Just bought a 2015 chevy Malibu yesterday, 03/31/23. The guy I bought it from said he had running too rich to lean codes, check engine light on. He threw 02 sensors at it, map sensor and some other things, and no fix. This morning I got on KZfaq, and came across your video, I took the cover off along with the intake tube hoping to find 1 or 3 loose bolts and sure enough, ALL 3 intake bolts were backed out! I tightened them up, cleared the code and it seems to be working just fine. Engine light has not came back! Thank you guys very much for making this video. God bless you guys 👍🏽

YO MAN stop calling yourself an idiot I appreciate you taking the time to shoot a video like this or praises

My buddys daughters 2015 impala was having the same problems and they were told by a GM dealership it needed a bunch of stuff and it would cost about $1500. She took it somewhere else and that dude replaced parts costing about $500 and it didnt change anything except her bank account had $500 less in it! I spent HOURS on the internet and then came across your video when I was researching something for one of my cars and I checked her intake bolts on her 2015 impala eco tech 4 banger and the bolts were loose AF! I tightened them and the check engine light went off and the car ran great! Thank you, this is the AWESOMENESS of people on YT helping other people!

Thank you for the video. My wife has a 2013 Malibu, same 2.5 engine with 71,000 miles. Engine Power Reduced, Stabilitrac Failure etc. Codes from my scan tool started out with the VVT intake solenoid, changed it and ran fine for about 2 blocks. Ran codes again, this time VVT exhaust solenoid, same result, changed and same 2 blocks Engine Power Reduced all lights back on. Ran codes again, this time fuel pressure codes came up, saying either main fuel pump in tank, high pressure pump on engine or fuel pressure regulator. I started with what I thought would be the easiest and ordered the high pressure pump that mounts just beside the throttle body. Man was I wrong lol, that little mother was a pain to change, but got it changed. Cleared the codes with my scan tool, drove it, this time it went almost 3 miles running absolutely perfect. Then boom, Engine Power Reduced, Stabiltrac Failure, all the same issues. Scan tool hooked up again, and it started all over again with VVT intake solenoid, cleared the codes, just started the car and let it run about 2 minutes, all the lights again, cleared the codes again, and fuel codes came up again. S o searched KZfaq and found your video, reached straight into the intake and wiggled it, not a ton of movement so didn't think that was the issue, so grabbed a 10mm socket and ratchet, all the intake bolts were tight, top and bottom, except the top center bolt, it was barely finger tight, but with the 2 outside bolts being tight it didn't allow the intake to move like yours in the video does. Called a fellow mechanic who has an AllData account, he looked up the torque specs for me, wish I could remember them now for everyone, but retorqued them all, not a single one was close. Reset the codes, and low and behold, it has ran better than it ever has, even from the day it was bought new. Thank you so much for the video, I've been an ASE certified mechanic over 20 years, and with my tools and Snapon scan tool, can usually fix anything I start on, except this monster lol. Computers and scan tools can't read a loose bolt, and your video I'm sure will help many people, because since fixing the wifes car, I've done 2 more, and my shop buddies have came across at least a half dozen more. Thanks again my friend!!!

I found your video while searching around for the codes I received for my 2015 Malibu. Today 1/7/23 I tighten those REALLY LOOSE bolts and problems solved. Thank you very much for this video. It is still helping individuals out like myself & saving lots of time and money. God Bless !

3 year update since I watched and followed this advice and my car has never did this again after I followed the advice in this video. This is definitely the solution.

My car started doing this yesterday. My husband is ase certified and refused to believe that this was the issue. I pulled it apart and tightened all 5 bolts and runs perfect

All that for an intake leak... good find man. That's better than half the techs working at the dealer, and the majority of techs at the random shops !

