2001 Chevrolet Malibu LS review from North America

I bought this car new in December 2000. My auto repair file for my 2001 Malibu is already thicker than the one for my 1991 Grand Am.

2494 Miles - right side fog light and side marker light burned out, dealer replaced under warranty.

I took the car into the dealer several times for suspension rattles around 10000 miles, dealer could find nothing. I still have the rattles.

35,486 Miles- check engine light comes on. Dealer replaced fuel injector and HVAC control head. A/C controls were not working properly. Check engine light was still on when I picked up the car. I limped back to the dealership the next day. They replaced the oxygen sensor and flashed the PCM.

43,747 Miles - Car would not start. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Dealer diagnosed the problem as a defective ignition lock cylinder. They could not make repairs on the same day (Friday), so I had the car towed to an independent shop that worked on Saturday to get the repair done since I had plans to go out of town that weekend.

Since then, I have had the intake manifold gasket replaced, and both coolant pipes going to the heater core replaced. Both pipes were leaking. After that, I noticed the head gaskets were leaking. I was able to take the car to a personal friend who works as a service advisor at a Chevy dealership in another state. He was able to persuade Chevy to pay for the repair under warranty. Chevy can warranty anything they want up to 60,000 miles. This favor saved me at least $1000.00.

Even then, the car was in and out of the shop for two months. The dealership had to replace the head gaskets twice before they got it right. I finally have a car that does not leak coolant, at least for now. They also flushed out the Dex-Cool and replaced it with green antifreeze. (Yes, the dealership recommended to flush out the Dex-Cool and replace it with green coolant.)

Now, my theft system light comes on from time to time. My starter makes a grinding noise when I release the key from the start position. I still wonder if the car will start every time I get in it. I wish I bought the extended warranty.

I would not sell this car to anybody I knew because I know it has problems. My next vehicle will be a Toyota.