BOTH. HAD TO GET AN EXTREME ENGINE FLUSH AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR IS NEEDED. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 25, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE HOT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ANTIFREEZE WAS REPLACED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. WHEN ENGINE HOT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE ANTIFREEZE WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. ON THE THIRD OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN WHICH CAUSED THE ANTIFREEZE TO GET INTO THE OIL. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED.
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2006
SIX MONTHS INTO DRIVING OUR NEW MALIBU A INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOP A SLOW LEAK OF ANTIFREEZE. IN THE WINTER MORE AGGRESSIVE IN THE SUMMER SLOWER. YET IT INCREASED GRADUALLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THE LEAK GREW SO BAD THAT IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED THIS MONTH. THE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE IS NOT ONLY A DANGER TO THE PARTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BUT ALSO THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS IS A POORLY MANUFACTURED PART AND GM SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE REPAIRS. THE TOTAL COST TO PUT A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED GASKET WITH LABOR IS $ 691.25. *JB
Electrical system, Tires, May 16, 2006
2001 MALIBU, AUTO THEFT THAT WAS INSTALLED BY CHEVY KEEPS PREVENTING MY CAR FROM STARTING AND IT HAS TO BE TOWED THIS HAS HAPPEN 5 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. THIS CAR HAS HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACE, IGNITION REPLACE, IT WEAR MY TIRES DOWN UNEVENLY. 2 DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR I RETURNED FOR 2 WEEKS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE REAR END GO OPPOSITE OF FRONT AND NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. THIS CAR HAS COST ME OVER $2000.00 IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AWAY LIKE MY BARETTA DID. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2006
MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU HAS STARTED LEAKING COOLANT. THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT HAS COME ON, GONE OFF, COME ON AND GONE OFF. WHEN I CHECK THE RESERVE, THE LEVEL IS SO LOW IT'S EMPTY. AFTER PURCHASING, SO FAR 6 GALLONS, OF DEXCOOL AND MIXING IT ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTIONS EACH TIME, THE COOLANT LASTED A SHORTER AND SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME. THE TEMP. WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND RINGING, THEN WENT OFF AND THE TEMP WENT DOWN. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE, WHERE I JUST HAD THE CAR INSPECTED. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET IS BAD AND THE REPAIRS WILL COST ME $1023.00 AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THAT GM HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC GASKETS FOR SOME TIME. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE DUE TO AN OVERHEATED ENGINE, A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE BEFORE GM WILL RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM? OR IS THIS HOW MR. GOODWRENCH CAN MAKE SO MANY REPAIRS AND ADVERTISE ABOUT HOW MANY CARS THEY FIX AND MAN HOURS THEY WORK? I LOVED THIS CAR! I BOUGHT IT WITH 5 MILES ON IT(4 OF WHICH I PUT ON DURING THE TEST DRIVE.) A 2001 WITH ONLY 45K MILES? AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO SEES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND THAT GM SHOULD STOP ISSUING "PRIVATE" NOTICES AND RECALL THE CARS FOR PROPER PARTS & SERVICING?*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, May 6, 2006
OUR 2001 MALIBU DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK AND IN MAY OF 05. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER INTAKE GASKET AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN COMPRESSION AND KEPT STALLING. I AM DISABLED AND I FELT THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER 3 OR 4 TRIPS TO THE DEALER WITHOUT RESULTS I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET THAT WAS LEAKING. I AM OUT A LOT OF MONEY FOR A CAR THAT'S NOT VERY OLD. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MALIBU OWNERS I AM CONVINCED THERE MUST BE A DEFECT WITH THESE GASKETS. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPLETELY REPLACED AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW IF ONE HAS ANY THING TO DO WITH THE OTHER BUT IT WAS AT THE SAME TIME. NOW MY HEATER WON'T TURN OFF SO IT'S OVER RIDING THE AIR CONDITIONER. BECAUSE OF ALL OF THESE REPAIRS I HAVE OVER $1000 IN RENTAL CAR EXPENSES. THIS IS A MATTER OF SAFETY AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2006
FAX FROM CONSUMER (OH) RE THE PROBLEM HE AND HIS WIFE HAD WITH THE HEAD GASKETS IN THEIR 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE. *NM THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE OIL SYSTEM. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 24, 2006
