2000 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 944 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 47 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 37 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Campaign 14V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, other, storage, tank assembly, pressure relief devicesMar 12, 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Campaign 07E021000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, hazard flashing warning lights, switchAug 28, 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.
WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Campaign 03V327000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and capOct 29, 1999
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL FILL FITTING IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED TO THE FUEL TANK. IN THAT CONDITION, FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD EXCEED THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT IN AN FMVSS TEST. FUEL LEAKS MAY OCCUR, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFUELING OR WHEN THE TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
Campaign 99V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
174 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, May 1, 2007
MY ENGINE STALLS AT LEAST 2 TO 3 TIMES A MONTH, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BECAUSE IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM... AND IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 15, 2007
2000 CHEVY MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE, 800.00 TO FIX. REPLACED GASKET AT DEALER, TOLD CAR WAS A FIXED AND THEN THE HEAD GASKET FAILS, WITHIN HOURS OF LEAVING REPAIR SHOP. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2006
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ALONG THE FREEWAY AND WITHOUT ANY NOTICE THE CAR WENT FROM HAVING A NORMAL TEMP TO RED LINING ON THE TEMPERATURE. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND TURNED ON THE HEAT. AT THIS POINT NO HEAT CAME OUT AND SOON AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND DIED. I CRUISED IT OFF THE FREEWAY AND ONTO A SIDE ROAD. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND A PASSERBY WAS NICE ENOUGH TO STOP. I ENDED UP REFILLING THE COOLANT AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WHERE I NEED TO GO AND RETURN HOME. I HAD REFILL THE FLUID LEVEL MULTIPLE TIMES. I TOOK IT TO A RADIATOR SHOP THAT STATED THAT THE SEALS ON MY ENGINE WERE LEAKING EXHAUST INTO THE FLUIDS WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THEY STATED THAT CHEVY WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DEXACOOL COOLANT IN THE VEHICLES AND THAT IT WAS EATING AWAY THE SEAL IN THE ENGINE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Dec 12, 2006
2000 MALIBU ENGINE GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE AIR CONDITION CONTROL HEAD WAS REPLACED. *JB
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 25, 2006
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK; BALL JOINT & FUEL PUMP; BRAKE PADS REPLACED 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 3 YRS. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A LEAK WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2006
COOLENT LEAKS AND OVERHEATING,WHAT THE HELL GM WAITING FOR,WE NEED TO GET THIS INFORMATION OUT TO THE BUYING PUBLIC TO STOP BUYING GM PRODUCT THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND-BY. FIX YOUR PROBLEM. YOUR COOLANT CALLS FOR REPLACING 100,000 TO 150,000 MILES, NOT EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. THE JAPANESE AUTO MAKERS WOULD HAVE SOLVED THIS PROBLEM A LONG TIME AGO AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS IN ORDER.STOP-F----- YOUR MALIBU OWNER
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 7, 2006
WE LOST ALL OF OUR ANTI-FREEZE THINKING WE LOST A HOSE. UPON TAKING IT IN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC HE HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKETS FOR THE 2ND TIME. UPON SHOWING THE MANIFOLD TO A MECHANIC FOR GM HE FOUND A BUBBLE IN THE MANIFOLD WHEN IT WAS MOLDED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2006
I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM BELOW MY CAR. IT HAS 76,000 MILES. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY, MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. THIS IS A $1000 PROBLEM THAT I FEEL CHEVY HAS REFUSED TO RECALL BECAUSE AT $1000 A POP, WHO WOULD? *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 27, 2006
FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON 2/01/06 - COST OF REPAIR $800. WHEN SERVICE WAS COMPLETED, GM MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING AND CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS AN ADDITIONAL $1,000! WE HAVE NOT YET HAD THE PART REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST AND THE CAR HAS HAD LIMITED USE SINCE. GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ALREADY AND STOP HAVING THE CONSUMERS PAY FOR THEIR LACK OF USE OF RELIABLE PARTS!! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR PROBLEM GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 13, 2006
MY CAR WAS RUNNING HOT AND IT SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING UNDER THE HOOD, SO I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP TO HAVE FIX AND THE WORKER TOLD ME IT WAS A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. IT WOULD COST ME CLOSE TO $850 TO FIX. THE PART ITSELF ONLY COST $89, BUT THE LABOR IS WHAT I WAS PAYING FOR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS CAR ON A COLLEGE STUDENT BUDGET. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS I CHECK TO SEE IF IT IS A RECALL PROBLEM, BUT IT IS NOT. THIS IS NOT FAIR THAT THE COMPANY KNOW THEY SOLD DEFECTIVE CARS AND NOT PLAN ON DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 24, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OFF THE ROAD EACH TIME AND IT RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED NO PROBLEM. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR AND A FUEL RELAY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. UPDATED 05/10/06
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE HEAT INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT, COOLANT AND WATER WAS ADDED TO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, UPON INSPECTION THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD BEEN LEAKING. THE GASKET ALLOWED THE COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVER HEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 3, 2006