Well, I resisted that your findings were gonna be my problem. My 2015 Malibu was showing all the same signs and throwing same array of codes, including for MAP sensor, MAF sensor, Throttle body positioning sensor. After buying MAF and MAP sensors, and beginning the install job in the driveway, I thought, what the hell....look at the intake manifold mating surface to see if there's any moving when I push on it; and to my amazement, I saw the thing move. Great job guys, and thanks so much for sharing with community owners. Your efforts save me time, frustration and money.

Thanks for the Post that's exactly what happened to my 2014 Chevy Malibu when I unplug the mass air flow sensor my car quit stalling out so I assumed it was the mass air flow when I got a new mass air flow same problem with the car would warm up so I looked at the bolts to the intake and yes they were loose. Usually I don't post comments but your video save me a lot of trouble shooting and headaches thank you for the Post

I saw this video when I first got P0171 & P0297 codes but thought surely it couldn’t be that. Today I got a P0089 code and a sudden reduction of engine power and Stabilitrak warnings along with a complete stall out in traffic. Limped home ripped it apart to check the throttle body, and sure enough, I went to check the manifold and it was hanging on by the last threads. Tightened them and no codes so far. Thanks

Hey man, appreciate this video a bunch. 2014 Malibu has been causing me a whole lot of trouble for the past 2 months, just trying to figure out what was wrong with it. I was in shock to see that one of the bolts on my intake was loose. You’re a life saver! Thank you man!

I have a 2014 Chevy Malibu. Had a lot of the same problems. Car throwing all kinds of codes P0068, P0171 and more I cant remember. The car would bog out at around 30 or 40 mph and stalling a few times. I Replaced sensors and plugs. Still no fix. I checked what you have showed in this video and well the exhaust manifold was loose. Not just loose but very loose. It actually has 7 bolts. 5 at the top and 2 at the bottom. 5 at the top are easy to get to. 1 of the bottoms is easy to. The other one is kind of hard. I had to unplug a sensor and remove the starter to get to it. All back together the car is running fine! Thank you so much from Philly!!

2015 Chevrolet Impala LS 2.5, 75,000 + miles. I want to thank you very much guys for this video. After my diagnostic, I was about to change upstream O2 sensor because of P0171 and P0131 codes. The symptoms were that the car felt sluggish, hesitated and bogged around 40 - 45 mph, and it had erratic fuel trim readings. Cleaned MAF sensor and air filter, but the problem remained. Before going to a GM dealer to buy O2 sensor, I found out about the TSB # PIP5529: Intake manifold bolts loose. But after watching your video, I was more convinced that the problem was gonna be the intake bolts, and that was it, bolts were loose to the point that the intake moved back and forth. The problem was resolved, car runs like new again. Thank you, thank you, thank you. God bless you guys.

Hello, you are a life saver, I have had this issue for 6 months we have taken the car to a mechanic then the dealership. I am going to try and return a few parts but really at this point I just don't care that we spent many $$$ and it has been a long journey. I am no mechanic but I was able to fix this myself with your help what a relief! The car was so dangerous to drive my wife would make me drive that haunted Malibu! so happy thank you so much!!

You my friend are a Godsend. I've been chasing these sames codes on my Aunt's 109000 mile "15" malibu off and on for a week now. 1st an aftermarket MAP sensor, replaced that with an OEM, still running rough, stalling at stops and reoccurring codes. I just happened to be replacing the front struts for the annual State Inspection and came across you video. Sure enough the intake was extremely loose against the head. All of the intake bolts were loose and 1 had actually fallen out. Car runs properly now and I'm sure this was the issue. I cleared the codes and I'll recheck next weekend. KZfaq is an amazing channel at times

This video just saved my job.. i was completely lost and couldn't afford to throw parts at it..thank you so very much..back to work now..

Wow, did I get lucky…… Just came across your video and I found that my intake was loose….. holy moly…. I was hearing a exhaust leak. So thank you a whole bunch.

I’ve been working on our 2014 Malibu for a week and changed oil control valve, map sensor, spark plugs, 2 02 sensors, Throttle Body, Intake VVT Solenoid and this was our problem! I couldn’t thank you enough!

