My 2000 malibu which currently has 50,000 miles on it started losing coolant at about 48,000 miles. I have spent close to $1,000 dollars trying to get it to stop losing fluids. The last repair was a new gasket set per service bullitin #03-06-01-010 dated march of 2003. Is there any other course of action that I can take. I cannot afford any more expenses on it. Also the turn signals seem to fail when my car heater does not heat up, they come back if I turn my emergency flasers on and then off.
2000 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints
Page 5 of 8: complaints 101 to 130 of 193, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My car has had the signal lights replaced, the fuel pump replaced, & the intake manifold gasket replaced all problems w/ my car before I had replaced were very dangerous for me & my 2 children. I will never buy or refer anyone to buy a chevorlet malibu .
I had the car for 3 1/2 years and it has given me so many problems with misfire sensors, clicking noise in the engine, noise while driving over a bump or hole, this is besides other problems like water pump, fuel pump, transmission, check engine light on the dashboard and much more.
Water pump failure, turning lights failure.
Intake gasket had to be replaced
Had to replace the intake manifold and gasket on my 2000 chevy malibu.
While driving temperature gauge failed. This made it impossible for the consumer to know if the vehicle overheated. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Vehicle : 2000 malibu VIN : [xxx] I've read that there are technician notes, sent by gm corp., about a design problem with the 2000/2001 malibu v6 3.1 engine for intake manifold gasket leaking and for pistons,valve guides and lifters with valves 1,2,3,4 and gm's remedy with updated parts list to remedy the design problems. My vehicle is one of these with the appropriate VIN #. I have contacted gm assistance but have only received a person that transmits but does not receive in the conversation. I have all the maintenance records for oil changes, air & fuel filters etc. Since I have owned the car. I also have copies of gm corporate bulletins to the technicians acknowledging the design flaws and the corrections and parts list to remedy the design flaws. I purchased this vehicle used, one year old with 26,879 miles. I have also talked to 3 different technicians who have stated this is a design problem that gm has known about and is an ongoing problem. I presently have the vehicle at don's brooklyn chevrolet where they are repairing the intake manifold gasket and diagnosing further problem with the pistons and lifters. Robby states the pistons need replacing to elimnate the problem. I am a loyal chevrolet customer for over 30yrs and currently own a 1993 chevy lumina eurosport, purchased new, 2000 chevy malibu, purchased used 1 yr old, and a 2002 chevy impala ls, purchased new, being a loyal customer and never had a need before, I need assistance as this has been a design flaw that gm knew about, I don't feel I should have to pay for gm's problem. Gm should repair the problems now before and engine blows on the freeway or anywhere else and someone is either injured or killed. Please give me a call at [xxx]. *jb updated 07/30/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Intake manifold gasket failed at 49000 miles. Gm is aware of the problem but will not take action on it. The most discouraging thing about the problem is the contempt that gm seems to have for their consumers. They released a technical service bulletin to their dealers regarding the problem, yet they do nothing for those affected by an obvious product defect. My request for cost assistance from general motors was met with a flippant attitude toward the loss of my loyalty as a customer.
Vehicle died unexpectedly at highway speeds.
Intake manifold began leaking at 45000 miles (500 dollars to replace), have replaced the brakes and rotors 4 times in 65,000 miles. The turn signals quit working. While driving down the road the engine just dies. If I let it sit for a while it will crank back up. Ase mechanic told me it was the ignition module, so I paid to have it replaced and that did not fix it. I have been reviewing forums on-line and have discovered that this is a wide spread and severe problem, I understand normal wear and tear on a vehicle but this is ridiculous. And last but not least, the fan switch has quit working on positons (speeds) 1 and 2...that happened when the car had about 37,000 miles on (not under factory warranty) ....I once was a die hard chevy man..thanks to this car I will not buy another gm product.
