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
944 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Air, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 16, 2004
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A "TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE." *PH THE CONSUMER LEFT FRONT CALIPER BOLT IS STRIPPED CAUSING A VIBRATING/ GRINDING NOISE THAT RADIATES FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AND THE CONSUMER IS TRYING TO OBTAIN AN OVER ALL INSPECTION OF THE MECHANICAL DEFECTS OF THE VEHICLE SO GM CAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAULTY AUTOMOBILE. *CB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 15, 2004
THIS CAR HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. THE DAY AFTER WE LEASED THE CAR IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THE BRAKES, THE CAR HAS HAD 2 ENGINES IN IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT. THE BRAKES ARE STILL NOT CORRECT. TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGAIN AND THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY IS UP. WE COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET AND THE BBB. TO NO AVAIL THEY SEEMED TO BE ON CHEVROLET'S SIDE IN THE CASE. WE WERE TO THE POINT THAT WE WERE JUST GOING TO LET THE CAR GO BACK BUT THAT WOULD ONLY HURT MY HUSBAND'S CREDIT MORE THEN IT WAS ALREADY. WE HAD TO KEEP THE CAR THROUGH THE LEASE. THIS LEFT A REALLY BAD TAST IN MY MOUTH FOR PURCHASING NEW VEHICLES BECAUSE YOU ARE STUCK WITH IT FOR THE DURATION OF THE LEASE OR PURCHASE.
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
I BOUGHT MY CAR ON 7/21/01, IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 10/3/01, 7/12/02,12/11/02, 6/23/03 AND 6/24/03. THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL AND THE ENGINE AS WELL. CHEVROLET HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS MANY TIMES BUT IS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD. EVERYTIME I TAKE MY CAR IN, I AM TOLD IT'S NOW SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT HAS BROKEN. MY CAR WILL BREAK DOWN AND SOMETIMES IF I ALLOW IT TO SIT FOR 10 - 20 MINUTES IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. FOR AS MANY TIMES AS MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED, IT HAS BROKEN DOWN AT LEAST THREE TIMES BEFORE I TAKE IT IN. MY DISPUTE WITH CHEVY IS MY CAR IS A LEMON. THEY CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE DIAGNOSTICS IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CHEVY INFORMED ME THAT DOES NOT MEAN THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM IT JUST MEANS THE COMPUTER CANNOT DETECT IT. I HAVE FILED WITH THE BBB AUTO LINE BUT BECAUSE MY CAR HAS MORE THAN 24,000 MILES THEY SAY I AM OUT OF LUCK. CHEVY IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY CAR. MY DISPUTE IS SHOULD A CAR BREAK DOWN AT LEAST 5-10 TIMES A YEAR?
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
THE PAINT ON HOOD STARTED CHIPPING @ OR ABOUT 30K DEALER SAID NOT WARRANTY PROBLEM. BEGINNING APR 2002 CAR INTERMITANTLY HAS HAD A "SURGING" IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING & PUTTING IN GEAR. AT FIRST JUST 1 OR 2 TIMES IN 3 OR 4 MOS. NOW THE LAST 8-9 WEEKS IT HAS HAPPENED MORE & MORE FREQUENTLY, THEN 2 WEEKS AGO THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME ERRATIC IN ACTIVATION & NOW WON'T WORK AT ALL.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
THE LOWER INTAKE IS LEAKING COOLANT, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IT WOULD NOT COVER IT UNLESS THE LOSS OF COOLANT CAUSED A HEAD GASKET TO BLOW OR ANOTHER TYPE OF MAJOR DAMAGE. I WORK WITH 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE MALIBU'S AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
1. PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF ON FROMT BUMPER AND LOWER DRIVER SIDE 2. TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS ONLY WORK SOMETIMES
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
A/C TURNS OFF OR GOES ON AND OFF (LIGHT FLASHES). DEALER STATES CAUSE AS FAILED CONTROL HEAD. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHRONIC PULSING THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUDDER, ESP. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES FROM SPEEDS OF 30+ MPH. AT VARIOUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED, REPLACED (AT 22K MILES), NEW HUB ASSEMBLY INSTALLED. SIX ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND SHIM KIT INSTALLED BUT DON'T TRUST THAT THIS WILL FIX PROBLEM BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
VEHICLE OVER-HEATED, TAKEN TO DEALER WHICH HAD BEEN SERVICING THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW. DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND WATER PUMP CHARGING $1400.00 THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24000 MILES ON IT AND WAS LESS THEN SIX MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER WOULD NOT WORK WITH ME AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. *CB
Steering, Jan 14, 2004
POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME STIFF. DRIVER CHECKED POWER STEERING AND FLUID WAS STILL FULL. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2004
