8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$930
Average Mileage:
99,250 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace intake manifold gasket (7 reports)
  2. not sure (5 reports)
  3. check and replace coolant recovery tank (1 reports)
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problem #13

Dec 082010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

hAVE HAD NUMEROUS WATER PUMPS PUT ON DUE TO LEAKAGE JUST FOUND OUT I NOW NEED TO REPLACE GASKETS I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN SEPT 1999 AND I HAVE MAINTANE VERY WELL BUT THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS. I NOW REALIZE THAT THIS DEX COOL OR FAULTY GASKETS IS CAUSING THESE CARS PROBLEMS I DONT WANT TO REPLACE GASKETS AND THEN CONTINUE TO HAVE TO DO I AM WITH EVEYONE ELSE GM NEEDS TO RECALL. I HAVE DRIVEN GM FOREVER BUT I AM RETHINKING NOW CAUSE I AM NOT RICKERFELLOW

- mzccm01, St Louis, MO, US

problem #12

Aug 122010

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 147,000 miles

plastic coolant recovery tank becomes brittle and develops a leak resulting in loss of coolant and overheating. As a result, there was complete engine failure.

- toniferous2000, Chanute, KS, US

problem #11

Apr 102010

Malibu Sedan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

Have had several problems with this vehicle; radiator replaced, water getting in right front head light, starter replaced, tensioner pulley and crank shaft pulley replaced, intake manifold replaced, coolant reservoir replaced 3 times due to constant leaking, told that the head gasket may need to be replaced, air conditioner light goes on and off blowing warm air when light goes out, rear speakers has a short in them comes on and off (more off than on), in 2 days spent over a 1000.00 in repairs due to pulley replacement, water pump, oil pressure switch, spark plugs, reservoir and wires. There needs to be a class action suit filed due to same problems with intake manifold gasket and coolant problems with this vehicle. A recall on the head gaskets and coolant issues need to be addressed as well. If we buy another vehicle it WILL NOT be american, only foreign; Toyota or Honda

- Terrie L., Jacksonville, NC, US

problem #10

Jul 262010

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I bought my car in June 2009. But I started having coolant problems the week after I got the car. The place where I got the car, within the past year. They call themselves replacing the thermostat, changing the intake gasket, putting on water pump and who knows what else. And I'm still having coolant problems.

I'm tired of this car and if I can get rid of, I will never buy another Malibu. I owe too much money on the car and I think I would just come out cheaper, and go and try to find me something else much cheaper. I really can't afford a new car.

- blessed is, Columbia, TN, US

problem #9

Mar 012009

Malibu 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Car has knocking sound when starting. Knock diminishes after driving awhile but remains some. Noticed coolant levels slowly decreasing at about 85,000 miles but has become more prominent today at 105k. Now added a little coolant since topping it 1 month ago. Recently noticed a bit more smoke from the exhaust. I'm Likely forced to take action now. I suspect a head gasket failure from forum posts and talks with Malibu owners. Once noticed sweet smelling steam coming somewhere in front of engine (perhaps?) but hasn't happened again in 3 months. Wife drives car, I don't. Wish I would have known earlier about issues others are having with head gasket; I expect some damage to engine if blown head gasket. Though, I'm still not sure what the knocking sound suggests. Your thoughts on coolant leak, more exhaust smoke or knocking? Anyone?

Update from Dec 7, 2009: It's 1 week after having flushed my coolant system at 107K miles and, alas, I'm suddenly 1/2 quart low of coolant. I see the leak when the car is running, coolant slowly dripping from my lower intake manifold (LIM) gasket. A small pool of coolant sits on the drivers side of the engine block beneath my throttle body. A few drops of coolant were noticed on the passenger side of the engine on the block in about same but opposite-side location. The dealer is going to do a coolant pressure test tomorrow. But what's the use, I already know my fate and so does the dealer's technician. We both agreed it was the LIM gasket. Will cost me $26 for the pressure test and $785 for the LIM gasket replacement.

Oh and the engine knocking sound? For 1 time only last week, it got very loud like someone was banging a tin can. The rate of the knocking is dependent on engine speed (RPMs), not vehicle speed. It lasted from cold startup in a parking lot until 4 miles later when I got off of a freeway exit (what could that be? Keep in mind I did the full tune up maintenance 1 week earlier: pcv valve, plugs & wires, coolant flush, oil & trans fluid change).

Then the heavier knocking quit altogether, and now I'm just back to the regular engine knocking sound that diminishes several miles down the road after the car warms up after a cold startup. Dealer technician says the knocking results from the expansion of the aluminum piston in a steel bore (? something like that)...different metal expansion rates which eventuallly fill voids when the engine warms up.