Very good video! My wife's car was running like crap and all the dealership said was mass air flow sensor. Replaced that with no results. Watched this video and had her fixed in less than a half hour. Much appreciated!

This is the type of information that will save the next guy/gal a lot of time and money. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you!! The dealer only wanted to focus on the parts that threw their own codes. We only found 3 out of the 5 bolts, but they were super loose and I think tightening them solved the problem!!!

The map sensor is right behind the throttle body on the intake. This video helped a lot. You guys are awesome.

You guys are awesome,dealer couldn’t figure it out at all,I fixed my sons intake after watching your video and now his Malibu runs new.Big thank you so much

Spent ~$1000 with three mechanics chasing this problem. Watched your video and tightened three bolts in less than 15 minutes for $0. Test drive showed 4/4 successful resumes from auto stop and driving performance returned to normal behavior (watched intake manifold pressure). Thanks very much!

Sr. Thank you very much!!!!!!! for sharing the solution to your problem!!!!! It was exactly what my 2014 chevy malibu needed "to tighten the intake just like you did in the video" you have solved my problem so again Thank you! and your wife for taking the time to make the video and share it!!!! I'm super happy that my problems with my chevy are finally over.

This video is 4 yrs old so in 2019 and that is a 2015 with over a 111 thousand miles? WOW! I wanna say you guys bought it used and it was a rental car before? My cousin has one too and it has some issues but, other than that thank you for the post it came it clutch!

Wow 👏😮 You guys definitely broke everything down to ebonics for me This video absolutely helps me in I currently operate at 2013 Chevy Malibu with a 162,000 miles I just received that code. Thankx for quarterbacking such Awesome 📹video for outstanding mechanic work😲😎👀😀!!!..

Dude you are the man I spent hundreds of dollars on this car and fixed it in 30 mins free cause of your video. Thank you so much for the video 💯🙏

WOW! My gf has been having an issue with her Malibu, especially while idling when the car switches to ECO mode. This morning she called and told me she was getting the Stabilitrak light... I'm going to check this today. Thanks

Thanks so much I already spend so much money and time changing solenoids and sensors and now here's the solution

You all saved me around 300 bucks thank you so much,, I had a engine power reduced message on my 2017 Malibu LT and the codes were showing throttle body along with saying my gas pedal assembly was bad as well so literally 15 minutes before placing my order on Amazon for the parts I checked the intake for poop and giggles and was like WTF?!!.. ya got a sub from me and my word of mouth for both of your help.. thanks again

Thank you VERY much for taking the time to post video. My wife has the same year and model was getting P0068, P0171, P2097, P0131. I replaced the MAF sensor, battery, upper and lower O2 sensors and spark plugs. I was ready to get rid of the car but then I started getting the stabilitrak message on the dash and car started powering down. Google led me to this video. I was skeptical that this was my issue but after reading all the comments I was hopeful. Sure enough, same issue. Getting to the screw for the lower clamp was a you know what but after tightening the bolts, the check engine light went off and car runs smooth. I have liked and subscribe as a small token of my appreciation for you posting this video.

Just fixed this exact same issue on a 2015 Malibu with 69,000 miles on it. Your video was very helpful but I did want to make note there is actually 5 bolts holding that intake manifold on, you missed one on each end. I only knew this from looking at images of intakes on ebay to see before I put it all back together. Again Thanks for making this extremely helpful how to video.

You have no idea how much you just helped me with this video. I went straight to the intake manifold first and sure enough it was loose. Thanks again for your video!!!

Thank u. This was exactly the problem with mine. I had tried everything. GM needs to recall and fix it right

I watched this by accident my Malibu was doing same thing sure nuff my bolts where loose also thank you vary much!!!!

My friend had the same thing happening I saw your video and got all 5 bolts out and put blue lock tight on them.You guys saved her a lot of money.

