engine problem
8.9
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$969.00
Average Mileage:
87,597 miles
Number of complaints:
45 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace with new intake manifold gaskets made this year (23 reports)
- not sure (14 reports)
- GM needs to recall (3 reports)
- GM mechanic suggested trading car in for a new one (1 reports)
- new engine (1 reports)
- replace intake gasket (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2000 Chevrolet Malibu leaking coolant, defective intake manifold gasket
2008Mar 07
Malibu LS 3.1L
- Automatic transmission
- 155,000 miles
Bought this car in 2003 with 36,000 miles on it. From the get go, had to top off coolant about every month but never could find a leak. Replaced hoses and radiator cap in 2005...still losing coolant. Finally in late 2007 I have to add coolant twice a week and now see a puddle on top of the engine. Will fix myself when spring is here. THIS IS TOTAL BS!!! If any GM reps read this site, I hope you sleep well at night knowing you stuck it deep in the buyers A**. If you can't own up to your mistake... at least provide a jar of Vasoline with each car purchase so the buyer can be prepared for the f*****g they are about to receive. I guarantee my next new car/truck will be sporting the Toyota symbol!
2008Feb 13
Malibu 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 126,455 miles
I had the intake manifold gaskets replaced. They were leaking both internally and externally - oil mixed with coolant, coolant in the oil. The check engine light was on when I picked it up. It went off but came back on again and then I found a puddle of gasoline under the passenger side of the car, just behind the front wheel. Now they are replacing the fuel pump. Is one related to the other. Is it possible they screwed up when they replaced the manifold gaskets?
2007Feb 01
Malibu LS 3.1L
- Automatic transmission
- 109,000 miles
In 2007 I replaced the intake manifold on my 2000 Chevy Malibu. Well, it's 2008 and ready to be replaced. There are no warranties to fall back on. All this comes out of my pocket. What can we do to get the recall in motion and get this defect fixed once and for all?
2008Jan 20
Malibu V6
- Automatic transmission
- 95,777 miles
This was a really big pain in the ??? I had my car in for service spent 1200.00 dollars doing the oil change, flush rad and transmission put new tires on and all that, then got the car back and my husband notice some anti freeze missing enough that he had to a liter a week. So got it checked found out it was the intake gasket leaking and had to fix it to the tune of 500.00. When we first bought this car gm recalled it because the motor was faulty and the replaced it to my car only has 95,777 km on it. I must say I will NEVER EVER BUY A GM AGAIN they could at least take some responsibility for the poor craftsmanship of the car. ALL OUR FRIEND THAT ARE BUYING CARS INCLUDING US WILL NOT BUY GM BECAUSE OF THIS.
VERY ANNOYED WITH GM
2007May 09
(reported on)Malibu LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
The intake manifold gasket should not routinely go bad in so many cars. Chevrolet has demonstrated their lack of commitment to their customers and their vehicles by not recalling/replacing damage to this obviously defective part. I will not buy a chevy again.
2007May 28
(reported on)Malibu 3.1
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
My 2000 Malibu now has to have the intake gasket replaced. I have had to replace the hazard warning light. The front brake rotors. The fuel pump this week at $800. The serpentine belt. Also the starter/solenoid. The area around the gas tank fill has rusted badly. And there is a squeak from the back of the car when you apply the brakes, the mechanics can find nothing wrong with this area. At what point do you stop fixing this car. Chevrolet needs to recall these cars.
2007Nov 28
Malibu 3.1L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 122,000 miles
i just replaced my transmission and my mechanic found a leak in my intake. I have to replace the intake gasket as well. Average cost was $400-$500. I have this problem because of improper maintenance. Letting the coolant go below level effects this. It is very important to keep up the maintenance on cars and make sure that its not taken care of too late. one problem can lead to more.
i learned Transmission flushes are just as important as oil changes. I love my car and making sure its running the best as possible is important to me. So there is no price thats too high to fix the problem.
2007Oct 22
Malibu
- Automatic transmission
- 79,000 miles
This car has needed a new intake manifold, had two o2 sensors replaced, new overflow tank, new water pump and a new head gasket.