2000 chevrolet malibu bought with 120,000 miles on it. Less than a week after getting this car for 5500.00, when retail on the car was 8300.00, I had to replace the intake manifold gasket and the valve cover gaskets because they were leaking coolant. Also, the brakes shudder and vibrate whenever applied, even at speeds less than 25 MPH. Half a week later, the gas gauge fell to zero while normal driving and the low gas light came on, even though I had just filled the car up two days prior. There was plenty of gas in the car, about 3/4 of a tank. Also, the tranmission is slipping now when I speed up. When I speed up the car does not shift into 1st gear right away until 4000 RPM. When it does shift, it shift with a large jolt that shakes the entire car. There was no warning before the gas light came on, and I find the car to only now have all of these problems. Also, the car smells of gasoline and leaks, even though I had it fixed.
Antifreeze used in our 2000 malibu has been found to frequently cause deterioration and failure of the intake manifold gasket. There hve been many cases sited on the internet with names and specifics and chevy/gmc refuses to admit it is the antifreeze. They told me last night it has to do with the plant where the car was made.
At 55000 miles had to replace lower intake manifold gasket. Looks like is a common problem with the malibu.gm must do something.
On your site I have found many complaints regarding coolant leak due to poor sealing of the maniflod gasket that according the sevice bulletin on this site, requires new gasket type to replace the old, and the intake manifold bolts cleaned and coated with thredlocker and torqued to a revised spec. This has already been done once to my car at about 30k miles and fortunately cover under warranty, if not it would have cost me $1050, problem is now the car is doing the same thing again at 79k miles and is no longer under warranty....how many times should this happen? Was the service bulletin put out as a permamant solution for this problem? If not how long should this work be guaranteed? Why was there not a recall on this problem? Does there have to be a fatality to recall a vechicle? In addition I also have had the problem with the hazard warning switch that also effected the wipers, neither would work, again this repair was submitted as warranty work. I have complained several times to bob bell chevy about how hot the dash instruments get to touch and have already had to have related electrical problems repaired, to note..when I first complained about the heat when touched to change intrument settings I was told "that's normal". Granted my extended warranty covered some of the work but I still had to pay a $250 deductable w/each problem. All these problems have been reported on this the federal safety agency site by many people and addition others I know personally and who I have had many discussions with also have the same year malibu with all the same problems....why hasn't the manufact. Recalled the car for theses problems, surely all can cause fire safety problems. How are recalls determined and what can we all do????????????? I never dreamed chevrolet would be so cheesy. My last car was 12 years old and olds custom cruiser wagon - never gave me a problem that was so major as these noted here, I should have never got rid of it for this malibu!
Vehicle experienced a "ticking noise in the engine." *ph the consumer left front caliper bolt is stripped causing a vibrating/ grinding noise that radiates from the left front wheel under the driver side when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. When the dealer was contacted they stated that they could not duplicate the problem. And the consumer is trying to obtain an over all inspection of the mechanical defects of the vehicle so gm can be held responsible for the faulty automobile.
This car has been one problem after another. The day after we leased the car it was in the shop for the brakes, the car has had 2 engines in it. The transmission has been rebuilt. The brakes are still not correct. Transmission is slipping again and the 3 year warranty is up. We complained to chevrolet and the bbb. To no avail they seemed to be on chevrolet's side in the case. We were to the point that we were just going to let the car go back but that would only hurt my husband's credit more then it was already. We had to keep the car through the lease. This left a really bad tast in my mouth for purchasing new vehicles because you are stuck with it for the duration of the lease or purchase.
I bought my car on 7/21/01, it has been in for repairs 10/3/01, 7/12/02,12/11/02, 6/23/03 and 6/24/03. The problem is electrical and the engine as well. Chevrolet has run diagnostics many times but is not able to fix the problem for good. Everytime I take my car in, I am told it's now something different that has broken. My car will break down and sometimes if I allow it to sit for 10 - 20 minutes it will start right back up. For as many times as my car has been repaired, it has broken down at least three times before I take it in. My dispute with chevy is my car is a lemon. They cannot determine what is wrong with it because diagnostics is unable to duplicate the problem. Chevy informed me that does not mean there isn't a problem it just means the computer cannot detect it. I have filed with the bbb auto line but because my car has more than 24,000 miles they say I am out of luck. Chevy is unwilling to do anything about the problems I am having with my car. My dispute is should a car break down at least 5-10 times a year?
