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: service brakes
252 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Equipment, Oct 20, 2001
3 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT MALIBU IN JULY, 2000 I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH WHEN MY CARE LOST ALL POWER. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL INDICATOR WIRING AND WAS FALSELY READING THE AMOUNT OF GAS I HAD WHICH RESULTED IN MY RUNNING OUT OF GAS AT 65MPH. PROBLEM HAS NOT REPEATED ITSELF. AT 21,000 MILES MY SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHTS FAILED AND MY HAZARD SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 23,000 MILES MY EVAPORATOR VENT VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACE (ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY). AT 20,000 MILES MY CAR WAS VIBRATING WHENEVER MY BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALOR SAID FRONT BRAKES WORN OUT AND ROTORS OUT OF ROUND AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND REFACED THE ROTORS. AT 33,000 MILES, CARE AGAIN VITRATED WHENVER BRAKES APPLIED AND DEALER TOLD ME AGAIN THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF "HOT SPOTS" AND THAT MY ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CUT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD JUST BEEN FIXED AT 20,000 MILES. WAS NEVER TOLD THAT MANUFACTURER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MALIBU BRAKES AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIAMTELY $700.00 TO FIX ROTORS AND IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. MY SEVICE FOR THE BRAKES WAS DONE AT FUTURE CHEVROLET IN OLD BRIDGE, NJ. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 10, 2001
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES ARE TERRIBLE, THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD DO NO MORE AND THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE MALIBU CARS ARE DEFICIENT, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED AND DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2001
THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS INADEQUATE. MY VEHICLE HAS 31000 MILES ON IT AND DURING BRAKING IT HAS A SHIMMY ON OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE PADS BEING WORN AND THE BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TURNING. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS AND SOME TIRE PROBLEMS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR COMPLAINT FROM OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO'S PROBLEMS HAVE STARTED SOONER THAN MINE IN MOST CASES IN FACT IN SOME CASES WHILE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE 12000 MILE WARRANTY. IT BEING A BRAKE AND TIRE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE PUTTING SOME LIVES AT STAKE. I MYSELF CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SIMPLY STATED I'M SORRY YOUR HAVING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR CAR. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2001
THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS NOISY AND WAS SERVICED SIX DIFFERNT TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. ROTORS AND DRUMS WERE BADLY WARPED CAUSING PULSATION WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 19, 2001
WITHIN THE FIRST 18000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE AMY FRONT ROTORS. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEY SAID NO. I HAD TO PURCHASE NEW ROTORS AND THEN WITHIN 8,000 MILES THEY STARTED GRINDING AGAIN. WHEN THE ROTORS GO BAD, IT MAKES THE CAR SHIMMY WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHEN I STOP. I CURRENTLY HAVE MY CAR IN A SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALERSHIP TO PUT ON THE THIRD SET OF ROTORS AND I ONLY HAVE 32800 MILES ON THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY THEM $35 FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND SEE IF THEY CAN FIND A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ANYWHERE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THEM THAT AMOUNT BECAUSE I AM CONSTANTLY PAYING TO HAVE NEW ROTORS PUT ON. NOT TO MENTION I HAVE TO MISS WORK A LOT FOR VARIOUS TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO FAULTY BLINKERS, KNOCKING NOISES, LIGHTS SURGING, ETC. WHEN PEOPLE DON'T WORK, THEY DON'T GET PAID!*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 12, 2001
HAD ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. HAD THEM REPLACED AGAIN AT 19,000 MILES. FIRST TIME REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE THE SAME AS ON VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER KNEW OF PROBLEM , AND HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON ROTORS.*AK WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEED, THE CONSUMER FELT BRAKE PULSATION. BOTH THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 11, 2001
ROTORS ON BRAKES HAVE WARPED 3 TIMES BEFORE 20000 MILES! *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 10, 2001
BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE 14,000 MILES. THE ROTORS VIBRATE AND SHIMMY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. TRYING TO GET THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM IS A HASSLE. THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE I HAVE MY PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE DONE BY MY OWN PERSONAL *CERTIFIED* MECHANIC AND NOT AT THE DEALER THAT I HAVE VOIDED MY WARRANTY ON THE ROTORS. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $200 + FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED AND ENFORCED FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS EVERY TIME I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION. THANK YOU!