- lestrafik, Madison, WI, US

problem #8

Nov 142006

Malibu LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

Car left me stranded on the freeway. Radiator replaced as well as head gasket and other work due to overheating. Now 25,000 miles latter car uses anti freeze and monthly and cannot go up inclines without concern of overheating. It is poor business practice GM did not stand behind a known problem. So much for a bailout, when they cannot take care of a known problem which is on many message boards.

- Peter D., Gilroy, CA, US

problem #7

Jun 042008

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I purchased my car from a previous owner a couple of years ago. The coolant level light appeared on the dashboard last year and I took it into a mechanic to see why it was leaking. They filled the car with anti-freeze, however, the coolant light came on soon after. Over the course of a year, I have battled with the light coming on an off. Finally, on June 4, 2008, I was traveling on the highway when I noticed my temperature gauge climbing to the hottest setting and the car began to decrease in speed. I stopped the car on the shoulder and filled it with more coolant, however, after a few miles the light came on again.

A mechanic told me to see if there was a milky substance forming on the inside of the oil cap and there was. He then told me that based on the events I described to him and the evidence that the coolant was not leaking outwardly, my intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced.

Also, I spoke with a GM Certified Technician who told me that this has been an ongoing problem with all of models of cars that use the same type of engine as the Malibu. The cheapest price I've been quoted in order to have the repairs completed is $900. Has this been recalled by GM or is there an existing class action suit filed?

I would appreciate any information you all can provide.

- jariusj, Kansas City, KS, US

problem #6

Jun 072008

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

i bought a 2000 chevy malibu ls off a friend on my job it had 97,000 miles on it at the time of purchase about a month and a half ago i noticed a coolant leak brought it to a mechanic and was told it was the intake manifold it cost me 800.00 you see chevy uses a sealant instead of a gasket so after so many miles it starts to crack and leak way to go chevy now its leaking again all around the water pump and top of engine i recently had the water pump replaced who knows what it will cost to fix this problem. now i know why american made cars are junk and they want to know why they're losing money how about trying to build a durable car that isn't in the garage more then on the road to anyone that reads this do yourself a favor go out and buy a toyota, nissan, or a honda stay away from american made.

- Faust C., North Bergen, NJ, US

problem #5

Jun 252006

Malibu 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

Tried the cheap route first with gasket seal and it worked for about 4 months. Plastic coolant tank threads strip easily so you need to tighten cap down hard. If you visit quick lube shop and they check the radiator fluid make sure you check how they have tightened the cap. Otherwise you are looking forward to coolant leak. Every mechanic I talked to seems to know about this problem and one quoted me price of $450, not $700 I paid.

- John S., Dearborn, MI, US

problem #4

Jan 082008

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

Every one to two weeks I have to add Dexcool coolant to the tank of my Malibu 2000 car. The car has 78,000 miles. The tank appears to be intact. It has not heated up to the point of turning off but sometimes it has a burnout odor. Where could be the problem?

- sheila092001, San Juan, PR, Puerto Rico

problem #3

Mar 032008

Malibu LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

OMG!! I am so angry! This is the second time in the past 2 1/2 years I've had to replace the Intake Manifold Gasket on my 2000 Chevy Malibu! It has been losing fluids for about a year so I took it to a mechanic who tried to rip me off, so I took it elsewhere and had the hoses fixed. That worked okay for a while, then it started doing the same thing AGAIN, so I took it to another mechanic who took $200 of my dollars and said it was something else. That worked for a little while, then it started happening AGAIN! Finally I took it to the mechanics and when they told me it was the Intake Manifold Gasket I about fell to the floor because I just HAD that replaced 26 months ago. But both mechanics told me that this is a common problem for GM cars. WHY IN THE HECK IS IT, THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND BETWEEN $400 - $600 EVERY TWO YEARS TO HAVE THIS THING REPLACED AND GM, KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, DOESN'T RECALL IT?!?!?!?!?! I HATE GM products. I will never again buy a GM product.

My question for anybody who might know, is this. One mechanic told me that there is a class action suit against GM for this problem. Does anybody know anything about it and if they do, how do I get on board with it?

- sharond, Tucson, AZ, US

problem #2

Feb 012008

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

The coolant leaks. I had the system flushed, replaced water pump hose and the sensor light. The light stills comes on and I am still having a problem with the leaking. As soon as I turn the car off, the anti freeze just comes pouring out under the passenger side not from the radiator. I am very annoyed - please help me out thank you.

- Judith C., Hartford, CT, US

problem #1

Nov 242007

Malibu LS 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,615 miles

Had a coolant leak. Went to a closest Canadian Tire. I'm lucky it leaked outside, so engine is fine, but they had to replace intake manifold gasket, thermostat and belt. And of course they had to do cooling system flush & fill, oil change with engine flush & filter. $1200.

Also had turn lights replaced (recall), fuel tank gauge (recall).

Engine rattles since car hit 3 year. Poor acceleration that nobody can fix: been to 3 places including GM, replaced many things but to no avail.

- andrew r., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada