2002 Chevrolet Malibu: engine overheating

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 Nov 18, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 150,384 miles · TX · crash

1. The turn signals would not illuminate. Just stopped working for no reason. Lights were not burned out. Then they mysteriously started working just as they had stopped. For no reason. Incidents became more frequent with no apparent cause. Not weather related. After reading complaints on this site, I found that if I turned on my hazard flashers, the blinkers would work again. 2. I was rear ended on 11/4/11 though and could not get the flashers to work. I don't know if my brake lights were working or not when the incident occurred. 3. The air conditioner and heater only work on the highest level. 4. The door locks will lock and unlock at random while driving. 5. The key fob will work sometimes, most times not lately. 6. The security system will honk the horn sometimes when the key fob does lock the doors, most times it does not honk though. 7. The car overheats as the coolant container is loose and the radiator cap does not fit properly even though I purchased a new one. The gauge for the temperature doesn't seem to be accurate. 8. Sometimes the heater does not work, just as the A/C didn't work most of the time in the summer. 9. Anytime I try to use the cigarette lighter, it blows the fuse, leaving that feature totally useless. This car is very unpredictable and for a single woman, I feel it creates potential to be in a very dangerous situation. I do not know what to expect from this car and I really thought I was buying a reliable used car since it is a chevrolet malibu. Was I ever wrong and although I have always bought chevrolet, it will not be my preference in the future.

Filed Feb 12, 2011 · Engine · 76,000 miles · TX

Having coolant leak, did not see any coolant leaking on the ground. Changed water pump, thermostat, and radiator; still did not fix the problem. Found out intake gasket was cracked and had it fixed. Coolant still leaking, having to add coolant every day to every other day. Was told reservoir cap did not fit well. Replaced reservoir and cap and had vehicle bled. Ran fine for 3 days, then coolant starting leaking out again. Cant seem to find the problem of what is wrong with this vehicle. For a 2002 this vehicle does not have bad mileage, only 84,000 miles. This vehicle was bought brand new. I have read so many problems with this vehicle on the internet. Someone should do something about this. Chevrolet needs to do something about this. Chevrolet sold lemons when they sold these cars, that's for sure!!!

Filed Jun 18, 2010 · Engine · 63,500 miles · CA

Chevy malibu 2002 v6 - coolant leak problem.

Filed Dec 17, 2008 · Engine · 55,000 miles · OH

This gm/ chevy malibu was diagnosed to require a head gasket because the coolant leaked inside the engine. After a little research on the internet, there are several complaints of other owners with the same problem.

Filed Sep 11, 2008 · Engine · 62,000 miles · OH

My ABS system or brakes whatever it might of been made the car easily hydroplan. The tires made a vibrating sound along with vibration through the car. Due to the fact that im a decent driver I was able to maintain the car very well at times most wouldn't. Furthermore my car started overheating at times, making it very unsafe with whole system failure leading up to the lasts day I drove it.

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 Jul 8, 2007 · Engine · OH

Chevrolet malibu intake manifold gaskets" begins to leak anywhere around 80,000 miles of driving. This causes the car to leak coolant, to overheat, and motor will lock, burn out. This car was not even 5 years old, and I have spoken to other malibu owners who had this work done of their cars costing $500.00 to $700.00 I felt as though the manufacturer needed to improve this gasket and replace the cars that already had this defective part.

Filed Apr 8, 2007 · Engine · CA

Gm v6 defective intake manifold gasket failed, causing coolant to disappear through engine or into engine oil. Causes engine to overheat, and possible sever internal damage. Last failure was on 2002 chevrolet malibu at 39000 miles,it failed 2 times on 1998 pontiac montana under 80000 miles, failed 2 times on 2000 chevrolet venture under 80000 miles. Failed 1 time on 2002 malibu. Manufacturer was aware of defect, but did not tell customer.

Filed Mar 14, 2007 · Engine · 79,843 miles · OH

Engine coolant light came on. I replaced 1/2 gallon of coolant. At my next oil change, I noticed an orange gel on my oil cap. I figured it was an internal coolant leak; therefore, it was probably a head gasket leak. I took my car to local chevrolet dealership for service. The service technician determined it was an intake manifold gasket leak. If the gasket was not replaced promptly, the engine oil would fail to lubricate the engine properly. The result could be catastrophic damage to the engine. 8jb

Filed Jan 10, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · LA

First incident of leaking happened after dealership worked on car. Arrived home coolant poured out on ground towed back. Dealership said reservoir cap seal. 10/2006 or 11/2006, picking up at school and smelled not engine. Parked saw coolant on ground. No engine light on but needle was past middle. Family brought coolant filled it up and went 5 blocks to dealership. They said nothing was wrong. Yesterday, 1/9/2007 car overheated in the school line. Added coolant. I brought it to a non dealership radiator shop owner thinks intake manifold gasket leaking. Car at dealership. I really don't know what the real problem is but because my warranty expired feel dealership will tell me it is a new problem from the first event so I will be responsible. At least two rotors replaced on the front driver's wheel & 5 sets of pads. Reported to gm they claim it is the way I drive! A non dealership tire company had the pads replaced with a good brand. 1 1/2 years since I had to have pads. Problem with the right front passenger door locks. Car is running and the driver gets out leaving car on and then the passenger turns off the car and gets out, locks car, the radio stays on. I went inside the store and came out and the radio was still playing. When you unlock the car but enter only the passenger front door and then close it and walk away, the car locks itself. Happened several times. I had not placed the keys on the seat of the car and shut the door or I would have been locked out. I reported this but no one seemed to care. Radio was replaced for left button paint (not sure if it is paint or cover on button) rubs off. Ignition switch was replaced. Fuel pump replaced.. I transport grandchildren and I need a safe car.

Filed Dec 30, 2006 · Engine · MD

2002 chevy malibu (85,000 miles) = approximately a year ago engine overheated and "need coolant" light came on. Owner refilled coolant. Several months later "coolant" light again came on and owner refilled coolant. No visible leak of coolant was noticed under vehicle. At next oil change owner asked technician to check coolant and technician noted that everything seemed fine, no discernible leak. July 2006 engine coolant light came on, owner refilled, this occurred again in late august and again in october. December 22, 2006, owner had oil change and asked technician about the problem. The technician suggested that chevrolets regularly get air bubbles in the coolant system and often have problems with coolant because of it. He checked the coolant pressure, he said it was normal and suggested to do a flush and fill, the owner agreed. On dec. 26, 2006, the coolant light came on again and the owner added additional coolant. On dec. 29, 2006, owner took vehicle to a chevrolet dealer service center. The technician determined the vehicle to have a damaged intake manifold gasket. The chevrolet service center performed the service and replaced the intake manifold gasket on dec. 30, 2006.