2002 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 596 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 20 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 20 people were injured.
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, headlightsApr 10, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP THAT DOES NOT MEET THE PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
LIGHT INTENSITIES BELOW THE MINIMUM INTENSITY REQUIREMENTS CAUSE REDUCTION IN VISIBILITY DOWN THE ROAD FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND INTENSITIES ABOVE THE MAXIMUM INTENSITY REQUIREMENTS CAUSE INCREASE IN GLARE FOR DRIVERS AHEAD OF, OR APPROACHING, THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP AND REPLACE IT IF IT DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 02V107000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
89 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 28, 2008
I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAD THE THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COME ON AND PAID $700 TO FIX THAT. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD...$500. I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK AND PAID $800 TO FIX THAT. EVERY TIME I GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED TOO, UNTIL THE LAST TIME WHEN THE CALIBERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL $900. NOW I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING MY PIECE OF JUNK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 13, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON AUGUST 10, 2004. THE MILEAGE WAS 45,281. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. 1.GM DEX-COOL/INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. 2.ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER CAR HAS BEEN STOPPED, THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART AGAIN. WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 1 ABOVE, I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING. WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 2 ABOVE, THESE ARE THE CIRCUMSTANCES CONCERNING MY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER 2006 I HAD TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF MY CAR NOT STARTING. IT WAS TOWED 4 TIMES, THE FIRST 3 TIMES AND ALL THE DEALERSHIP SAID WAS THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE CHARGED. ON THE LAST TIME, OCTOBER 13, 2006 THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEIR ?EDUCATED GUESS? WAS THE NEED TO CHANGE THE STARTER SWITCH AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FOR WHICH THEY CHARGED ME FOR A STARTER SWITCH - $96.15, AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER - $154.79, RECODE THE LOCK CYLINDER - $15.00, AND $46.00 TO CORRECT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR DATA, PLUS A $10.00 ENVIRONMENTAL DISPOSAL FEE. MY SON LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SAME MODEL CAR. IT APPEARS QUITE A FEW OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE ANTI-THEFT PROBLEM FIX WAS TO ALLOW THE CAR TO SIT FOR 10 MINUTES, AND THEN TRY TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN, AND IT WORKED, SOMETIMES AFTER 2-3 ATTEMPTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ALSO SAID TO TRY THE SAME FIX PROCEDURE, IT MIGHT WORK. IT APPEARS THAT GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT THIS TWO PROBLEM, AND IS ONLY ADDRESSING THE GM DEX COOL INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD RECALL TO FIX BOTH PROBLEMS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE EITHER OF THESE TWO ITEMS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAUSES A LOSS OF LIFE OR LIMB. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,340. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 30, 2007
ANTIFREEZE IS GOING BAD AT LOW MILEAGE (75,000 MILES BELOW LIFE EXPECTANCY), BECOMING CAUSTIC, AND CAUSING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS TO DISSOLVE CAUSING A LEAK, ALSO CAUSING HEAD GASKETS TO LEAK LEADING TO MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE. THIS LEADS TO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT BEST AND ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT WORST. THE ANTI FREEZE IS OBVIOUSLY A BAD FORMULATION AND/OR INTERACTS WITH COMPONENTS TO BECAME CAUSTIC. THIS IS A DEFECT AND REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET HOW PREVALENT THIS PROBLEM IS. NO NOTICE TO OWNERS WAS EVER SENT TO REPLACE THE ANTIFREEZE BEFORE IT BECAME CAUSTIC. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Sep 27, 2007
THE ANTI-FREEZE HOLDING TANK KEEPS GETTING AN OIL RESIDUE IN IT AND THE ANTI-FREEZE KEEPS DISAPPEARING INTO THE ENGINE AND HAS TO KEEP BEING REFILLED. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS FAILING. THE A/C SWITCH ALSO TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN. ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2007
