Problem started as loud tapping... intermittently, then constant. Intake manifold leaking, water in engine problem diagnosed and fixed at local garage, not Chevrolet. Had to negiotate the repair down from $1400 down to $750. Just got it back and the tapping is barely there and I was told to change oil again in 1000 miles. Hope this works. This car has had very minor problems, I bought used 4 years ago. It has over 100,000 miles on it, but I have had it serviced and take good care of it. The only thing I have had to do was have the warning light/turn signal problem fixed, before the recall, but I was reimbursed for that repair.

Thought I would share a unique and totally surprising experience with GM. My 2001 malibu has 45,000 miles and had the dreaded intake manifold leak. I had it repaired at an independent garage for $700 and GM agreed to pay half.

Before the repair, I called GM and told them about the problem (used 800-222-1020 customer number). I told them that I felt the problem was an engine defect and that GM should extend the warranty to cover it. They told me to go to dealer to confirm diagnosis and then call them back. I went to dealer and it confirmed that I had a leaking intake manifold gasket. I asked dealer what GM was likely to do and he told me "nothing" since I was not original owner and hadn't had servicing done at dealer. Somewhat miffed, I went to my independent garage and had the repair done for $700.

Two days later I got a call from GM (yes, they called me) and asked if I had gone to dealer. I told them my story and that I hadn't called back since the dealer gave me no hope for compensation. Lady asked if I would like "to request cost assistance from GM". Told them sure. She transferred me to another service rep who gathered some information. This new rep then called my independent garage to confirm the repair. She did this while I was on hold (Told you this was a strange experience). Then she asked me to fax her the repair order and told me she would get back to me within a week with a formal response. About a week later she called me and offered me 50% reimbursement. She then asked me to send her the original repair order and evidence that I was the car owner (copy of current registration will do. Told me my check would be sent in 3-5 weeks. Haven't received it yet but it's only been a week.

I was totally taken aback by the fine quality of service I received. The reps gave me direct numbers to call them back and were friendly.

They always closed the conversation by asking if there was anything else they could do to help. Don't know if it mattered, but I told them I was aware that there was a class action suit against GMCanda for this repair.

Good luck.

Car was great...... at first. Four years no problems. Then It start with the blinkers not working, then working. Door locks broke no longer working. Then anti-freeze leaking... refilling everyday. Now car is knocking and making all kinds of noise. Just finished paying it off 22,000$. And now it won't even start. 67,000 miles paid off and dead in my yard. was on web looking to buy a new engine when I ended up here. After reading numerous complants about the same issue I'm wondering how to get this issue reported as a recall and why it hasn't happened... Very disappointed in Chevy The American Revolution... BS!!!!!!!!!

I just want to say that my 86 year old grandfather put only 36,000 miles on his 2001 Malibu before selling it to me. 2 years and 12000 miles later I just found out that the car had a leaking gasket. The mechanic said that this was common for this model and engine. He recommended taking the car to the dealer to find out if a goodwill repair could be provided. GM told the dealer not to fix the repair because the dealer had fixed an airbag warning light problem 1 month after the original warranty was up. I'm a student with a full time job that doesnt pay alot and now my car with only 48,000 miles needs close to $1000 worth of repairs. I could understand repairs dealing with normal wear not being repaired, but from what the experts have told me... THIS type of repair should not be needed at under 50,000 miles. If GM thinks that this is how they will stay ahead of Toyota, good luck to them! My sister inlaw owns a Toyota that had a major engine issue @ 77,000 miles and toyota fixed it with only a $100 charge post waranty! Perhaps GM would do better by backing their products.

Noticed smell first, anti-freeze, then the low water light came on. It has overheated. I have had three mechanics look at this car. The first said this was a common problem with this car. Second charged me 650.00 and still it was overheating. Finally third mechanic diagnosted correctly Intake manifold gasket bad. $900.00. I see way too many other complaints for the same thing here. This is oblivisouly a problem with this car but when I contacted the service department of Chevrolet they said they had never heard of this problem. JERKS AND LIARS

Took the Car to the dealership for and oil change and engine knocking. The Service Manager stated the engine knocking was serious said about $800 dollars then called back and said need to replace pistons, $2000 dollars, GM was picking up the cost of parts. Then called reported needed a new engine. GM was paying for the engine still out of pocket of $2000 dollars. Told the problem was my fault. Wrong anti freeze was added does not matter the gasket leaked there would have been less damage to the car if I used their antifreeze (what BS). Dealership told me that I should have taken it to them for oil changes. they would have helped me out more. Found out to late this is a common problem with this engine. The best solution is buy Japanese cars. No wounder GM is not number 1 anymore.

