8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,420
Average Mileage:
95,650 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. change gasket (5 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
  3. replaced engine (1 reports)
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problem #10

Aug 012014

Malibu LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 215,000 miles

The head gasket started leaking on the car. From the sounds of it this is real common with the motor in the Chevy Malibu.

- Debrorah D., Camden, TN, US

problem #9

Dec 012011

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,125 miles

I have a Malibu that was leaking coolant and now the car is running hot. I was wondering if there is a recall on the gasket

- Latrice C., Carthage, MS, US

problem #8

Jan 032012

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles

I have Malibu 03 in one month I have spent more than $600 in mechanical and towing and not to resolve the issue of the tamper seals is annoying when not you turn on the shopping cart if anyone has the solution please can help me step 3 times in a week. Thanks for your help

- boaguir01, Pembroke Pjnes, FL, US

problem #7

May 252011

Malibu 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

Chevrolet has a problem with either the gaskets and or coolant in their 3.1L engine. There has not been a recall, just various class action lawsuits.

Beware of this engine, think twice before you buy a Chevy.

- Mark B., Kirkland, WA, US

problem #6

Jan 152011

Malibu 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,671 miles

Purchased this piece of sh*t from my wife's grand parent's. I got it because it seemed like a good deal. I knew he took really good care of it and didn't abuse it and it only had 125,000 kms on it. 2 month's later it started to lose anti-freeze (1 litre a week!). I couldn't find any leak's and it wasn't overheating so I continued to drive it untill it was time for an oil change. I could barely get the oil fill cap off it was so covered in bright yellow sludge! Nearly fused itself to the block! Then I looked in the coolant reserve tank and it was black! I took it to a mechanic who told me it was the head gasket and he said it is a common problem for the 3.1 and 3.4L engines. Because of the damage the coolant may have done to the engine he said it's not worth it to fix it but to replace the engine instead....... $1800 later! Bull sh*t! I will be dumping this car as soon as possible and buying something else! I don't know what but definitely NOT a GM product!

- Geoffrey G., St. Catharines, Ontario, canada

problem #5

Sep 062010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

CHEVY CARS ARE NOT WORTH SH*T NOT LIKE THEY USE TO MAKE THEM CALL AND TALK TO CHEVY PERSONAL THEY WANNA GIVE YOU THE RUN AROUND AND SAY PEOPLES ON THE INTERNET ARE PROBABLY NOT TELLING THE TRUTH WELL HERE'S ONE FOR YOU DON'T EVER BUY A CHEVY MALIBU THEY ARE NOT WORTH THE HEADACHE AND FOR THE CHEVY PEOPLES TO BLOW IT UNDER THE WRONG IS OBLIVIOUS TOO ME

- E A., Radcliff, KY, US

problem #4

Oct 012008

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,000 miles

Getting routine oil change and my mechanic shows me the massive layers of black gunk build up due to the leaking gasket. $500 fix for head gasket. I don't even want to know what it would have cost if it had blown. Oi!

- l0veh0bag, Victorville, CA, US

problem #3

Aug 022009

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

GM should have a recall on this problem since every V6 they make develops an oil leak at around 40,000 miles. The oil mixes in with the dexcool anti-freeze and turns it to sludge causing the engine to run hot.

- Mark S., Akron, OH, US

problem #2

May 062008

Malibu 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,467 miles

General Motors knew of this problem but continued to make engines with cheap gaskets. I have also had to change both front wheeI bearings. My fist set of front tires I had to change after 20,000 KM I will never by a GM product again.

- Grant M., Orangeville, Ontario, Canada

problem #1

Mar 012008

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,923 miles

I too have this problem. When we bought the car in 06, i noticed oil in the coolant. I thought it was the rad gone bad , so changed it, and did a flush and fill. Shortly after i noticed more sludge in the rad overflow, and have been topping up the coolant every month or so. Couldn't figure out where it was going, as it doesn't show up in exhaust or on the engine block.I decided to check online, and presto! a million others have the same problem. Does the Chevy thunder come from all the Chevy owners complaining? wouldn't doubt it!

- Dave F., London, Ontario, Canada