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 40 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the intake manifold gasket caused the failure. The mechanic also stated that this was a common issue for this year, make, and model vehicle. The contact feels that this is a major defect and Chevrolet should be responsible for the repairs. The current and failure mileages were 144,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The low coolant warning indicator light illuminated; however, the vehicle was filled with coolant. Thirty minutes later, the vehicle overheated while driving 70 mph. The low coolant warning indicator light illuminated again. The dealer stated that there was a leak in the intake manifold. No repairs were made. The contact verified his VIN; however, it was invalid. The engine size and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 35 mph for approximately ten minutes, the temperature gauge displayed hot. The coolant light illuminated, which indicated that the coolant level was low. The contact stopped the vehicle and checked the level. He then took the vehicle to carmax and they confirmed that the lower intake manifold gasket caused the failure. Chevrolet stated that they were not aware of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 133,000. Updated 12/12/07 updated.
We lost all of our anti-freeze thinking we lost a hose. Upon taking it in to a certified mechanic he had to replace the manifold intake gaskets for the 2nd time. Upon showing the manifold to a mechanic for GM he found a bubble in the manifold when it was molded.
: 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.
- Vestal, NY, USA
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Manufacturer used plastic intake manifold gasket which caused engine to leak coolant and overheat. Why use plastic? what happens to plastic when it continuously heats and cools, it fails. A relative has the same engine in a different model car from this manufacturer and has the same issue. Not model specific, but engine specific. Chevrolet 2000 Malibu.
My car has had the signal lights replaced, the fuel pump replaced, & the intake manifold gasket replaced all problems w/ my car before I had replaced were very dangerous for me & my 2 children. I will never buy or refer anyone to buy a chevorlet Malibu.
Intake manifold gasket failed at 49000 miles. GM is aware of the problem but will not take action on it. The most discouraging thing about the problem is the contempt that GM seems to have for their consumers. They released a technical service bulletin to their dealers regarding the problem, yet they do nothing for those affected by an obvious product defect. My request for cost assistance from General Motors was met with a flippant attitude toward the loss of my loyalty as a customer.
Intake manifold began leaking at 45000 miles (500 dollars to replace), have replaced the brakes and rotors 4 times in 65,000 miles. The turn signals quit working. While driving down the road the engine just dies. If I let it sit for a while it will crank back up. Ase mechanic told me it was the ignition module, so I paid to have it replaced and that did not fix it. I have been reviewing forums on-line and have discovered that this is a wide spread and severe problem, I understand normal wear and tear on a vehicle but this is ridiculous. And last but not least, the fan switch has quit working on positons (speeds) 1 and 2...that happened when the car had about 37,000 miles on (not under factory warranty)....I once was a die hard Chevy man..thanks to this car I will not buy another GM product.
2000 Chevrolet Malibu bought with 120,000 miles on it. Less than a week after getting this car for $5500, when retail on the car was $8300, I had to replace the intake manifold gasket and the valve cover gaskets because they were leaking coolant. Also, the brakes shudder and vibrate whenever applied, even at speeds less than 25 mph. Half a week later, the gas gauge fell to zero while normal driving and the low gas light came on, even though I had just filled the car up two days prior. There was plenty of gas in the car, about 3/4 of a tank. Also, the tranmission is slipping now when I speed up. When I speed up the car does not shift into 1st gear right away until 4000 RPM. When it does shift, it shift with a large jolt that shakes the entire car. There was no warning before the gas light came on, and I find the car to only now have all of these problems. Also, the car smells of gasoline and leaks, even though I had it fixed.
Antifreeze used in our 2000 Malibu has been found to frequently cause deterioration and failure of the intake manifold gasket. There hve been many cases sited on the internet with names and specifics and Chevy/GMC refuses to admit it is the antifreeze. They told me last night it has to do with the plant where the car was made.
On your site I have found many complaints regarding coolant leak due to poor sealing of the maniflod gasket that according the sevice bulletin on this site, requires new gasket type to replace the old, and the intake manifold bolts cleaned and coated with thredlocker and torqued to a revised spec. This has already been done once to my car at about 30K miles and fortunately cover under warranty, if not it would have cost me $1050, problem is now the car is doing the same thing again at 79K miles and is no longer under warranty....how many times should this happen" was the service bulletin put out as a permamant solution for this problem? if not how long should this work be guaranteed? why was there not a recall on this problem? does there have to be a fatality to recall a vechicle? in addition I also have had the problem with the hazard warning switch that also effected the wipers, neither would work, again this repair was submitted as warranty work. I have complained several times to bob bell Chevy about how hot the dash instruments get to touch and have already had to have related electrical problems repaired, to note..when I first complained about the heat when touched to change intrument settings I was told "that's normal". granted my extended warranty covered some of the work but I still had to pay a $250 deductable w/each problem. All these problems have been reported on this NHTSA site by many people and addition others I know personally and who I have had many discussions with also have the same year Malibu with all the same problems....why hasn't the manufact. Recalled the car for theses problems, surely all can cause fire safety problems. How are recalls determined and what can we all do????????????" I never dreamed Chevrolet would be so cheesy. My last car was 12 years old and olds custom cruiser wagon - never gave me a problem that was so major as these noted here, I should have never got rid of it for this Malibu!
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- Pensacola, FL, USA