The paint on hood started chipping @ or about 30k dealer said not warranty problem. Beginning apr 2002 car intermitantly has had a "surging" immediately after starting & putting in gear. At first just 1 or 2 times in 3 or 4 mos. Now the last 8-9 weeks it has happened more & more frequently, then 2 weeks ago the cruise control became erratic in activation & now won't work at all.
The lower intake is leaking coolant, causing loss of coolant over a short period of time causing it to overheat. With the extended warranty it would not cover it unless the loss of coolant caused a head gasket to blow or another type of major damage. I work with 2 other people that have malibu's and they had the same problem.
A/c turns off or goes on and off (light flashes). Dealer states cause as failed control head. Brakes have been chronic pulsing that causes the car to shudder, esp. When applying brakes from speeds of 30+ MPH. At various repair attempts rotors have been turned, replaced (at 22k miles), new hub assembly installed. Six attempts were made to repair under warranty. Just had new brakes and shim kit installed but don't trust that this will fix problem based on past experience.
Vehicle over-heated, taken to dealer which had been servicing the vehicle since new. Dealer replaced intake manifold gaskets and water pump charging $1400.00 the vehicle only had 24000 miles on it and was less then six months out of warranty. Dealer would not work with me as a goodwill gesture.
2000 chevrolet malibu with persistent brake problems. Have to replace major brake components every approximately 20,000 miles. Also, dexcool coolent leak from the intake manifold after only (approx) 50,000 miles. Dexcool coolant breakdown and subsequent failure of cooling system.
Leaking coolant from around engine block. Dealer diagnosis: lower intake manifold gasket leak. Mileage 30,000. Previous repair completed on water pump for bad bearings at 28,800 miles. Manufacturer should be held accountable for a defective component used in the building of these motors.
The engine coolant constanly runs low or empty. I have to refill it all the time. Now I find out I might have a leak from the coolant that is running in my oil. Car also hard to start sometimes. I have a friend who has the same problem with having to fill up the engine coolant constanly. She has a 2002 model. Having to fill it up that often is not normal.
Independent shop replaced the intake manifold at owner expense of $800. Dollars and has had problems with the air conditioner. Dealer notified. Please provide further information.
While driving at 80 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted the vehicle, and was able to pull over to the shoulder. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer for analysis, but dealer could not resolve the problem.
My 2000 chevrolet malibu (36,000 miles) recently stalled 4 times while I was driving at high speeds on the highway. On friday 10/7 I was going approximately 80 MPH when the car suddenly turned off. I coasted to a stop on the shoulder. In about 5 minutes I was able to cut the car back on. At which time it resumed driving normally for about 10 miles. Then it stalled again. I towed the car into town and drove it to a repair shop. (yes, the car drove normally around town). The repair shop tested it and was unable to find anything wrong. When I picked the car up I drove about 40 miles (again at greater than 75 MPH) and the car stalled again. It started back up in 2-3 minutes. Then 30 miles later stalled again. This time on a part of the highway where there was no shoulder! I coasted the car until the shoulder reappeared, pulled on to it and re-started the car. The car does not show any symptoms of the problem in my day-to-day driving around town. However, it is not suitable to drive for long distances or at high speeds due to this condition.
I puchased this car with 20000 miles on it. I had it for a little over 5 months and I am replacing a fuel pump that will cost $650. The power steering has corrosion, so the power steering has to be flushed. Replacement of the fuel filter, a cracked fan belt, and throttle body service. I have the gm extended warranty, but it only covers the cost to replace the fuel pump. Everything else is out of pocket expenses because it is considered "regular maintenance". The brakes also grind and seem to take too long for the car to stop. So I think brakes aren't far behind to be replaced. I am hoping I will not need rotors too. I have read so many complaints about the brakes on the 2000 chevy malibu. I try to buy american because I am a proud one. But the quality seem to be substandard compared to japanese cars. My next car will be foreign. Us car makers need to "step it up", as far as quality with these cars.
Coolant loss causing vehicle to overheat. Car towed to garage. Had to remove and replace intatke manifold gasket, replace thermostat, and reverse flush cooling system. Total cost $664.31 was advised to file complaint as garage has had an average of one repair like this a month on mailbus and impalas.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history