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 contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly shuts off. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 135,000.
I bought the car at the end of 2000 and had to replace the intake manifold gaskets at around the same time (thanksgiving) in 2001. My fuel pump went out in 2002 and my mechanic just told me the intake manifold gaskets are leaking again. He suggest to replace them soon. It cost $900 to get it fixed the first time which was not under my extended warranty plan. I just paid the car off and have to fork out another $700-900 to get it fixed again. It is common knowledge to GM that there is a history of gaskets problems in several Chevy models especially the Malibu, but no recall has been issued and no compensation has been awarded to all those hard working people who trust the Chevy name. If nothing is done I will never buy Chevy again. Pontiac had the same problem with some of its cars a few years back and recalled all models with less than 100,000 miles on them. Why wont Chevy. There needs to be a recall or a lemon law on the Chevrolet Malibu!!! I am surprised that a class action lawsuit has not been filed against GM for selling such a defective product!!! I hope that no one has had an accident, injury, or even death result from this dangerously defective car!!!
Intake manifold gasket replaced three times under and outside of warranty. Hazard switch malfunctioning - almost caused accident turning signal/wiper washer switch malfunctioning premature brake wear until calipers replaced check engine light various emissions and fuel vapor leaks.
: the contact stated an odor was detected and there was fluid leaking on the ground from the engine compartment. When the contact inspected the vehicle by raising the hood, there was fluid on the engine block. The dealership determined the manifold gasket needs to be replaced. Updated 03/28/06.
The incident is the failure of the water pump, a slapping noise coming from the engine, at one point the leakage of coolant, and also the oxygen sensor. All of which were taken back to the dealer to be fixed by their mechanic except the oxygen sensor. However, the car still had a problem with idling as the car was being driven away from the mechanic. My husband had to jump out of the car because of the issues, on his way to work and the car was stopped by a pole. This is the second time that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be fixed however, I believe that the first time that it was taken to the dealer the problem were just masked only for us to be brought back to them for them to get more money out of us.
- Wilmington, NC, USA
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Car has had a leak for a month and when I finally got it to a car mechanic I was told that I had an intake gasket leak and that it was very common among Chevrolet. The problem I was told was that the manufacture had designed a poor gasket and that once the problem was identified that they came out with a more durable gasket. This repair was quoted at $700. Why is it that if this is a common problem and that the makers recognize this was a problem why it is that the consumer needs to be responsible to fix a faulty or defected item?
The intake manifold gasket is defective on all 3.1 L GM engines like the one in my 2000 Malibu. GM dealers know that it always leaks around 70 K miles, and just keep trying to replace it. Every mechanic in the country seems to know this fact, and make about a thousand for it from each owner.
ABS light comes on intermittently, fan does not operate on speeds 1 & 2, brake rotors and pads need replaced every year, hazard/turn signal lights operate intermittently, and intake manifold gasket began leaking around 70,000 miles. The coolant is listed in the owner's manual as not needing service for 150,000 miles but it turned very acidic in less than half that time and ate the gasket causing the need for costly repairs or else risk permanent damage to the engine. Turn signal issue recalled but the recall did not apply to my vehicle's VIN. Vehicle was unable to signal intention to turn or switch lanes and was unsafe on highways. Have yet to experience common fuel pump failure that could cause stalling in highway traffic. Not recalled is the most common problem of the leaking intake manifold gasket because it is not deemed a safety issue. This can become safety issue if engines catch fire or fail on highway due to coolant leak into motor oil. Cost to repair leaking intake manifold gasket quoted at $743. Currently discussing with GM customer service because the problem is addressed in tsb 03-06-01-010B (10/24/2003) and there are several class-action lawsuits. Tsb describes replacing faulty gasket with a new gasket that has improved sealing qualities. GM customer service stated they have never heard of any tsb for 2000 Malibu other than turn signal recall. GM is being intentionally dishonest when owners inquire about problems with an obviously defective vehicle. I hope that the NHTSA takes notice of the multitude of safety issues concerning this vehicle and can obtain a satisfiable resolution from GM to make this vehicle safe for owners or justly compensate them for the repairs necessary to make the vehicle safe.
I am the owner of a Chevrolet Malibu. This car is very dangerous and should be recalled. The car will shut off when driving speeds of 55 or more. I have had nothing but problems since I purchased this car. First, it was the intake manifold gasket. Second, it was something wrong with the fuel system. Third, the car quit on me and my daughter when we were driving on the express way going 60 miles per hour. We could have killed ourselves and someone else.
