Winter Damage Repair: Chevrolet Malibu Edition

What road treatment and potholes do to suspension and body parts. Applied to a 2016-2023 Malibu, here is what that looks like.

Heating and Air Conditioning

Watch for a clicking or ticking behind the dash when you change temperature. Cabin air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or annually. In North Texas with construction dust and cedar season, annually is the honest number.

Body and Exterior

Watch for a mirror that shakes at highway speed after a folding motor fails. Not a scheduled item. These are damage and failure replacements.

Ignition and Engine Management

Watch for fuel economy that drifts down a mile or two per gallon over a few months. Iridium plugs on most modern GM engines are a 90,000 to 100,000 mile item. Coils are replaced on failure, not on a schedule.

Cooling System

Watch for having to top off the surge tank more than once a year. GM’s long-life coolant is generally rated for 5 years or 150,000 miles on the first fill and 5 years or 100,000 miles after that. Hoses and the surge tank should be inspected annually once past 80,000 miles.

The Short Version

Cabin air filters: Rear climate content, heated and cooled seats, and tri-zone systems all change the parts list.
Mirrors: Trim level changes almost every exterior part. Take a photo of the connector on the part you are replacing before you order.
Spark plugs: The same nameplate can have three different engines in one model year. VIN is the only reliable way to get the right plug.
Radiators: Engine, tow package and rear-A/C content all change the radiator and hose part numbers. Have the VIN ready.

We have been selling GM parts online since 2009 and out of the Dallas store since 1956. Start with our Chevrolet OEM parts catalog, or search for Malibu parts.