2000 Chevrolet Malibu from North America - Comments

I have similar problems as with most Malibu owners. Here is my shopping list of problems:

1. Hazard lights/turn signals shorted out. Recalled and fixed.

2. Excessive play on the right tie rod end. Repaired under manuf. warr.

3. Blower vent doors automatically switch from open to the close position and vice versa. Repaired under manuf. warr.

4. The control for blower fan speed 1 and 2 shorted due to a bad resistor. Repaired.

5. "Piston slap" at cold starts (although many say this is common in Malibus, that doesn't make it normal!)

6. Replaced left strut mount and seat as a result of suspension noises over bumps.

7. Everyone's favorite, warped rotors.

Rotors and pads replaced.

8. The right side strut mount is now worn out. Same symptoms as the left strut mount. Needs to repaired.

9. Engine surging at 65-75 mph highway. Verdict still out on this one.

My concern is with #9. Has any Malibu owners with '97-'03 model years experienced any engine surges while driving? To describe it in more detail, when this does occur, there is a series of surges (maybe 1-4 times) that takes the RPM up 300-400 RPM suddenly (without the driver voluntarily applying more gas) and goes back to about 2000-2300 RPM afterward (normal RPM for 65-75 mph speeds). But most of all this occurs intermittently. When it surges, it surges in series and you'll know it!! If not, you wouldn't notice it for a week or a few weeks. I drive about 500 miles a week, so one can certainly understand my concern.

On this problem I have my suspicions on what the problem could be. It could be the result of faulty oxygen sensor or temperature sensor causing data feedback problems, engine management (computer) issues, water pump seals are going bad, or torque converter. I've checked and eliminated most if not all of the obvious problem areas such as oil levels, dirty injectors, dirty air filter, water vapors in the gas tank. If anyone has any answer for this I'd definitely like to hear what you have to say.

If you don't mind all this crap, the car is PERFECT.

The acceleration is good off the line and in merging situations.

It feels safe inside and is very roomy.

Trunk space is more than adequate.

Gas mileage is not too bad for a V6 at 27-28 MPG combined.

A/C is a little weak, but decent when on settings 3 and up.

Luckily I've been fortunate to not experience gasket leaks, coolant leaks, coolant sludge, engine stalls, transmission failures, "red hot" (literally) CD players as with some people.

The level of quality on this vehicle just completely overshadows its positive points. A true shame... what could have been for this car had there been a more concerted effort to focus on reliability and durability.

My suggestion... go with the Camry, Accord, or Altima. For me... I personally prefer the Honda.

Thanks for reading.

Hello, I own a 99' Malibu and just recently noticed the surging at highway speeds. However I have ruled out any problems with the engine, and I believe that it is either the fluid pump in the transmission or possibly the torque converter. You can duplicate the surge sitting still with your foot on the brake and the car in gear (any gear).

This car gave me outstanding reliability until this year. Now I'm noticing the problems every one else is having. My problem is trying to figure out why they just now started with no warning???.

I think I discovered a remedy for the engine surging at highway speeds. I recently had the water pump replaced along with the upper and lower coolant hoses and flushed the radiator. It has only been three days since I had the water pump replaced, but I'm guessing it was the pump that causing the surging problems. While that matter was taken care of, I also told the techs to just replace the hoses and flush the coolant. No sense in coming back two months later to do the routine flush, so may as well do it now. I knew the pump was going bad, probably to the point where it could burst at any time. It was the original OEM pump when I bought the car new in May 2000 and it now has 93700+ miles on it. Pretty impressive to have the pump work that hard for that long. I'm pretty satisfied with that OEM pump. The tech just confirmed my suspicions that the seals in the pump were worn pretty bad. I'll know for sure it's the pump, if the car does not surge during the next two weeks or so.

I Have 2000 Malibu with surging problems to and after taking it to a number of places I think the problem is finally fixed. If you have a Malibu with piston slap that surges the knock sensor is picking that up and is retarding the timing. That is what is causing the surging. The fix is to take out the knock sensor and put a plug in the block like an ait fitting. Then put a piece of air hose from the sensor to the plug in the block and hook the wire back on the sensor. The hose takes away the vibration from the sensor. The only draw back so far is the check engine light is know for that sensor. If any one tries this and has any luck I would like to here about it especally if your check engine light does "not" come on. The sensor is beside the oil filter and is easy to get at.

