2001 Chevrolet Malibu: engine failure

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · 180,744 miles · FL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired, but the results of the diagnostic testing were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 180,744.

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 87,000 miles · MD · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into ditch. The contact sustained an injury to the forehead and it was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. After the failure, the contact received a notice for the federal safety agency campaign 14v400 (electrical system). The approximate failure was 87,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 110,000 miles · MI

This 2001 chevy malibu had the rack and pinion break free from the engine cradle due to frame corrosion. The car is now undrivable and needs new engine cradle (front frame). This is a safety issue and the frame should not rust on a car in a place that could kill somebody. Bad design. Poor quality. Never buy a gm ....ever.

Filed Oct 22, 2013 · Steering · 60,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Jul 13, 2012 · Brakes · 168,000 miles · TN · crash

On wednesday, july 11 our daughter was driving our 2001 malibu on I-75 at 70 MPH in the rain. The left front brake seized and she went into a 180 degree spin, hit the guard rail and rested facing oncoming traffic. About one year ago the identical thing happened on I-275, also in the rain. The only difference was that she spun to the right after the brake seized. We took the car to a mechanic one year ago and he said the problem was the heat shrink connector on one of the power wires going to the caliper. He was certain he had repaired the problem. We have not been able to have someone look at the brakes since the accident 2 days ago, but the car acted the same way. We want to be sure someone does not get killed from similar problems. It was a miracle that our daughter only received a serious fright both times.

Filed Nov 3, 2011 · Engine · 10 miles · CA

I would like all the recalls for this con of a car and I would like to get in on any lawsuit against gm for their drug dealing business ethics or lack of these cars are a death trapwaiting to strike get gm out of business and bail out the consumer not the greedy liars that sell trinkets for 50k or more giving us less than safe garbage they call a car. My skastes run better 2100.00 2x for replaced engines and 375.00 parts and labor for alarm fix not working properly from factory you know it and you ask for a bail out I want you in prison every worker and the ceos no bail outs bail us out you robbing liars that sell garbage that can kill humans bail out my rear end.

Filed Jun 28, 2011 · Engine · 115,000 miles · PA

Just bought 2001 chevy malibu, its leaking coolant and the engine is overheating to the point of smoke. So the gasket is shot, I've taken this car in before over this problem but still seems to come back to the car overheating and smoke. No one seems to know how to fix this one guy told me to just get a new engine, the coolant diagnostic didn't help and all of my coolant can't seem to stay in there it just leaks as soon as it's in, so now what??? There should have definitely been a recall for this gm needs to fix this considering my engine was tested and refurbished by chevy no more than 8 months ago at the dealer. This car finally stalled out on the highway and almost killed me, there is no damage other than the ones I mentioned above.

Filed Aug 30, 2007 · Engine · 145,800 miles · WA

I have twice replaced the intake manifold gaskets on my 2001 chevrolet malibu. Both times it has started as a slow seep from the end of the engine on the drivers side. At first we didn't have any puddles, just a low fluid indicator alarm. Then we had intermittant puddles. The latest occurence included a catastrophic failure with about an half a gallon of fluid into the engine, and it was 200 miles from home. We were fortunate that we were not driving when the failure was discovered, so we didn't have to replace the engine. The first repair occured in january 2005 at 101k miles, this one in august 07 with 144k miles. The first repair was done at an asce shop and cost $700, this one was at a dealer and cost $1200. I described the incident to another mechanic, and his first question was, "gm car?" it is quite common and well known to mechanics.

Filed May 10, 2006 · Engine · PA

My 2001 chevy malibu has started leaking coolant. The low coolant light has come on, gone off, come on and gone off. When I check the reserve, the level is so low it's empty. After purchasing, so far 6 gallons, of dexcool and mixing it according to the directions each time, the coolant lasted a shorter and shorter period of time. The temp. Warning light began flashing and ringing, then went off and the temp went down. I took it to firestone, where I just had the car inspected. Now I'm being told that the manifold intake gasket is bad and the repairs will cost me $1023.00 after doing research on the problem, it seems that gm has been aware of this problem with the plastic gaskets for some time. Does someone have to die due to an overheated engine, a catastrophic engine failure before gm will recall and fix this problem? Or is this how mr. Goodwrench can make so many repairs and advertise about how many cars they fix and man hours they work? I loved this car! I bought it with 5 miles on it(4 of which I put on during the test drive.) a 2001 with only 45k miles? Am I the only one who sees that this is a manufacturing issue and that gm should stop issuing "private" notices and recall the cars for proper parts & servicing?

Filed Mar 13, 2004 · Engine · PA

I am trying to sell a 2001 chevrolet malibu ls for my dad who is 86 years old and cannot because of a start up noise that doesn't go away till the engine warms up. I have lost 4 buyers so far. This automobile has only 5600 miles on it. I have found a service bulletin saying there can be a noise from cylinder 1 thru 4. This is interfering with the resale of the car as no one trust it. I had it analyzed by the dealer and they said it was a piston slap. And it would cost around 1600.00 dollars to fix it. Gm agreed to go half and half but then the dealer said if the piston slap had damaged the cylinder it would need a new engine. This to me is a defect that the manufacture should be responsible for because as I stated be fore the car has only 5600 miles on it. Please contact me at [xxx] if need be. Thank you. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 23, 2003 · Engine · 40,000 miles · FL

This concerns the quality of a 2001 malibu purchased new. This car has had a new engine, two ignition systems, two brake jobs, and now a major coolant leak that is to cost over $800.00 to repair. It has had two sets of tiresand the vehicle only has 40,000 miles on it. It has had turn signal problems, injector fuel problems, and emergency light switch problems. In other words the cost of operation is more than the car payment per month. The quality of this vehicle ranks as a lemon.

Filed May 18, 2002 · Engine · GA

Vehicle has stalled several times. Took to dealership and told it was weather causing problem. Nothing done to correct problem. Past two months I have taken to alternate body shops, because engine failed to start. Mechanics flushed out the car and hooked up to the computer to detect any problems. No found problems and car cranked for about two weeks. Car last failed on may 3, 2002 and is still not working as of today. *ts ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***762043