I have the same white Malibu and same year. Mine was doing the exact same thing and I replaced the MAF and it fixed it. I will check my intake bolts when I change the cam cover gasket. Mine just hit 202k. Thanks for the video, so hard to find info on those cars. Now they have the gm service manual on eBay for $7.

Really you help mi . No one cloud fix mine car formi after 2 months I found your video and you help mi

Sorry about the language everyone.. We made this video after me finding the real problem and I was extremely frustrated with GM and discovering that it wasn’t a Mechanical Failure but a Manufacturing Failure Also GM has yet to make this right with their customers!

Thank you guys so much for this video! I never would've found this if it wasn't for you guys!

Hey guys I just wanna thank you so much, because i was having the same problem with my wife's Malibu as well. I changed the maf and the throttle body with no result. As soon as i re torqued the intake bolts it started running like it should. I would've never found out the problem myself without this video. You guys are awesome. A big thank you from Fort Worth, TX

This sounds like a production issue that they should’ve done a recall on. Awesome video btw!

Super helpful... I would advise changing the tensioner in... A bad tensioner in a bad belt withdrawal kind

You’re a life saving , my wife’s car has the same issues , I’ve replaced the o2 sensor bank 1 and maf sensor and I bought the Map sensor but I seen your video before I installed 4:45

This video saved my sanity ! Thank you thank you thank you !

I have a 2014 impala with the 2.5L motor which had the same exact symptoms. After watching this video I found the same problem with the intake being loose. Thanks for the video, my car is now idling at the right rpms with no problems yet. Test drive update: I watched this video about 3 hours ago and took about 40 minutes to tighten the intake and get everything back together. After a 15 mile test drive I didn't have any issues out of the car which before couldn't go to a country stop sign without having an issue. Thanks again for the video I hope it helps more people.

Guys thank you ...just yesterday my wife 2014 chevy malibu lost complete power it gave me all kind of codes ..thanks to you guys I have a better idea where to look...thank you and God Bless both of you..

WOW found this while looking for something else. Thank very much. I have been doing the same with throwing parts at it. I even took it to a dealer and they could not fix it. Thank you Thank you for the video it fixed my stumbling and power loss weird transmission shifting. I tighten 5 bolts total. three on top and two on each side under each end. all i can say is thank you. I have a 2014 Impala if that helps anyone else..........wow

Thank u guys, my 2015 malibu “Chevy App is telling me is the Exhaust Emission system is failing, I’m sure them three bolts are loose on the intake causing all that extra air to be sucked up into the engine, great find guys, Appreciate it

This worked, cannot believe they were loose. Great job!!

Thank you for sharing… mine was doing the same thing and checked it. It was so loose, tightened up and seems to be driving great now.

Thank you very much for your video. My 2014 malibu bolts were loose as well. Just tightened them. Now I'll hope for the best results

El mismo problema con mi malibu 2015 LT. Problema resuelto ayer 2024/May/07, cuatro tornillos flojos. Gracias a este video, yo solamente perdí $103 USD al comprar el MAF sensor innecesariamente. Thanks for posting this video, I can see that this is a very common problem. I only wish many other people could watch it before spending a lot of money and time on sensors and other stuffs and not getting solved the problem.

Awesome thank you guys for making this video. I own a chevvy malibu and I'm trying to learn to fix its issues myself to save money. This was a huge help!!!

Thank you so much for this video. My girlfriend's 2015 Malibu was having issues with auto-stop not working and eventually couldn't drive over 30mph. 115k miles on the odometer. P2097 was a confirmed code that popped up, P0106, P0171, and P0324 were pending codes. All three(didn't check the other 2 on the bottom yet) of those bolts on the intake manifold were ridiculously loose and barely held the manifold on. Tightened all the bolts back on (wish I knew what the torque spec was...) and the car has zero issues now. Wondering now if I should put some Loctite Blue on the bolts to prevent them from loosening up again. Also didn't notice that there are 2 extra bolts on the bottom. Looks like I'm gonna have to hit those ASAP. Can't believe GM can get away with selling cars with such stupid issues. Thanks again!

