2004 Malibu engine temperature

I have a 2004 Malibu (purchased new in Nov 04). When idling, with the A/C off, the engine temperature gauge climbs to over the 1/2 mark -- almost to the red mark. Is this normal? The dealership tells me it is normal and that all Malibus idle at the temperature.

My '04 Maxx LS with the 3500 always reads exactly at the mid-point of the guage when it reaches operating temp. A member in another forum, who bought his Maxx the same week I bought mine, complained that his guage reads about 2/3 of the way up when it reaches operating temp. My Maxx was built in late April '04; his in early May '04. We have totally different problems. Just goes to prove that the day of the week does matter. Mine's a Tuesday, his a Monday. His troubles have been worse.

I'm assuming you have the V-6 and not the 4. If so, you have a problem and I'd question that dealer's service dept's honesty, TBH.

Although a bit unrelated (though not totally since the engines share a common lineage), the temp guage in my former '98 Malibu LS (V-6) also always sat exactly at the mid-point when warm.

My Malibu LS 2004 at idle is always steady at mid-point.