2002 Chevrolet Malibu: engine failure

Filed Jun 3, 2016 · Engine · 140,000 miles · OR

Purchased vehicle used from a dealership. Over heating issues began within 3 months. Had thermostat replaced. Always seemed to have to be adding water as the reservoir was low or the indicator light would come on. 18 months later over heating issues returned while driving home on highway. When vehicle could no longer run, we had to have it towed home. Have now replaced thermostat and water pump. Issue remains, but worse. Low water and now check engine lights are on. All indications suggest head gasket issues which will ultimately result in complete engine failure. As such, the vehicle cannot be safely driven and remains parked. No such issues were disclosed at the time of purchase. Only learned extent of problem after researching issue online to find many, many other owners of this vehicle type experiencing same problems. Chevrolet showed little concern when contacted. Representative apologized, but as there is no recall would only suggest taking the vehicle to a dealership for diagnosis and repair. Owner is a disabled veteran on a fixed income. Chevrolet's suggestion is simply not financially feasible and leaves the owner without reliable transportation to and from appointments. He cannot use this vehicle for the purposes for which it was intended. Furthermore, online reports also suggest the problem remains or returns even after lengthy and expensive repairs are made. Once again, creating considerable hardship to this owner who now feels as though he was robbed first by the dealership where he purchased the vehicle for their nondisclosure and now by chevrolet for their negligent design, quality and workmanship as well as their complete lack of desire to remedy this years old defect. Instead shifting the financial burden from one unsuspecting owner to the next and the next after that.

Filed Jan 15, 2015 · Electrical · 152,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the ignition switch seized and, as a result, the key became lodged in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 152,000. Updated 02/24/15*lj updated 9/18/2017

Filed Jan 11, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 77,235 miles · NJ

1.car keeps overheating. Put antifreeze it and run for a while and it will overheat again. No antifreeze on ground but keeps losing the antifreeze. Took vehicle to mechanic and was told that the antifreeze is mixing with the oil that it has a cracked manifold gasket. Recommendation was replace engine. 2.took vehicle to the dealer and they said that the on board computer chip thing needs to be replaced and they informed me that is a known problem with the car but no recall is in place as of yet. The repair cost is over 1300.00.

Filed May 16, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 55,600 miles · CA

As I was driving down the road, I signaled for a left turn. When I signaled the turn, there was a buzzing noise in the steering column and the engine turned off, resulting in a complete loss of power to steering and brakes. Luckily, I was going about 10 MPH and was able to stop the car, albeit in the middle of the street. I noticed the dashboard lights were on. The car restarted immediately and I drove it 1/2 block to a parking space. I subsequently took the car to fh dailey, the local chevy dealer. They told me there was a problem with the bcm (body control module) that had caused the engine to shut off while the car was being driven. They are replacing the bcm. They did not seem particularly concerned about the problem and my impression is it is not unusual for them to encounter it. I am concerned that, had I been driving in traffic, on the highway, or on a curving road, the engine failure could have resulted in significant injury or fatality to myself or others.

Filed Apr 4, 2012 · Engine · 77,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine stalled without any illumination of the warning indicators. The engine failed to restart and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the problem. The failure recurred however, the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Feb 5, 2008 · Engine · 74,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that there is engine coolant leaking into the engine. The failure could possibly start a fire. The dealer stated that they were willing to pay 25% of the cost for a new engine. The mechanic at the dealer stated that this was a common failure with her year, make, and model vehicle. General motors advised the contact to drive her vehicle to the dealer instead of having it towed, even though it could catch fire. The powertrain was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 74,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2007 · Engine · 45,000 miles · LA

Antifreeze is going bad at low mileage (75,000 miles below life expectancy), becoming caustic, and causing intake manifold gaskets to dissolve causing a leak, also causing head gaskets to leak leading to major engine failure. This leads to an expensive repair at best and engine replacement at worst. The anti freeze is obviously a bad formulation and/or interacts with components to became caustic. This is a defect and repair should be covered by the manufacturer. It is all over the internet how prevalent this problem is. No notice to owners was ever sent to replace the antifreeze before it became caustic.

Filed May 30, 2006 · Engine · 47,000 miles · NY

Car started leaking anti-freeze from intake manifold gasket on engine at 45000 miles. Was told that there was a technical service bulletin on this problem but that since there was no recall I would have to pay $900.00 for this repair out of pocket. This could lead to a fire and overheating engine failure.

Filed Dec 22, 2004 · Brakes · 33,256 miles · IN

My 2002 chevy malibu (3 yrs old, just our of factory warranty) with 33,000 miles had the front left brake seize up. I limped it to the dealer, half a mile away from my house. By the time I got there, the front left brakes were smoking. I was told that the caliper seized up because the pads were too worn. Also that the pads on the left were worn also. The chevy dealer said I needed to have rotors turned on both wheels, calipers replaced on both wheels, and new pads & caliper bolts. Total cost $784 not covered by the extended warranty that I paid $1250 for when I bought the car. The wear indicators gave very little warning that the brakes were warn. I had the brakes inspected a year ago (9000 miles ago) and was told they were fine. I can understand turning the rotors. I expect to pay for pads. But replacing the calipers on both wheels? Did I just get taken for a ride by my chevy dealer? I have seen lots of reports about premature brake wear on malibu. What are my options? I have already paid for the repair.