👍👍👍👍 Thanks a million I had that problem and I did what you did with the loosed bolts and no more engine speed reduced it runs perfect thank you guy's.

That really help me understand where the throttle body is and how to get to it ... thanks for the video

Thank you for saving me money because I have the same dam problem what blows my mind 😢

This is the only video in uTube that’s gives any good information in this issue and thank you so much crossing my fingers I hope this is the answer!

You guys are life savers. Why GM hasn’t done anything about this is beyond me. I love my 2014 impala and the 2.5 four cylinder. Very peppy and great on gas. Could do without the GD though.

Nice!!! You work in DUET , many thanks , you Found the prime trouble of her car and you share this with us , I am sure that a lot of peoples Will check that on their Malibu and they will save a lot of Times and money . Again many thanks.

There are actually 5 bolts to tighten. Both ends have a bolt too. Other than that, great video. I’d have never thought to check the air intake for tightness without this video.

Great job and I guarantee that if it isn't the one problem it's definitely one of the problems. I am on a similar path. Actually had to go much deeper but I'm also getting many codes randomly that gm mechanics can't figure out and want to throw parts at it.

Thank you so much. Looks like this is whats wrong with mine. Going to be in the 70's this weekend. Will be doing it. Thanks again!

My 2014 Impala has been throwing all kinds of sensor codes and replacing them had not helped. I bet this is my problem. Thank you!

Damn chevy, I almost cut off my kidney because I thought its the problem. Thanks for this video 😊

Cheers, this is a godsend.

Never delete this video

Great video. My wife has a 2015. And now I know what to look for just in case. 👍👍

Thanks Guys for the great video. I had the same problem and you video helped me fix my car. Thanks Again!

Thank you so much! I thought I'd never be able to fix my car! Thank you!!!

Same problem here. Never would have figured this out!!! Thanks a ton!!

Great help video. My exact issue 2014 malibu 2.5 l 111,000 miles. Thank you so much.

You guys are life saver, got 2 sensors replaced and same problem, watched this video called the shop they said the bolts were extremely loose they tighten the bolts and it ran like a champ, thanks for the video

Same thing happened to mine. Thank you for posting this

Wow I cant beileve this worked your a real life saver man! I have 2014 chevy malibu and it was same thing

2015 malibu 2.5 110565 miles exact problem thanks eternally.😊

You guys are amazing! Great find, helped me out!

Thanks so much for the information please keep posting videos like this very helpful

I have a 2013 Chevy Malibu LTZ and that code came up when taking kids to school. Thanks for video... I'ma check that out first lol.

Fucking guy wanted to charge me $800 for a new intake manifold, after I paid $205 for him to install the MAP sensor (that I didn't even need). Watched this and numerous other videos to find out three Fucking bolts are loose.🤦‍♂️ Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! You made me look like a hero in my wife's eye.

Wow good video!! I would have never found that issue!!

Wow thanks man this video saved me a lot of money my intake was the same as yours..

Its crazy that we know more than the dealers. They should be privy to uncommon fixes to their vehicles.

Appreciate the info.. This was more than helpful

Thanks for the video ,mine were loose. Saved me hundreds.

I’m praying this this the only problem with my car!! I was about to get rid of it

I was getting ready to take the throttle body off and change it, thinking the tps had a bad spot on it. Going to put it on the lift tomorrow and tighten her up! Thanks a million for putting this video up. I too don't appreciate the GD, but if anyone has dealt with a nagging issue for a month on their loved ones vehicle that carries their babies around I can most certainly understand the frustration. Thanks again!

