My 2001 malibu is starting to over heat and leak coolant from the engine. I have to keep putting coolant in constantly. I went to a mechanic, he stated it was a known problem but chevrolet/gm will not recall the problem. I have a real problem because I don't feel that I should have to pay $600 for a known problem and it should be recalled. I was thinking about buy a new chevy, but after this issue I will never buy an american car again!!!
2001 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints
Page 4 of 7: complaints 71 to 100 of 175, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Myself and many other 2001 chevy malibu owners have had to replace all the major engine gaskets in their cars. I am disabled an the car would stall everywhere putting my safety in jepordy. The engine can't maintain compression because of the leaks. Gm refuses to even resond to my emails. I urge you to check into this matter. I even had to replace the air conditioner. It's not fair to the consumer to let gm get away with this. It has cost a lot of money not to mention the safety factor. Please check the mycarstats.com to see all the other complaints.egr valve also had to be replaced. In the process of filing my complaint with the bbb and the doj the dealer inadvertly provided documentation that tha engine had been leaking before we purchased it.
I need to know who I can speak with in regards to gm having a recall on the intake manifold gasket for 2000/2001 chevrolet malibu's. I have been told by the manager at advanced auto parts that several malibu owners come in to purchase coolant, as well as myself, as our gasket is leaking, which causes us to have to refill at least every other month or sooner. I have also checked online and there are several other people having the same problem, to the point that I felt a recall should be done. Some individuals noted that they contacted their car dealer and the gasket was changed to a newer one that they are using in the newer cars. However, I contacted my dealership and was told that there's nothing they can do, as there are no recalls on the vehicle. I need someone to contact me asap regarding this problem. It's not fair to myself, the consumer, to have to pay out of pocket to get this manufacturer defect corrected. Too many people are having this same problem for it not be recalled. Please, please contact me at [xxx]. Thank you for your immediate attention to my concern. *nm information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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.
After driving approximately 20-30 minutes, car will surge, and then stall. After waiting a few minutes the car will start and go another 15 min or so. This has happened on multiple occasions, and after multiple repairs. The last incident occurred on a busy bridge with no hazard lane; a police officer pushed me off the bridge with his squad car. I have replaced the alternator, fuel filter, & fuel relay. After each repair I was assured that the problem was corrected. After each repair the problem occurred again. I have taken it to two mechanics and they have not been able to find any problems.
3.11 gm v6 engine has a common problem of a notable intake manifold gasket leak, which oil and coolant system contaminates one or the other or both. Had to get an extreme engine flush and further diagnosis and repair is needed.
Dt*: the contact stated the engine hot light illuminated and the antifreeze was replaced to remedy the problem. When engine hot light illuminated again and the antifreeze was replaced a second time. On the third occurrence, the vehicle was taken to the dealership where it was determined the head gasket was blown which caused the antifreeze to get into the oil. The head gasket was replaced.
Six months into driving our new malibu a intake manifold develop a slow leak of antifreeze. In the winter more aggressive in the summer slower. Yet it increased gradually over the next few years. I found out this is a common manufacturing problem. The leak grew so bad that it had to be repaired this month. The leaking antifreeze is not only a danger to the parts in the engine compartment but also the environment. This is a poorly manufactured part and gm should stand behind the repairs. The total cost to put a properly manufactured gasket with labor is $ 691.25.
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?
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.
Fax from consumer (oh) re the problem he and his wife had with the head gaskets in their 2001 chevrolet malibu and 2001 chevrolet venture. *nm the head gasket was leaking coolant into the oil system.
I need to know who can I speak with in regards to gm having a recall on the intake manifold gasket for all 2001 chevrolet malibu's. I have been told the manager at advanced auto parts that several 2001 malibu owners come in to purchase coolant, as well as myself, as our gasket is leaking, which causes us to have to refill at least once a month or sooner. I have also checked online and there are several other people having the same problem, to the point that I fell a recall should be done. Some individuals noted that they contacted their car dealer and the gasket was changed to a newer one that they are using in the newer cars. However, I contacted my dealership an was told that there's nothing they can do, as there are no recalls on the vehicle. I need someone to contact me asap regarding this problem. It's not fair to myself, the consumer, to have to pay out of pocket to get this manufacturer default corrected. Too many people are having this same problem for it not be recalled. Please, please contact me at 410/917-7327. Thank you for your immediate attention to my concern.
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.
I noticed on my 2001 chevy malibu that the coolant light was coming on so I took it to the dealership where I purchased it. He raised the hood and said I was low on coolant without even taking the lid off. He said he would have it checked out and it would be an hour or more so I stayed since I had no way of getting home. Two hours later he came out and said I had a intake manifold gasket leak, a water pump that leaked at one time but wasn't leaking now but needed replaced and handed me a bill for 1200.00. Mind you this car only has 39,000 miles on it and when purchased it already had 25,000 on it and I have only put a little over 14,000 on it myself and it is only 5 years old. I have never encountered my car overheating and always had the oil change when required. I felt that this major of a problem shouldn't be happening so I called gm motors and they called back and said it wasn't under factory warranty and that I would have to pay to have it fixed. I have found out that it is unsafe to drive as my engine will blow up if I drive it. I also found out that it is not an isolated problem, that chevy malubu's from 1997 have had this problem and gm has ignored it. I feel that gm motors should pay to fix my car as I can not drive it for safety reasons at all. If I drive it I could blow my engine and cause a major accident as the car will stop.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 45 MPH, the temperature gauge went above the normal range. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, where it was determined the fuel regulator was spewing fuel onto the engine. The intake manifold seals were no longer there, causing fuel to get into the oil. The repair shop replaced the intake gasket, thermostat, timing belt, cooling fan, fuel regulator, and radiator cap. The manufacturer was alerted.