I NEED TO KNOW WHO CAN I SPEAK WITH IN REGARDS TO GM HAVING A RECALL ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FOR ALL 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE MANAGER AT ADVANCED AUTO PARTS THAT SEVERAL 2001 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 ONCE A MONTH OR SOONER. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, TO THE POINT THAT I FELL 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 AN 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 DEFAULT CORRECTED. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR IT NOT BE RECALLED. PLEASE, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT 410/917-7327. THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO MY CONCERN. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 2006
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR OVERHEATING. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES AND EVERYONE TELLS ME THAT THIS IS COMMON IN MALIBUS,AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD MY RADIATOR REPLACED,MY THERMOSTAT CHANGED, MY COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSHED. NOW CHEVROLET IS SAYING IT MIGHT BE MY WATER PUMP THAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THAT WILL COST 586 AND IF THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM THEY WILL CHECK OTHER THINGS WHILE IM GOING TO BE THE ONE TAKING THE LOST. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2006
I NOTICED ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU THAT THE COOLANT LIGHT WAS COMING ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. HE RAISED THE HOOD AND SAID I WAS LOW ON COOLANT WITHOUT EVEN TAKING THE LID OFF. HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND IT WOULD BE AN HOUR OR MORE SO I STAYED SINCE I HAD NO WAY OF GETTING HOME. TWO HOURS LATER HE CAME OUT AND SAID I HAD A INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK, A WATER PUMP THAT LEAKED AT ONE TIME BUT WASN'T LEAKING NOW BUT NEEDED REPLACED AND HANDED ME A BILL FOR 1200.00. MIND YOU THIS CAR ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT AND WHEN PURCHASED IT ALREADY HAD 25,000 ON IT AND I HAVE ONLY PUT A LITTLE OVER 14,000 ON IT MYSELF AND IT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED MY CAR OVERHEATING AND ALWAYS HAD THE OIL CHANGE WHEN REQUIRED. I FELT THAT THIS MAJOR OF A PROBLEM SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING SO I CALLED GM MOTORS AND THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID IT WASN'T UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS MY ENGINE WILL BLOW UP IF I DRIVE IT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, THAT CHEVY MALUBU'S FROM 1997 HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND GM HAS IGNORED IT. I FEEL THAT GM MOTORS SHOULD PAY TO FIX MY CAR AS I CAN NOT DRIVE IT FOR SAFETY REASONS AT ALL. IF I DRIVE IT I COULD BLOW MY ENGINE AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WILL STOP. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ABOVE THE NORMAL RANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL REGULATOR WAS SPEWING FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SEALS WERE NO LONGER THERE, CAUSING FUEL TO GET INTO THE OIL. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE INTAKE GASKET, THERMOSTAT, TIMING BELT, COOLING FAN, FUEL REGULATOR, AND RADIATOR CAP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Service brakes, Air, Apr 6, 2006
MY ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF, AND MY BRAKES GIVE OUT WHEN I AM TRYING TO STOP.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Mar 29, 2006
2001 MALIBU HAS HAD FRONT BRAKE DISC AND BATTERY REPLACED, 16804 MILES ON VEHICLE.. MECHANIC HAS NOW INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TS *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 22, 2006
FAX FM (OH) RE THE PROBLEM HE AND HIS WIFE HAD W/THE HEAD GASKETS IN THEIR 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU & 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE. *TS THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE OIL SYSTEM. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2006
INTERMITTENTLY ALL DASH LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR. ALSO THE RADIO/ CLOCK DOES NOT COME ON FOR APPROX. 60 SEC'S. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND PASSLOCK SENSOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. *NM
Electrical system, Mar 19, 2006
ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, INSTRUMENTS DO NOT LIGHT UP, BOTH GAS AND TEMP GAUGE NEEDLES FALL BACK TO OFF POSITION. CAR CAN BE RESTARTED BY MOVING GEAR SELECTOR LEVER AND TWISTING IGNITION KEY TO ENGAGE STARTER. CAR ALSO IS AT TIMES HARD TO START. IF THE IGNITION KEY IS INSERTED AND TWISTED TO ON, SOMETIMES ICONS DO NOT LIGHT UP, NOR WILL THE GAUGES REGISTER,THE ENGINE WILL CRANK BUT NOT START. IF THE KEY IS TWISTED BACK TO THE OFF POSITION,THEN TWISTED BACK TO THE ON POSITION AND THE NEEDLES OF THE GAS AND TEMP GAUGES MOVE, THE ENGINE WILL START. THIS CAR IS 5 YEARS. OLD AND HAS 45,000 MI. ON THE SPEEDOMETER HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES,BUT SINCE THE ENGINE RESTARTS,IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN FOR REPAIRS. THE PCV VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND CAR HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE STATE MANDATED TESTING,WHICH REQUIRES USE OF THE OBD PORT. THIS WAS LAST FALL. *JB
