1997 Chevrolet Malibu: engine failure

Filed Apr 17, 2009 · Engine · 53,900 miles · PA

I have a 1997 chevy malibu (54,000) miles that seized up in traffic due to antifreeze in the oil. I have recently learned that the antifreeze (dexa-cool) use by gm has a long history of causing premature engine failures by eating away the gaskets, water pumps and other associated engine cooling components. I?m not able to take advantage of the class action law suit since my problem happened long after the closing date. I feel a national recall should be initiated by the federal safety agency.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 96,017 miles · WA

Basically this is to complain about the gm 3.1l v6 engine in my 1997 chevrolet malibu. I understand that there are 1100 such complaints and would appreciate some help with my situation also. In the last couple of weeks my vehicle has begun to have a multitude of problems that had LED up to my current fiasco. About 2 weeks ago after an oil change my 97 malibu began to have problems with a lifter ticking. My mechanic suspects a collapsed lifter; this has not been repaired yet. My car also now runs very rough and does not have the power it used to have. Today 10/2/03 I had to drive into seattle and began to have a severe heating problem with the car. My wife and I were deathly afraid we were going to be stranded on the freeway somewhere or stuck in a part of seattle we did not feel very safe in. The temp gauge began to rise very quickly as we arrived at our destination just south of seattle, the needle was pegged and the temp light actually came on. I had dex-cool anti-freeze leaking all over the engine and all over the ground. We waiting approx 30 minutes before we started out again and yes were afraid the entire way home that we would get stranded on the road somewhere. I got the car to my mechanic and he has informed us that we probably need a new engine, on a car that only has 95,000 miles on it. I have read other complaints on the internet about the faulty gaskets which result in anti-freeze leaking into the engine causing bad camshafts, bad bearings and who knows what else. If I had the resources to dump the piece of junk I just might, however I do not have the recourses to do that, I must get it fixed. Right now a $4000.00 dollar repair will not be good for my family. Frankly I am tired of being sold junk, 20000.00 dollars might not be much too some people but it is to me. My car now is barely worth $4000.00 and the thought of putting $4000.00 into it just to get it running again makes me sick. I will think twice the next time about purchasing a gm product.

Filed Dec 19, 2003 · Engine · 89,000 miles · MO

Intake manifold gasket, 1997 chevrolet malibu (3.1 v6 engine). My understanding is that this is an extremely common problem with gm products, particularly this engine and car. I also searched the complaints dadabase and I found that it appears to be a common problem. Also, theft system light coming and excessive brake pad wear and rotor warping appears to be a very common problem. This was fixed once, the problem is reaccuring. $1200 in major repairs so far on a 1997 chevrolet malibu, not to mention the other small but frequent repairs. I am dissatisfied with both of my recent gm products because they both had similar problems that lead to costy repairs or engine failure at 120,000 miles on a 1994 grand am and 89,000 miles on a 1997 malibu. I have had to fix the radio numerous times (cable comes unplugged quite often).

Filed Oct 3, 2003 · Engine · 95,300 miles · WA

Basically this is to complain about the gm 3.1l v6 engine in my 1997 chevrolet malibu. I understand that there are 1100 complaints and would appreciate some help with my situation also. In the last couple of weeks my vehicle has started to have a multitude of problems that had LED up to my current fiasco. About 2 weeks ago after an oil change, my 97 malibu began to have problems with a lifter 'ticking.' my mechanic suspects a collapsed lifter; this has not been repaired yet. My car also now runs very rough and does not have the power it used to have. Today, 10/2/03, I went to seattle and experienced a severe heating problem. The temp gauge began to rise very quickly as we arrived at our destination just south of seattle, the needle was pegged and the temp light actually came on. I had dex-cool anti-freeze leaking all over the engine and all over the ground. We waited for approximately 30 minutes before we started out again and yes were afraid the entire way home that we would get stranded on the road somewhere. I got the car to my mechanic and he has informed us that we probably need a new engine, on a car that only has 95,000 miles on it. I have read other complaints on the internet about the faulty gaskets which result in anti-freeze leaking into the engine causing bad camshafts, bad bearings and who knows what else. If I had the resources to dump the piece of junk I just might, however I do not have the recourses to do that, I must get it fixed.

Filed Jul 3, 2000 · Engine · NY

Engine failed due to gasket leaks. Yh

Filed Sep 28, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Vehicle has experienced continued problems with engine failure at idle , several repair attempts however continues to experience failures. Mjs