2000 Chevrolet Malibu: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 31, 2014 · Body, Engine · GA · fire

After parking the car I was notified by a neighbor that my vehicle was on fire. The fire dept. Was call and extinguished the fire.the arson squad was called and determined the vehicles fire was due to a mechanical problem. After I researched the vehicle safety recalls and found out there had been a recall for this vehicle and I was unaware of it. I purchased it used. I did not receive any notice on the recall. I found there were many other fires associated with this failure. The vehicle was totally burned up vehicle was non repairable and towed to the junk yard after arson investigation was complete.

Filed Nov 27, 2007 · Fuel system · SC · fire

While we were driving our 2000 chevrolet malibu had a sudden failure of some component in the gasoline storage or delivery system. We smelled gas and saw it being spilled on the road behind us. We pulled over, cut off and exited the car. Within 30 seconds of exiting the car, it burst into flames and was completely destroyed by fire. Fortunately no one was burned or hurt, but the potential for catastrophic injury was apparent. The vehicle was a total loss.

Filed Nov 15, 2005 · Engine · 59,985 miles · PA

The initial problem was that the car had difficulty starting after the car was warm. Would usually have to give the car gas to get the engine to turn over. Took the car to the dealer and was informed that was the least of my problems since the intake manifold gasket was leaking coolant into the oil. The cost of repairs for the leaking gasket was over $650 and told was quite common in 2000 malibus and if the problem was not fixed could cause the vehicle to catch on fire or destroy the engine. The car has less than 60,000 miles. Also had to replace wires, plugs, ignition coil and fuel filter which was an additional $475. I can understand the wires, plugs, coil and fuel filter as usual maintenance costs, however, the leaking intake manifold gasket which is quite common from both your website and chevy website should be addressed a potential recall. Or investigate the possibility of some funding by chevy to offset the high repair costs to many owners of the malibu who have had to have the intake manifold gasket repaired.

Filed Dec 27, 2004 · Engine · 49,000 miles · TN

(1) the failure occurred under normal driving conditions. (2) the intake manifold leaks radiator fluid due to faulty gaskets. Fortunately, the problem was observed before the engine overheated or caught fire, but there is evidence of coolant contaminating the engine oil: further consequences will likely occur in the future. (3) the failure has not yet been corrected. A firestone service center diagnosed the problem but repairs have not yet been contracted. A chevrolet dealership/service center (bill heard) gave an estimate of $1000 for the repair. Please note that this is a common fault in chevy malibus and other gm cars with this engine type. The service rep at firestone stated that this was the most common problem seen in this car, and the service rep at the chevrolet dealership stated that in malibus, the intake manifold gaskets fail "more often than not."

Filed Jan 22, 2003 · Engine · 48,500 miles · MD

The car first developed a miss in the engine, then as I was driving down the highway at 55-65 miles per hour the car would suddenly lose power. This was very dangerous and nearly cause severly accidents. I would pull off the side of the road and wait for about five minutes and then the car would start again. I took it to one mechanic and he replaced the plugs, wires, and ignition coil. The next day the car broke down again. I took it to another mechanic theydid a decarbon treatment on engine. I got the car back and it broke down the next day. I took it to another mechanic he repaced a fuel filter. When I drove it home it broke down again. The next day I took it back to the same mechanic, at that point he drove the car for a few days until it broke down on him with the computer hook to it. He then replaced part no. 22683260 module 3.107 137 and part no. 22626099 ring 3.112 g31 check for recall of fuel tank fitting and did not replace. I left the parking lot of the service department and noticed that the check engine light was on. I turned around and took it back to the same mechanic he hook up the computer said he did not know why the light was on and put gas treatment in the tank and told me to drive it home and once I had run out this tank of gas unhook the battery and hook it back up again and the light should go off. Ii did this and the light came right back on. At this point I have a car with 50,000 miles on it which I owe a lot of money on and can not take it out of the driveway for fear it will break down leave me stranded or get in an accident, or catch on fire. I have written a letter to gm three weeks ago with no response. In the past two months I have spent over 1,500 dollars in repairs and the mechanics are telling me now the next step is to tear down the engine and replace the pistons. What can a person do in this case where do I turn for help?????????