Manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe Problems of Chevrolet Malibu - part 2

You can add my name to the list of individuals shelling out an excessive amount of money to replace what appear to be defective parts and/or manufacturing designs in the 2003 chevy Malibu. We purchased the car new in Feb 2003 and repair costs to date are in excess of $2,000 and the car only has 52,000 miles on it. First, the brakes and rotors needed placed after about 40,000 miles (most of which were interstate driving). . . Cost was over $300. Next, we were getting the car repaired after an incident with a deer and the mechanic informed us that coolant was starting to leak into the engine because of a faulty intake manifold gasket. . . Repair cost almost $1,000. Finally, my wife was recently stranded because the fuel pump failed. . . Repair cost $1,000. All of these incidents occurred within the past 6 months. By far the most frustration thing is that all these items appear to be very common failures with this make and model made by Chevrolet and there has yet to be any recalls. . . Very disappointing. My entire experience has continued to snowball ever since we had issues with getting the dealership to fix items that were still under warranty. General motors seems to be more focused on earning profits that compete with the foreign producers rather than taking care of their current customers. If things don't change, the company will have very limited repeat customers.

See all problems of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The car has died at night in not a very good side of town and would not start on 10/07. Had it towed and they found the intake manifold gasket damaged $1,000. 00. Feb 08 car would not start after work. 10 miles away from home. Had the car towed back to firestone thinking it was the same thing instead the anti-theft system had caused the car not to start. 4/08 car again would not start after work. Please force gm to take responsibility for their vehicles malfunctions before some one gets hurt because of the anti theft system.

Intake manifold gasket leak, causing anti freeze to mix with the oil, causing failure and excessive wear to internal motor parts.

See all problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Intake manifold gasket leaking,causing contamination of antifreeze and motor oil. Repairs cost mr $770 dollars. It seems to be a common problem on 2002 Chevrolet Malibu's.

See all problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

Had to replace the intake manifold gasket on 2002 chevy Malibu. Was informed by several mechanics that this is a very common problem.

I found out that my intake manifold is leaking and that gm knew about this problem with the 02 Malibu. When I called to ask about it they said that my VIN # was not included even though I am having the same problem.

I bought the car at the end of 2000 and had to replace the intake manifold gaskets at around the same time (thanksgiving) in 2001. My fuel pump went out in 2002 and my mechanic just told me the intake manifold gaskets are leaking again. He suggest to replace them soon. It cost $900 to get it fixed the first time which was not under my extended warranty plan. I just paid the car off and have to fork out another $700-900 to get it fixed again. It is common knowledge to gm that there is a history of gaskets problems in several chevy models especially the Malibu, but no recall has been issued and no compensation has been awarded to all those hard working people who trust the chevy name. If nothing is done I will never buy chevy again. Pontiac had the same problem with some of its cars a few years back and recalled all models with less than 100,000 miles on them. Why wont chevy. There needs to be a recall or a lemon law on the Chevrolet Malibu!!! I am surprised that a class action lawsuit has not been filed against gm for selling such a defective product!!! I hope that no one has had an accident, injury, or even death result from this dangerously defective car!!!.

See all problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

I have Malibu 2001 with 56000 mls on it. Today I had to change lower intake manifold gasket. $950 total. . . Beside this a had problems with my theft system,brakes ,light hazard switch. Air conditioner . . Etc. This is the my last gm car. . Period.

See all problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

1998 chevy Malibu: faulty intake manifold gasket resulting in coolant leak in engine. Resulted in engine needing to be replaced and upper intake gasket changed at $2000 canadian. Two months later,and less tan 5,000 kms later, fuel tank needs to be replaced. Less than 30 days later, upper intake gasket and front brakes need to be changed at cost of $1500 canadian.

