2000 Chevrolet Malibu: engine overheating

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 157,323 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart it after some time. Multiple warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact noticed coolant leaking and had to continuously refill the vehicle with coolant. After turning off the vehicle, the key failed to eject and remained in the accessory position. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired the manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 157,323. Updated 05/16/17*lj updated 7/9/18*jb

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Engine · 63,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. While the contact was driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated there was a leakage within the intake manifold gasket which could result to the engine overheating and potentially causing a fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000. Updated 02/23/11*lj updated 02/28/11

Filed Sep 28, 2009 · Electrical · 70,705 miles · NJ

The blinkers of my 2000 chevy malibu turn off randomly and I don't know it until I go to make a turn which can absolutely result in a crash. It also affects my passenger side window and rear passenger brakelights which will not come on though the bulbs are new. I looked into recalls and there was indeed a recall regarding this exact problem stating the hazard light switch overheats and melts and then disrupts the electrical system specifically affecting this part of my car. When I called the manufacturer they told me that I was five days late to have the part fixed. Being that I only bought this car in march of this year, 2009, I should have received a recall notice so that this could have been fixed, but received no such information in the mail and am unable to afford to fix this very dangerous problem. Also, when I go to start my car, it will randomly turn on the theft system light and not allow the car to start. On investigation apparently, the chevy malibu comes with the passkey system and despite that the company knows that it is faulty they will do nothing to fix it. Though it is their fault they just told me to replace the key cylinder which is not definite to work, or to spray graphite powder in it to help with connection but that overall it is my problem. Why is it that I have a car that was bought in running condition that will kill itself randomly and that is my problem when it is a manufacturers defect!? I can never know when or when not my car will start and have missed work and other important events. And in case of an emergency there is a possibility that it will not start! Or that I could be trapped in a dangerous situation because my car simply decides that the key that is supposed to start it and is linked to it will not work. This is truly unacceptable and not right for chevy to think that we should just deal with a car that is broken though not the consumers fault and all of the options they give for fixing it are not definite.

Filed Nov 24, 2008 · Engine · 60,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and they stated that the intake manifold failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic stated that the engine failure was common for this year, make, and model vehicle. The vehicle is currently being repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 63,000.

Filed Nov 7, 2008 · Engine · 76,000 miles · GA

Noticed coolant leaking for the 2nd time in 2 years. This is now the 2nd time to replace intake manifold gasket. The 1st replacement was done 2006 for ~$750. Now the estimate to replace gasket and flush cooling system is ~ $800. New radiator may be required if the service shop can not flush oil out of the radiator.

Filed Nov 26, 2007 · Engine · 125,000 miles · AR

Tl*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.

Filed Jun 25, 2007 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MI

I have had ongoing problems 3 years., approximately with frequent low coolant levels and low oil levels, in addition to noticing a strong odor of coolant after turning car off. I was informed recently , during a routine oil change in may, 2007, of a common problem often observed in gm 3.1 l and 3.4l v-6 engines. The intake manifold gasket leaked and allowed cross contamination of the coolant and oil systems. The oil system leaked into the coolant system, clogging the flow of engine coolant and damaging other systems, gaskets and fluids. The coolant leake d into the oil system as well, causing engine wear.*ak now I am told it will cost about $1000.00 to replace the intake manifold gasket, in addition to all the other gaskets affected by this leak. The main expense is for the labor to reach the intake manifold gasket in mid-engine. I was also informed that this problem affects all gm 3.1l and 3.4l v-6 engines since 1996, and that these engines have not been recalled, in spite of the frequency of this complaint. My vehicle is no longer under warranty, but since this engine's problem has been known since before I purchased the car, I believe I am justified in requesting that gm cover the cost of any necessary repairs to replace this leaking gasket before the engine is destroyed.

Filed Dec 20, 2006 · Engine · 110,654 miles · CA

While driving my car along the freeway and without any notice the car went from having a normal temp to red lining on the temperature. I immediately slowed the vehicle down and turned on the heat. At this point no heat came out and soon afterwards the vehicle overheated and died. I cruised it off the freeway and onto a side road. I was in the middle of nowhere and a passerby was nice enough to stop. I ended up refilling the coolant and was able to drive to where I need to go and return home. I had refill the fluid level multiple times. I took it to a radiator shop that stated that the seals on my engine were leaking exhaust into the fluids which caused the vehicle to overheat. They stated that chevy was having trouble with the dexacool coolant in the vehicles and that it was eating away the seal in the engine.

Filed Oct 15, 2006 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NY

Coolent leaks and overheating,what the hell gm waiting for,we need to get this information out to the buying public to stop buying gm product that they will not stand-by. Fix your problem. Your coolant calls for replacing 100,000 to 150,000 miles, not every couple of days. The japanese auto makers would have solved this problem a long time ago at no charge to the owners. Class action lawsuit is in order.stop-f----- your malibu owner

Filed Mar 22, 2006 · Engine · 87,000 miles · MD

When I went to the store I noticed a smell coming from my car I pulled over and noticed that coolant was leaking from my car. I opened the hood to cool down the engine since I assumed it might have overheated or something of the sort and it was only the run off. I added more fluid (everything was fine) and noticed the next morning it leaked again. I took the vehicle to the mechanic (to get my hazards module replaced since they began to start a fritz) and he told me it was the lower intake gasket and would be $850, not to mention he refused to offer the recall claim because I didn't have any papers.

Filed Dec 14, 2005 · Engine · 39,500 miles · GA

Intake manifold leak..loss of coolant..overheating engine..heater malfunction sporadically. This problem continues but abated somewhat after service at a radiator repair facility rodded the radiator twice ,flushed and refilled the system with new coolant and installed new thermostat. Mileage was 39,500.

Filed Oct 13, 2005 · Engine · 38,000 miles · PA

Dex-cool coolant leaked into engine of my 2000 chevy malibu. This is an ongoing problem for many gm owners, and it is well known by everyone expect gm. Both the dealer and chevrolet said there is nothing they can do, that I must pay to have it fixed, about $1500.00. Chevy must address and fix this problem .