CHEVROLET Malibu
Sixth Generation / Sixth generation (2000-2003) / 6th generation / 8th generation / 2002-2022 / Sedan / Mid-size Sedan
Year and trim selector
Choose the exact year and trim to see engine, oil and service details.
2002 CHEVROLET Malibu LK9/LA1 (GMXJ)
GMXJ / LK9, LA1, LD9 / The 2002 Chevy Malibu featured a range of V6 engines: the 3.1L V6 (LA1), the 3.4L V6 (LK9), and the updated 3.5L V6 (LD9). These engines varied by trim and market, with the LK9 mainly for higher trims and LD9 introduced as a replacement mid-cycle.
2003 CHEVROLET Malibu LK9/LD9 (GMX110)
GMX110 / LK9, LD9, L61 / The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu featured several V6 engines with variations depending on the market: the LK9 was a 3.1L V6, LD9 a 3.1L V6 with sequential fuel injection, and L61 a 3.5L V6 introduced in later 2003 models.
2004 CHEVROLET Malibu LD9/L61 (MG2)
MG2 / LD9, L61 / The 2004 Malibu was offered mainly with two V6 engines: the 3.5L V6 (LD9) producing around 200 hp and the 3.1L V6 (L61) producing around 180 hp. Both engines are 60° V6 OHV configurations with multi-point fuel injection.
2006 CHEVROLET Malibu LX9/LZ4 (GMX132)
GMX132 / LX9, LZ4, LZ2 / The 2006 Chevrolet Malibu was offered with multiple inline-4 and V6 engines depending on market. The 2.2L Ecotec inline-4 (LZ4) was common in many markets, producing around 149 hp. A 3.5L V6 (LX9) with approximately 200 hp was available primarily in North America, and a near 3.6L V6 (LZ2) was also used in some versions.
2007 CHEVROLET Malibu LNF/LLT (GMX380)
GMX380 / LNF, LLT, LY7 / Available engines include a 2.4L Ecotec I4 (LAF), VVT-equipped 3.5L V6 (LY7), and a 3.6L V6 variant (LLT) in select trims and markets. Variations exist depending on market; the 3.6L V6 (LLT) was mostly for performance trims and select export regions.
2009 CHEVROLET Malibu LNF/LY7 (GMX280)
GMX280 / LNF, LY7, LZE / Multiple engines offered including 2.4L Ecotec I4 (LAF), 3.6L V6 (LY7) and a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec I4 (LNF) mainly for SS trims.
2011 CHEVROLET Malibu LLT/LFW (GMX38)
GMX38 / LLT, LFW, LF1, LWE, LAF / Main engines include a 2.4L Ecotec I4 (LLT/LFW/LF1), a 2.0L turbocharged I4 (LWE) mostly for China market, and a 3.6L V6 (LAF) available in higher trims/blends.
2013 CHEVROLET Malibu LAF/LEA (XFM)
XFM / LAF, LEA, LKW / 3.6L V6 (LAF), 2.5L I4 (LEA), 2.4L I4 (LKW) engines available depending on market
2014 CHEVROLET Malibu LFV (2.5L Ecotec I4)/LWR (2.0L Turbo Ecotec I4, China only) (E2)
E2 / LFV (2.5L Ecotec I4), LWR (2.0L Turbo Ecotec I4, China only) / Global main engine is the naturally aspirated 2.5L Ecotec I4 (LFV) producing around 197 hp, with a turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec I4 (LWR) available exclusively in China.
2015 CHEVROLET Malibu LFX/LFV (YFX)
YFX / LFX, LFV, LWE / The 2015 Malibu was offered primarily with three main engines: the 2.5L I4 LKW used in base trims, the 2.0L turbocharged I4 LFW turbo in mid trims, and a 2.5L I4 designated LWE in certain export markets like China.
2016 CHEVROLET Malibu LFV/LVL (E2)
E2 / LFV, LVL, LTG, LFX, LWE, LF3 / Multiple engines depending on market including 1.5L Turbo I4 (LFV), 2.0L Turbo I4 (LTG), 2.4L naturally aspirated I4 (LWE), and 2.5L naturally aspirated I4 (LF3). North America primarily used LFV and LTG engines, China used LWE and LVL variants.
2017 CHEVROLET Malibu LFW/LTG (E2)
E2 / LFW, LTG / 2017 Chevrolet Malibu offered two main petrol engines globally: a 1.5L Turbo inline-4 (engine code LFW) and a 2.0L Turbo inline-4 (engine code LTG) mainly in the US and select markets.
2018 CHEVROLET Malibu LTG/LFW (B)
B / LTG, LFW / The 2018 Malibu featured primarily two notable engines: a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 (engine code LTG) common in North America and China markets, and a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 (engine code LFW) available in China and some select markets. Both engines use direct injection and a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design.
2019 CHEVROLET Malibu LWC/LTG (E2XX)
E2XX / LWC, LTG, LFV / Available with multiple engines depending on market: 1.5L turbo I4 (LWC), 2.0L turbo I4 (LTG), and 1.6L turbo I4 diesel (LFV, limited markets).
