2000 Chevrolet Malibu from North America - Comments

There is no tranny fluid to check, or so the original manual says.

When my father-in-law went into the nursing home, my wife and I bought his 2000 Malibu from the estate. It had 28k on it! It has been a good car. Two years later, at 42k:

I replaced the serpentine belt because everyone recommended it.

I asked Grease Monkey to flush the radiator and they said it was not called for until 60k. whatever.

I replaced the front pads.

A new fuel pump. $900 (ouch to a guy with no job.)

But just in the last few months the electrical system is acting weird. Service engine and/or check engine comes on and then goes away for a few days.

There are problems with the indicator lights and gas gauge that are only predictable in their unpredictability. Sometimes the whole panel lights up and then the problems go away. The gas gauge is usually part of the problem. The "auto theft" light comes on. What is that anyway?

This is freaking me out, but the car continues to run great.

I go the source of all knowledge, the internet, and find out that my car is a lemon. I will keep my fingers crossed regarding my good luck.

I am inclined to try to ignore the problems with the dashboard lights. John.

I had the surge problem on my 2000 Malibu V6 auto transmission. I tried a lot of things; replaced O2 sensor, replaced MAP sensor, checked for vacuum leaks, etc with no luck. Finally found the problem. Dirty mass air flow sensor. Easy cheap fix too.

The mass air flow sensor is located between the air cleaner and throttle body. Very easy to remove with a couple screw drivers and a T-20 TORX security bit. Buy a can of MAF sensor cleaner available at any auto parts store. Spray the sensor and allow to dry. Caution: DO NOT TOUCH the sensor. Very delicate and it will cost $120 or so to replace.

We have a 2000 Malibu since new now has 143k on it.

Have had all the problems listed.

The surging has never been resolved. The brakes are every 8 mos for us. The rapping has never stopped even though we went the "replace the pistons route". The hazard switch was a recall by GM. (will fix your turn signal problems) Not only are the radio numbers worn off but half don't light up. The shifter also doesn't light up. I go to work at 2am any idea how annoying that is. Leaking coolant yes its the manifold. The latest is a valve tap, that is only there sometimes. Not the same as the one when you first start it. I will however say the car has never "died" on me and left me sit anywhere.

I have a 2000 Chevy Malibu, and it has stopped right in the middle of driving on the interstate twice, and on the street twice. It just stops having power and cuts off. It does not jerk, shake or anything like that, it just dies out. It will start back up after a few minutes, and go for a while and then cut off again.

I am at my wits end as to what is wrong. Has anyone experienced this with their Chevy Malibu year 2000? I have had it towed home simply because I was afraid to drive it. Help me please anyone, who may have this same problem. On occasion an orange light that says ABS has come on, but not when it has stopped.

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?

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IMPORTANT.

Lawsuit has now been settled. Court condemning GM to reimburse customers. Get your receipts and claim GM. GM reimburses up to 2,000.00 $.ALL MALIBU OWNERS HAVING A SERIAL # WITH A J CAN CLAIM.