1998 Chevrolet Malibu: engine overheating

Filed Aug 6, 2009 · Acceleration · 179,638 miles · MD

A totally unexpected malfunction of cruise control while set at 60mph, traveling up and down hilly stretch of us route #301 northbound nearing va route #3 the transmission down-shifted, engine accelerated to maintain set speed (as usual) when highway leveled the vehicle suddenly continued to speedup rapidly..65+70+75. Driver instantly applied brakes w/ normal pressure then even harder until she was standing on the brake pedal w/ both feet. Several times she pressed the cancel control selector, still no real slowing down. As both front and rear brake overheated rapidly smoke and sparks were seen by other motorist, two of whom tried to overtake them and hand signaled to pull off the road which she was soon able to accomplish on a wide grass shoulder where she turned off the ignition+++stop!! At long last. All three (3) adult women were greatly stressed but relieved to be safe. Her rear seat passenger had called 911 on her cell phone when they realized the frightful dangerthey were in and as a result three (3) different police cruisers arrived almost instantly from the county sheriff and va state police. Several witnesses were interviewed for more details. The vehicle is a 1998 chevrolet malibu 4dr. V6. The car was less than 4 months old, driven only 4,000 miles by the dealers wife, until my daughter purchased it. She continued to have it routinely serviced and maintained there so there is where she requested the tow truck driver to haul it to the next day at a cost of $400. Subsequently their service manager and mechanics ran diagnostic sequences as well as several road tests and were unable to reveal any abnormalities in the cruise control or accelertorperform-ance functions. However all four (4) wheels brakes were badly burned and warped. Repairs would cost an estimated $1,100 to $1,300. Our questions include the following: (1) is this event an isolated rarity? (2) what can cause such a dangerous failure? (3) why hidden?

Filed Dec 1, 2007 · Engine, Fuel system · 00

1998 chevy malibu: faulty intake manifold gasket resulting in coolant leak in engine. Resulted in engine needing to be replaced and upper intake gasket changed at $2000 canadian. Two months later,and less tan 5,000 kms later, fuel tank needs to be replaced. Less than 30 days later, upper intake gasket and front brakes need to be changed at cost of $1500 canadian.

Filed Mar 19, 2007 · Electrical · 63,000 miles · AZ

Serveral times (5+) the left rear tail light would burn out. I replaced the bulb myself and note that the connection and bulb had overheated. Current, on going problem is the dash/instrument cluster lighting. The instrument lights go on and off, as they feel like it. The lights currently are out. I checked all fuses and breakers. All tested okay. I really hate this car and no more gm products for me, ever!

Filed Jan 10, 2006 · Engine · 50,000 miles · PR

Manifold gasket failure that allow coolant to leak. Water can mix with oil or can generate overheat of the engine.

Filed Nov 1, 2005 · Engine · 133,657 miles · KY

1998 chevy malibu: faulty intake manifold gasket resulting in coolant leak, gasket has been replaced twice within 100,000 miles (may be related to mandated usage of dexcool antifreeze in vehicle per manufacturer).

Filed Jul 12, 2005 · Engine · 87,900 miles · CA

The engine leaked coolant and oil from the block, which is not supposed to happen. My car then overheated on the road which LED to my coolant bursting out of the overfill tank. The engine then started to steam, and all the coolant laid there on the road. I was told by 3 different shops that it was the head gasket that needed to be replaced, which cost me $1000 in parts and labor.

Filed Feb 11, 2005 · Engine · IL

1. Vehicle losing coolant. 2. Problem is due to failure of the intake manifold gasket. 3. Intake gasket needs to be replaced.

Filed Nov 9, 2004 · Engine · 50,000 miles · TX

Coolant leak .. Again in my 1998 chevrolet malibu! I had my intake gasket replaced approximately two years ago due to car over heating and a coolant leak. My extended warranty covered it at that time but not without a struggle. I have since been told in the past month that this same repair needs to be done again and that I'm looking at anywhere from $600.00 - $1000.00 for the repair and this will come out of my pocket. From the consumer complaints that I've read on the internet and the service bulletin out on the specific problem, gm obviously knows that this is in issue. Why aren't they forced to put out a recall? This could be a dangerous problem.

Filed Apr 29, 2004 · Engine · 74,989 miles · NJ

1998 cevrolet malibu with 3.1 v6 engine.car had sporadic stalling.finally traced to a leaking intake manifold gasket which was allowing coolant into the engine.the coolant leaking also caused the o2 sensor to be coated and need replacing.vehicle has approx mileage in the 74k range.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · PA

Coolant leaking from 3.1 liter intake manifold gasket. Gasket had to be replaced.

Filed Aug 18, 2003 · Engine · OH

98 malibu ls developed coolant leak at 19,000 miles. Took back to dealer where it was purchased new in 98. Found intake manifold gasket is leaking as well as water pump bad. $880.00 to repair. Dealer will not do anything to help cover cost even though they know it is a problem. Dealer said there is a class action law siut against gm over this issue!?!?

Filed Jul 22, 2003 · Engine · 72,000 miles · TX

I was told I had a coolant leak which caused my cam to break in my engine. I had to replace my engine with a used one. I contacted gm for some help and they gave me none. They would not recognize the problem with the manufactured defect on the coolant system. I am out of pocket nearly two thousand dollars on a car that should be still going strong with the original engine and still, uncomfortable with this used engine as I may have the same problem again down the road. I am very upset and disappointed with gm because I put a lot of trust in them and their vehicles and they let me down. Not only that, but I have had consistent brake problems. Something needs to be done about this. There are too many people having the same problems with this type of vehicle and it would be a sad thing to wait until there are fatalities to rectify the situation.