Chevrolet Malibu Maxx Transmission Issues
mullick420
Member Posts: 5
in Chevrolet
I purchased My 2005 malibu maxx ls used in january 2011. It had 124,000 Miles and was in excellent condition. The car was bought from my dealership and had only been serviced at my dealership so it came with a complete mainenance history. I paid 6,000. I briefly looked over the history and the oil was changed about every 4,000 fuel flter was replaced and so on. So all looked good to me. 28 days later i pll up to a red light and stop. I hear what sounds like i ran over a chunk of snow as we have 2+feet of snow on the ground. Light turns grren i accelerate car goes no where. I try everything and t will not shift back int drive. Only neutral and reverse. So i take it into the shop and they say it is shot. I went home and looked at the records and it was the original transmission fluid from gm it had never been replaced. So i guess the moral of the story is transmission flush every 50,000
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Comments
No serviceable fuel filter, unless you pull the fuel tank and replace the self cleaning sock.
With the new oil Dexron VI, 50 K seems reasonable. I would never go 100 K, just too long.
I am going to do my 09 at 30 K, like to see what is going on with a pan drop, what's in the bottom of the pan tells a lot.
$20 for filter and $28 for oil is cheap insurance.
I am doing my 99 Sonoma right now, 60 K, second pan drop and filter change.
Never had a transmission failure on any vehicle I ever owned, 9 doing a rough count.
My Sonoma is $20 filter and $ 15 for the Dexron III, staying with a the old oil, all it's ever had.
IMPORTANT... On the 4T45E in the Malibu and Maxx the fill cap needs to be off to check fluid level, the cap is not the same as the older 4T45E units.
Fluid check procedure
Start the engine and allow the engine to idle until the transmission fluid temperature has reached the value specified. Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever through the gear ranges, pausing a few seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the PARK range. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. The vehicle must be level, with the engine running and the shift lever in the PARK range. Caution The engine must be running when the transmission fluid fill plug is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Transmission fluid may be hot. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fill plug. Have a container ready to capture any lost fluid. Do not turn the engine off with the fill plug removed, as you can be injured by hot transmission fluid being expelled out of the oil fill opening.
The transmission fluid may darken with normal use and does not always indicate contamination or oxidation.
Transmission fluid (At least 104°F) 5-10 minutes at idle will give correct temp.
Does the fluid have a burnt odor or a dark brown color?Check the fluid level. The fluid level should be even with the bottom of the threaded plug hole.Is the fluid level low?
Add DEXRON® III if your transmission came with DEXRON VI use that, automatic transmission fluid in increments of 0.5L until the fluid drains from the plug hole.
Install plug before stopping engine or fluid will spill out of plug hole.
Pan drop and filter change 7qts
Check plug is just to the right of the passenger side axle housing , 11 mm plug, can't miss it, only one there.
Hoist is optional, just needs to be level and plug accessible.
Sorry to hear about the torque converter concern you’re having with your Malibu. If we can be of any assistance, either by helping you work with a dealership towards resolving this concern or looking into warranty/recall information on your vehicle, please email us with your name and contact information, as well as your VIN.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
The OnStar reports don't list any problems nor do I have any service lights lit.
I love the car and could tolerate this but fixed would be better as it cost me noticable fuel ecomomy.
Any suggestions as to what could be causing this?
I don't feel the vehicle is safe and do not want to own it. Dealer is offering 8700 in trade but they have nothing I want to drive. I like the MAXX hatch and Sonic is too small. This is my 9th and probably last chevy. Any advice on what to ask for. Repair paperwork says 90 day warranty and the drive train warranty ends in six months. The last chevy I had had over 150K and was 15 years old. Thanks
I'm sorry that the Malibu Maxx you've otherwise enjoyed has had these transmission troubles. On your recent transmission, was it completely replaced or repaired? If you have a new transmission in it, there should be a GM Replacement Parts Warranty on it, which I can get you more information on.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
My husband has always dealt with car service issues but told me it would be a learning experience if I handled this saga.
I suppose I should have insisted on a new transmission rather than boxes of parts. If there ends up being a 4th repair I'll ask for one.
I'm told they rebuilt from scratch using replacment GM parts including a new case and everything to do with the final drive.
I'm picking it up today so I'll review the warranty with the service manager.
I will contact GM customer service outside this forum if I have further issues.
regards nh4ever
a 2000 and in 80,000 it needed a new transmission...got another one with 23,000 miles put in and the car has 200,000 miles on it.
I have an 04 and an 05 malibu maxx...04 has 200,000 and the transmission runs perfectly, just bought the 05 in October (found a deal, only had 35,000 miles) Only issue I have is I can't shift into 1st or 2nd gear, only 3rd for the low gears.
Thanks,
Steve
Can anyone else tell me if they have had shifting issues?? PLease!!!