The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The low coolant warning indicator light illuminated; however, the vehicle was filled with coolant. Thirty minutes later, the vehicle overheated while driving 70 mph. The low coolant warning indicator light illuminated again. The dealer stated that there was a leak in the intake manifold. No repairs were made. The contact verified his VIN; however, it was invalid. The engine size and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.

1999 Chevrolet Malibu upper and lower manifold gaskets replaced. Consumer believes there should be a class action suit for this problem. Consumer would like to know how to get reimbursed. The dex-cool coolant corrodes all parts of the engine it comes in contact with including the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets.

See all problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu 🔎.

The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 35 mph for approximately ten minutes, the temperature gauge displayed hot. The coolant light illuminated, which indicated that the coolant level was low. The contact stopped the vehicle and checked the level. He then took the vehicle to carmax and they confirmed that the lower intake manifold gasket caused the failure. Chevrolet stated that they were not aware of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 133,000. Updated 12/12/07 updated.

The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph for approximately ten minutes, the temperature gauge displayed hot. The coolant light illuminated, which indicated that the coolant level was low. The contact stopped the vehicle and checked the level. He then took the vehicle to carmax and they confirmed that the lower intake manifold gasket caused the failure. The failure was repaired. The current and failure mileages were 45,000. Updated 12/12/07.

Manifold intake gasket cracked and leaked into the engine. This caused the car not to start.

The anti-freeze holding tank keeps getting an oil residue in it and the anti-freeze keeps disappearing into the engine and has to keep being refilled. After speaking with a mechanic it is possible that the intake manifold gasket is failing. The a/c switch also turns off on its own. Rotors and brakes have been replaced three times.

I have twice replaced the intake manifold gaskets on my 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. Both times it has started as a slow seep from the end of the engine on the drivers side. At first we didn't have any puddles, just a low fluid indicator alarm. Then we had intermittant puddles. The latest occurence included a catastrophic failure with about an half a gallon of fluid into the engine, and it was 200 miles from home. We were fortunate that we were not driving when the failure was discovered, so we didn't have to replace the engine. The first repair occured in January 2005 at 101k miles, this one in August 07 with 144k miles. The first repair was done at an asce shop and cost $700, this one was at a dealer and cost $1200. I described the incident to another mechanic, and his first question was, "gm car?" it is quite common and well known to mechanics.

Car initially wouldn't start, would only turn over. Car would die in traffic at highway speeds with no warning requiring trying to coast to a safe place out of traffic if possible with a severe potential to be hit from behind even with hazard lights on. Car towed to chev dealership. Dealership replaced intake manifold gasket. Tech said gasket was leaking causing engine to hydrolock. Third time driving the car since repair, car died in traffic again on freeway. Car is setting at dealership again waiting for technician to diagnose since obviously the $1200 repair just completed didn't solve the problem.

We had purchased a 2001 chevy Malibu LS in 2004, it had 28,922 mileage. On July 1st 2004, had 28,959 miles, the engine light kept coming on so we brought it to forest city to get it checked out, they found the reservoir low and topped it off, they said no visible coolant leaks! on July 12th 2007 we had brought it back to quirk ( which was forest city) they said that the lower intake manifold caskets were leaking coolant, they wanted $879. 00 to fix it (mileage 46,495). We got it fixed by a certified mechanic for $370. 00 on july27,2007. Now we had a 20 point inspection done onjanuary 29th 2007 and quirk said that we need intake manifold caskets again!, with only 9,953, after the first time they went, ( milage 56,248). I have talked to quirk and they said they would take 10% off the $695. 00 price to fix it, so I talked to gm and they said it wasn't there problem but would take 25% off. If it wasn't there problem then why would they do that? when I asked them why I wasn't contacted about the dex cool problem, they had no answer. I have checked a lot of web sites and this is happening over and over again to people. Why can't something be done about this. I don't feel that I should have to pay for something that gm is responsible for. I hope that you can help all of us, that are having this and other problems. Thank you for listening.

