2001 Chevrolet Malibu: engine overheating

Filed Aug 22, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · NY

2nd cylinder is misfiring and something seems to be leaking antifreeze, causing my engine to overheat, which I see is a large issue in chevy malibus. My turn signal/hazards also don't work 85% of the time, which is a recall for my make, model, and year (chevrolet, malibu, 2001) but not my VIN number. Another issue I see is my left headlight shines out from the side, which I also saw to be an issue in several of the same models of my car. Keep in mind I bought it recently, used, so the date I noticed the issues was fairly recent.

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 Mar 5, 2009 · Engine · ME

We had purchased a 2001 chevy malibu ls in 2004, it had 28,922 mileage. On july 1st 2004, had 28,959 miles, the engine light kept coming on so we brought it to forest city to get it checked out, they found the reservoir low and topped it off, they said no visible coolant leaks! On july 12th 2007 we had brought it back to quirk ( which was forest city) they said that the lower intake manifold caskets were leaking coolant, they wanted $879.00 to fix it (mileage 46,495). We got it fixed by a certified mechanic for $370.00 on july27,2007. Now we had a 20 point inspection done onjanuary 29th 2007 and quirk said that we need intake manifold caskets again!, with only 9,953, after the first time they went, ( milage 56,248). I have talked to quirk and they said they would take 10% off the $695.00 price to fix it, so I talked to gm and they said it wasn't there problem but would take 25% off. If it wasn't there problem then why would they do that? When I asked them why I wasn't contacted about the dex cool problem, they had no answer. I have checked a lot of web sites and this is happening over and over again to people. Why can't something be done about this. I don't feel that I should have to pay for something that gm is responsible for. I hope that you can help all of us, that are having this and other problems. Thank you for listening.

Filed Mar 2, 2009 · Engine · 149,130 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the lower intake gasket, located near the water pump, was leaking water and antifreeze. While driving at any speed, the vehicle would overheat and water would leak out. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that the lower intake gasket needed to be repaired at the cost of $695. The dealer has not been notified. The failure mileage was 149,130.

Filed Dec 3, 2008 · Engine · OH

Gasket is causing antifreeze leak into engine and the car is overheating. Have use about a few bottles of antifreeze back to back. Its going to cost so much to repair. Im waiting for a recall from gm. The sooner the better.

Filed Jun 17, 2008 · Engine · 102,599 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. While driving up a very steep incline at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to overheat. The contact managed to pull over and called a tow truck. Once the tow truck arrived, the driver placed coolant into the vehicle. The contact drove to her residence and called her local mechanic. The intake manifold gasket was repaired. On june 9, 2008, the vehicle began to overheat again on the highway. The contact pulled to the side of the road and drove to the nearest service station. Shed added coolant into the vehicle, drove home, and called her local mechanic. She took the vehicle to the shop and the intake manifold gasket was repaired again. The failure mileage was 102,599 and current mileage was 133,000.

Filed Apr 12, 2007 · Engine · OK

I have a 2001 chevorlet malibu which has close to 67000 miles, and now its showing signs of coolant leaking ,and coolant has to be topped up every 200 miles or so, and the coolant used was dex-cool, gm recommended. Also there is a problem with air conditioning (A/C) unit as it was not cooling at all, and when checked the freon. Gas leaked out ,and yet to find where the leaking is from. Mechanic mentioned the coolant problem was there in all malibu models starting 1998. Please let us know if there was any recall for the above mentioned problems.

Filed Oct 27, 2006 · Engine · 96,000 miles · WI

Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was started, the check engine light illuminated. When an oil change was performed by an independent service dealer, a coolant leak was found on the engine next to the intake gasket. A second opinion was sought at another independent service dealers and when the leak was confirmed, the vehicle was taken to a service dealer and the manufacturer was notified. The contact continued to add coolant to the vehicle. The interior of the windows were coated by the coolant vapor, entering the vehicle through the ventilation system.

Filed Jul 7, 2006 · Engine · OR

5/05 coolant leak- replace intake manifold gasket $1100.00 8/05 coolant leak(continued)- replace head gasket, completely replace the air conditioning unit-$1085.00 1/06 replace egr valve, solenoid, gaskets $435.00 I've been around cars all my life, my father was a mechanic. My point is that I know if you take care of a car it will last longer. I take very good care of this car and I know gaskets should not deteriorate the way these did. Looking at the reports on mycarstats.com it appears to me that what ever material was used for the gaskets in this car must be defective. There are way too many complaints for this to be any thing else. Maintaining my car is a priority for me as I am disabled. To have a mechanical breakdown is a major issue. This cars engine was unable to maintain compression because of the leaky gaskets. It kept stalling repeatedly, I feel putting my safety at risk. I have tried to work this out with the dealership but it's clear to me what their priority is and it's not me or my car. I believe there should be an investigation into this matter. I have been told that the gasket material they used in this model was different from other years. I believe this is a bigger problem than gm is ready to admit.

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 May 6, 2006 · Engine · OR

Our 2001 malibu developed a coolant leak and in may of 05. The dealer replaced the upper intake gasket and said it was fixed. The engine would not maintain compression and kept stalling. I am disabled and I felt there was a safety issue. After 3 or 4 trips to the dealer without results I took the car to another mechanic who pointed out that it was the head gasket that was leaking. I am out a lot of money for a car that's not very old. After reading the other complaints from other malibu owners I am convinced there must be a defect with these gaskets. I have also had to have the air conditioner completely replaced as well. I don't know if one has any thing to do with the other but it was at the same time. Now my heater won't turn off so it's over riding the air conditioner. Because of all of these repairs I have over $1000 in rental car expenses. This is a matter of safety as far as I'm concerned.

Filed Apr 20, 2006 · Engine · 89,000 miles · LA

I am having problems with my car overheating. I have brought my car to several different places and everyone tells me that this is common in malibus,and something should be done about it. I have had my radiator replaced,my thermostat changed, my coolant system flushed. Now chevrolet is saying it might be my water pump that's causing the problem. That will cost 586 and if that's not the problem they will check other things while im going to be the one taking the lost.