2000 Chevrolet Malibu

Summary:

You just don't know if you can trust this car

Faults:

Check coolant level light came on around 28,000 miles. Ended up having to have the head gasket and water pump replaced.

Two months later, after an oil change at the dealership, the check coolant light came on once again. I popped the hood and found that the coolant reservoir cap had been left off when the oil change was done and all of the coolant had evaporated out. Luckily, no damage was done to the engine.

At 45,500 miles, my check engine light came on. Immediately pulled over and took the manual out of the glove compartment and read up on the situation. Since the light was steady, and not flashing, it suggested that I use up that tank of gas and try different gas after that. Filled up and fifty miles later, the light went off... for a week. Light comes back on and I take it in for diagnostics. Found that the fuel sensor had gone bad - that explains it running out of gas with a 1/4 tank full - and that the evaporative fuel solenoid was bad. I had both of these replaced last week.

Lo and behold, today the check engine light comes on once again. No telling what the service dept will tell me tomorrow.

General Comments:

This car squeaks as you drive.

Gas mileage is horrible.

Seems to me that too many things have gone wrong with the car and there is just 46,000 miles on it.

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

Review Date: 21st March, 2004

22nd Nov 2006, 20:14

You are correct! I have many problems with my 2000 Malibu...

2000 Chevrolet Malibu 4Dr Base 6 cylinder

Summary:

Average reliability and performance

Faults:

Purchased new tires at 42,000 miles, but I knew I would need them when I bought the used car.

Brake problems began around 50,000 miles and I paid $450.00 to have the front brakes overhauled with new rotors and pads. After 3 trips back to the service department they decided to replace the calipers The brakes have been OK since, but the warranty on the work will soon be up. (6 Months)

I noticed the radiator dripping and brown clumps in the fluid around 75,000 miles. After researching the problem I believe that the intake manifold gaskets need to be replaced. I will be taking the car in for service next week at 79,000 miles.

I received a recall notice for the rear flashers or hazard signals. I have not had any electrical problems, but will also have this corrected when I take the car in.

General Comments:

Overall I maintain a slightly positive feeling about the Malibu. I purchased it as a used car and have gotten decent use from it to this point, but I hope that the problems do not begin to show up more frequently.

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

Review Date: 15th March, 2004

2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS 3.4 V6 Gas

Summary:

The Malibu is mud in the face of the GM Corp

Faults:

Warped Rotors at low mileage-Twice.

Replaced Brake Pads-Twice.

Hazard Light Switch Replaced.

Passlock System going out-won't start

It was towed twice. Sometimes it will start and sometimes we have to wait Ten minutes for the theft light to go off.

Overheating while A/C is off and in Traffic.

Water Coolant Reservoir cracked.

Injectors had to be cleaned due to sluggish acceleration.

General Comments:

Most of the problems we have had with this car were under warranty. Now the warranty is out. The Passlock Theft system is what we are having problems with now.

Anybody that reads this must call the GM help line and report all claims.

I reported my claims, but he said that there were not enough claims to do a recall. So people report if you can.

I had heard thru my Dealer and GM that they have recall for Malibu's coming up. But I don't know what it is for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th March, 2004

15th Apr 2004, 09:31

I also had to replace the Hazard switch - but GM, to its credit, reimbursed me for the repair after they issued a recall on the problem. I have also had a pulsating brake pedal and had the rotors turned twice in the last 12000 miles (last time 3000 miles ago and the pedal pulsates again - although it stops fine) the car has 60,000 miles with NO OTHER problems.