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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 944

Of the 2000 reports, 47 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 37 people were injured and 3 people died.

Primary concernService brakes252 reports · 27% of complaints
Owner complaints944Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Service brakes252
  2. Exterior lighting241
  3. Hydraulic230
  4. Electrical system207
  5. Engine and engine cooling174
  6. Fuel system67
  7. Gasoline56
  8. Steering44

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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: service brakes

252 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 6, 2002

    FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED AT 24,500 MILES. OUTSIDE PADS NOT TOUCHED, INSIDE PADS COMPLETELY GONE. NO WARRANTY ON THIS. SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

  2. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 1, 2002

    WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT WHEELS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

  3. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2002

    EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND FRONT ROTORS. PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACE ON TWO OCCASIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

  4. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 14, 2002

    FRONT BRAKE ROTORS GET WARPED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4000 MILES, CONSUMER HAS HAD THEM REPLACED ONCE AND FIXED TWICE, THE CALIPERS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. *SLC

  5. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 13, 2002

    I HAVE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVROLET ON 8/14/01 FILE NUMBER C05305523. THEY SAID THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THE FRONT BRAKES WEARING OUT EVER 6 - 10 THOUSAND MILES A PROBLEM. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO CONSIDER A RECALL. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO THEY NEED. I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE OWNED A CAR IN WHICH THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED EVER 6 - 10 THOUSAND MILES. THIS IS CONSIDERED STANDARD MAINTENANCE BY THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER MY WARRENTY. THEREFORE, I WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT WAS CHEEPER THEN THE DEALER TO REPLACE MY BRAKES 3 TIMES. 4TH TIME COMMING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. I WISH SOMONE WOULD MAKE CHEVROLET RECALL THE CAR AND FIX THE FRONT BRAKE PROBLEM. I DON'T MIND STANDARD MATIENCE AT A REASONABLE / COMPARABLE MILEAGE RATE.*AK

  6. Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 8, 2002

    FRONT END IS MAKING A LOUD TICKING NOISE. WHEN VEHICLE MAKES A RIGHT TURN ONLY THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED. ALL TOGETHER VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 4 TIMES, ONCE FOR WHEEL BEARINGS, AND THREE TIMES FOR ROTORS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION. *AK

  7. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 8, 2002

    WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTY, AND TSTOPPING DISTANCES INCREASES. PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

  8. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 7, 2002

    CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON VEHICLE FOR ABS BRAKE FAILURE. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE ROTORS FOR SECOND TIME, BUT DEALER COULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL DUE TO THIS VEHICLE NOT BEING INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. ALSO, WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

  9. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 5, 2002

    BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR

  10. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 5, 2002

    BRAKES WILL PULSATE WHEN APPLYING THEM. DEALER SAYS THAT ROTORS ARE WARPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE.*AK

  11. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 1, 2002

    THE ROTORS ON THIS CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ARE READY TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN 4K MILES THIS TIME. THE DEALER HAS ADMITTED TO ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS FOR THE MALIBUS' BUT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THEM. I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL WEB SITES THAT DETAIL COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALIBU ROTORS AND EVERYONE IS REPORTING ROTOR FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT BEFORE THEY REACH 15000 MILES. THIS IS THE SECOND MALIBU I HAVE OWNED THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, THE TIME, MONEY AND HASSLE THAT GM IS CAUSING OVER THIS IS RUINING AN OTHERWISE NICE CAR.*AK

  12. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 28, 2002

    I PURCHASED MY MALIBU NEW IN MARCH 2000, BY JULY 14 WITH 7078 THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED, ON 10/18/00 WITH 12,339 MILES THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. ON 3/23/01 THE SAME WERE REPLACED WITH 20,311 MILES AND AGAIN ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED ON 2/8/02 WITH 36,639 MILES. THE DEALER ADVISED SERVICE BULLETINS WERE ISSUED ON 10/18/00 AND 3/23/01 FOR ROTORS AND PADS. I CONTACTED CHEVY IN DETROIT O 2/8/02 AND SPOKE TO ALICIA . I ADVISED FOR HER TO DO RESEARCH BECAUSE SOMETHING IS WRONG.*AK

