31st Mar 2007, 13:08

I bought a 2000 Malibu with 21000 on it. This car has been nightmare and has left me stranded on the road 3 times. I now have 92000 miles on it and since I have replaced …

Water pump twice

Intake manifold gasket

Brakes three times

A/C resistor settings 1 and 2 did not work.

Fuel pump twice.

I have experienced…

The key ignition gets stuck and you have to wiggle it in order to turn the key. There was a leak n my taillights where water came in and corroded my light bulb housings. Engine slap and engine coolant would start to disappear. The numbers on the radio have faded due to the heat that the radio lights generate. The cheap plastic moldings and armrest are obvious by looking at them and have proven their worth by cracking. I have the car in the shop now, hence this post. I now see the large extent of the problems with the Malibu and this experience has clearly sawed my decision not to trust GM or Chevy EVER… NEVER… AGAIN.

I just bought a Toyota!!!

3rd Apr 2007, 23:29

2001 Chevy Malibu LS V6, bought in 2003 from used-car salesman.

I'm reading all of these reviews and it pains me to hear that the Malibu has let down so many owners. My car has worked relatively well (incredibly when compared to the ones reviewed here) and it now has 59k miles on it.

The only major problem with it was a head gasket leak a few months ago. I ignored the problem for a couple months which probably made it entirely worse. I kept noticing "disappearing coolant" and kept refilling with antifreeze and water, but the car kept "overheating" (It would get hot and the secondary fan would turn on... very loud fan, yet the engine never failed). I finally took it into my local mechanic and he repaired the gaskets all for about 800 bucks. Everything has been working perfectly ever since then.

A note about the brakes: Maybe it's the driving conditions or maybe it's something else, but I've had to replace my brake pads two times since I've had the car (about every 1 year 3 months). I did both replacements myself and the first time I also replaced the rotors with after market parts (Just because, the original rotors were still fine). Considering that I drive my car pretty hard, I would say a year is a nice expectancy for the pads. The rotors still look like new.

I drive my car pretty hard and it is performing surprisingly well for having 60k miles on it (especially the way I torture it.)

One other issue is, a week ago, my cigarette lighters stopped working. I can't find any blown fuses, so if anyone has any information on how I can get it working again, please let me know. You can e-mail me: iamdjtacobell@hotmail.com. Thanks in advanced.

20th Jun 2007, 12:56

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...

21st Jun 2007, 09:28

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.

5th Jul 2007, 16:28

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.

13th Jul 2007, 08:04

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.

18th Jul 2007, 21:07

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.

30th Jul 2007, 13:09

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...