After having just tightened my own bolts - wanted to say you can easily tighten all 5 bolts from the top on engine. When they tighten the "3 top bolts" you're actually tightening 2 top and one bottom bolt. The other two bottom bolts are on the ends even with the center bolt. Find one on eBay with good pics and you'll see what I am saying. The ones pictured will be upside down in pics of how they go on car. I don't see how it would even be possible to tighten the two end bolts from under vehicle. Those can be done without removing anything at all. If you've tightened 2 bolts under car those aren't the 2 of the 5 for the intake manifold, not sure what 2 bolts can only be reached from under car, but they are not the ones you want if trying to make vacuum leak go away. You also do not have to undo the clamp to throttle body. Undo the 10mm bolt, unclip the center vacuum hose, and you can then just push that whole plastic thing to side easily far enough to tighten bolts. A 30 minute job if you go very slow and take a couple breaks along the way. I caught mine with only P0171 code and now it's 100% all good, STFT / LTFT % all great numbers now. :)

Thank you!!! This was our issue!!!!!

Very helpful. My 2014 Chevy Malibu Lt eco model is doing the same thing as many others in the comments. My car stopped on me yesterday trying to make a left turn in middle of intersection. Car did start back up shortly after. Hopefully my mechanic can fix the issue. I will definitely share this video. Again so very helpful!! I am team chevy but after going through this.... I'm not sure anymore. 😅

I just bought my 2015 Chevy Malibu LT EcoBoost. I'm having the same exact problem. I'm going to try this I really hope it works I've read the comments and this seems to be the exact problem on this exact car.

After struggling with a 2014 Malibu 2LT with 2.5L Ecotec and 150,000 miles on it....with the good old P0171 for over 3 weeks....I replaced sensor after sensor after sensor, cleaned sensors, replaced valves and tubes, dropped fuel system cleaner in the tank, ran premium gas for a tank.......nothing corrected the issue. Clear the code and a day or so later...it's back. I searched the web for days, even called in sick to work to figure this out. I took apart the top of the engine, ready to shoot some carb cleaner in while running to hunt for the elusive vacuum leak. Found this video and procedded to check the intake manifold. Are you kidding me? All 5 bolts loose as if they were just hand tightened by a 6 year old. My top driver side one was just sitting in there. So, I thought, blue threadlocker, except the bolts don't come out. Dang. Well tightened them down as good as I could without going to far. All are tight. Today is the first day of the car being back into full service and halfway through the day, it's still running great. No CEL yet. Hopefully this was the fix. Bookmarked this video for future use. Kudos to you two for this. This needs to be top in the search engine results. I was almost ready to blow the car up....lol, not really, other than this issue it's been really great. Only other issue I have now is the AC that wants to randomly blow warm air for a few seconds.

I'm having the same issue I've tooken it to the mechanic twice and since there are no codes they cant diagnose the problem I will be trying this on my 2014 impala thanks I could probably be saving my self hundreds of dollars will update

Thanks for pointing out the potential problem with my 2014 Impala 2.5. I bought it new and it has less than 52,000 miles on it. But I got the P0171 code two days ago. Car seemed to run normal. I found a loose plastic clamp on a hose to the front of the air cleaner box and was able to push it in and lock it. Cleared the code with a scanner and drove the car and all seemed good. Until the P0171 showed up again tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be checking those manifold bolts. This should be a recall item but I guess it won’t be until someone gets killed in an accident because the car stalled. I’ll let you know what I find out tomorrow. Thanks again.

I think u should post more videos like this for the Malibu 💪🏾

There honestly should of been a recall on these. And some locktight put on them bolts to fix that problem. There ain't no telling how many billion dollars they have made of parts from people running around fixing things that wasn't broke. All for something that was a 20 minute fix. And unless you look close and pull some parts off you can't see that problem. Thanks a bunch man. I can stop spending money now. And worrying about if something major is wrong. I've had this problem for awhile now. I went and bought a 20,000 mile spare engine. Thinking I may eventually have to replace it. If I can't figure out what the deal was. I had a master mechanic tell me the symptoms was a timing chain going out. But atleast that ordeal is over. And if I ever come across that problem again I'll know what it is. But they are good and tight now. 😁

Best video ever