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: steering
44 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Aug 10, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THEN, POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY ENGAGED, SOMETIME RESULTING IN OVER STEERING. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THAT POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Steering, Apr 29, 2004
I OWN A 2000 CHEVEROLET MALIBU. WHEN I WAS GETTING AN INSPECTION IT FAILED BECAUSE THE STEERING RACK WAS LOOSE, ONE OF THE SCREWS HOLDING IT TOGATHER,BACKED OUT. IT WAS STILL THERE BUT MONRO DOES NOT DO THIS TYPE OF WORK ON CARS. I WAS TOLD BY MONRO MUFFLER/BRAKE THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO A CHEVEROLET DEALER TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU, STEVEN M. CROWE PUTTER9156@MSN.COM
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Apr 18, 2004
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, POWER STEERING FAILURE, FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *JB
Steering, Feb 19, 2004
VEHICLE DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE LEFT TURNS. *LA THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING VIRTUALLY LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL FOR PREVIOUS MODELS REGARDING THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. (RECALL#03V527000). *JB
Steering, Feb 11, 2004
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO MODEL YEAR. *AK
Steering, Jan 14, 2004
POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME STIFF. DRIVER CHECKED POWER STEERING AND FLUID WAS STILL FULL. *AK
Steering, Service brakes, Air, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Nov 8, 2003
I PUCHASED THIS CAR WITH 20000 MILES ON IT. I HAD IT FOR A LITTLE OVER 5 MONTHS AND I AM REPLACING A FUEL PUMP THAT WILL COST $650. THE POWER STEERING HAS CORROSION, SO THE POWER STEERING HAS TO BE FLUSHED. REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL FILTER, A CRACKED FAN BELT, AND THROTTLE BODY SERVICE. I HAVE THE GM EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT IT ONLY COVERS THE COST TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. EVERYTHING ELSE IS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED "REGULAR MAINTENANCE". THE BRAKES ALSO GRIND AND SEEM TO TAKE TOO LONG FOR THE CAR TO STOP. SO I THINK BRAKES AREN'T FAR BEHIND TO BE REPLACED. I AM HOPING I WILL NOT NEED ROTORS TOO. I HAVE READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THE 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. I TRY TO BUY AMERICAN BECAUSE I AM A PROUD ONE. BUT THE QUALITY SEEM TO BE SUBSTANDARD COMPARED TO JAPANESE CARS. MY NEXT CAR WILL BE FOREIGN. US CAR MAKERS NEED TO "STEP IT UP", AS FAR AS QUALITY WITH THESE CARS.*AK
Steering, Jul 29, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING STEERING BOLTS ARE LOOSE, AND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND, CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, May 20, 2003
I PURCHASED A NEW 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. SIX MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE CAR I BEGAN HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. I TOOK MY 6 MONTH OLD VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. LATER, THIS SAME DEFECT OCCURRED THREE MORE TIMES. CHEVROLET ONLY MADE TWO MORE REPAIRS. EACH TIME THEY SIMPLY REPLACED THE ROTORS AND PLACED A SHIM BETWEEN THE AXLES AND THE ROTOR. THIS SAME MANUFACTURERS DESIGN FLAW OCCURRED ON THE FLOWING YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLES: 1997-2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997-1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1999-2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO 1999-2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM I COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN SAN ANTONIO SIMPLY TRIED TO AVOID ME. CHEVROLETS ON LINE COMPLAINT SYSTEM ALSO DID NOTHING. AGAIN, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS BRAKE PROBLEM. THE MAIN CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE SMALL (THIN) SIZE OF THE BRAKE ROTORS, WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE TO DISPERSE HEAT ADEQUATELY. IF A DRIVER DRIVES INTO A RAIN STORM OR TO A CAR WASH AND THE HOT ROTORS COOL TOO RAPIDLY THEY WILL WARP. PLEASE SEE GM SERVICE BULLETIN # 00-05-23-002, DATED FEBRUARY 2000 FOR MORE INFORMATION. THE MADDENING THING ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS THAT CHEVROLET KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR. CHEVROLET/GM FAILED TO RECALL ALL THESE VEHICLES, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW IT WAS A FLAW IN THEIR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN, THEY LEFT THE PROBLEM IN THE HANDS AND POCKET BOOKS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS TYPE OF CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE. *NLM