CHEVROLET MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS" BEGINS TO LEAK ANYWHERE AROUND 80,000 MILES OF DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO LEAK COOLANT, TO OVERHEAT, AND MOTOR WILL LOCK, BURN OUT. THIS CAR WAS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD, AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAD THIS WORK DONE OF THEIR CARS COSTING $500.00 TO $700.00 I FELT AS THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO IMPROVE THIS GASKET AND REPLACE THE CARS THAT ALREADY HAD THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2007
(1) 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. 3100 V6 ENGINE. GASKET FAILURE/FACTORY DEFAULT. (2) ONLY 22,200 MILES, AND INTAKE GASKET HAS FAILED. (3) WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, IS A GM FACTORY RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2007
GM V6 DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO DISAPPEAR THROUGH ENGINE OR INTO ENGINE OIL. CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, AND POSSIBLE SEVER INTERNAL DAMAGE. LAST FAILURE WAS ON 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AT 39000 MILES,IT FAILED 2 TIMES ON 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA UNDER 80000 MILES, FAILED 2 TIMES ON 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE UNDER 80000 MILES. FAILED 1 TIME ON 2002 MALIBU. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF DEFECT, BUT DID NOT TELL CUSTOMER. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 2, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU, WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON 02/28/2007, AND WORKED WELL UNTIL 03/16/2007 WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. ON 03/23/2007 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON SINCE THAT TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,667. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 14, 2007
ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. I REPLACED 1/2 GALLON OF COOLANT. AT MY NEXT OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED AN ORANGE GEL ON MY OIL CAP. I FIGURED IT WAS AN INTERNAL COOLANT LEAK; THEREFORE, IT WAS PROBABLY A HEAD GASKET LEAK. I TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED IT WAS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. IF THE GASKET WAS NOT REPLACED PROMPTLY, THE ENGINE OIL WOULD FAIL TO LUBRICATE THE ENGINE PROPERLY. THE RESULT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. 8JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 10, 2007
FIRST INCIDENT OF LEAKING HAPPENED AFTER DEALERSHIP WORKED ON CAR. ARRIVED HOME COOLANT POURED OUT ON GROUND TOWED BACK. DEALERSHIP SAID RESERVOIR CAP SEAL. 10/2006 OR 11/2006, PICKING UP AT SCHOOL AND SMELLED NOT ENGINE. PARKED SAW COOLANT ON GROUND. NO ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT NEEDLE WAS PAST MIDDLE. FAMILY BROUGHT COOLANT FILLED IT UP AND WENT 5 BLOCKS TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. YESTERDAY, 1/9/2007 CAR OVERHEATED IN THE SCHOOL LINE. ADDED COOLANT. I BROUGHT IT TO A NON DEALERSHIP RADIATOR SHOP OWNER THINKS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. CAR AT DEALERSHIP. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS BUT BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED FEEL DEALERSHIP WILL TELL ME IT IS A NEW PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST EVENT SO I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE. AT LEAST TWO ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL & 5 SETS OF PADS. REPORTED TO GM THEY CLAIM IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE! A NON DEALERSHIP TIRE COMPANY HAD THE PADS REPLACED WITH A GOOD BRAND. 1 1/2 YEARS SINCE I HAD TO HAVE PADS. PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS. CAR IS RUNNING AND THE DRIVER GETS OUT LEAVING CAR ON AND THEN THE PASSENGER TURNS OFF THE CAR AND GETS OUT, LOCKS CAR, THE RADIO STAYS ON. I WENT INSIDE THE STORE AND CAME OUT AND THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING. WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE CAR BUT ENTER ONLY THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND THEN CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY, THE CAR LOCKS ITSELF. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD NOT PLACED THE KEYS ON THE SEAT OF THE CAR AND SHUT THE DOOR OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT. I REPORTED THIS BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE. RADIO WAS REPLACED FOR LEFT BUTTON PAINT (NOT SURE IF IT IS PAINT OR COVER ON BUTTON) RUBS OFF. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED.. I TRANSPORT GRANDCHILDREN AND I NEED A SAFE CAR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 30, 2006