Exterior lighting, Mar 13, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE BECOME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL, #03V327000, CONCERNING THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE COMPONENT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL ANY LONGER AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB
Exterior lighting, Feb 22, 2006
I BOUGHT MY CAR WHEN IT WAS A YEAR OLD, SINCE BUYING THE CAR, I HAVE HAD TO PAY 800 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH CHANGED, WHICH I FOUND OUT LATER THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE ONLY CHARGED 400. I HAVE ALSO RESPONDED TO THE TURN SIGNAL RECALL TO HAVE THE HAZARD SWITCH FIXED ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME SWITCH GO OUT AGAIN, NOT EVEN 2 YEARS LATER. I AM BEING TOLD THAT IT WILL COST AT LEAST 200.00 TO FIX. INSTEAD OF THE TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING NOW THERE IS A CONSTANT CLICKING IN THE DASH, WHICH THEY SAID IS CAUSED BY THE HAZARD SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE...IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN WHY WOULD THEY REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A DEFECTIVE ONE AND NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONE? *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 13, 2006
I TOOK MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU LS IN TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE GM ENGINES OF MY YEAR AND OTHERS WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING COOLANT, AND THAT IF LEFT UN-FIXED, THE ENGINE WOULD EVENTUALLY SEIZE UP. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MATERIAL THAT THE GASKETS WERE MADE OUT OF HAS SINCE BEEN CHANGED, WHICH WOULD IMPLY THAT THEY KNOW IT TO BE FAULTY. I CONTACTED GM AND TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS ISSUE MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I HAD HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN PLACE FOR FAULTY ALTERNATORS AND FIGURED THIS PROBLEM WAS ABOUT EQUAL TO THAT IN POTENTIAL DANGER. OUT OF CURIOSITY, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF WEBSITES WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 9, 2006
ON TWO OCCASIONS 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS FAILED TO START. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. DIAGNOSTIC TEST WERE RUN BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM EITHER TIME. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2006
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU'S MANIFOLD TWICE, AND I HAVE NOTICE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 5, 2006
THE VEHICLES HEAT GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED COOLANT LEVEL AND DISCOVERED SLUDGE IN EXPANSION CHAMBER ( COOLANT RECOVERY TANK). FLUSHED SYSTEM OF SLUDGE AND TROUBLE SHOT REASON FOR COOLANT LOSS. FOUND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. VEHICLE WILL REQUIRE NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SET, THERMOSTAT, HOSES, WATER PUMP AND POSSIBLY RADIATOR. TRIED TO FLUSH SYSTEM COMPLETELY BUT FOUND SECONDARY PLUMBING SUCH AS HEATER CORE, RADIATOR,COOLANT CROSSOVER AND COOLANT BLEED HOSING GUMMED UP WITH OILY WAXY TYPE SUBSTANCE RESEMBLING GUMBALLS (DEX-COOL?). I THINK GM SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SO CALLED "WONDER COOLANT". AFTER ALL THE STICKER ON THE EXPANSION CHAMBER DOES SAY ANYTHING ABOUT CHANGING EVERY 5 YEARS OR 150000 MILES. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 7, 2006
(1) COOLANT LEAKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING IT INTO MY VEHICLE. (2) MY CAR HAS OVERHEATED THREE TIMES ON THE FREEWAY. IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE, STARTS VIOLENTLY VIBRATING, THEN SMOKE BELLOWS OUT OF MY HOOD WHEN I FINALLY STOP. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY THREE TIMES WITH MY TWO-YEAR-OLD IN THE CAR, AS WELL AS MY UNBORN CHILD. (3) I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET REPAIR MAN WHO FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM ISSUED BY CHEVROLET. HE EXPLAINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS MANUFACTURED CROOKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO MY ENGINE AND DILUTE MY OIL WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BURN MY MOTOR AND RUIN IT COMPLETELY. WHEN I CONTACTED CHEVROLET, THEY WERE VERY UNHELPFUL BOTH TIMES STATING I HAD TO PAY A CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY MIGHT HELP ME WITH A LITTLE COST ASSISTANCE BUT NOT MUCH. IT IS ABOUT $600 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT IS NOT NORMAL MAINTENANCE OR WEAR-AND-TEAR. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE E-MAIL ME ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER POSTING A COMMENT ABOUT IT ON A WEBSITE. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2006
I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AGAIN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED BACK IN APRIL OF 2005 AND THE WHOLE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS $300.00. THEY ARE HAVING TO REPLACING THE WHOLE SYSTEM AGAIN FOR $500.00. *NM