Hi there. The surging in my 2000 Malibu was caused by the cruise control sticking. RPMs went crazy. The knocking and slapping noise that the dealer states is normal, finally caused me to have to buy a new engine.

I have a 2000 Chevy Malibu and I too have experienced the engine surge you mention.

I have had the cruise control switch repaired, but I still am having problems with the occasional surge. The latest problem is transmission fluid leaking into the radiator. Could the surge be due to the transmission slipping due to the fluid leak?

In my opinion the 2000 Malibu is a poorly designed car.

I until recently owned a 2001 Malibu and had horrible luck with it, I had the issues everyone else was talking about as far as warped rotors and brakes that only seem to last about 3-6k miles, in the 4 years I owned it I put about 60k miles on it which means yes I replaced the brake pads OFTEN, at first I thought it was just that the brake places were employing screw-ups and not turning the rotors properly, but after having one of my dads friends who owns a mechanical shop look it over and reading up on on-line posts I have come to the conclusion that the braking system on the Malibu is very poor in design and or implementation. The brakes were bad enough, but then other things started to go wrong, the stereo got so hot that the paint on the buttons cracked and chipped off, the center console practically fell off, the oil light started coming on for no apparent reason even though the oil was clean and full, I took it to the dealership and they claimed that it wouldn't come on for them and there was no error code coming up. The last straw came when it blew a head gasket and I ended up having to spend like 3,000 repairing the entire car, now there are some who probably think I didn't pay attention to the fuel level and to them I say when I was a teenager if I didn't check the oil and coolant levels at least once a week I caught hell from both my father and grandfather, the fluid levels were fine, the temperature gauge didn't read above normal until it was too late and even then I thought it was a sensor malfunction because the gauge would spike up to the absolute max for about 10 seconds and then return to normal for the next several minutes. The worst part, after I spent 3000 repairing it I went to try to sell it and discovered that nobody was willing to pay more than 4000 for it anyways, fortunately I paid it off within the first year, anyways I took the money I got out of that car and bought a 94 mustang which has treated me fine so far, I don't think I'll ever buy another Chevy...

Yes, I have noticed the Surge that occurs while driving. I have been told by the dealership that it is caused by a faulty TCC solenoid that is in the Transmission. The transmission has to be removed, the valve body must be drilled out and sleeved and a standard replacement ($45.00) put back in. Most other transmissions can make this replacement through the pan.

I too own a 2000 Malibu that we purchased brand new. At about 40,000 miles, the problems began. We have most of the problems that are listed by everyone else. The AC fan, blinker problems, AC button, transmission was replaced at 85,000 miles; the coolant was leaking, that was repaired; I hate the brakes; those are replaced often. My next car is going to be a Toyota. I'm at a little over 91,000 miles on this car, with a brand new GM transmission in this car 6 months ago, it's back at the dealership as we speak, with the surging problem again. Adios GM.

I own a 2000 Malibu. I got it in 2002 with 40,000 miles on it. It seems the check engine light comes on more than the washer fluid light. I've had the problems with the blinkers and I've replaced the brakes so many times I blamed Pep Boys for doing a bad job. My mechanic told me that Chevys have bad brakes. Right now my car is in the shop getting a new engine. I have 119,000 miles on my car. My gas and temperature needle would go up for a few seconds and come back down to normal. My car was not running hot. As for electrical problems, my cigarette lighter never worked, the switch to the side view mirrors stopped working, and like everyone else my vents would not work on 1 and 2 setting. One thing that I haven't read on any website yet, is about the gear shift. The gear shift is broken. It will shift all the way to drive 3 without me pressing the button to switch gears. This causes the key to stop at ACC and I can't turn the car all the way off. I had a 1993 Plymouth Sundance Duster for 3 years and never had that many problems. GM is not the car for me. I'm glad I know there are people out there who share my pain.

A brief summary about my 1997 Malibu:

-bought it with 21k

-replaced part from the front strut under warranty

-bought extended warranty (the best deal because I paid $1,700 and all the services performed during the warranty cost to dealer (GM) $2,854.00

after the extended warranty was over:

-replaced three times from rotors

-replaced twice the water pump

-replaced manifold gasket

-replaced ignition key and module (anti-theaf system was been activated a few times and I was stuck anywhere). Even GM could not figure out the problem, until I told the dealer to replace the ignition key and module

-balance and rotating the tires? A hundred times (at least I get free coffee...)