2002 CHEVY MALIBU (85,000 MILES) = APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO ENGINE OVERHEATED AND "NEED COOLANT" LIGHT CAME ON. OWNER REFILLED COOLANT. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER "COOLANT" LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND OWNER REFILLED COOLANT. NO VISIBLE LEAK OF COOLANT WAS NOTICED UNDER VEHICLE. AT NEXT OIL CHANGE OWNER ASKED TECHNICIAN TO CHECK COOLANT AND TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE, NO DISCERNIBLE LEAK. JULY 2006 ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, OWNER REFILLED, THIS OCCURRED AGAIN IN LATE AUGUST AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER. DECEMBER 22, 2006, OWNER HAD OIL CHANGE AND ASKED TECHNICIAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT CHEVROLETS REGULARLY GET AIR BUBBLES IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND OFTEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH COOLANT BECAUSE OF IT. HE CHECKED THE COOLANT PRESSURE, HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND SUGGESTED TO DO A FLUSH AND FILL, THE OWNER AGREED. ON DEC. 26, 2006, THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE OWNER ADDED ADDITIONAL COOLANT. ON DEC. 29, 2006, OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE CENTER. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A DAMAGED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER PERFORMED THE SERVICE AND REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON DEC. 30, 2006. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 30, 2006
AT 62,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WAS ON. I FILLED THE COOLANT. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND I FILLED IT A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT THE LEAK. THEN, I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. THE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED REPLACED. I WAS LEAKING WATER INTO MY ENGINE. CAN YOU IMAGINE BUYING TWO NEW CHEVY AUTOMOBILES IN THE SAME YEAR AND 4 YEARS LATER HAVING BOTH ENGINES FAIL FOR THE SAME REASON. SEEMS LIKE CHEVY IS HIDING A MAJOR PROBLEM. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ON THE INTERNET. I DID NOT CONTACT CHEVY SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NOW, BECAUSE OF MY INTERNET RESEARCH AND THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY IMPALA, I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SO, I TOOK MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AT 62,000 MILES TO THE SAME GARAGE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS AND GIVE ME A PRICE BREAK AND FIXED IT FOR $252.00. BOO TO CHEVY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD ALLOWED OIL TO MIX WITH ANTIFREEZE CAUSING A LEAK. THE ANTIFREEZE MIXTURE ATE THROUGH THE GASKET WHICH RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THIS OCCURRED TWICE IN 10,000 MILES.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 4, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CRACKED WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE AUTO BODY SHOP STATED THE LEAK COULD LEAD TO THE ENGINE GETTING LOCKED.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2006
ON SEPT. 5, 2006, MY HUSBAND, 2 CHILDREN, AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN A 55 MPH HIGHWAY, WHEN I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND MY CAR JUST DECIDED IT WAS ONLY GOING TO GO 35-45 MPH! LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. I HAD TIME TO PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND GET THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD TO THE MECHANIC. I WAS ON A CAR COMPLAINT WEBSITE TRYING TO DISCOVER WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR WHEN I FOUND OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. AT WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THERE ARE ABOUT 9 PEOPLE DISCUSSING HOW THEIR ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. LIKE ME, AT FIRST IT EITHER DIDN'T SHOW THE LEAK, OR IT WAS MINIMAL, AND NOT WORRISOME, WE THOUGHT; HOWEVER, WE (MECHANICS THAT WE ARE NOT) WERE WRONG. SOMEONE SAID THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS $1200+. DEALERS AREN'T HELPING. MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M GOING TO DO. I'M 38 YEARS OLD WITH A HEART CONDITION AND I NEED MY CAR, BUT I CAN'T DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS, NOR CAN I AFFORD TO FIX IT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 23, 2006
MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DOWN AN INCLINE WHICH LEADS TO A ROTARY. ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY WERE LOST. THE CAR KEPT GAINING SPEED AS IT DROVE DOWN THE INCLINE. I HAD TO FORCE THE CAR INTO PARK AND USE THE FOOT EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT AFTER IT ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND UNTO THE ROTARY. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 17, 2006
MALIBU 2002 PURCHASED ON MAY 18, 2003 WITH 33,000 MILES . ON JULY 15, 2003 THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND CAR OVERHEATED. ACCORDING TO DEALER CAR WAS FIXED. ON JUNE 1, 2004 THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. JUNE 27, 2006 WITH 72, 000 MILES, THERE IS OIL IN COOLANT RESERVOIR AND A COOLANT LEAK. THERE WAS A LOWER INTAKE LEAK AND LEAK AT WATER PUMP. THE LOWER INTAKE AND WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT ON JULY 17, 2006 THE SAME PROBLEM CAME AGAIN. JULY 17, 2006 ONLY A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE PROBLEM WITH OIL IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK AT APPROXIMATELY 13000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. UPDATED 07/05/06. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, May 30, 2006