  13. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 27, 2002

    BRAKE FAILURE EVERY 10-15 THOUSAND MILES. HAS TO REPLACE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. MECHANIC STATES THAT PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *AK

  14. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 22, 2002

    NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

  15. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 28, 2002

    CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND FELT PULSATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKE.S. DEALER DETERMINED FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

  16. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2002, crash

    BRAKES FAILED FOR THE 2ND TIME ACCIDENT OCCURRED HAVE NOT HAD CAR FOR 3 WEEKS, HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR GM TO SEND INSPECTOR. CAR IS OUT OF SERVICE FOR MORE THAN 15 DAYS AND GM HAS EXHAUSTED THE TIME LIMIT FOR ACTION. I DO NOT WANT THIS "DEATH TRAP" (CAR) BACK. I ALSO WANT TO BE CREDITED FOR LEASE PAYMENTS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. *AK

  17. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 18, 2002

    BARKES WORKED ON DUE TO VIBRATION, PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED. SECOND TIME FAILED TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS AGAIN. THIRD TIME CAR STARTED VIBRATING IN THE FRONT END, REPLACED PAD AND ROTORS AGAIN.

  18. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 14, 2002

    FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED , DO NOT STOP CAR WITHOUT A PULSATING OR SURGING EFFECT. IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT 11000 MILES .CHEVY REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY . I BROUGHT IT BACK AT 29000 MILES AND I WAS TOLD IT WA A WEAR PROBLEM NOT CHEVY'S. ROTORS ARE WARPED AND PADS ARE WORN TWO NEW BRAKE JOBS AT 29000 MILES .CAR STILL PULSATES WHEN STOPPING AND SLIDES THRU STOPS. I CALLED GM WAS FINALLY TOLD THEY HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, THEY REPLACED BRAKES AT 11000 MILES AS ACOURTESY BUT WILL NOT DO SO AT 29000 MILES. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINTS LISTED AT NHTSA EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, WHY NOT A SAFETY RELATED RECALL? MUST WE WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE WE ACT? LET 'S HAVE SAFETY RECALL NOW BEFORE WE HAVE ANOTHER EXPLORER/ FIRESTONE ISSUE AND RESULTANT DEATHS. *AK

  19. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 11, 2002

    ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED AT 7832 MILES. ROTORS RESURFACED AND PADS REPLACED AT 22000 MILES. ROTORS AND PADS AGAIN REPLACED AT 29134 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH DEALERSHIPS THAT I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN TO THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO JUST KEEP REPLACING THEM UNTIL THEY HAVE THE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE KNOWING THERE IS A DEFECT IN MY BRAKES THAT IS NOT REPAIRABLE. AFTER READING ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, IT APPEARS THIS DEFECT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN IN 2000 MALIBUS. I AM GOING TO PURSUE GM TAKING MY CAR BACK.*AK

  20. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 7, 2002

    THE BRAKES ARE BEING REPLACED ALL THE TIME. CHEVY CONTINUES TO SAY ITS JUST NEEDS BRAKE PADS EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE FRONT BRAKES SOUND LIKE THE CAR IN FALLING APART. THERE HAS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK

  21. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 4, 2002, crash

    NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

  22. Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Dec 20, 2001

    VEHICLE WOULD JUMP WHEN TRYING TO STOP. ROTORS WERE WARPED. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT ON 5 SETS OF ROTORS SINCE JAN 2001. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WANTED CONSUMER TO EXTEND WARRANTY.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED CAUSING BRAKE PULSATION. THE A/C DOES NOT FLOW OUT OF THE CORRECT VENTS DUE TO A/C CONTROL FAILURE, THE A/C CONTROL HEAD ALSO SHORTED OUT. THE DOOR WAS HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE DUE TO THE LOCK BEING MISALIGNED. ENGINE MAKES A CLUNK NOISE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SURGES. LEFT REAR SPEAKER SHORTED OUT. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEN TURNING, CONSUMER LATER STATED THAT THERE WAS A CHIRPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. *YH

  23. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 19, 2001

    ROTORS GLAZING TWICE WITHIN 21,000 MILES. WAS TOLD THE ROTORS COULD BE REPLACED,BUT EXPECTED IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS.

