Problems with 2000 Chevrolet Malibu ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2000 chevrolet impala. consumer writes in regards to vehicle fire and engine oil may deposit on the exhaust manifold recall notice. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle caught of fire. *jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevy malibu. the contact was driving 90 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. the contact pulled over and called a tow truck. the vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed for the failure. the contact called the manufacturer and was advised that they were unable to assist. the failure mileage was 200,010. the vin was unavailable.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. while the contact was driving approximately 60 mph, the engine warning light intermittently illuminated. the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic for diagnosis. the technician stated there was a leakage within the intake manifold gasket which could result to the engine overheating and potentially causing a fire. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 63,000. updated 02/23/11*lj updated 02/28/11

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly shuts off. the vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. the current and failure mileages were 135,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. while driving 40 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. the contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the intake manifold gasket caused the failure. the mechanic also stated that this was a common issue for this year, make, and model vehicle. the contact feels that this is a major defect and chevrolet should be responsible for the repairs. the current and failure mileages were 144,000.

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. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. the air bag light has been illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. the coolant is also leaking from the vehicle. he was advised that the thermostat was not working properly. the dealer refused to repair the vehicle. the failure mileage was 93,600.

Noticed coolant leaking for the 2nd time in 2 years. this is now the 2nd time to replace intake manifold gasket. the 1st replacement was done 2006 for ~$750. now the estimate to replace gasket and flush cooling system is ~ $800. new radiator may be required if the service shop can not flush oil out of the radiator. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle began to overheat. the vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and they stated that the intake manifold failed and needed to be replaced. the mechanic stated that the engine failure was common for this year, make, and model vehicle. the vehicle is currently being repaired. the failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 63,000.

I was driving to texas from missouri, doing the speed limit which is 70 and on a busy interstate and on a bridge with know shoulder,and my 2000 chevy malibu just shuts off ,no warning and was nearly hit by a semi 18 wheeler on the bridge, i finally got off the bridge ,and 15 minutes it starts back up again and i go another 20-30- miles again same problem,so a chevy dealer in ark by the name of petus .works on my car ,put a map sensor on car and charges me $158.00 and tells me it is fixed. and told me the problem was fixed,well 100 miles down the roads it happen again,well to make a long story short, and the last 60 miles i had to have car towed at $4.00 a mile . i read that there was a recall on my car. i need answer, i want to be able to go back to my home in missouri, if need to my mother is sick and i am stuck and afraid to travel for fear of breaking down. i think it is a wide spread problem with chevy with the malibu. ...

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. *tr

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. *tr

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 ...

Tl*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.

Intake manifold gasket replaced three times under and outside of warranty. hazard switch malfunctioning - almost caused accident turning signal/wiper washer switch malfunctioning premature brake wear until calipers replaced check engine light various emissions and fuel vapor leaks. *jb