Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-66
I too recently bought a 2001 chevy malibu with 136,000 miles on it and even with being a mechanic did not pick up on the dealership cleaning off the engine oil and coolant leak which would have gave away the infamous intake manifold leak. In researching Fel-Pro now makes a new gasket kit more reliable than the old plastic one and it is highly recommended that the lower intake mounting bolts be replaced with repair. I have owned the car, which my wife drives for over a year and a half and recently replaced front brakes once not too unusual in my case. No electrical failures to date. But I too have had the surging problem upon excelleration uphill, but at lower speeds of 40 to 50 mph. So far through reading all of the information given the closest thing that best fits the problem is the torque converter clutch solenoid which could be aplying and releasing the converter under moderate to heavy acceleration load and worsened conditions not disengaging converter when slowing causing the vehicle to stall. I am very big into gm, but understand how one bad apple could ruin the bunch. My largest concern is actually the body panels that rust out farely early on, espescially since I don't do so well with paint and restoration.
Wow, next time I purchase a car I should do this research. My 2000 Chevy Malibu has 110,000K miles on her. I love her so much, but to return the favor?
*Fuel Pump
*Ignition Switch
*Water pump
*I have to turn the rotors every other month it seems
*Belt
*and in the past 9 days???
-thermostat
-reservoir tank
-front head gasket
-snapped manifold bolts
-clogged radiator
-rear head gasket.
I do the work myself, but all of this at a shop? We're talking $2500 easy.
And of course, the A/C switch has a mind of it's own, and my ignition makes me wiggle the heck out of my key to get it turn over.
Sounds like I have some engine surging to expect next...
I have a 1998 Malibu LS with 180,000 miles on it. I don't know what you guys are talking about. I bought the car back in 2003 with 70,000 miles on it. All I replaced since I got the car was rotors and brake pads 2 times. I replaced the tires 2 months ago. Car runs great, great gas mileage for a 6 cylinder engine. I also use it all the time towing my jet ski. Compared to other cars, this car is great. I love it. My next car is definitely a Malibu.
For the poster that would buy another Malibu... WANT MINE??
I have a 2000 Malibu and have several of the same issues.. brakes not lasting, intake manifold, struts, surging (which happens on level ground now, in 1st gear around 2200 RMP), etc.
The most annoying is the possessed A/C. It's one of those that turns itself from fresh to recirc all by itself, and has done this since the first summer I had it.
I bought the car new in Oct. 2000, I have complained to dealership (which changed hands about 4 times) consistently with occurrences as they happened, "can not duplicate problem" is their favorite answer. Current dealer ownership is trying to assist with finally correcting the issue.
I am in discussion with GM about covering the Powertrain Control Module, which is what I'm being told is the culprit. Even though I've complained for years, and have been told repeatedly "it's fixed", GM asked why I haven't I done more? Why is it my responsibility to go past the dealership, REPEATEDLY?.. I've had 5 AC Control Heads put on, as well as wiring and relays.
This has been a nightmare. I've almost given in to my husband...never another GM.. or American, as much as that pains me.
I bought my 2000 Chevy Malibu in 2001 with 25,000 miles on it. It ran good until now. 6 years later, I have almost 99,000 miles on it and it will be paid off this month. I have replaced the brakes 4 times, turn signal/brake light problems, have to wiggle the key in the ignition before it turns on, air conditioner comes on and off, check engine light came on 2 times in 2 months after repaired at shop, replaced water pump twice, replaced thermostat, used radiator (old one had rust in it), serpentine belt has been replaced twice, upper and lower intake manifold gaskets, engine cooling fans work off and on, and finally the cylinder heads resurfaced and head gasket replaced due to overheating and coolant. I just got my car back last night from being repaired and drove it today, it did not overheat. Let's hope the problem is repaired, $1,000+ later!!!
I have a 2000 Malibu with 60K on it. And yes, it has some of the problems discussed, but it has never let me down. I have replaced brake pads 2x's, but no rotors. Still using 2 original tires. Replaced the battery and normal fluid changes. Besides that, all original. Can't believe no transmission dip stick. All things considered the car has been good to me. I think you have to take extra care, not beat, this car and you'll get the service out of it. I see how people drive and this car can't take it like some. The positive things are its size, fuel economy, and decent handling.
I got a great deal on a new 2003 Chevy Malibu. But from reading the posts and narrowing in on 50,000 miles (Extended Warranty) I wondering if I should dump it. I have had some problems too. Tie rods replaced, Brakes replaced twice (once free at dealer when I complained 12,000 miles), heater resistor replaced, both front wheel bearings replaced, rear end squeaks, and now the gas gauge is acting up. The dealership I bought the car at totally "blew me off" with many of the above problems. I went to another local dealership with my extended GM warranty and they fixed the problems with no " Cannot duplicate problem " crap. I will never buy another vechicle at that perogie shop again in my life...
I own a 2000 Malibu and the A/C was turning on/off, switching from inside air to outside by itself. I remove the control head from the inside dash; disassembled the control switch which only has 2 screws and cleaned all the grease from the contacts with WD40. Reassembled and A/C works like a champ; I was very upset with the A/C performance before; I thought it was the compressor going bad. Very simple fix! I guess the grease was interfering with the electrical contacts and confusing the mode of operation; but the cleaning fixed all my issues with the A/C and temperature controls.
