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.
1999 Chevrolet Malibu upper and lower manifold gaskets replaced. Consumer believes there should be a class action suit for this problem. Consumer would like to know how to get reimbursed. The dex-cool coolant corrodes all parts of the engine it comes in contact with including the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph the engine coolant indicator light illuminated on the dashboard. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic, who stated that the intake manifold gasket failed, allowing the coolant to flow into the engine. The current and failure mileages were 54,300.
My 1999 Chevy mailbu has had many problems. I will start with the 2 fuel injecters replaced 2 months after purchasing. The car begin to run rough then would have problems starting. Then there was the altanator, the thermostat, the head and intake gaskets and the numurous electical problems. The electrical problems still cannot be solved after numrous tripsto the repair shop. Most of the problems have been corrected on more than one occasion. As a consumer I hope you will help us Malibu owners who are in destress. I know the auto companies are in financial trouble but that still does not excuse making an unsafe auto. I am afraid enough not to drive my car. I feel I put my family and myself in danger taking thsi car on the road. I hope you will help correct this problem. I feel my only next option is to contact a lawyer over my legal rights.
- Louisville, KY, USA
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After replacing my intake gasket 8 months ago, my car still overheats. One of my cooling fans is not working. My ac level controls 1 & 2 doesn't work, only 3,4, and 5. ac shuts off on its own. My engine belt went from sqeaking to making a noise I never heard before. Now my car is non operational due to a knocking sound coming from the engine. So far in the past 8 months, I replaced my intake gasket $600, replaced my engine belt cost $120, replaced my brake pads and caliper twice in the past 2 years $250 each time. Now I'm looking at another major repair job. Help me please
: the contact stated while traveling 60 mph, the engine ran hot. In March 2006, the service dealer could not locate any problem. In Oct 2006, the vehicle ran hot again causing smoke to come out from under the engine. When pulled over, the contact discovered the vehicle needed antifreeze. The contact filled the antifreeze and tried to drive the vehicle again. Within one mile smoke came out of the engine and the antifreeze was empty again.
Rotor replacement X 3. suspension - front replaced. Calipers X3. Tire wear and leaks - replaced annually. Radio - bad wiring. A/C in dash wiring replaced twice. Rear light assembly replaced twice. Leaking in rear light assembly and trunk. Coolant leak - 8/06 at 74000 miles. Mechanic believes it is the water pump. A/C sensor replaced.
Vehicle has just reached 62000 miles. Most recent incident - all dashboard warning lights came on-car died and had to be towed to dealer. Replaced alternator - supposedly "common" at this mileage. Six weeks prior - coolant indicator keeps coming on. Dealer replaced lower intake manifold gasket and water pump. Also told common in this car at this mileage. Brakes done also - rotors needed replacement - again supposedly common in the Malibu.
The contact stated the coolant light illuminated. He checked the coolant and it was low due to a leak from the intake manifold gaskets. He contacted the manufacturer. Repairs will be made at the consumers expense. Updated 01/11/06.
I have had dex cool anti-freeze leaking from intake gasket manifold, causing engine damage. I have heard that the problem is caused by the dex-cool attacking the gasket and deteriorating it.
Chevrolet Malibu ls 1999, front end loose, replaced 2 bolts. While driving the entire steering rack cracked for no reason. Less than a year later, the engine cradle rack came apart from the frame of the vehicle. The front brakes, lower intake gasket and water pump were all replaced. The ABS and power steering pressure hose was replaced. The brake light bulbs had burned out.
I first noticed the low antifreeze light came on after the car was sitting for over 6 hours. After stopping to see what was wrong, the light went off. After getting home, I looked at the engine and noticed a collection of antifreeze pooling on the engine, and much sludge collected on the engine. I refilled the antifreeze reservoir and took the car into bob montgomery Chevrolet, louisvile, Kentucky. They indicated that the intake manifold gasket needs replacement, which is what I figured after doing some research online. Apparently, this problem has been reported before by over 1100 car owners, and is a design flaw with this particular engine. Moreover, some research indicates that the design has not been corrected, and therefore can be expected to reoccur. My problem first occurred during the first week I owned the car, fall of 2000. This incident was repaired under warranty by uebelor Chevrolet, jasper, Indiana, and has not recurred until now. This complaint should be added to the large group that came before it.
Air controls switch back & forth from fresh to recirculate. Car has refused to start twice & antitheft system activated. Intake manifold leak upper and lower. I had the gasket replaced and GM Canada paid for the labor and I paid for the parts, approx $180 Canadian. I believe there was 78000 km (48,000 miles) on the car at the time. Seatbelts are slow to retract. Clunking noise in front end, they can't identify or fix. Recall on rotors caused pads to fail.
Theft light comes on and car will not start. Wait 10-15 minutes car starts fine. Problem happens about 2-3 times a month. Problem has happened when weather is sunny and hot and in perfect weather and also when it has been raining.
Air conditioning - electrical failure, would flicker on and off. Engine - head gasket, faulty. Was replaced. Power window - regulator and motor faulty, the window just stop rolling up and down, did not show signs of faiure till it happened. In shop right now, not covered under manufacturer warranty. Other - cooling system, uses the infamous dex-cool coolant. The engine gets hot every time I drive it. Hot meaning two bars above middle. It usually resides in the middle. The radiator cap has been replaced twice and the head gasket was also suspected of being a problem related to this. The problem still exists and is going to the dealer tomorrow for another inspection. The worst time it occurred was after the head gasket had been replaced. The vehicle ran fine for two months. We took it on vacation to lake powell when the problems occurred again. The engine started to get hot. I turned off the A/C and turned on the heat. This was able to get the engine driveable without causing damage to it. My worry is that this will happen to my wife on the freeway or driving home to see her parents. Had this occurred the first time with just her in the car she would not have known what to do and would have been stranded.
The intake manifold gasket fails. The dexcool coolant leaked into the oil. The bearings on the gasket are damaged. I was told that I really need a new engine, but that I could try replacing the gasket, but there are no guarantee that will work. I understand this is a common problem for most GM cars from that time frame and starting around 40,000 and that GM has even made a new part finding the original deficient.
3/18/03 - Malibu is diagnosed with an intake manifold gasket failure. The vehicle was losing coolant, but there was never any signs of leakage on the driveway. An independant shop diagnosed the problem. A little research on the internet revealed that very many other GM owners were experiencing the same problem. We attempted to get assistance in paying for the repair from GM, but they refused. The design of the gasket system combined with dexcool coolant appears to be faulty. We also have a cronic problem with the braking system on this vehicle. About every 12000 miles the brakes need to be replaced, the rotors are warped and the pads are bad. So far, GM is picking up all those costs because the problem was reported while it was still under warranty. Through the internet we also discovered that many Malibu owners have the same problem.
Air conditioning control problems dealer insisted nothing wrong never repaired tires; worn out at 16000 dealer insisted that that was normal fought to get them to replace only 2 tires engine: Intake manifold gasket went out never experienced the problem in all the cars I ever owned $978 later. Engine 3 months later presently engine has serious internal engine rattle, lose of power don't know what is wrong yet there was no indication of problem oil was clean no temp problem just blew last week towed to the house brakes; had to change both front calipers could not re use them needed new ones when doing brake job would never buy a Chevy product ever again!!!!
Coolant system failure. This "5 year" coolant GM uses does not last 5 years. This 1999 vehicle developed a leak, overheated, and blew a lifter. The engine is ruined at 78,000 miles!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Natchez, MS, USA