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.
After replenishing radiator fluid in my 2000 Chevy Malibu with the approved fluid, havoline dex-cool radiator fluid, my car started to constantly leak anti-freeze and now I have a leak and my radiator "idiot" light is constantly on. The car was perfectly fine prior to the application of the dex-cool but days afterward my troubles began. There was never a problem before and as usual 4-6 weeks I would have to replenish 1/2 gallon of fluid. This is noted on every discussion board regarding this model between 1997-2003. It's too circumstatial that immediately after the application of the dex-cool that my troubles began then finding the settlement of GM regarding this matter and improper gaskets for their manifolds and water pumps (nylon/solicone based) that the courts found that the coolant does indeed corrode these gaskets. Now that my car is 8 yrs old, my ability to recoup any money on using the proper/recommended product as stated by GM is more than likely improbable.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The air bag light has been illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. The coolant is also leaking from the vehicle. He was advised that the thermostat was not working properly. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 93,600.
As stated by other complainants, I also have a problem with my cooling system. After losing my A/C now I'm faced with losing the whole engine. My car continuously runs hot the so called dexcool coolant keeps squirting over the engine and reading other complaints I'm facing either intake repairs or water pump and thermostat problems. This is ridiculous so many people having similar problems neither GMC or our so called would step in and put and end to this mess. I guest lobbyist are more important than the safety of America.
I own a 200 Chevy Malibu and have had to repair an intake manifold twice- once at 92,000 miles and again at 105,000 miles. GM knows that their dex cool antifreeze eats through the gaskets but does nothing to fix it. I do not know why the gov.'t lets them get away with this. This is very expensive and not something that should have to be repaired within $100,000 miles. The speeds on the fan did not work shortly after purchase and around 50,000. Miles the turn signal did not work. I did have the extended warranty and both were covered but these are not things that should break down. It was very dangerous to be sitting at a light and turning left and not being able to signal. I did eventually get a recall on this but it was way after it was fixed. GM makes junk and the gov.'t should hold them responsible. I will never purchase another GM product.
I own a 200 Chevy Malibu and have had to repair an intake manifold twice- once at 92,000 miles and again at 105,000 miles. GM knows that their dex cool antifreeze eats through the gaskets but does nothing to fix it. I do not know why the gov.'t lets them get away with this. This is very expensive and not something that should have to be repaired within $100,000 miles. The speeds on the fan did not work shortly after purchase and around 50,000. Miles the turn signal did not work. I did have the extended warranty and both were covered but these are not things that should break down. It was very dangerous to be sitting at a light and turning left and not being able to signal. I did eventually get a recall on this but it was way after it was fixed. GM makes junk and the gov.'t should hold them responsible. I will never purchase another GM product.
- Burbank, CA, USA
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Small leak developed at rear of intake manifold. Caused overtemp and all coolant boiled out. @ $800 to repair. I am reporting this because 2 separate repair shops informed me this is a known defect for this model, to the extent the defect is posted on all repair data bases. It is very common to sustain a crack in the engine block because of this defect.
Fuel pump needed to be replaced on 2/01/06 - cost of repair $800. When service was completed, GM mechanic informed me that the intake manifold gasket is leaking and causing coolant to mix with oil in the engine. The estimated cost to repair is an additional $1,000! we have not yet had the part repaired due to the cost and the car has had limited use since. GM should issue a recall on this already and stop having the consumers pay for their lack of use of reliable parts!! this is obviously a major problem given the number of complaints listed.
My car was running hot and it smell like something was burning under the hood, so I took the car in to the shop to have fix and the worker told me it was a defective intake manifold gaskets. It would cost me close to $850 to fix. The part itself only cost $89, but the labor is what I was paying for. I cannot afford to keep fixing this car on a college student budget. After talking to other Malibu owners with the same problems I check to see if it is a recall problem, but it is not. This is not fair that the company know they sold defective cars and not plan on doing anything about it.
