NHTSA Complaint #10079127 — 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU

AFTER STOPPING FOR AN ERRAND AND SEEING A PUDDLE OF COOLANT ON THE GROUND, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE LEAK CHECKED ON. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND A LEAK IN THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET. THE SHOP ADVISED THAT THIS REPAIR WAS COMMON AND POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE TYPE OF COOLANT USED AND POSSIBLY DEFECTS WITH THE GASKETS OR INTAKE MANIFOLD. THEY PROVIDED AND ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS BETWEEN $600.00 AND $800.00 DEPENDING IF ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED (POLAR CHEV IN WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN) WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE REPAIR AND REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THEY DO A LOT OF THESE REPAIRS ON THE MALIBU AND IMPALA BUT THE REPAIR IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CONTACTED ALSO. THEY SAID NO SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OR BULLETINS ISSUED ABOUT COOLANT LEAKS ON THE 200 CHEV MALIBU. FROM RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE IT APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES AND CHEV REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. *JB