2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS from North America - Comments

Front brake rotors at 2000 miles.

Vent selector turn switch in dash HVAC control unit at 1000 miles.

Front main bearing seal and manifold gaskets at 60,000 miles.

Resister pack (part of HVAC - no interior blower speeds on positions 1, 2 of fan switch) at 61,000 miles.

Noise coming from front struts at 25,000 miles. Dealer could not find the source. Replaced struts at National Tire & Battery. Noise returned later. My independent mechanic diagnosed the source as the upper strut mounts (which are not replaced when installing new struts). I sprayed the upper strut mounts with a lubricant (like WD-40). The noise has not returned.

To correct the front brake rotor warping problem (dealer refused to turn the rotors), I bought a pair of Stewart Warner rotors at an auto supply parts store for $150; then had my independent mechanic install them and also new pads. No problem with brakes since.

The dealer told me that the fan blower problem was in the dash control unit which had to be replaced in total. When I mentioned the resister pack, I was told that this was an integral part of the blower unit and was not user replaceable. After consulting my Haynes repair manual, the resister pack is a separate unit next to the blower motor, and was the problem. I was able to replace it myself.

I commute 300 miles per week; the car is very comfortable. It has the smoothest auto transmission of any car I have ever driven, including my wife's 2001 Camry.

But the car seems to have these four repair points as it ages that GM has decided not to do anything about. When I took the car to the dealer for the leaking oil/gasket problem, the service advisor said that "this is a common problem in this engine." At a repair bill of $900, this is a "common" problem?

I will keep the car until it is paid for, then buy a Toyota or Honda! And I have owned GM cars all of my life.

I hear blind allegiance to Japaneese cars from this, I replaced a 2000 Accord with the Malibu, Prior to that I had a Camry. Honda does not build a better car they just market it better. Any time I had a problem or a defect Honda tried to tell me I somehow caused it(and it had a LOT). My Camry needed Brakes about every 20,000 miles. I won't go into details, but it was not a superior car in any way. The Malibu is not perfect and there is no car that is. Get an extended Warranty be prepared because if you think the Malibu is inferior to any other car import or domestic you won't be happy with it either. BTW Honda was replaced because their dealer actually screamed at me for complaining. I'm lucky my Chevy dealer is honest and they stand behind their repairs.

I own a 2000 Malibu LS. I have brought it in to the dealer three times for front brake rotor work all under factory warranty. In all cases, the symptom was a pulsating brake pedal. The first time, at 11,902 miles, the dealer replaced the front rotors and pads. The second time, at 21,564 miles, the dealer machined both rotors. The third time, at 31,474 miles, the dealer again machined both rotors. The car now has about 42,000 miles on it and the brakes have been pulsating for about the last 4,000 miles. I plan to replace the front rotors, but have not decided whether or not to get cross-drilled/slotted ones or stick with the standard design. From my experience, other Malibu drivers' experience whom I personally know, and Internet posts on the same subject, I believe that GM has a design flaw in the front brake/rotor design and should recall the fleet to replace them with an improved design.

To the person making the first comment: take a look at the resale value for a Malibu vs. a Honda Accord, if you think that Hondas are only "marketed better." That's because mechanics, dealers, loan institutions, and consumers all know that the Malibu is junk after a couple years and a few thousand miles.

And Honda owners can laugh at all the saps who buy extended warranties. It boggles the mind how people can buy inferior cars, and on top of that pay in advance for insurance to keep the heaps running. The allegiance to better cars is definitely not "blind."

The original review was informative and did a good job explaining the blower switch (position 1 & 2 don't work) and a more cost effective way to fix it. Thank you. My 2001 Malibu LS had that problem, and it was covered under warranty. Next time I'll have to do it myself.

The 2nd comment provider had much better luck getting the dealer to cover the front brake repair. My dealer (Service Mgr.) absolutely refused to pay anything toward the repair of the rotors and pads even though the vehicle had only 26k miles on it. He said he has gone there in the past and GM will no longer cover the dealership for brakes. He charged me $50 for the brake inspection that he was willing to apply toward a $250 front brake job. I declined to have the dealer do the complete job, but I did get the Service Mgr to agree to install new pads and rotors that I provided for only $90 instead (install only cost). The parts I provided cost me $110 and have a lifetime (parts only) warranty.

My '01 Mali-boo has also had the following repairs in it's 37k miles; Check Engine - EGR solenoid, Front fascia paint peeling, moisture in both tail lights and spoiler brake light, both rear window seals folding under window top edge instead of over the top as designed (causes wind noise and replaced under warranty).

The latest is the factory sunroof drains through the fuse box, over the kick panel and pools on the passenger side floor. The water needs to be manually removed from there.

Any thoughts on the Sunroof leak, please email me at rowing29@hotmail.com.

Thanks, - Duane.

2000 Malibu. I have nothing, but recurring front brake problems. Replaced rotors several times. Installed recommended gm dealer pads ($100.00). They also went bad. If we get enough people together can we class action lawsuit? e-mail migtoo@sbcglobal.net. Bad brakes can be a dangerous situation. My daughter drives the car. There is definitely a problem.

I also have a 2000 Malibu and have had major issues with my brakes for the life of the vehicle. Since the dealership nor the manufacturer are willing to acknowledge a problem, they are also not willing to offer any advice. That is why I am now here. The situation I am in is that my front, driver's side, outside pad, wears to bare metal FAST! This year alone, I have had to change the pads 3 times. I am thinking that the caliper may be bad. I am going to be doing a complete brake job myself soon on this vehicle and if you guys can think of anything else this could be, I would really appreciate you letting me know. I am trying to make sure I fix the source of the problem this time.

Thanks!

Jason Hayden

scantan@columbus.rr.com.

I have a 2001 malibu. It has 60,000 miles on it and I am having a problem with the A/C Control unit. My a/c switches on and off at any given time and switches from recirculatin and fresh air. If anyone has any advise for me please email me at tamishachat@hotmail.com.