My 2001 Chevy Malibu started to overheat even though I had put coolant in it. My temperature gauge was not letting me know that it was going to overheat until I stopped and it boiled over. I thought that it was just low on coolant so I added more and then I realized that my radiator fan was not working. A day later my temperature gage quit working all together and there was a leak of coolant on the driveway. The cost for repair is over 1,200.00. They said it was the intake gasket and that the coolant had mixed with the engine oil. Very costly repair! I just replaced the altenator and last year the fuel pump went bad. I need another brake job which will be at least $500.00. This car sucks, and it has always had some sort of electrical problem with the door locks!!! It is a good thing that I don't have a car payment, but when I do, it won't buy this car!!!!

I already had to replace the ignition after I kept getting all sorts of lights and low oil and check engine-- for no reason. After so many disgnostic checks, I fugured out the issue, told Chevy and the guy at Chevy told me to not put so many keys on my ring... -- I had 4! Big deal! The right after the coolant thing started. I kept refilling it, then we got Stop Keak which is a band-aid, but I heard through thr grapevine that a recall may be coming. The plastic gasket ring it not dealing wih the heat well-- people who had this fixed may want to go back to Chevy and get the new gasket I think will be cork, or else it may happen again according to a mechanic.

I at the time had my car for 2 years, was in the process of pulling into my garage after an OB appointment, when I heard a loud hissing. I got out and notice all my fluids gushing from under my car. I had no idea what was wrong. I called and had it towed to the dealership. They said the manifold gasket had blown and there was oil leaking everywhere from it.... yeah real logical.... they said we can have it fixed in a week, we can give you a rental. That was fine, but I wasn't allowed to take the rental out of the city, and mind you I was pregnant with TWINS.... just got a divorce and the military hospital near me was not experienced with twins and I had to commute 89 miles once a week for my check ups... I told them I needed my car back within 2 days cause I was scheduled to be put on hospital bed rest, and not having my car was an extreme incoveinance.... the next day it was fixed, but ever since then I have had hard shifting into gear if the engine gets a little hot, and a loud rattling noise, that the dealership said was normal, get over it...... I really like my car, but for American made..... this sh*t SUCKS!!!!

It comes as no surprise to me that GM is having to slash jobs and shut down plants, this all comes on the heels of large gains and job creation by Toyota. I have a 2001 chevrolet Malibu LS, and like almost everyone else I've talked to that owns one (or read about on the internet) - We seem to have all the same problems - eg. Leaking lower intake manifold gaskets. I had mine changed at 91,000 km!!! I've NEVER IN MY LIFE had to do engine work on a car this new with so little kilometers on it. I would have thought that I could avoid the problematic B.S. with these vehicles, by buying a newer model. I was aware of the problems that the earlier Malibu's have had, and had hoped that GM engineers had the brains to rectify the problem by 2001 - apparently I grossly underestimated, as I'm now in the midst of replacing my SECOND intake manifold gasket - less than ONE YEAR later. I specifically asked my mechanic the first time if they were using an AFTERMARKET FEL-PRO GASKET to replace the standard issuue plastic GM junk that was used from assembly. I was assured that this was the case, but I'm not sure what to believe now. I think It's time to unload this GM LEMON on some other unsuspecting sucker, as I suspect that I'll have to spend $750.00cdn on this piece of GM junk every year, to fix the same problem. For the record.... I also own a 1991 chevrolet cavalier -with 232,000km on it... AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO EVER DO ANY ENGINE REPAIR ON IT! It seems to me that GM has resorted to using the cheapest, substandard parts known to man to build their junk since 1991 - likely in order to fatten their bottom line. Hopefully for the sake of their remaining employees that haven't already lost their jobs (and of course woeful consumers such as myself)..... They wake the hell up and start building quality vehicles again.