Engine Cooling System problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu

After replenishing radiator fluid in my 2000 chevy Malibu with the approved fluid, havoline dex-cool radiator fluid, my car started to constantly leak anti-freeze and now I have a leak and my radiator "idiot" light is constantly on. The car was perfectly fine prior to the application of the dex-cool but days afterward my troubles began. There was never a problem before and as usual 4-6 weeks I would have to replenish 1/2 gallon of fluid. This is noted on every discussion board regarding this model between 1997-2003. It's too circumstatial that immediately after the application of the dex-cool that my troubles began then finding the settlement of gm regarding this matter and improper gaskets for their manifolds and water pumps (nylon/solicone based) that the courts found that the coolant does indeed corrode these gaskets. Now that my car is 8 yrs old, my ability to recoup any money on using the proper/recommended product as stated by gm is more than likely improbable.

I own a 200 chevy Malibu and have had to repair an intake manifold twice- once at 92,000 miles and again at 105,000 miles. Gm knows that their dex cool antifreeze eats through the gaskets but does nothing to fix it. I do not know why the gov. 't lets them get away with this. This is very expensive and not something that should have to be repaired within 100,000. 00 miles. The speeds on the fan did not work shortly after purchase and around 50,000. Miles the turn signal did not work . I did have the extended warranty and both were covered but these are not things that should break down. It was very dangerous to be sitting at a light and turning left and not being able to signal. I did eventually get a recall on this but it was way after it was fixed. Gm makes junk and the gov. 't should hold them responsible. I will never purchase another gm product.

Small leak developed at rear of intake manifold. Caused overtemp and all coolant boiled out. @ $800. 00 to repair. I am reporting this because 2 separate repair shops informed me this is a known defect for this model, to the extent the defect is posted on all repair data bases. It is very common to sustain a crack in the engine block because of this defect.

As stated by other complainants, I also have a problem with my cooling system. After losing my a/c now I'm faced with losing the whole engine. My car continuously runs hot the so called dexcool coolant keeps squirting over the engine and reading other complaints I'm facing either intake repairs or water pump and thermostat problems. This is ridiculous so many people having similar problems neither GMC or our so called would step in and put and end to this mess. I guest lobbyist are more important than the safety of America.

My car was running hot and it smell like something was burning under the hood, so I took the car in to the shop to have fix and the worker told me it was a defective intake manifold gaskets. It would cost me close to $850 to fix. The part itself only cost $89, but the labor is what I was paying for. I cannot afford to keep fixing this car on a college student budget. After talking to other Malibu owners with the same problems I check to see if it is a recall problem, but it is not. This is not fair that the company know they sold defective cars and not plan on doing anything about it.

Lower intake manifold gasket leak; ball joint & fuel pump; brake pads replaced 4 times in less than 3 yrs.

Fuel pump needed to be replaced on 2/01/06 - cost of repair $800. When service was completed, gm mechanic informed me that the intake manifold gasket is leaking and causing coolant to mix with oil in the engine. The estimated cost to repair is an additional $1,000! we have not yet had the part repaired due to the cost and the car has had limited use since. Gm should issue a recall on this already and stop having the consumers pay for their lack of use of reliable parts!! this is obviously a major problem given the number of complaints listed.

Intake manifold leak. . Loss of coolant. . Overheating engine. . Heater malfunction sporadically. This problem continues but abated somewhat after service at a radiator repair facility rodded the radiator twice ,flushed and refilled the system with new coolant and installed new thermostat. Mileage was 39,500.

The initial problem was that the car had difficulty starting after the car was warm. Would usually have to give the car gas to get the engine to turn over. Took the car to the dealer and was informed that was the least of my problems since the intake manifold gasket was leaking coolant into the oil. The cost of repairs for the leaking gasket was over $650 and told was quite common in 2000 Malibus and if the problem was not fixed could cause the vehicle to catch on fire or destroy the engine. The car has less than 60,000 miles. Also had to replace wires, plugs, ignition coil and fuel filter which was an additional $475. I can understand the wires, plugs, coil and fuel filter as usual maintenance costs, however, the leaking intake manifold gasket which is quite common from both your website and chevy website should be addressed a potential recall. Or investigate the possibility of some funding by chevy to offset the high repair costs to many owners of the Malibu who have had to have the intake manifold gasket repaired.

2000 Chevrolet Malibu developed problems with the brake equipment. The consumer had the brakes replaced 3 times. The first brake service they were replaced under warranty after that the consumer was told it was considered wear and tear. The water pump was leaking.

The reservoir for the coolant had a design flaw which caused it to leak. It caused an o-ring to pull away and let coolant splash on top of the engine. Consumer was told it would cost 750 to 1000 dollars to fix this problem. This caused the engine to run hot. The consumer would like for the manufacturer to pay to have problem remedied.

3. 1 engine leaking collant at head gasket. Mechanic says this is a common problem with gm 3. 1 v6 engines. About $600. 00 estimate to repair.

The Malibu engine smelled hot and fluid was leaking onto the garage floor. A mechanic discovered that coolant is leaking onto the top of the transmission from the intake manifold gasket. We have added fluid a couple of times. The gasket will have to be replaced. I believe that gm should replace this since it is a commonly known problem on this car.

