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.
Intake manifold gasket was defective-causing problems with stalling and ignition among others. Car has stalled three times while in motion. Chevy cannot replicate the problem. Left me sit twice because it would not restart-eventually would restart after engine cooled. Still runs terrible after some type of maintanence was completed on the car which Chevy believes would fix the problem. Has become an unreliable car and I am fearful of driving it due to the ignition stalling problems. Chevy not really helpful in dealing with the situation.
This 1999 Chevrolet Malibu was purchased in July 2001 in had a water leaking problem took 3 tries before they found it needed thermostat gasket didn't even have one in it they sold it to me.this way with a promise it had been fixed. Within the first year I had the car they had to replace both front wheel bearings & strut bushings. Then the alternator went out & it cause my battery to go bad overcharged it they replaced alternator but refused to re-emburse me for the battery. Then ignition switch caused problem with anti-theft system would not start. Had that replaced in March 2002. Then anti-lock brake system went out had to have it replaced window switch very slow had to be cleaned another one not working at all now, not covered under warranty, at this time also had to have anti theft system fixed again light on all the time another bad ignition switch. Also had blower motor & relay switch for heater to go out over the summer most of the interior lights have long ago burnt out & had to be replaced lock out for trunk lid also broke not covered on warranty. Hub caps have lug nuts made in them that screw onto your lug bolts stripped out when took for repairs by dealer refused to replace them because they cost $500 for a new set. So I purchased the lug nut part & repalced it myself at a dealership for $10 set of 5. November of 2002 brakes & rotors were replaced in Jan. 2003 brake pads replaced again in March 2003 pads replaced again in July 2003 pads replaced once again then in Sept. 2003 master cylinder replaced in Oct. 2003 master cylinder replaced again now it's Nov 2003 & master cylinder being replaced again tomorrow.these cars have a real brake problem that needs to be fixed it's costing a fortune.
Faulty cooling situation with 1999 Chevy Malibu. It has been getting warm, two bars above middle, on the temperature gauge. The mechanic said it was a faulty head gasket, so he replaced it. Two months later, we were on a trip in the middle of the southern Utah desert region coming home from lake powell when the engine started to get hot again. We were able to bring it down by turning off the A/C and running the heat. However, we were in the middle of nowhere and close to breaking down. Had it just been my wife in the car, she would not have known what to do and the car would have over-heated. She drives it just to work now, 4 miles away and it gets hot in the process. It uses dex-cool coolant and also has the GM 3.1 liter V-6 engine, both have inherent problems. It has cost us more money than we have to get it fixed and cannot sell it because of this problem. I appreciate any inspection you can do regarding the gasket and the dex-cool coolant. Thanks.
- Orem, UT, USA
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Intake manifold gasket leaking coolant after only 25,000 miles. Numerous other complaints regarding this issue. All GM mechanics know about this issue but GM will not take responsiblity for this design flaw.
Altenator replaced at 44500 miles, thought that was the problem but when started up vehicle slams into gear and has no reading on the engine temp, engine warning light continued to stay on odbii testing reads 2 codes both are cooling system input sensor failure, car is now sitting in the garage as repairs are too expensive right now, GM should take responsibility for this failure, as this car is well maintained, I can tell you this I wil never buy another Malibu again in my life.
I have had my rotors reground numerous times over the past one and a half years as well as have had both bearings replaced in the front. I had all valves replaced on the coolant system and it continues to leak still. There is a strong oder that comes in through the airconditioning vents. There is also a strong vibration when braking or traveling at higher speeds which makes the vehicle difficult to control.
Consumer states while driving the vehicle the check engine light came on then the engine shut off. Consumer states the head gasket caused this to happen. Dealer notified.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Maplewood, NJ, USA