CAR STARTED LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON ENGINE AT 45000 MILES. WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $900.00 FOR THIS REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. THIS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE AND OVERHEATING ENGINE FAILURE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, May 13, 2006
CAR HAS FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL US WHY. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. OUR WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH. OUR HEAT ONLY WORKS ON NUMBER 4 AND 5. WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WITH MY BABY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, THE CAR JUST DECIDED TO DIE ON ME. I HAD TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE PASSING LANE, SO THAT I COULD PULL OFF OF THE ROAD. MY RADIO AND HEAT STILL WORKED, BUT CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. MY OIL AND BATTERY AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS WERE ON (I HAD NOT EVEN USED THE CRUISE CONTROL) AND MY CAR JUST WOULD NOT START. IT TOOK ME AN HOUR TO GET MY CAR TO START AGAIN, NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANY DISTANCE FOR FEAR OF BEING STRANDED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2006
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IN THE CONSUMER'S 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU WAS DEFECTIVE. *NM THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WOULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE A BULLETIN WAS ISSUED OCT 24, 2003. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 10, 2006
I BOUGHT MY 2002 MALIBU IN 2003 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT THE MILEAGE WAS 74000 NOW IT IS AT 109000 KL AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2006
3 WEEKS AGO MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU STARTED TO RUN LIKE #@$% (HESITATION BETWEEN 0- 35 MPH AND GOING UP HILL, LOSS IN POWER, AND SLOW AT CATCHING UP TO FREEWAY SPEED). I HAVE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, COILS, AND THE EGR VALVE AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. WELL, AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE, I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT THAT IT'S WITH THEIR CAT CONVERTER. I CAN'T EVEN ORDER THE PART ONLINE BECAUSE OF STRICT EMISSION CONTROL IN CALIFORNIA, I NEED A MECHANIC TO DO IT,GET IT STRAIGHT FROM THE DEALER, OR HAVE AUTO ZONE DO A SPECIAL ORDER FOR ME (I FOUND A MECHANIC THAT WILL DO IT FOR $800). NEXT IS MY HEAD GASKET, WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. ON 4-8-06 I GOT AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS OIL IN MY COOLANT RESERVOIR TANK, WHICH MEANS I HAVE AN OIL LEAK. SO NOW I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR IN AND HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED WHICH WON'T BE CHEAP EITHER. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND I CAME UPON THIS WEBSITE WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV , I REALIZED THAT OTHER CONSUMERS ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SO WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHY DOESN'T GM DO RECALLS. NOW I MAY NEED TO FORK OUT A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS IF NOT A THOUSAND OR MORE TO FIX (CORRECT) A FAULTY CAT CONVERTER AND HEAD GASKET. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 3, 2006
1. VEHICLE IS LOW MILEAGE GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. AN ODOR WAS NOTICEABLE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. DROVE CAR A FEW MILES AND PARKED, WHEN CAME OUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER. 2. STARTED CAR, TRIED TO TURN ON TO DRIVEWAY TO LEAVE AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. SMELLED BAD. 3. THE KEEFERS AUTO SERVICE RELATED THE AC COMPRESSOR CLUTCH HAD FROZEN UP. THEY REPLACED THIS PART AND RECHARGED THE AC SYSTEM ETC. I BELIEVE THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY 11000 MILES, IS VERY SERIOUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS REPAIR WAS JUST COMPLETED TODAY 4/3/6 SO IF YOU INTERESTED IN THE OLD PARTS OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SERVICE PLEASE CONTACT TOM KEEFER AT KEEFER'S AUTO SALES AND SERVICE (717) 334 2923. HE IS VERY NICE AND REPUTABLE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 23, 2006
FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE VEHICLE DID NOT SPEED AS USUAL AND HAD TO RETURN TO LANE TO AVOID ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE STRUGGLED FROM 0 TO 25 MPH. WHEN GOING UP BRIDGE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 20 MPH. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE MUCH POWER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND REPLACED SENSORS BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF PROBLEM MECHANIC REALIZED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE. I ENTERED THE WEBSITE TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM (RECOMMENDATION FROM MECHANIC).*JB