I have had several issues with my car over the years. The first was when the fuel pump failed and my car stalled in traffic in 2006 and repair was $600. The intake manifold gaskets failed about 10 months later that was repaired at the dealer for $1200. I have replaced the engine twice ($600 each time) because of the head gaskets and too much oil inside the engine. Now I have a strong odor of gasoline inside my car when I start it up that lasts for about 15-20 minutes each day. I've replaced the ignition switch twice now and the gear shift does not lock properly. Now anti theft security light comes on often and I have to wait approximately 11 minutes to reset it before I can leave my location. The hood latch recently broke and now the wire must be replaced from the inside to the exterior of the car.

Why wasn't there a recall done?. . Read more...

I have had ongoing problems 3 years. , approximately with frequent low coolant levels and low oil levels, in addition to noticing a strong odor of coolant after turning car off. I was informed recently , during a routine oil change in may, 2007, of a common problem often observed in gm 3. 1 l and 3. 4l v-6 engines. The intake manifold gasket leaked and allowed cross contamination of the coolant and oil systems. The oil system leaked into the coolant system, clogging the flow of engine coolant and damaging other systems, gaskets and fluids. The coolant leake d into the oil system as well, causing engine wear. Now I am told it will cost about $1000. 00 to replace the intake manifold gasket, in addition to all the other gaskets affected by this leak. The main expense is for the labor to reach the intake manifold gasket in mid-engine. I was also informed that this problem affects all gm 3. 1l and 3. 4l v-6 engines since 1996, and that these engines have not been recalled, in spite of the frequency of this complaint. My vehicle is no longer under warranty, but since this engine's problem has been known since before I purchased the car, I believe I am justified in requesting that gm cover the cost of any necessary repairs to replace this leaking gasket before the engine is destroyed.

I have a 2003 chevy Malibu, the coolant started to slowly leak out, then proceeded to leak faster within a few weeks, we couldn't see where the coolant was going. I called my older brother every weekend, and his 2001 pontiac grand prix was in the shop getting a new engine installed, his grand prix, and my chevy Malibu have the same engine, I asked what happened, and he said that his coolant started leaking, he couldn't see where it was going so he took it into the shop, and the mechanic told him that a common problem with these vehicles made by gm was that the lower intake manifold gasket is faulty. I have looked it up on line,and there is a class action law suit in canada against gm for this problem, as well many people say (including my mechanic) that the dex cool is very bad for you vehicle. Anyway, my brother got his car to the mechanic too late, and after shelling out 700 to fix the lower intake manifold gasket, he ended up having to pay 5900 to replace his 2001 grand prix engine. As it turns out my Malibu had the same problem with the lower intake manifold gasket, we have yet to replace it, it is worthless, the mechanic who is chevy certified, said that the coolant has gotten into our oil, and the engine is worthless, we don't have the 5900 to shell out for a new engine. I have contacted gm twice, the first time I talked to a representative on the phone, and he said that he doesn't know why they are not recalling the gasket, it is a known problem, but they aren't going to recall it, the second time I talked to them they told me that they will not discuss the matter with me any further. I am a single mom with three kids, and a full time job, and full time school, I have a car that when I bought it the salesman talked me into, he told me "a Malibu will last you a very long time," as it sits in my parking lot while I am left riding the bus, and making payments on a car that does not run, due to a problem that gm knows about.

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The low antifreeze warning light illuminated. The antifreeze had to be refilled once a week. The mechanic stated that the intake manifold was leaking antifreeze. The failure mileage was 45,000 and current mileage was 46,849. Updated 01-15-08. The was informed by to mechanics, that it was common with this type of engine. Updated 12/12/07.

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph the engine coolant indicator light illuminated on the dashboard. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic, who stated that the intake manifold gasket failed, allowing the coolant to flow into the engine. The current and failure mileages were 54,300.

2000 chevy Malibu intake manifold gasket failure, 800. 00 to fix. Replaced gasket at dealer, told car was a fixed and then the head gasket fails, within hours of leaving repair shop.