I WENT IN TO FIND OUT WHY I HAVE NO HEAT AND THE REPAIR GUY SAID THERE WAS ANTI FREEZE LEAKING ON TO ENGINE BLOCK. HE SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKETS AND THE INTAKE GASKET NEEDED REPLACING AND IT WOULD COST $1500. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 22, 2006
WHEN I WENT TO THE STORE I NOTICED A SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM MY CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD TO COOL DOWN THE ENGINE SINCE I ASSUMED IT MIGHT HAVE OVERHEATED OR SOMETHING OF THE SORT AND IT WAS ONLY THE RUN OFF. I ADDED MORE FLUID (EVERYTHING WAS FINE) AND NOTICED THE NEXT MORNING IT LEAKED AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC (TO GET MY HAZARDS MODULE REPLACED SINCE THEY BEGAN TO START A FRITZ) AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET AND WOULD BE $850, NOT TO MENTION HE REFUSED TO OFFER THE RECALL CLAIM BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PAPERS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 13, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN ODOR WAS DETECTED AND THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING ON THE GROUND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BY RAISING THE HOOD, THERE WAS FLUID ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 31, 2006
1. LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING COOLANT. 2. HORN IS INOPERATIVE (2ND TIME). 3.HVAC KICKS OFF AND RECIRC. WILL NOT HOLD ITS SETTING. (ON-GOING FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS). *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 17, 2006
THE INCIDENT IS THE FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP, A SLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AT ONE POINT THE LEAKAGE OF COOLANT, AND ALSO THE OXYGEN SENSOR. ALL OF WHICH WERE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED BY THEIR MECHANIC EXCEPT THE OXYGEN SENSOR. HOWEVER, THE CAR STILL HAD A PROBLEM WITH IDLING AS THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE MECHANIC. MY HUSBAND HAD TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES, ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND THE CAR WAS STOPPED BY A POLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST TIME THAT IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE PROBLEM WERE JUST MASKED ONLY FOR US TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO THEM FOR THEM TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF US. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2005
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK..LOSS OF COOLANT..OVERHEATING ENGINE..HEATER MALFUNCTION SPORADICALLY. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES BUT ABATED SOMEWHAT AFTER SERVICE AT A RADIATOR REPAIR FACILITY RODDED THE RADIATOR TWICE ,FLUSHED AND REFILLED THE SYSTEM WITH NEW COOLANT AND INSTALLED NEW THERMOSTAT. MILEAGE WAS 39,500. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 15, 2005
THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CAR HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING AFTER THE CAR WAS WARM. WOULD USUALLY HAVE TO GIVE THE CAR GAS TO GET THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT WAS THE LEAST OF MY PROBLEMS SINCE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE OIL. THE COST OF REPAIRS FOR THE LEAKING GASKET WAS OVER $650 AND TOLD WAS QUITE COMMON IN 2000 MALIBUS AND IF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE OR DESTROY THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE WIRES, PLUGS, IGNITION COIL AND FUEL FILTER WHICH WAS AN ADDITIONAL $475. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE WIRES, PLUGS, COIL AND FUEL FILTER AS USUAL MAINTENANCE COSTS, HOWEVER, THE LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WHICH IS QUITE COMMON FROM BOTH YOUR WEBSITE AND CHEVY WEBSITE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED A POTENTIAL RECALL. OR INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME FUNDING BY CHEVY TO OFFSET THE HIGH REPAIR COSTS TO MANY OWNERS OF THE MALIBU WHO HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPAIRED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 20, 2005
I PURCHASED A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU LS IN DECEMBER OF 2002. AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE SOMEONE WORKING IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A GM DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD MADE A BIG MISTAKE. HE SAID THE ENGINE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL. THE ONLY WAY OF FIXING THE PROBLEM ALSO INVOLVES REMOVING THE ENTIRE ENGINE FROM THE CAR. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005 MY CAR HAS DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED A MECHANIC TO FIND HOW COMMON A PROBLEM THIS IS FOR THE ENGINE. HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION IT HAPPENED TO ALL GM V6 ENGINES. THIS FAILURE IS A MAJOR MECHANICAL EXPENSE WHICH I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDING TO FIX. WITH LESS THAN 65,000 MILES I DO NOT FEEL A CAR SHOULD DEVELOP MAJOR MECHANICAL DEFECTS. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 13, 2005
DEX-COOL COOLANT LEAKED INTO ENGINE OF MY 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR MANY GM OWNERS, AND IT IS WELL KNOWN BY EVERYONE EXPECT GM. BOTH THE DEALER AND CHEVROLET SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, THAT I MUST PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED, ABOUT $1500.00. CHEVY MUST ADDRESS AND FIX THIS PROBLEM .*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2005
2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE FIRST BRAKE SERVICE THEY WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER THAT THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR. THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 23, 2005
INTAKE GASKET COOLANT LEAKING PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTS TO OVERHEATING AND ENGINE FAILURES.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 4, 2005
CAR HAS HAD A LEAK FOR A MONTH AND WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT TO A CAR MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD AN INTAKE GASKET LEAK AND THAT IT WAS VERY COMMON AMONG CHEVROLETS. THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD WAS THAT THE MANUFACTURE HAD DESIGNED A POOR GASKET AND THAT ONCE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED THAT THEY CAME OUT WITH A MORE DURABLE GASKET. THIS REPAIR WAS QUOTED AT $700. WHY IS IT THAT IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE MAKERS RECOGNIZE THIS WAS A PROBLEM WHY IT IS THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX A FAULTY OR DEFECTED ITEM? *NM