(1) the failure occurred under normal driving conditions. (2) the intake manifold leaks radiator fluid due to faulty gaskets. Fortunately, the problem was observed before the engine overheated or caught fire, but there is evidence of coolant contaminating the engine oil: further consequences will likely occur in the future. (3) the failure has not yet been corrected. A firestone service center diagnosed the problem but repairs have not yet been contracted. A Chevrolet dealership/service center (bill heard) gave an estimate of $1000 for the repair. Please note that this is a common fault in chevy Malibus and other gm cars with this engine type. The service rep at firestone stated that this was the most common problem seen in this car, and the service rep at the Chevrolet dealership stated that in Malibus, the intake manifold gaskets fail "more often than not. ".

I purchased a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu in Dec 1999. The car had 6 miles on it when purchased. Within the last year I have noticed the car has been overheating a little, and I am having to fill the coolant up once every couple of weeks(with no noticable leaks). At this point I have taken it to a couple of different shops telling me that the lower intake manifold needs replaced (cost 5-700 dollars!!)--I still owe 11000 on the car. I have read and seen many others with this issue and am very dissapointed in the fact that gm will not do anything to help out. Of course now the car is at 66000 miles and out of warranty--so I must pay for the repair--single mother/going to school/working full time this is not what I expect out of a new chevy. . . .

I repeated had problems with the transmission slipping and/or not going into gear completely and this problem almost caused an accident on a few occasions. I first suspected something was faulty shortly after purchasing the vehicle - which was a gm certified vehicle. Less than a year after purchase I had to pay almost $2000 to have the transmission rebuilt. Items replaced include the torque converter and solenoids. I also have noticed that I have coolant leaking and assume it is a problem with the intake manifold gasket - but have not had it diagnosed yet.

Light for low water would come on. About 3-4 times every 6 months starting 2002. Then all of a sudden every time the car was driven, even just a few blocks. At that point, the car had to be towed to the dealer for repair. Fortunately, I was not far from home when the major trouble started. The repair report reads "low coolant light is on and the oil appears to have water mixed. . . Advise. . . Lower intake manifold gaskets leaking -replaced lower intake manifold gaskets. All related gasket/seals. 6 hours of labor in cary, nc. Total bill $768. + $50 for towing. The car only has 36,000 miles. This seems a lot for a relatively "young" car. Thank goodness the low water light worked -- but no excuse for the problem.

While driving temperature gauge failed. This made it impossible for the consumer to know if the vehicle overheated. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

At 55000 miles had to replace lower intake manifold gasket. Looks like is a common problem with the Malibu. Gm must do something.

My 2000 Malibu which currently has 50,000 miles on it started losing coolant at about 48,000 miles. I have spent close to $1,000 dollars trying to get it to stop losing fluids. The last repair was a new gasket set per service bullitin #03-06-01-010 dated March of 2003. Is there any other course of action that I can take. I cannot afford any more expenses on it. Also the turn signals seem to fail when my car heater does not heat up, they come back if I turn my emergency flasers on and then off.

2000 Chevrolet Malibu with persistent brake problems. Have to replace major brake components every approximately 20,000 miles. Also, dexcool coolent leak from the intake manifold after only (approx) 50,000 miles. Dexcool coolant breakdown and subsequent failure of cooling system.

The engine coolant constanly runs low or empty. I have to refill it all the time. Now I find out I might have a leak from the coolant that is running in my oil. Car also hard to start sometimes. I have a friend who has the same problem with having to fill up the engine coolant constanly. She has a 2002 model. Having to fill it up that often is not normal.

Water pump failure, turning lights failure.

Coolant loss causing vehicle to overheat. Car towed to garage. Had to remove and replace intatke manifold gasket, replace thermostat, and reverse flush cooling system. Total cost $664. 31 was advised to file complaint as garage has had an average of one repair like this a month on mailbus and impalas.

May 02 my vehicle was taken in for brakes and front end noise, the brakes were replaced and was told that the dealership did not have time to correct the front end problem (which they noted was covered by my warranty) and to reschedule for that problem. I did so in July 02 and at that time, they charged me for the work and tried to blame me for the problem so I paid $281. 75 for this work which was previously noted that would be covered by my warranty. My battery has been replaced 3 times. The vehicle was overheating several times: in October 3, 2002, October 29, 2002, and in December 2002. I was forced to pay for at a cost of $280. 52 for the Dec. 2002 problem. In March 2003 the vehicle was taken in to the dealership again for front suspension noise, and it was determined that a right upper strut mount had callapsed. In may 2003 the vehicle has again overheated and they could not explain why the problem continues. The young man that I spoke with when I arrived indicated that they (the dealership) was unsure as to why the vehicle was overheating and to just drive it because his truck does it all the time on the highway and they had no explanation as to why the batteries that they were replacing kept cracking and leaking. When I expressed my concern regarding the problem and my safety concerns, he just blew me off as if I was just complaining. Once again, it is now July 2003 and for the 4th time, my vehicle is overheating and overheating. In addition on serveral occasions I also indicated to the dealership, that there was a vibrating and shimbling when my brakes are applied and it makes it hard to controll the vehicle, not once would they address the issue with me nor have I been notified or any defects or recalls with the brake system for the 2000 chevy Malibu. I am very concerned with my safety. In addition, my tires continuously loose air and the tread is separation from my left rear tire.

My Chevrolet 2000 Malibu leaked a whole lot of dexcool coolent onto the ground. . . So far, it's cost $900 to fix that and a water pump. I'm not sure this is a safety issue, but it seems like it could be construed as one. The car has 5600 miles on it.

Intake gasket coolant leaking problems which results to overheating and engine failures.

The car has a ping in the motor and cooling system overheats.