Engine coolant light came on. I replaced 1/2 gallon of coolant. At my next oil change, I noticed an orange gel on my oil cap. I figured it was an internal coolant leak; therefore, it was probably a head gasket leak. I took my car to local Chevrolet dealership for service. The service technician determined it was an intake manifold gasket leak. If the gasket was not replaced promptly, the engine oil would fail to lubricate the engine properly. The result could be catastrophic damage to the engine. 8jb.

Chevrolet Malibu intake manifold gaskets" begins to leak anywhere around 80,000 miles of driving. This causes the car to leak coolant, to overheat, and motor will lock, burn out. This car was not even 5 years old, and I have spoken to other Malibu owners who had this work done of their cars costing $500. 00 to $700. 00 I felt as though the manufacturer needed to improve this gasket and replace the cars that already had this defective part.

Gm v6 defective intake manifold gasket failed, causing coolant to disappear through engine or into engine oil. Causes engine to overheat, and possible sever internal damage. Last failure was on 2002 Chevrolet Malibu at 39000 miles,it failed 2 times on 1998 pontiac montana under 80000 miles, failed 2 times on 2000 Chevrolet venture under 80000 miles. Failed 1 time on 2002 Malibu. Manufacturer was aware of defect, but did not tell customer.

I own a 2003 chevy mailbu. I have had numerous problems with the anitfreeze draining out. I have had it in the shop a couple times and have had the manifold intake gasket replaced. This was very expensive for a single mom on a budget. The problem still persists. I have also started having problems with the theft system light coming on and preventing the car from starting. I can turn it to "on" and get it started after 10 minutes, but this is bothersome when I am in a hurry. I think that gm should have these problems under recall and pay to have them fixed.

After having to refill my engine coolant on a regular basis I finally took my 2001 chevy Malibu into the dealer to have it looked at. I expected a leaky hose but found out the problem was a failed intake manifold gasket causing the coolant to drain into the engine. The dealer guaranteed me that if I didn't perform the $900 repair that the engine was shot, and that the odds of saving the engine even after the repair were only 50/50. The other options I was given were to completely rebuild the engine ($3000+) or "cut my loses and trade it in now. " after doing some research, I discovered that this is an extremely common problem, resulting from defective gaskets, that Chevrolet has done nothing to remedy.

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an antifreeze leak in the intake manifold gasket. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they confirmed the leak. She had to place antifreeze in her vehicle every month because it would leak out constantly. She notified general motors twice. The first time, they did not respond to her via email. The second time, she spoke with them and they stated that she would need to bring the vehicle to an authorized dealer. From there, they will determine whether or not there is a defect. General motors further stated that the contact would be responsible for the repairs. The dealer acknowledged the defect. The failure mileage was 50,00 and current mileage is 60,000. Updated 01-29-08.

I had taken my vehicle in to get a simple oil change and was informed my vehicle has a faulty intake manifold gasket which is a very expensive repair costing any where from$ 800-$1000. 00 . On my searching the internet I have found that this is one of the problems that gm cars are having over 70,000 miles. Intake manifold leaks can lead to any number of very serious, and expensive problems. While the part itself isn't costly, the labor to repair is costly.

: the contact stated while driving 30 mph, the add coolant light illuminated. The contact added coolant to the resevoir. A week later more coolant was added. After the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the intake manifold gasket was leaking. Repairs were declined and the leaking became worse as another leak was noticed from the front right side. The manufacturer was notified.

: the contact stated the vehicle's intake manifold gasket cracked which caused antifreeze to leak onto the engine. The auto body shop stated the leak could lead to the engine getting locked.

I first noticed that the coolant was leaking from below my car. It has 76,000 miles. The intake manifold gaskets are defective. This is a problem that I have researched and discovered that many, many others have experienced this. This is a $1000 problem that I feel chevy has refused to recall because at $1000 a pop, who would?.