2007Oct 01
Malibu
- Automatic transmission
- 115,562 miles
I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP
2007Mar 27
(reported on)Malibu SE 3.1
- Automatic transmission
- 145,000 miles
I OWN A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU THAT I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED EXACTLY ONE MONTH AGO AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON, TX. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR A GOOD TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO IT SUDDENLY STOPPING WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOWED IT IN AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET THAT WOULD COST $500.00. I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP AFTER IT HAD BEEN SERVICED FOR OVER A WEEK AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR FIVE DAYS BEFORE IT STOPPED AGAIN. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED CHEVY DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A COUPLE OF MAJOR PROBLEMS. I NEED TO HAVE A NEW HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKETS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE, OIL WAS IN COOLANT/COOLANT IN OIL AND EXHAUST GAS WAS COMING OUT OF COOLING SYSTEM. THE TOTAL COST OF THIS JOB WILL BE 1995.00 WHAT SUCKS IS THAT I JUST PAID $3000.00 FOR THE CAR (INCLUDING TT+L)AND THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THIS VEHICLE IS 2700.00. I HAVE SHELLED OUT OVER $3,200.00 (ON A WORK CAR)JUST ON REPAIRS AND BASED ON THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE READ IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS ISSUE WILL IMPROVE. GM DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY REFERRALS BY ME; THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULDN'T WISH ON AN ENEMY.
2007Apr 09
(reported on)Malibu LS 3.2 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
I hate the fact that a GM representative from a auto department, told me that the gasket issues are common, and nothing has been done to prevent the issue other then coating the gasket with extra plastic to prevent the coolant leaking for a bit longer. They told me that they would not reimburse my cost, they had me on the phone for over 1.3 hours, they had me on hold for a total of .35 hours ( 35 mins.) they suck. The rep told me that it was a common problem, and all the newer models of CHEVY currently use the same exact Gasket and Coolant. GM knows this is a common problem, but hey IF IT IS CHEAPER TO IGNORE CUSTOMER, THEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEN WHAT THE HELL. I will never purchase a GM car again, my faith has fallen. The only GM I will be in is if they have a GM Hearse. Bettie if you are reading this, you are a liar. ( Gm Rep )
2006Jul 15
(reported on)Malibu LS
- 95,000 miles
I'm not sure about the details of this problem, but there was leakage of antifreeze that was somehow tied into the oil pan and also related to the intake manifold gaskets. The problem went on for a while and did not prohibit me from driving the car, but the antifreeze kept leaking, pooling in the engine and somehow mixing with the oil. The result was I had to get a new intake gasket and replace the o-ring, which required the engine be taken apart. A couple of days after having it repaired, I threw a cylinder head. Not sure if it was related to the problem, a new problem or my mechanic didn't get the engine put back together right. The bad news is I'm losing antifreeze again at 125,000 miles.
2006Jul 18
(reported on)Malibu
- 93,000 miles
I really think GM should be shut down because they can't make a decent car. They should have a recall on all their poorly made products. I've heard that GM has had this problem for quite some time but I had already bought this sorry American made product. That's exactly why Honda and Toyota is kicking GM's behind because they make better cars all around.
2007Mar 10
(reported on)Malibu Classic 3.1 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 48,940 miles
I went in to get my tires balanced and found out from Midas that my intake gasket was leaking coolant which took my $80 to a repair of $1300. What a hassle. And from what I know this is not an isolated incident, this is the leading common problem. GM is making me upset. They really need to recall this.
2006Aug 07
(reported on)Malibu
- 50,000 miles
This is ridiculous! In Janurary my car was overheating and leaking coolant. I took it to a mechanic and they said it was the intake manifold and it would cost $800! Being a broke college student I was lucky that the mechanic let me pay them monthly instead of all at once. Now, the same problem is happening again and I bet I'll need another intake manifold. Stupid Chevy needs to make better cars and stand behind their product!
2006Oct 13
(reported on)Malibu
- 46,325 miles
had it fixed by mechanic who owns his own shop and also teaches at local college. he said gm used a plastic sealer ring instead of asbestos and they just melt over time causing intake manifold to leak at 46,000 miles this shouldn't happen.