  24. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 7, 2001

    ALTHOUGH THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE BRAKES ARE DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A SLIGHT CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE PADS BEGIN TO WEAR, NO SUCH NOISE WAS HEARD. WITH ONLY 23,450 MILES ON CAR, THE PADS ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROTOR WORE DOWN CUTTING GROOVES INTO THAT SIDE OF THE ROTOR WHILE PADS ON OTHER SIDE OF SAME ROTOR HAD A WAY TO GO BEFORE BEING WORN DOWN. I UNDERSTAND THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE CHEVROLET S10 AND FOR WHICH THE S10 WAS RECALLED. DEALER SAID IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR ROTORS TO GO BAD SOON AS PADS WEAR OUT ON THE MALIBU. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ROTORS EACH TIME THE PADS GO BAD, ESPECIALLY AT ONLY 23,000 MILES.*AK

  25. Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Visibility, Structure, Oct 28, 2001

    BOUGHT MY CAR NEW OFF SHOW ROOM FLOOR AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE HAD IT IN FOR STARTING PROBLEMS BATTERY PROBLEMS FUEL PROBLEMS WINDOW PROBLEMS DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS ENGINE NOISE ENGINE OIL LEAKS VIBRATION PROBLEMS BRAKE PROBLEMS DYING PROBLEMS POPPING NOISES IN FRONT END STRUTS BOTTOMING OUT ROUGH RIDE AND STEERING PROBLEMS AND SO ON TOO MANY TO LIST ALL HAVE HAD FRONT END REALIGNED STUTS CHECKED AND REPALCED BRAKES CHECKED AND REPLACED WHEEL STUDS REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FLOAT REPLACED PISTONS REPLACED BATTERY REPLACED REMOTE START SYSTEM REPLACED ALARM SYSTEM REPLACED WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED FRONT CRANK SEAL REPLACED ALT CHECKED AND TESTED STARTED CHECKED STILL HAVING FUEL PROBLEMS BRAKE PROBLEMS VIBRATION ECT HAD IN THIS LAST WEEK FO 6 DAYS AND WHEN RETURNED STILL HAVING ENGINE NOISE STEERING PROBLEMS RADIO PROBLEMS FUEL PROBLEMS AND FOUND IMPACT MARK ON L/FRONT OF BUMPER ONE OF DEALERS TECH'S HIT SOMETHING AND NOW WANDERS TO LEFT LEFT HEAD LIGHT OUT OF LINE AND PUSHED BACK UNDER FENDER HOOD OUT OF LINE FENDERS BUMPERS DRIVING LIGHTS AND NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS AND DAMAGE POSSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DETECT AT THIS TIME HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY AND COMPLAINED HAVE TALKED WITH DEALER AND STILL NO RESPONSIBILITY TAKEN AND STATEMENTS OF WE MIGHT HAVE BRUISED IT IT HAS BEEN WRECKED NOW I AMD PAYING GOOD MONEY FOR JUNK AND WANT REFUND OF ALL COSTS TO ME AND THE CAR TAKEN BACK ENGINES SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE OVERHAULED AT 14000 MILES THE CAR IS 2 YAERS OLD AND ACTS LIKE ITS 20 NEED RESPONESE AND INFO TO HELP RESOLVE PROBLEMS TRYING TO HAVE RETURNED UNDER LEMON LAW UNIFORM CONFORMITY ACT AND MAGNUSON-MOSS ACT CAR HAS BECOME INSTRUMENT THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED AND WHOSE OPPERATION IS FROUGHT WITH APPREHENSION SINCERLY UNHAPPY AND HURT CONSUMER IS THE HIGHWAY SAFTY DEVISION INTERESTED AND GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ALL OF US WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEMS OR ARE WE OUT OF LUCK ????????? RESPONSE REQUESTED