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 7, 2001
WITHIN THREE MONTHS DEALER HAD TO TURN BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, AND GAVE NO REASON WHY THIS PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. *AK *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 26, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS HESITANT AFTER STOPPING, TRANSMISSION WOULD BEGIN TO SHIFT EVERY 4 SECONDS, DEALER STATED THAT A PIECE OF METAL FROM THE FRONT PUMP OF THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME OFF AND SENT PIECES OF METAL CIRCULATING THROUGH THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SEALED THAT IT WAS NOT ANTICIPATED THAT THE METAL PIECES WOULD AFFECT THE OTHER SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, DEALER MADE REPAIRS AND ONE MILE DOWN THE ROAD TRANSMISSION BEGAN ACTING POORLY AGAIN, CONSUMER TOOK BACK TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN SECOND GEAR, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. ROTORS WARPED AND WERE CAUSING VIBRATION, DEALER REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS. BATTERY LEAKED ACID INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COOLANT CAP WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 17, 2001
THE BRAKES ON THE MALIBU ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND GMC DOESNT CARE. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS DONE 5 TIMES SINCE 3000 MILES. MY DEALER HAS HAD MY CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 19 DAYS FOR REPAIRS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR ALSO. IAM TIRED OF BEING TOLD I6TS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, WELL IT IS TO ALL OF WITH CHILDREN AND OTHER LOVED ONES IN THE CAR. LETS STOP THE POLITICS AND PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR THE CONSUMER.*AK (TIRESIZE: 215)
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 16, 2001
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 40 MPH VEHICLE SHAKES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AT 3000 MILES. HOWEVER, PROBLEMS PERSISTED, DEALER DID NOT REPLACE ROTORS AGAIN. LAST VISIT TO DEALER CONSUMER WAS ESCORTED OFF THE LOT. DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THERE IS A FULE SYSTEMS PROBLEM, THE FUEL WILL SPLASH BACK AT CONSUMER WHEN FILLING UP TANK, AND A LOT OF FUEL SPILLS ON THE GROUND, ALSO THE REAR BRAKES IN WET WEATHER, HOWL WHEN ACCELERATING.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 8, 2001
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED BRAKE ROTORS ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP VEHICLE SKIDDED TO A STOP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. MANUFACTURER LINKED THE PROBLEM TO NON-ADJUSTMENTS TO BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 7, 2001
CONSUMER STATES FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED ONE, AND NOT SURE IF PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 23, 2001
THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE CONSUMERS BRAKES ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITH NO SUCCESS, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE LEMON LAW APPLIES TO THIS VEHICLE. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 19, 2001
TICKING SOUND AT STARTUP THAT CHEVROLET WON'T FIX. NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 17, 2001
BRAKES SHIMMIED BADLY. APPARENT BRAKE PROBLEM. DEALER KNEW PROBLEM BEFORE I FINISHED TELLING THEM OF PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED WARPED BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. RESEARCHED PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED HUNDREDS OF SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM AND COMPLAINTS. CONCERNED BECAUSE OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM FIXED OVER AND OVER FOR DEFECTIVE DESIGN. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS CAR. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 17, 2001
THE BRAKES HAVE CONTINUALLY FAILED EVERY 3 MONTHS SINCE 3000 MILES. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPURCHASED BY GM. GM TOLD ME MS KAREN ROBERTS THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT.. ARE THEY CRAZY? THE MALIBU IS AN UNSAFE CAR. EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISOR HARRY HAIGH SAID THE CAR SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE MALIBU IS AN ENGINEERING NIGHTMARE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P215/60/R1)
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 16, 2001
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES ON MY 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. DOUG CHEVROLET KEEPS REPLACING THE PADS AND ROTATION OF BRAKES. ON 7/23/01 MY CAR WILL BE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. I SPOKE TO GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICES DEPT ON/AROUND 7/11/01. I WAS TOLD BY A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT GM, DOUG CHEVEROT WILL HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. ON 7/16/01 I WAS TOLD BY DOUG CHEVROLET EMPLOYER (S) GM KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND THEY ARE NOT RECALLING CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. I FEEL THAT WITH MY PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH THE BRAKES ARE JUST MORE THAN THE PADS AND ROTATION OF BRAKES. ONCE MY CAR IS SERVICED I WILL BE FILING A DISPUTE FORM WITH GMC. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jul 12, 2001
IT HAS HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE,BRAKE AND ROTOR FAILURE 4 DIFFERENT TIMES,RACK AND PINION FAILURE,CONTROL ARM FAILURE 2 TIMES,IGNITION CONTROL FAILURE AT 1400 MILES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 3, 2001
FRONT ROTORS WARPED, AND WERE REPLACED BY DEALER WITH 20,182 MILES. AGAIN, BRAKES WERE WARPED, DEALER TURNED FRONT ROTORS, AND ADVISED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS SIMPLY A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. *AK *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 22, 2001
DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FOUR TIMES DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Jun 21, 2001, crash
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON APPLYING BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE THAT RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK CONSUMER STATES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT HURT HER. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 7, 2001
BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE AND BRAKES EMIT A RUBBING NOISE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND PERFORMED WORK ON BRAKE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, BRAKES OPERATE WORSE THAN BEFORE, AND THERE IS A VERY LOUD SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 6, 2001
AT 20 THOUSAND MILE CONSUMER HAD ROTORS CHANGED. AT FIVE THOUSAND MILES ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK