This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The intake manifold on my 1998 Chevrolet Malibu is leaking for a second time. The first occurred at 36,000 miles. The second time is now at 120,000 miles. There are a large number of occurrences of this gasket leaking but no recall by GM to address the issue.
1998 Chevy Malibu: Faulty intake manifold gasket resulting in coolant leak in engine. Resulted in engine needing to be replaced and upper intake gasket changed at $2000 Canadian. Two months later, and less tan 5,000 kms later, fuel tank needs to be replaced. Less than 30 days later, upper intake gasket and front brakes need to be changed at cost of $1500 Canadian.
My car had to have the thermostat, pleninum gasket, intake gasket, egr gasket, valve cover gaskets replaced for the second time since I have had this car. I was told that it was because of the dex-cool antifreeze that is used in these cars warps the gaskets and seals. I am very disappointed that this has happened to my car. I do not have the money to be replacing these gaskets twice. I would like GM to reimburse me some of my finances that have cost to have this problem fixed for the second time. This time it cost me $222 for a rental car and $976 for repairs.
I bought my 1998 Chevy Malibu with 51,133 miles on it. It started to leak anti freeze shortly after I bought the car (73,753 miles). It ended up being a replacement of the camshaft sensor, replace water pump, replace rt.C.V shaft and replace seal sleeve. The egr gasket was also replaced. The total cost of this repair was $874.52 labor and parts included.
- Waukesha, WI, USA
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The oil light came on one minute the next minute the car cut off. I had the car towed to curtis Chevrolet in Washington, DC and was told that the engine seized due to the oil regulator and filter exploded. The car has only 57500 original miles, serviced mainly by curtis Chevrolet...oil recently changed by curtis yet I was told that to replace the engine would be $6,000. The car is currently considered totaled.
In March of '05 took car in for sevice engine was ticking while idle at one point once car was warmed up the ticking stoped but now the ticking is still heard while driving and at acceleartion. Took car in the bob mcguire Chevrolet in bordentown, NJ was told that I had a head gasket leak that had already mixed with the engine oil. Had everything fixed and they even put in heavy duty lifter cleaner to clean the lifters according to mecanic that was were the tick was coming from but when I picked up the car the engine was still ticking when idle and the noise had gotten worse. When I asked what it would take to fix the ticking I was told that the whole job that was just performed on the car had to be performed again in order to fix the lifters that is causing the ticking.
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced.
I have had several problems with this car: I have replaced tires twice, tried to have the front end aligned because of the steering problem, it is like I have no power steering - when I took it to get the front end aligned, they told me that they couldn't do it because of the rack & pinion needed replaced first. I have called GM and was told that it was not their problem. The dealership told me that there is a recall on this and for me to contact you. I have already had to put a motor and brakes(several times) on this car. Please help me. Sincerely, [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
While the vehicle was parked, fluid leaked from underneath the vehicle. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic determined that the intake manifold needed to be replaced due to a manufacturing defect. The vehicle leaked antifreeze. It was to the point where the consumer was placing antifreeze in the vehicle everyday then it eventually didn't hold anymore. The mechanic informed the consumer that the problem was a manufacturer defect in the engine with the manifold. The problem was fixed temporarily and that in another 50K miles the same problem would incur.
My car was leaking a clear fluid I took to a mechanic who said I needed to replace the intake manifold gasket and that he gets several GM cars a week with the same problem recommending I filed a complaint so that there might be a recall. There is definitely a gasket problem on GM vehicles.
I had to have the rack & pinion system replaced on my 1998 Malibu along with the power steering pump pulley due to being worn thru and unsafe to drive by the service techinicians recommendation. This was done at 68719 miles. I also had the intake valves replaced 2 months ago for the second time due to leakage of lots of oil into the engine, also per the service technicians recommendation. This was only 14 months after it was done the last time. I have my service done at a Chevrolet dealership and I think that 68719 miles is low mileage to have to replace the rack & pinion system. I also think that I was given faulty intake valves on the original engine and also on the first replacement. I am also taking my car back for the 3rd visit to try and fix the chirping sound that is coming from the engine. I also replaced the serpentine belt and bearings 2 months ago when the intake valves were done.
Engine gaskets failed allowing coolant to mix with the oil in the engine. No check engine light. 1998, Chevrolet, Malibu, 66,000 miles. Informed by mechanic 3rd Malibu he has seen in a month for same problem, cost $1500 for repairs, why no recall or replacement. Researched this sight and found numerous complaints of same problem. I am very upset that an american car company cares this little for its consumers. Chevrolet knows this is a problem and refuses to discuss it openly. Considering legal action.
3.1 L intake manifold gasket was replaced once under warranty on my 1998 Chevy Malibu. I was told by the repair center at the dealership that it may need to be replaced again.
The vehicle vibrated all the time. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who repaired the motor mounts and the transmission mounts. The wheel bearings needed to be replaced, but the parts were on back order.
Intake gasket failed in my 1998 Chevy Malibu, causing coolant to leak. I know this a huge problem with the plastic intake gaskets, should have a recall on this. Obviously a known problem on this car. Chevrolet should recall it.
I have replaced a battery twice. I bought my 1998 Malibu used. The first time we were able to keep jumping it, to get it were I needed to go. Found out the positive charge was broken from battery. Six month's later on January 19. My ABS light comes on and I lose all power on snow and ice. Luckily I was able to keep control of my car and get it stopped. If there would be a been another car coming towards me I would have hit them head on. I had it towed the following day, and they said my battery was leaking acid and my timing belt was breaking. I have only had my car a year and I bought it from a dealership. What's causing the battery to leak acid? I am scared to death it will happen again and next time I won't be so lucky.
The steering rack & pinion and the engine intake gaskets in this 1998 model are faulty. The shoddy rack & pinion needs to be replaced and I have gone through numerous tires over the years. The intake gaskets are leaking fluids and an engine blow out is imminent. With the leakages, the car is unsafe to drive. I have maintained all required maintenance according to the manual and the car is still under 50,000 miles but I am looking at a huge mechanic's bill due to a shoddy rack & pinion and intake gasket leaks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Salt Lake City, UT, USA