NHTSA Complaint #10181987 — 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU

I HAVE PURCHASED TWO (2001) CHEVROLET MALIBU'S THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSES ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK. I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WITH MY FIRST MALIBU BACK IN 2005. BASED ON DOCUMENTATION OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS THAT I SUBMITTED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE REPAIR WAS COVERED OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY AND I ONLY PAID THE WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE. MY SECOND MALIBU WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A NON-GM DEALERSHIP IN THE FALL OF 2005. I PURCHASED THE SECOND CAR DUE TO THE FIRST ONE BEING A TOTAL LOSS IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME LEAKING GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE SECOND CAR. I CONTACTED GM DIRECTLY TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE CAR FIXED. THE CAR HAS 103,341 MILES ON IT. REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE, THE MECHANICS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAY THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT BECAUSE THE GASKET(S) ARE CHEAP PLASTIC. AS OF DATE, GM IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR WHICH COSTS $700+. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I USE TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE WILL ONLY OFFER A DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND LABOR. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT AT FAULT. IT IS GM'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 61 PAGES OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REFERRING TO THE SAME LEAKING GASKET PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU. *NM