Intake manifold leak..loss of coolant..overheating engine..heater malfunction sporadically. This problem continues but abated somewhat after service at a radiator repair facility rodded the radiator twice, flushed and refilled the system with new coolant and installed new thermostat. Mileage was 39,500.
The initial problem was that the car had difficulty starting after the car was warm. Would usually have to give the car gas to get the engine to turn over. Took the car to the dealer and was informed that was the least of my problems since the intake manifold gasket was leaking coolant into the oil. The cost of repairs for the leaking gasket was over $650 and told was quite common in 2000 Malibu and if the problem was not fixed could cause the vehicle to catch on fire or destroy the engine. The car has less than 60,000 miles. Also had to replace wires, plugs, ignition coil and fuel filter which was an additional $475. I can understand the wires, plugs, coil and fuel filter as usual maintenance costs, however, the leaking intake manifold gasket which is quite common from both your website and Chevy website should be addressed a potential recall. Or investigate the possibility of some funding by Chevy to offset the high repair costs to many owners of the Malibu who have had to have the intake manifold gasket repaired.
2000 Chevrolet Malibu developed problems with the brake equipment. The consumer had the brakes replaced 3 times. The first brake service they were replaced under warranty after that the consumer was told it was considered wear and tear. The water pump was leaking.
The reservoir for the coolant had a design flaw which caused it to leak. It caused an O-ring to pull away and let coolant splash on top of the engine. Consumer was told it would cost 750 to 1000 dollars to fix this problem. This caused the engine to run hot. The consumer would like for the manufacturer to pay to have problem remedied.
Coolant was leaking from my 2000 Chevrolet Malibu engine intake manifold and my coolant pump. The car has only 52,000 miles. I took it to the dealer where they replaced the intake manifold gasket and coolant pump. The cost was $1250. I work at a company where I know all the other Chevrolet Malibu owners. There are two other: One owns a 1999 and the other owns a 2000 Malibu, both with less than 50,000 miles. The 2000 owner has had the intake manifold gasket replaced for $950. The 1999 owner has had the coolant pump replaced and will probably need the intake manifold gasket replaced. I feel that Chevrolet had initially installed defective cheap parts in this model and will not own up to it.
The Malibu engine smelled hot and fluid was leaking onto the garage floor. A mechanic discovered that coolant is leaking onto the top of the transmission from the intake manifold gasket. We have added fluid a couple of times. The gasket will have to be replaced. I believe that GM should replace this since it is a commonly known problem on this car.
2000 Chevrolet Malibu: Turn signals stop without warning. Air condition stops and starts on its on. Brakes squeal. Engine surges. Uses oi, L but no leak. Uses alot of coolant no leak found by me. Ignition switch locks and wont let go sometimes.
(1) the failure occurred under normal driving conditions. (2) the intake manifold leaks radiator fluid due to faulty gaskets. Fortunately, the problem was observed before the engine overheated or caught fire, but there is evidence of coolant contaminating the engine oil: Further consequences will likely occur in the future. (3) the failure has not yet been corrected. A Firestone service center diagnosed the problem but repairs have not yet been contracted. A Chevrolet dealership/service center (bill heard) gave an estimate of $1000 for the repair. Please note that this is a common fault in Chevy Malibu and other GM cars with this engine type. The service rep at Firestone stated that this was the most common problem seen in this car, and the service rep at the Chevrolet dealership stated that in Malibu, the intake manifold gaskets fail "more often than not."
I purchased a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu in Dec 1999. The car had 6 miles on it when purchased. Within the last year I have noticed the car has been overheating a little, and I am having to fill the coolant up once every couple of weeks(with no noticable leaks). At this point I have taken it to a couple of different shops telling me that the lower intake manifold needs replaced (cost 5-700 dollars!!)--I still owe 11000 on the car. I have read and seen many others with this issue and am very dissapointed in the fact that GM will not do anything to help out. Of course now the car is at 66000 miles and out of warranty--so I must pay for the repair--single mother/going to school/working full time this is not what I expect out of a new Chevy....
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- Toms River, NJ, USA