2001 Chevrolet Malibu LS from North America - Comments

I just purchased a 2001 Malibu in February 2004 with 71500 kilometers. Since then, the horn stopped chirping when locking the doors via remote, (and the tail lights don’t always flash to verify that the doors have locked). Just recently, (74000 k’s) the engine has started ticking quite loudly, but intermittently. (Only about twice a week, for approx. ½ hour intervals) and then it mysteriously disappears. I can only guess at what this may be caused by, I would assume a faulty valve lifter, as I have been hearing that these GM 3.1 liter engines are notoriously bad for them. If this turns out to be the case, I vow never again to buy another GM product.

One would think that in this day and age auto manufacturers could surely build a more reliable vehicle than this!

The "ticking noise you hear is what is called "piston slap". My '01 Malibu does it when it is cold, but it goes away once the engine warms up a bit. It doesn't hurt anything that it makes the noise. But you are right, the 3.1 is known for making this noise, but it is not a big deal. Just keep your oil changed routinely and you will be just fine.

In response to the previous comment... the "Piston Slap" that you refer to is in fact not the issue here. I am familiar with this problem, as my engine does emit this nasty noise (undersized pistons in an over sized bore), however, my engine was experiencing a very loud, well-pronounced heavy "tapping", that would come and go intermittently. Since I initially wrote this review, I have not had the problem again (luckily, knock on wood) - but the signal lights now conk out frequently (GM recall), various squeaks, creaks and clunking from both the front and rear suspension, changed the lower intake manifold gasket at 90,000k, front wheel bearing at 102,000k, tires - well - just as most everyone else has complained about (Firestone Affinity's - garbage!), engine light comes on randomly and car runs like K-car in the middle of the winter (chug, chug), transmission seems to shift into gear rather sluggishly - I've already had the transmission serviced, but this has not rectified the issue. I don't enjoy driving this vehicle, as I don't trust it - it only has 130,000k on it so far...