2000 Chevrolet Malibu LX 3.1

Summary:

A car that was not worth it. Should have bought a better one

Faults:

Lower intake manifold gasket failed at 75,000.

General Comments:

We researched purchasing a new car, and checked around and found that the earlier Chevy Malibu's had problems, and the 2000 was a newer model, and that the problems from the previous models were repaired.

Today a puddle of coolant was found under the car after parking, and the low coolant light became lit on the dash. The car was taken to a local repair shop to be looked at. They said that the lower manifold gasket had started leaking, and needed to be repaired. The shop quoted a price of $600.00 to $800.00 dollars to repair the gaskets, depending on what else they found wrong with the vehicle.

I have been searching, and found another person with the same problem, and the repair shop and dealer said it's a common repair. The dealer and Chevy Customer service were contacted about the technical service bulletins that were issued for the Malibu, and said that there was not a specific bulletin issued for failure of the manifold gaskets. GM has even redesigned the original manifold gaskets since they were failing.

The Deal and GM would not assist with repairs. I checked out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) and there are two other complaints regarding the coolant leaks. I think they would look into the problem if more reports were placed with them regarding the issue.

The vehicle is a 2000 Chevy Malibu 4 door, automatic transmission, and only 75,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st July, 2004

14th Jul 2004, 00:44

My Malibu has had the same problems. I've had the car for 3 years now, and it has about 73,000 miles.

I've had to change the front brakes twice. The brand new ones squeak. There is a rough sound at the front, at low speeds. The air conditioning doesn't work. It turns on and works fine. After a few minutes the A/C turns off. My coolant leaks, and there is a "low coolant" light no matter how often I fill it. And finally, the oil seems to be leaking. How do I fix all these problems?

2000 Chevrolet Malibu 3.1

Summary:

A Terrible Car!

Faults:

I have had to replace the front wheel bearings twice.

I have had to replace the rotors three times.

I have replaced the brakes 5 times.

Multiple electrical issues including resistors that continue to burn out, instrument panel lights that go on/off for no reason and a directional that turns itself on and off.

General Comments:

The front wheel bearings went at 30,000 and then again at 75,000. I have never replaced the wheel bearings on a car twice in my life - let alone at 30,000 miles!!!

The rotors began to shake at about 20,000 miles, were replaced, went again at 55,000, were replaced and then went again at 75,000. I drive mostly highway miles so there is limited stopping in my driving and no reason for the rotors to warp this often.

The brakes are the same way. To replace the brakes every 35 - 40,000 is acceptable. I have had to replace them every 15-20,000. That's crazy considering all of the highway miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st May, 2004

1st Jun 2004, 06:12

Many people mistake highway driving to be easier on the brakes. It's actually not. It takes a lot more to stop the car when you're going 80MPH than it does when you're going 55MPH. Plus, if you're one of the many people that I see on the highway, you ride the brakes like crazy getting off.

28th Jul 2004, 08:46

I just had the bearings replaced in my car @ 50k. My mechanic felt that the wear ("I've never seen bearings so beat up") was due in large part to a shoddy hub assembly. Maybe that's something to look into in regard to your bearings problem.