I just got this car in January and have 4 plus years of payments to make and I had to fork out $1100 on repairs for the intake manifold and the water pump. The mechanic told me, oh this is a common problem with GM cars. If its common, why hasn't it been resolved?? I picked up my car last night and now, my power steering is out. Not sure if they are related, or if the mechanic shop screwed up something.

The problem with the car before the repair was that it was overheating, loosing coolant constantly, and the heater was blowing cold air, so I had no choice but to get it fixed.

I'm a single mom, so this was a major hurt in the pocket book.

I miss my nissan that got totaled (which is why I have the chevy now.)

In March my check engine light came on so i took it into the dealership and after having my car for over half the day, the dealership called to say that their was a leak in the cooling system that was spilling into the engine. At that time, the extended warranty paid for the new gasket, sealer, bolts, and filter along with the cooling system flush and engine oil flush. they also did an oil change. In late April early May my engine light came on again, at the time the dealership said that there was no major problem but just the gas cap being worn out.

Recently, i took my car to a lube shop for the 3,000 oil change to find out that there is sludge build up in the cooling system. now, i have to take the car back to the dealership for them to fix a problem that should have been resolved a few months ago. It appears that every 3-4 months i'm taking my car back to the dealership for some problem with this car.

Yes--same problem as the rest of you! Our Malibu is truly a classic--every symptom matches, the water leak is in exactly the same place, the costs are comparable, (I'm not sure how much DEX_cool I have spilled on the highways and parking lots of America) and the frustration is beyond description. To think that GM would have been hearing this same complaint from customers for this many years, model year 2001, 2002, 2003, etc. and yet not deem their reputation worthy of a recall to fix what is clearly a defect is extremely disappointing.

We have been fighting this "leak" for more than two years now, it first appeared at about the 65,000 mark, at which time we visited a mechanic and had our water pump replaced (about $100). Later, the leak resurfaced and we first heard that it needed a new manifold gasket which was a significant repair in the $600-700 range, "a common problem in this vehicle" said the mechanic. As this repair was beyond our means, it had to wait.

Now, (mileage 106,000) the leak is more of a flow and the vehicle is rapidly approaching a state of undriveability (word?). Where is the recall? Is a class-action suit our only alternative? If so, please add my name to said class-action suit!!

Fluid started leaking out on the driveway. It had a brownish tint. Water in the coolant reservoir was also brown and had 'bits' floating in it.

Took it to a dealer who said the following:

1. The brown crap in the coolant was a Chevrolet additive to help stop leaks when they occurred due to the crappy gasket sealant they were using.

2. Chevrolet failed to talk to the water pump (seal) makers about this additive which in turn 'chewed up' the water pump seal!

What a piece of crap ........... I'm still surprised they can turn out crap like this and get away with it!!! Did they start making cars just yesterday or something?

I am having the same problem, 2 days ago my coolant light came on so since I was overdue for an oil change I took it in knowing they would top off the fluid. Last night the light came on again so I took it back to the dealership today and was told I need an intake gasket and possible water pump total cost $1200.00!!!

I was so pissed cuz I have had other problems with this car and I bought it brand new in 2003, my husband called around to different shops and found one place who will do it for $650.00

How can you start or add to a class action suit because I'm ready!!

Update from Jun 6, 2009: A year ago my low coolant light came on so I took it to the dealership and was told that I had a crack in the intake gasket and that I need to get that fixed and "probably" a water pump too. Costing around $1200.00 I told them I can not do that right now and to just fill it up with coolant for now. Those bastards charged me $100 !!!!

That was a year ago and my light hasn't been on since, I have taken it to have the oil changed since then and no one has said anything so I don't know what to think about it all.

My check engine light stays on so I totally ignore it now unless it starts blinking. I am going to buy a new gas cap and see if that works b/c to pay $50.00 every 4 months b/c the reading says the gas cap is not properly on is CRAZY!! My car will be paid off next August so I am trying to hold out b/c I am tired of paying car notes so praying that this car holds out.

A few months ago I noticed that my anti-freeze/engine coolant indicator light came on. I thought it was strange, as the coolant is supposed to remain in the vehicle for five years. I purchased some DEX-COOL silicate free coolant from Advance Auto Parts and filled the coolant tank with it.

Well, a few weeks later the light came on again. I checked under the hood, and , sure enough, the tank was empty. I took it to a mom-and-pop type auto repair shop down the street. They said the problem was the result of an old cap on the tank. So they replaced it.

However, a few weeks later the light came on again as I was driving home from Washington, D. C. The engine, this time, appeared to be running a bit hot. I checked under the hood and the coolant tank was bone dry. I had to purchase some anti-freeze --not DEX-COOL as they didn't sell it and I couldn't find an Auto Zone-- at a gas station of the interstate lest the engine burn up or something.

I dropped my car off at the same auto repair shop on Saturday, Feb. 17, after returning home. I got a call today, Feb. 19, and they tell me the intake gasket is messed up and needs replacing. Parts and labor, they say, is $770. I tell them to hold off. I then go and research GM intake gaskets on the Internet. I see that class action lawsuits have been filed in Canada for failed intake gaskets in GM cars made from '95 to '03. I also see that a class action was filed in Missouri in January '07 re: DEX-COOL's role in ruining GM intake gaskets.

I call the GM dealership in Mobile, Ala., where the car was purchased. They tell me my warranty expired a month ago. I call Royal Chevrolet in Richmond. I give them my vehicle identification number and they say the part has not been recalled. They say they have not heard of the lawsuits and do not consider this to be a widespread problem.

Say what?

I've also had about a thousand dollars worth of brake work done on the car since buying it.

How many times can a man get robbed before you can call him a rube?