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Apr 22, 2003
THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED ARE AS FOLLOWED: DEFECTIVE/SHORTED TURN SIGNAL(REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP, 5 ATTEMPTED REPAIRS OF NOISES/KNOCKING IN THE FRONT END/SUSPENSION/STEERING (WHICH HAVE TSB'S), BRAKES/ROTORS, FAULTY IGNITION WIRES, POOR PERFORMANCE/STALLING, UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE READINGS, AND NO CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN. THE DEALER COULD NEVER DUPLICATE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. REFER TO ODI#10013971 MR SCC
Steering, Feb 11, 2003
THE STEERING BOLT BECAME LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
Steering, Air bags, Tires, Aug 8, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH OWNER SUDDENLY HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND FROM REAR. REAR LEFT TIRE SEPARATED FROM SPINDLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT. VEHICLE DID STRIKE CENTER DIVIDER. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Jul 24, 2002
DURING ROUTINE SERVICE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RIGHT SPINDLE AND STRUT WERE BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Apr 7, 2002, crash
PUT 3 SETS OF BRAKE PADS & ROTORS (AT 16,000, 33,000, 42,000) ON THIS CAR & NOW NEEDS REPAIRING AGAIN. HAD FRONT END COLLISION, HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL BUT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ENTIRE FRONT OF CAR WAS COMPLETELY CRUSHED. BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES. WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A WRECK IF SOMETHING HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER REPAIRS FROM WRECK, LEAKING COOLANT - RESULTED IN BLOWN HEAD GASKET. EDWARDS CHEV & ADJUSTER SAID WAS NOT FROM WRECK - PROBLEM PROBABLY STARTED BEFORE WRECK. CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER WHEN PARKING. FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING.*AK
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
Steering, Air bags, Aug 29, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT A COLLISION OCCURRING DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE DAYS PREVIOUS TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GAVE SIGNS THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE ALARM WAS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *SLC
Steering, Equipment, May 4, 2001
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH AND THEN WHEN TURNING ON TURN SIGNAL LIGHT STEERING WHEEL WILL MAKE A BUZZ NOISE.*AK CONSUMER STATES STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALERSHOP 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, AIR CONDITIONING WOULD ONLY BLOW ON FLOOR, CONTROL PANEL WAS REPLACED. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 28, 2000
CONSUMER BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE, AND IT STARTED HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS WITHIN 24 HOURS. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, AND STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. STEERING PUMP REPLACED, BUT VEHICLE STILL HAS SHAKE PROBLEM WHEN BRAKING, AS WELL AS NOISE COMING FROM LEFT REAR. *AK *ML
Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 20, 2000, crash
VEHICLE FIRST TOWED TO SHOP ON 04/04/00 FOR VEHICLE OVERHEATING. TOP RADIATOR HOSE SPLIT. INFORMED DEALER OF VIBRATION IN FRONT END AT 30 MPH AND UP, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. ON 04/11/00 HEARD THUMPING NOISE FROM FRONT AND WHILE PULLING IN DRIVEWAY LOST CONTROL OF LEFT FRONT WHEEL. TOWED TO DEALER AND LEFT SIDE OUTER TIE ROD END REPLACED. PICKED UP FROM DEALER ON 04/12/00 AND 2 MILES AWAY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AND NEXT MORNING LIGHT WAS OFF. LEFT FOR WORK AND GOT 6 MILES AWAY WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSON STARTED SLIPPING. CALED AND NOTIFIED CHEVY AND THEY SAID DRIVE VEHICLE THEN HAVE IT TOWED IN THE NEXT DAY. ON 04/14/00 WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD AT 40 MPH WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AGAIN AND HIT A TREE. REPAIRS TO STEERING/ABS LIGHT/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/TRANSMSSION SLIPPING NOT TAKEN CARE OF YET.