Oil leaked into coolant system of our 2000 Chevrolet Malibu requiring replacement of the intake manifold gasket and flushing out of the engine. This engine only had 40,900 miles on it. Research has shown numerous complaints for this problem on this particular GM engine (3.1 liter).
Vehicle experienced a "ticking noise in the engine." The consumer left front caliper bolt is stripped causing a vibrating/ grinding noise that radiates from the left front wheel under the driver side when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. When the dealer was contacted they stated that they could not duplicate the problem. And the consumer is trying to obtain an over all inspection of the mechanical defects of the vehicle so GM can be held responsible for the faulty automobile.
While driving at 80 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted the vehicle, and was able to pull over to the shoulder. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer for analysis, but dealer could not resolve the problem.
My 2000 Chevrolet Malibu (36,000 miles) recently stalled 4 times while I was driving at high speeds on the highway. On Friday 10/7 I was going approximately 80 mph when the car suddenly turned off. I coasted to a stop on the shoulder. In about 5 minutes I was able to cut the car back on. At which time it resumed driving normally for about 10 miles. Then it stalled again. I towed the car into town and drove it to a repair shop. (yes, the car drove normally around town). The repair shop tested it and was unable to find anything wrong. When I picked the car up I drove about 40 miles (again at greater than 75 mph) and the car stalled again. It started back up in 2-3 minutes. Then 30 miles later stalled again. This time on a part of the highway where there was no shoulder! I coasted the car until the shoulder reappeared, pulled on to it and re-started the car. The car does not show any symptoms of the problem in my day-to-day driving around town. However, it is not suitable to drive for long distances or at high speeds due to this condition.
While driving at highway speed vehicle will suddenly stall without warning. As a result vehicle looses power. When this occurs consumer has to coast vehicle to a stop.
2000 Malibu has died 7 times while driving dealer has replaced fuel filter and pump, radar cap, ignition modular, ignition switch, main computer and it still dying. I have just look at all the complaint that people have and Chevrolet tells me they know nothing about them.I will never buy other one.
I bought this car brand new (had 4 miles on it) in August of 2000. Within a month, the A/C motor had to be replaced. Within 6 months the engine began to surge, and felt like it was going to stall whenever at a stop. During this same period of time, the brakes began pulsating, and I replaced them on my own. I have not had an issue with them since. Then this year, 2003, it completely died on me while doing 70 in rush hour traffic on the freeway in san diego. My whole family was in the car, and we could have been killed. I couldn't even turn on the flashers to let other drivers know we were in trouble. Obviously, the power steering went out, and we had to cross three lanes of traffic, solely propelled by our existing momentum, without the ability to steer. I am beginning the process of trying to assess what the issue is, though I am sure it is the alternator. The battery was tested, and diagnosed as perfect, other than needing a full recharging (it was drained by another component). Once I determine what is wrong, I intend to go to Chevy, and harass them until they fix it. Then, I am going to try and enter into arbitration, and hopefully get rid of the car altogether. If anyone has the "solution" to the stalling problem, please email me ! mjaramillo @ excite. Com
Fuel gauge will not register a half tank or less. Vehicle has to have a full fuel tank. Also, without warning or cause vehicle will shut down, and will not restart. Dealership mechanic was baffled because he could not duplicate the problem.
Air conditioner switch turns on and off. Vibration in front end when braking. Turn signals work intermitently. Ticking noise in engine until warm. Windows fog excessively. Shame on Chevrolet.
My car is only 3 1/2 yrs. Old, but, I'm having problems with it that I shouldn't be having. Last summer, I had to have my battery and surrounding wires & hoses replaced due to a corroded cable which had leaked acid everywhere--luckily under warranty. Now, my intake valve gasket is ruined, so antifreeze leaks out constantly and the car is perpetually on the verge of running hot. I have to constantly add antifreeze and water to keep it from overheating, although, it still smells overheated all the time. It will cost me between $900-$1100 to repair the problem, even though the part only costs $150 due to the labor involved in removing the top of the engine to get to the gasket. Since the warranty has already run out, I'll have to foot the bill myself. I don't appreciate this because I shouldn't be having this problem with this car at this time, nor do I feel that it is my responsibility to fix it. The dealer or manufacturer should foot the bill since the car is so young and there is no way that I caused this problem.
I bought this Chevrolet Malibu ls in 2000 and already I have the following problems: Alternator is out, air compresser out, blower motor is out, battery is out they are still checking on the oil leakage.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rogersville, MO, USA