2006Apr 30
(reported on)Malibu
- 55,000 miles
Bought this car with in late 2005 used with only 34000. Ran Perfect but had slight hesitation at 2500 rpm but cleared right up after. I figured it needed fuel system cleaned. Boy was I wrong. 20,000 miles later and couple gallons of disappearing antifreeze finally figured out the culprit. It turns out the coolant leak which I paid a mechanic to check was internal and not external as I imagined it would be. They speculated it needed coolant flush and it was probably boiling it out. Got screwed on that one too. Finally after closer evaluation I noticed oil leaking from gaskets. Well with any good oil leak you need to keep an eye on the oil. Well the oil level increased instead of decreasing. The darn car was drinking anti-freeze barely faster that it was leaking oil. Therefore I never noticed until it escalated to beyond my control. Personally I think the car Runs great but what dang good is a running car if its going to eat your budget every year with bs repairs that the manufacturer should fix! Now I'm out 65 radiator flush.45 dollar synthetic oil change, and 100 in gaskets(needed valve cvr gaskets also), more Synthetic oil, more coolant. twelve pack of icehouse for my mechanic friend to help me tear it down and time without a car. We are suppose to do it today if weather permits but think I'm gonna review Engine Ice commonly used in motorcycle as a coolant substitute (they have aluminum heads also) to the gasket eating dex-cool or maybe even honda aluminum head coolant.
2007Feb 15
(reported on)Malibu LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 129,000 miles
About one week before I took my 2000 Malibu to get serviced, I noticed that my car was leaking anti-freeze so bad you can smell it burning when the car was running. I was putting anti-freeze in it about three times a week. The car temperature got up to 220 degrees at one point. I also noticed that the car made a loud rattling sound when I was first starting it up. I took it to a small repair shop that mostly specialized in oil changes, simple radiator repairs, tune-ups, and state inspections. For $127.55, they only managed to put Rislome in the engine, change the oil, flush and refill the anti-freeze. When I was driving the car home from the repair shop, my car would not accelerate over 35mph, the RPMs were over the number 5 on the gauge, and the check engine light came on. I again smelled the anti-freeze on the hot engine through the air vents, and my car temperature was up to 220 degrees again in less than five minutes. The car was also rattling again when I started it up. I took it back to the repair shop where the mechanic told me to take the car to a GM mechanic, at the dealership, IMMEDIATELY because there was nothing else he could do to fix the problems. The car needed to be hooked up to a computer to determine the cause of the check engine light going on (that alone costs about $100.00). After hooking the car to the computer, the service manager told me there were THREE FAILURES that caused the check engine light to come on: (1) Intake Manifold Gasket Leaking-causing the car to overheat and the anti-freeze to get into the oil and the transmission (2) Torque Converter Clutch Failure-caused by the engine frequently overheating and the anti-freeze leaking on the engine (3) Solenoid Contact Relay Failure Shift 1-2, Shift 2-3 – Also caused by the anti-freeze leaking and the engine overheating. Failures (2) and (3) also caused my car not to be able to accelerate over 35mph. The loud rattling sound was caused the Hydraulic Lifters getting stuck and trying to move in the engine that was gunked up with water and anti-freeze contaminated oil. I dropped my car off at the GM dealership on February 8, 2007 and picked it up one week later on February 15, 2007. The total costs of the repairs were $1500.00 for two repair shops. This ordeal has cost me money, time, and almost my job. I had to inconvenience many people due to not having a car for one week. 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!!! I WILL NEVER AGAIN PURCHASE A GM VEHICLE!!!!
2007Jan 23
(reported on)Malibu LX 3.4 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
Since I bought this piece of crap back in 2000 I have been having several problems with this Chevy Malibu, problems with the piston, tires, the intake gasket and much more is a long list. If general motors knows about this big defect by design how come they cannot be a little honest to those hardworking people like me and recall this major factory defect!!. I do not know what was I thinking about when I bought this chevy piece of crap..!! The failure with the intake gasket is going to cost me more than 1K dollars not only that, but probably it will brake again!. Is like we have no choice, the funny part is that the part cost nothing but the labor is overcharge by many mechanics and that is why is so expensive to do this job!. If we do not fix it, then we have no car because the motor will brake too and that is the end of our investment on a piece of Sh... Definitely I WILL NEVER BUY A AMERICAN CRAP AGAIN, UNITED SLAVES OF AMERICA, we are slaves of our country and the US companies take advantage of their citizens ripping us off with defective vehicles, not fair!!! WHAT CAN WE DO AS CONSUMERS.. HELP? ANYONE...