Fax fm (oh) re the problem he and his wife had w/the head gaskets in their 2001 chevrolet malibu & 2001 chevrolet venture. *ts the head gasket was leaking coolant into the oil system.
I took my 2001 chevy malibu ls in to get the oil changed. The mechanic told me that a common problem for the gm engines of my year and others was the intake manifold gasket leaking coolant, and that if left un-fixed, the engine would eventually seize up. I was told that the material that the gaskets were made out of has since been changed, which would imply that they know it to be faulty. I contacted gm and took it into the dealer where they confirmed the problem. I don't know if this issue makes the car unsafe to drive, but I had heard that there was a recall in place for faulty alternators and figured this problem was about equal to that in potential danger. Out of curiosity, I looked on the internet and there are plenty of websites with people that have the same issue.
On two occasions 2001 chevrolet malibu has failed to start. *ts ***no answer required*** the vehicle was taken to the dealer twice. Diagnostic test were run but the dealer was unable to find a cause for the problem either time.
I have had to replace my 2001 chevy malibu's manifold twice, and I have notice that I am not the only one. This is not normal wear and tear this is a manufacturer defect.
The vehicles heat gauge stopped working and low coolant light came on. Checked coolant level and discovered sludge in expansion chamber ( coolant recovery tank). Flushed system of sludge and trouble shot reason for coolant loss. Found intake manifold gasket leaking. Vehicle will require new intake manifold gasket set, thermostat, hoses, water pump and possibly radiator. Tried to flush system completely but found secondary plumbing such as heater core, radiator,coolant crossover and coolant bleed hosing gummed up with oily waxy type substance resembling gumballs (dex-cool?). I think gm should step up to the plate and take responsibility for the so called "wonder coolant". After all the sticker on the expansion chamber does say anything about changing every 5 years or 150000 miles.
(1) coolant leaking immediately after putting it into my vehicle. (2) my car has overheated three times on the freeway. It will not accelerate, starts violently vibrating, then smoke bellows out of my hood when I finally stop. I have been stranded on the freeway three times with my two-year-old in the car, as well as my unborn child. (3) I have taken my vehicle to a chevrolet repair man who found a technical service bulletin on the problem issued by chevrolet. He explained the intake manifold was manufactured crooked causing coolant to leak into my engine and dilute my oil which will eventually burn my motor and ruin it completely. When I contacted chevrolet, they were very unhelpful both times stating I had to pay a chevy dealership to diagnose the problem and that they might help me with a little cost assistance but not much. It is about $600 to fix this problem that is not normal maintenance or wear-and-tear. It is a manufacturing defect. I have had several people e-mail me about the same problem after posting a comment about it on a website.
Leakage of oil and coolant due to the failure of a lower intake manifold gasket. Caused a mixture of coolant and oil that required a complete flush of the coolant system, replacement of coolant, oil filter, and oil change. Cost of the repair was over $900.00.
Dt: the contact stated the engine overheated due to leaking of coolant. The coolant had to be added weekly. She took the vehicle to a dealer, who determined this was a problem with the intake manifold gasket, which was replaced.
Dt: the contact had the egr valve, thermostat, water pump, intake gasket, and head gasket replaced. Additionally, she had the block inspected for cracks. It has been 18 months since the replacement of the aforementioned defects, and the check engine light came on again ,and there was a decrease in the amount of gas mileage. The dealer reprogrammed the computer, and informed the contact that the vehicle was running properly. The manufacturer has only offered a discount on a new vehicle.
Failure- slight leak in coolant from intake seal, continuous running of fans, and check engine light stays on. Correction- new thermostat, new sensor for the fans, and new seal for intake seal, $900 worth of service.
We were told this is becoming a common problem that we lose the coolant intake on the engine of our 01 malibu resulting in a $1000 repair - this dealer has experienced multiple failures on this particular engine.
Dt when starting the vehicle in the morning one could hear a metal pinging sound coming from the motor. It will rattle for a mile or two and the noise will quietly lower itself. Noticed this on july 1, 2005. This vehicle only had 40,000 miles on it. Had it diagnosed at the dealership, and they confirmed that it had a piston slap in the motor.
I had to repair a manifold intake gasket, leaking water. . I have talked to several auto repair shops and they said this is a common problem on these chevy malibus. The chevy co. Should have to do a recall on this problem. Unfair that the consumer has to pay the bill to have this fixed. Please check into forcing a recall on this please.
A slow radiator leak was observed over a period of 2 months. I took it to a mechanic who diagnosed a faulty intake manifold gasket. He had mentioned that it is a very common problem in the malibu, even though gm told me that it was not. The manifold gasket was replaced before any anti-freeze leaked into the engine.
While driving home from work in 90+ degree heat my car overheated to the point where I had to have it towed in and was told by the mechanics that my coolant had been leaking and causing the car to over heat there blowing the head gasket and causing me to have to pay $1200.00+ to have another engine put it. I have heard this is a commom with the 2001 chevrolet malibus. I don't know what the repair shop done with the old motor, but it was fried.
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