-replace the original tires (Firestone Affinity). What a piece!! No good in rain, snow and worn out uneven.

-engine knocks when cold (but this is "normal" according to dealers). Of course because that is how it was designed to. Give me a break...

-coolant level goes down and no one can give me an explanation

I can go on and on, but I have to take my "precious" Malibu to the mechanic to fix A/C switch that do not shuts off.

Wow, I sure wish we had read up on chev malibu's before buying ours! It isn't as bad as some, but it has been a real "gem" to own.

We have replaced the brakes once a year, they are so badly worn at 1 years time they are down to metal.

Transmission is slipping badly, even after getting the tranny flushed and the filter changed.

A/C sucks, doesn't work when you need it, when it's actually hot outside, and we did have the resistor changed, still no change though.

Went through one fuel pump, but that is normal and was covered thank goodness under the warranty.

Recently we just figured out why the coolant was overflowing when getting to the halfway mark on the temp gauge, the cap was shot to the overfill tank. It only took us 2 months to figure that one out. Seems to have fixed that problem.

But now this mysterious little red light on the upper left hand corner of the gear shifter is on, and we cannot find anything telling us what it is for? Any ideas?

We are hopefully trading it in for a van in the fall, so 2 more months of the Malibu... we have found out it is worth next to nothing now, to add salt to the wound...; (

We purchased our 2004 Malibu last year, with 36,000 KM on it. The surging just started last week and I'm taking it back to the dealer tomorrow. I'm so glad I read all these comments before I go. I also have had problems with the fuel gauge reading "empty" when the tank was full and the temp. gauge reading "cold" with the engine hot. Also, my brakes are beginning to pulse.

I drove Fords for many years without any of these problems, so there's no prize for guessing what my next car will be.

I bought my Chevy Malibu with 30,000 miles on it. Where to begin?

* Coolant mysteriously disappears

* First two setting on AC stopped working

* Blinkers stopped working

* Brakes stink

* Need to fiddle with shifter in park position to get keys out of ignition

* Piston slap.

2001 Malibu with 70000 miles I hate this car, coolant leak from intake, bad catalytic, bad brakes, gas gauge when full shows empty, temp gauge bad shows too hot to cold, cooling fan problems turn on whenever they want, engine knock on and off, ignition switch locks up, power windows and locks switch bad too, steering wheel peels off easy, worst car I ever own over $2000 spend and still more problems keep on coming,many waste hours at the dealer with no car, advice:stay away from this type of cars no wonder they cheap!!

2001 Malibu purchased from dealer with 35,000km on it.

Has not been too bad with repairs to date, but was bothered by the following.

1. A/C kicks in when vent is switched to cool with the other switch set to re-circulate inside air.

2. Slow coolant leak (intake manifold gasket).

3. Piston Slap (we all know about that one).

My wife drove the car until warranty lapsed and just did not notice this prior to my driving it regularly and at that point warranty lapsed. Have not asked if they will repair, but seeing as there may have been something I had done since buying the car, like rewiring the entire electrical system on my own (sarcasm intended), this anomaly would certainly not be due to their fine NA work ethic.

Had been wondering for a long time why my coolant had been disappearing with no traces under the car. For those who don't know there is a class action suit that has been filed against GM Canada for their faulty Intake Manifold Gasket (IMG). You can read more on it here. http://www.classproceedings.ca/present%20cases%20gm.htm.

I went by a dealer this past Friday and found out the my piston slap, which has grown excessively louder since around 90,000km (now just over 94,000) has now turned into a piston replacement/engine job for around $3,400.00 (with taxes). The good news is the IMG will be repaired when the work is done!

Here are reasons how and why it happens plus a link to a GM technical service bulletin stating that to fix it the pistons need to be replaced, but it won't effect the life of the engine (or 1/4 life in my case). http://www.pistonslap.com/whatisit.htm

I will be going after GM to cover some of these costs (which I think is only fair since the car is at 90 plus K).

The alternative would be to end up paying for it all and never buying another GM vehicle again.

How's them apples GM?