2007Jan 21
(reported on)Malibu LS 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
this is bull****, among the intake manifolds leaking, i have had fuel pump replaced, the engine knocks, and several other defects, including faulty turn signals (there was a recall on the turn signals)
2006Nov 20
(reported on)Malibu LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
It is what it is... a pain and a big shock to my wallet! Had only driven it for 15 months before it happened. After I replaced the water pump, the mechanic told be to start and save my pennies because the next to go is the intake gasket and sure enough, a year later it happened. Needs to be a definite recall!
2007Jan 06
(reported on)Malibu LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 77,000 miles
This car is a piece of #!*!!!! Bought it brand new in 2000. within a couple of months all 4 valves had to be replaced - essentially a new engine. GM would not take the car back. Had electrical problems - like the car was possessed! the blinkers would go off by themselves, the doors would lock and unlock and the theft system would engage, at anytime, resulting in NOT being allowed to start the car for 15 minutes!! new thermostat last year.... AND NOW... the intake manifold is leaking and so is the water pump. replacement cost??? $1275.00. whoa!!! I have been very good to this car and it has not returned in kind - GM doesnt give a crap about it either!
2006May 03
(reported on)Malibu
- 134,000 miles
No more Chevy's for me. Had the intake manifold gasket changed on my 2000 Malibu at 98000 kms. and now again at 134000 kms. Mechanic said that the 3.1 and 3.4 litre engines are really bad for this problem. I agree. I know of an Impala with a 3.4 litre where coolant leak was apparent with relatively low mileage. No wonder GM is losing business.
2006Apr 21
(reported on)Malibu
- 90,000 miles
I just took the car in to get radiator flushed/ filled and got a call saying it needed new gaskets and would be around $850 to fix. I am not at all happy with this car. I have had almost every problem listed on this site for the car, and almost everything seems like poor quality and defects that Chevy should be taking care of. If they want to sell more cars they should be making better quality cars.
2006Dec 16
(reported on)Malibu LX 3.1 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
Just one of many, many, many !! problems; tried to stay loyal to` Made in America' and look what happens.
2007Jan 03
(reported on)Malibu LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
Took my Malibu in for oil change and inspection, was told I have a leaking manifold. Heard of the problem first when my daughter had to have her Malibu repaired just recently for the same issue... cost her $500. Was rather surprised when I found I had the same problem, then did research online and found multiple sites and many consumers that have been ripped off by GM's incompetence and blatant lies.
2006Nov 13
(reported on)Malibu ES 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
I actually own a 2000 and 2001 Malibu and both of these cars now have leaking intake manifold gaskets... GM produced a defective design and are doing absolutely nothing about it sticking it to the consumer. We have had a long list of electrical, brake, and engine issue's with both the 2000 and 2001 models.
2006Oct 17
(reported on)Malibu LS
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
Intake manifold gaskets needed to be replaced, wouldn't start as a result of leaking coolant on the battery cables which needed to be replaced. Also leaking on transmission solenoids, which seemed to be causing issues with the transmission as well. PIECE OF CRAP! Will never buy a chevy again..... bought a 2005 F-150 and love it. Was originally going to buy a Silverado, but these issues with the Malibu made me switch to Ford.
2006Oct 02
(reported on)Malibu
- 80,000 miles
I took the car in for tune up and radiator flush and found out it was leaking antifreeze and needed new intake manifold gaskets.
2006Aug 21
(reported on)Malibu LS
- 85,000 miles
2000 Chevy Malibu: Intake Manifold Gasket failure. Water Pump Failure. Multiple hose failure. Coolant Tank Cap replacement. Including personal time, labor, parts over $ 1,200.00 cost. Now using regular coolant.
2006Aug 18
(reported on)Malibu
- 48,000 miles
I had no idea this engine had the problems it has until I checked it on google. I guess GM just chooses to close their eyes when you leave the lot with a common defect. Shame on them. No wonder the company continues to drop market share. Thats it for me. Never again will I have a GM.
2006Jul 07
(reported on)Malibu
- 90,000 miles
When you have it replaced clean out the intake manifold, valves and fuel injectors. Not a impossiable to do yourself with patience, research, and about 2 days. USE RED LOCKTITE ON THE HEADER BOLTS
2006Jun 20
(reported on)Malibu
- 92,000 miles
coolant kept leaking and had to be refilled for the past 3 years-finally someone told me it was the intake manifold gasket--they need to learn how to make cars that last
2006Jun 17
(reported on)Malibu
- 87,200 miles
What can I say. It seems like a common $1000 problem that GM is not addressing.