2020 CHEVROLET Malibu LTG/LWC (V300)
V300 / LTG, LWC, LFV / Turbocharged 4-cylinder variants including 1.5L (LWC), 1.3L (LFV, China market), and 2.0L (LTG) direct injection gasoline engines
2021 CHEVROLET Malibu LKN/LTG (VLV)
VLV / LKN, LTG, LE2 (China) / Main powertrains include a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 (LKN) and a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 (LTG) for North America; a 1.3L turbo inline-4 (LE2) used in Chinese market variants.
2022 CHEVROLET Malibu LKW/LTG (E2LD)
E2LD / LKW, LTG / The 2022 Chevrolet Malibu is typically offered with two main 4-cylinder engines: a naturally aspirated 1.5L inline-4 turbocharged engine (engine code LKW) and a more powerful 2.0L inline-4 turbocharged engine (engine code LTG), depending on market and trim level.
Engine codes by year
| Year | Trim | Engine codes | Displacement | Fuel system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | technical-profile | LK9, LA1, LD9 | LA1: 3100 cc; LK9: 3400 cc; LD9: 3500 cc | Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
| 2003 | technical-profile | LK9, LD9, L61 | 3.1 L (LK9, LD9) / 3.5 L (L61) | Multi-port fuel injection / Sequential fuel injection depending on engine |
| 2004 | technical-profile | LD9, L61 | 3.5L (3456 cc) and 3.1L (3098 cc) | Multipoint fuel injection |
| 2006 | technical-profile | LX9, LZ4, LZ2 | 2.2L (Ecotec I4), 3.5L V6, 3.6L V6 | Multi-point fuel injection |
| 2007 | technical-profile | LNF, LLT, LY7 | 2390cc (2.4L), 3498cc (3.5L), 3600cc (3.6L) | Multi-point fuel injection |
| 2009 | technical-profile | LNF, LY7, LZE | 2.4L I4 / 3.6L V6 / 2.0L turbo I4 | Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPFI) for 2.4L and 3.6L; Direct Injection for 2.0L turbo |
| 2011 | technical-profile | LLT, LFW, LF1, LWE, LAF | 2.4L I4 (2384 cc), 2.0L I4 Turbo (1998 cc), 3.6L V6 (3584 cc) | Multi-point fuel injection |
| 2013 | technical-profile | LAF, LEA, LKW | 2495 cc (2.5L I4), 2351 cc (2.4L I4), 3600 cc (3.6L V6) | Multi-point fuel injection |
| 2014 | technical-profile | LFV (2.5L Ecotec I4), LWR (2.0L Turbo Ecotec I4, China only) | 2494 cc (2.5L) or 1998 cc (2.0L Turbo for China) | Multi-port fuel injection |
| 2015 | technical-profile | LFX, LFV, LWE | 2.0L turbo I4 (1998 cc), 2.5L I4 (2495 cc) | Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
| 2016 | technical-profile | LFV, LVL, LTG, LFX, LWE, LF3 | 1.5L to 2.5L | Direct injection or port fuel injection depending on engine |
| 2017 | technical-profile | LFW, LTG | 1.5L (1490 cc) and 2.0L (1998 cc) | Direct fuel injection |
| 2018 | technical-profile | LTG, LFW | 1.5L (1499 cc) and 2.0L (1998 cc) turbocharged inline-4 | Gasoline direct injection with turbocharging |
| 2019 | technical-profile | LWC, LTG, LFV | 1.5 to 2.0 liters (turbocharged), and 1.6 liters diesel | Direct fuel injection |
| 2020 | technical-profile | LTG, LWC, LFV | 1490–1998 cc depending on market and engine variant | Direct injection gasoline |
| 2021 | technical-profile | LKN, LTG, LE2 (China) | 1490 cc (LKN), 1998 cc (LTG), 1324 cc (LE2) | Direct injection with turbocharging (all engines) |
| 2022 | technical-profile | LKW, LTG | 1.5 L and 2.0 L | Direct injection with turbocharging |
Oil capacity by engine
| Year | Engine codes | Oil type | Oil capacity | Fluid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | LK9, LA1, LD9 | SAE 5W-30 engine oil meeting GM specs | Approximately 5.0 quarts (4.7 liters) including filter; capacity varies slightly by engine variant and includes service-fill with filter change | DEXRON VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2003 | LK9, LD9, L61 | 5W-30 engine oil meeting GM specifications | Approximately 4.5 liters (service-fill, includes filter replacement) | DEXRON-III or equivalent automatic transmission fluid |
| 2004 | LD9, L61 | SAE 5W-30, meeting GM 6094M spec | Approx. 5.7 quarts (including filter), service-fill | DEXRON III/Mercon automatic transmission fluid |
| 2006 | LX9, LZ4, LZ2 | SAE 5W-30, meeting GM dexos1 specification | Approximately 4.5 quarts (4.3 liters) including filter, service-fill recommended | GM Dexron-VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2007 | LNF, LLT, LY7 | SAE 5W-30 synthetic or conventional engine oil meeting GM specs | Approx. 4.2L (service fill, includes filter change) | DEXRON-VI automatic transmission fluid or equivalent |