I have the same surge issue with my transmission as I've read about in previous messages.
My engine temperature runs slightly hot before the cooling fans start; this began after I change the thermostat, I believe I need to put a new temperature sensor in and thermostat.
Well, it seems that I am not alone in having headaches with this GM POS.
2001 Malibu with 83000 miles.
-Brakes need to be worked on at least every 15 months.
-Tires last approximately 2 years due to poor suspension design
-Lower intake manifold gasket need replacing ~$900-1200
-EGR valve replaced $350
-catalytic converter replaced, new plugs and wires, fuel induction service, and transmission flush $1267.
Car began revving like described by previous posters. No mechanic, including the dealer, knows exactly how to remedy this. The AC controller only works on high fan setting, this started at 35000 miles. The AC is cold...occasionally. The side mirror controller quit working around 40000 miles. The key gets stuck in the ignition often, you have to wiggle the steering wheel and the shifter.
I cannot express how negatively I truly feel about ownership of this car. GM, you have done it. You have convinced me to never purchase another car from you. What a joke...
I owned the last good Malibu (and the last half decent Chevy car ever made). It was made in 1979. Come to think of it; it wasn't that good either. Looked nice though; problem was it burned more oil than it did gasoline. GM: generic motors.
"Well, it seems that I am not alone in having headaches with this GM POS.
2001 Malibu with 83000 miles.
-Brakes need to be worked on at least every 15 months.
-Tires last approximately 2 years due to poor suspension design.
-Lower intake manifold gasket need replacing ~$900-1200.
-EGR valve replaced $350.
-catalytic converter replaced, new plugs and wires, fuel induction service, and transmission flush $1267.
Car began revving like described by previous posters. No mechanic, including the dealer, knows exactly how to remedy this. The AC controller only works on high fan setting, this started at 35000 miles. The AC is cold...occasionally. The side mirror controller quit working around 40000 miles. The key gets stuck in the ignition often, you have to wiggle the steering wheel and the shifter.
I cannot express how negatively I truly feel about ownership of this car. GM, you have done it. You have convinced me to never purchase another car from you. What a joke..."
Brakes, that is actually good for this car.
Tires I have no idea. I been on two of the tires I got with the car since I gotten it in 04, I would have been on the original other two had it not been for a flat with a nail.
LIM, this is a very common problem. The newer gasket fixed the problem.
Your other problems, besides plugs, wires, and tranny flush, is probably just bad luck.
I have replaced my plugs and wires, not because I had to, but because I wanted to at 100k for preventive matainence. I need to the tranny flush and fill. GM says you can leave it for 150k miles or longer, but if I had the money, I would do it every 50k.
I have said it again and again, besides the very common problems (brakes and LIM) Malibus are generally nice cars if you are nice to them.
I have a 2000 Chevy Malibu with 134K on it. Since my dad bought it brand new in march 2000 it has been an excellent car. Except for a couple of repairs here and there and the usual brake work it has performed very well. I noticed about 4,000 miles ago it started to make a very strange noise. It is like a metal on metal squeaking noise from the under the hood that I only here sometimes it comes and gos. A mechanic said it was a probably a pulley under the car which generates the noise and its not worth doing anything yet and its not serious. Does anyone know what it may be though and if its something to worry about?
I have a 1998 Malibu with a 3.1 6 cylinder.
Bought it with 31,000 miles on it; it now has 201,000 of mostly highway driving.
The main problems have been -
- Front ABS sensor (replaced 3 times).
- Front brakes don't last long (about 30,000 miles), but I still have origInal rear drum brakes???
- Plastic idler pulley's for serpentine belt are junk.
- Alternator, serpentine belt & tensioner went at
about 100,000.
- Ignition switch went out.
- Head gasket went at about 110,000 and just went out again at 201,000. Coolant went into the engine oil. I don't know if it can be fixed yet with just a head gasket.
Until now it was a good running car; hopefully it only needs a head gasket.
For 200,000 miles I guess the repairs were tolerable.
For those of you with The a/c blower not working on 1 and 2 (but working on 3,4,5) I replaced the A/C Resistor $20 at oreily auto parts... It is located up under the Passenger side
Next to the blower..
That fixed my problem with the 1 and 2 fan speeds, but my a/c still cuts in and out when it is very hot..
2000 Chevy Malibu bought used in 2004 with 65,000 miles. It now has 131,000.
I have experienced problems with the following:
-Right tail light fills up with water and burns out.
-Front wheel bearings had to be replaced on one side
-Tie rods wore out
-Squeaking sound under hood related to belts or pulleys - not fixed yet.
-Brakes have to be fixed all the time
-drivers side window came off track
-headlights burned out
-Transmission would not shift out of low gear (starting today)
-Some dashboard lights not working.
Suprisingly I have had no problems with surging, overheating, or gaskets. I am thinking I will cut my losses on this car and buy a Honda or Toyota. I currently have a 1997 Honda Accord with almost the exact same mileage. It costs about a third as much to maintain as the Chevy Malibu.