2006Mar 22
(reported on)Malibu LS
- 87,000 miles
MAKES NO D*MN SENSE! I've never heard of this being a problem with soooooo many people! Should it even be a problem alone! All I know is that I was in a parking lot, smelled something, cut my car off, opened hood and notice that coolant was leaking from the engine and into a drain! They told me it was $850 .. I bought the price, thinking I was going to do it myself and it was only $65 so the rest was labor! GM is a pain in the AZZ and I ALREADY started looking into foreign cars!
2006Jan 30
(reported on)Malibu
- 131,000 miles
Just got word to repalce this problem and flush the cooling system will be $950. Apparently it is mostly labor. No wonder GM is going under.
2006Jan 27
(reported on)Malibu Classic
- 96,000 miles
called GM about possible recall. the service rep very nice lady contacted local dealer to set appt. just to make sure problem was intake gasket. then confirm by dealer that was the problem. contacted same service rep. again she said too many miles sorry but they still got $29.50 for telling me something i already know about ! gm is using a bad gasket material !!!!!!!!!!
2005Jul 07
(reported on)Malibu
- 80,000 miles
I hate this car. It has caused me more problems and the bad thing is that I am still paying for it. This car has had to have brakes like 3 times, a new intake manifold gasket, repeated problems with the cooling system, it rides with a rough idle, and to top it all off, my ABS light came on this morning. Chevy needs to own up to this fluke and give us some kind of compensation.
2005Aug 23
(reported on)Malibu
- 90,000 miles
Dealer said common problem. New gaskets are made of a different material that corrects the problem.
My issue, replaced at 17K, again at 80K, again at 83K (defective install) and now 90K. This is "bull shi*" I hate GM. My next car will not have a GM logo
2005Jun 12
(reported on)Malibu
- 48,000 miles
This problem is very bad it can screw up the entire engine the car tends to run hot and you must replace antifreeze daily you cant sit in traffic for long periods of time thats for sure... Im so pissed I will not ever but another chevrolet malibu thats for sure I think chevrolet should recall this problem ..
2005Mar 28
(reported on)Malibu LS
- 55,000 miles
I bought my Malibu in 2000, six months later I had a cracked piston (covered under warranty), a year later bad brakes (not covered by warrantly). Alignment caused me to rotate my tires 4 times (at my cost) and ended up buying 4 new tires. After 3 years the rack-pinion steering had to be replaced (I had to purchase extended warranty to cover this), now the coolant light came on and went away, but the Chevrolet Dealership mechanic says that it is the water pump manifold that is leaking and would cost $1,150 to fix it. He recommended to trade the car in for a new car. Why doesn't GM own up to these issues and recall these cars for bad gaskets and bad brake rotors. A lot more people would be purchasing the GM product if we knew that GM does give a care about the public. After paying $21,700 for this Malibu, I have second thoughts about purchasing a product that is not going to last me not even 5 years.
2005Mar 10
(reported on)Malibu
- 90,000 miles
Happened once already and, I fear, we're approaching number two. Same beginning signs as last time are happening. It really ticks me off and we can't afford to fix it again. What is GM thinking? We should begin a HUGE complaint letter writing campaign and SCREAM at the top of our lungs! Sure won't make this mistake when I buy another car, I'll research til I'm blue in the face...........
2004Apr 24
(reported on)Malibu
- 39,600 miles
I BOUGHT MY FIRST NEW CAR A 2000 MALIBU AND HAD MANY PROBLEMS LIKE THE ROTORS AND BRAKES AND A BURNED WIRE HARNESS AND NOW INTAKE GASKETS AND IT SUCKS THERES NO RECALLS ON THIS MATTERS WHAT CAN WE DO ANYONE PLEASE SEND HELP TO THIS PROBLEMS
2004Apr 21
(reported on)Malibu
- 50,000 miles
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 mecahnic 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 payed 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. the day i bought my car i stopped at a chevy dealership just to look and planned on buying a honda instead, but was brainwashed by bill heard chevrolet in sugarland texas. never buy a car there by the way. i guareentee you will get ripped off on the cost interest rate or trade in value. they told me buy american and the malibu was comparable to the honda accord. not even close.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Apr 26
(reported on)Malibu LS 3.1L
The intake manifold went; within 2 weeks (and unknown # gal of antifreeze) the head gasket went as did the engine.... sigh... should be a re-call.
Gretchen M.
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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