| 2009 | LNF, LY7, LZE | SAE 5W-30, meeting GM dexos1 Gen2 specification | 4.2 US quarts (approximately 4.0 liters) with filter, service-fill | DEXRON VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2011 | LLT, LFW, LF1, LWE, LAF | SAE 5W-30 synthetic recommended | Approx. 4.2 liters including filter; service-fill, includes filter change | Dexron VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2013 | LAF, LEA, LKW | SAE 5W-30, meeting GM dexos1 specification | Approximately 5.7 L (6 US qt) service-fill with filter for 3.6L V6; around 4.2 L (4.4 US qt) service-fill with filter for 2.5L I4; varies by engine | GM DEXRON VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2014 | LFV (2.5L Ecotec I4), LWR (2.0L Turbo Ecotec I4, China only) | SAE 5W-30 synthetic | Approx. 4.2L total service fill including filter change for 2.5L LFV engine | Dexron VI ATF |
| 2015 | LFX, LFV, LWE | SAE 5W-30 synthetic motor oil meeting GM dexos1 Gen 2 standard | Approximately 4.2 liters (4.4 US quarts) including filter - service-fill capacity | Dexron VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2016 | LFV, LVL, LTG, LFX, LWE, LF3 | SAE 5W-30 synthetic recommended for gasoline engines | Approximately 5.3 L (5.6 quarts) with filter change, varies slightly by engine | Dexron VI or equivalent |
| 2017 | LFW, LTG | SAE 5W-30 dexos1 Gen 2 approved synthetic oil | Approximately 4.5 liters (including filter) - service fill | DEXRON-VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2018 | LTG, LFW | SAE 5W-30 synthetic recommended; API SN or higher | Approximately 4.2 liters (includes filter); service fill including oil filter replacement | Dexron-VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2019 | LWC, LTG, LFV | SAE 5W-30 synthetic | Approx. 4.2 liters with filter; service-fill including filter change varies by engine | DEXRON VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2020 | LTG, LWC, LFV | SAE 5W-30 synthetic recommended | Approximately 5.7 liters service-fill including oil filter change (varies slightly by engine code and market) | DEXRON VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2021 | LKN, LTG, LE2 (China) | SAE 5W-30 synthetic recommended; follow GM dexos1 Gen 2 standard | Approx. 4.2 liters (service fill, includes filter change); verify in owner's manual per market | GM Dexron VI automatic transmission fluid |
| 2022 | LKW, LTG | SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil meeting GM dexos1 Gen 2 specification | Approximately 4.0 liters (with filter); engine oil service fill including filter change | GM-approved ATF Dexron-VI |
Technical specifications
- Engines: LK9, LA1, LD9, L61, LX9, LZ4, LZ2, LNF, LLT, LY7, LZE, LFW
- Transmissions: 5-speed manual available on base 3.1L V6, 4-speed automatic 4T65-E electronically controlled, DEXRON VI automatic transmission fluid, 4-speed manual transmission available in base trims, 4-speed automatic transmission (4T65-E electronically controlled), DEXRON-III or equivalent automatic transmission fluid, Not commonly available for V6 in North America; 5-speed manual for 4-cylinder rarely, 4-speed automatic (4T65-E)
- Tire sizes: P195/65R15, P205/60R16, P205/65R15, P215/60R16, P215/55R16, P215/55R17, P225/50R17, P225/55R17, P235/50R18 depending on trim, P225/50R17 (SS)
- Bolt pattern: Verify by exact trim and wheel package
- Wheel torque: Verify by VIN and wheel package
- Battery: Verify by engine, market and equipment package
Fluids and service data
- Engine oil: SAE 5W-30 engine oil meeting GM specs / 5W-30 engine oil meeting GM specifications / SAE 5W-30, meeting GM 6094M spec / SAE 5W-30, meeting GM dexos1 specification
- Transmission fluid: DEXRON VI automatic transmission fluid / DEXRON-III or equivalent automatic transmission fluid / DEXRON III/Mercon automatic transmission fluid / GM Dexron-VI automatic transmission fluid
- Coolant: Approximately 9.0 liters depending on radiator and cooling package / About 7.9 liters / Approx. 9.5 liters / Approximately 7.5 quarts (7.1 liters)
- Brake fluid: DOT 3 or DOT 4 as specified in owner manual / DOT 3 or DOT 4 standard brake fluid / DOT 3 / DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid
Known problems
- Intake manifold gasket leaks on 3.1L engines
- Ignition coil failures causing misfires
- Transmission 4T65-E shift solenoid issues
- Intake manifold gasket leaks
- Transmission shifting issues in higher mileage cars
- Intake manifold gasket leaks on 3.5L LD9
- Transmission fluid leaks in 4T65-E automatic
- Timing chain tensioner wear on some V6 engines
- Water pump leaks
- Oil leaks from valve cover gasket
- Timing chain wear in V6 engines noted in high mileage examples
- Interior electrical issues