THE TURN SIGNAL AND THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. NHTSA RECALL 03V327000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN MARCH 2000. *AK WHEN THE SWITCH WAS TURNED ON A BUZZING NOISE STARTED AND HE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. *SC *JB
Exterior lighting, Jan 8, 2004
THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING AS THERE WAS NO FORMAL RECALL AT THIS TIME, SO THE CONSUMER WAS GIVING A FILE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET REPAIRS ON THEIR OWN. THE CONSUMER WENT AND GOT THE CAR REPAIRED FOR $67.38 FROM A SERVICE DEALER. *CB *JB
Exterior lighting, Jan 6, 2004
TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO HAVE APPROPRIATE TURNING OR CHANGING LANE FUNCTIONS. TURN SIGNALS MAKE OTHER DRIVERS AWARE OF CONSUMER'S DIRECTION.*AK AFTER HAVING THE REPAIR DONE FOR A TOTAL OF $137.88 TWO WEEKS LATER A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE MALIBU, THE DEALER CHECKED THE CONSUMERS VIN AND FOUND THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SO THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMERS REPAIR BILL. *CB *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 2, 2004
2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH PERSISTENT BRAKE PROBLEMS. HAVE TO REPLACE MAJOR BRAKE COMPONENTS EVERY APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. ALSO, DEXCOOL COOLENT LEAK FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AFTER ONLY (APPROX) 50,000 MILES. DEXCOOL COOLANT BREAKDOWN AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF COOLING SYSTEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Dec 29, 2003
FRONT BRAKES (ROTORS) REPLACE AT 22,000MILES THE BRAKE PADS OUT LASTED THE ROTORS - THAT CAN'T HAPPEN ??? IT SEEMS THEY(GM) HAVE SOME TYPE OF DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 22, 2003
I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES THAT CAUSES PREMATURE WEAR OF THE ROTORS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY CUSTOMERS, SERVICE FACILITIES AND GM DEALERS. GM GOES OUT OF ITS WAY TO DISCOURAGE RELEVANT DISCUSSION OF THIS PROBLEM, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO IGNORE IT. IN THREE YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ROTORS 5 TIMES WITH 87,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT IS EXPENSIVE AND HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR ROTORS TO WEAR OUT SO QUICKLY. EVERY MECHANIC/TECHNICIAN I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SAYS THE EXACT SAME THING: THE ROTORS ARE ENGINEERED EXTREMELY THIN DUE TO THE CALIPER DESIGN. IN ORDER TO FIT THE ROTOR IN PLACE - IT MUST BE SO THIN DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM THAT TO BEGIN WITH IT IS BARELY WITHIN SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS. IF NOT EXTREMELY VIGILIANT, ROTORS CAN WARP QUICKLY - CAUSING A CASCADING EFFECT THAT IS ALSO WELL DOCUMENTED. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS SITUATION NEEDS CAREFUL SCRUTINY. GM NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOP A REMEDY FOR THIS SITUATION. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 18, 2003
LEAKING COOLANT FROM AROUND ENGINE BLOCK. DEALER DIAGNOSIS: LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. MILEAGE 30,000. PREVIOUS REPAIR COMPLETED ON WATER PUMP FOR BAD BEARINGS AT 28,800 MILES. MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT USED IN THE BUILDING OF THESE MOTORS.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2003
THE ENGINE COOLANT CONSTANLY RUNS LOW OR EMPTY. I HAVE TO REFILL IT ALL THE TIME. NOW I FIND OUT I MIGHT HAVE A LEAK FROM THE COOLANT THAT IS RUNNING IN MY OIL. CAR ALSO HARD TO START SOMETIMES. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HAVING TO FILL UP THE ENGINE COOLANT CONSTANLY. SHE HAS A 2002 MODEL. HAVING TO FILL IT UP THAT OFTEN IS NOT NORMAL. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Dec 10, 2003
WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE DUE TO THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WEARING. ALSO THERE WAS A VIBRATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ROTORS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED, BUT THEY NEVER DID. *CB *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 10, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE A WHILE TO RESTART AND WHEN IT DID RESTART IT NEEDED CONSTANT REFUELING. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY A LOCAL MECHANIC HE INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSED BY THE FUEL PUMP. *AK *SCC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Dec 4, 2003
INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT OWNER EXPENSE OF $800. DOLLARS AND HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Nov 29, 2003
HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND AS A RESULT HAVE NEARLY CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS ON THE HIGHWAY CHANGING LANES; LEVELS 1 AND 2 FOR THE BLOWER FOR HEAT/AIR STOPPED WORKING; HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS IN THE FRONT AT 26,000 MILES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 25, 2003, crash
THE BACK BRAKES LOCKED UP AT 55 MPH, WHICH MADE ME LOSE CONTROL AND SLAM INTO A TREE PRETTY HARD. THE ROAD CONDITION WAS PAVED AND DRY. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WILL OCCUR IF CHEVROLET DOESN'T RESOLVE THIS MATTER! *LA
Tires, Nov 17, 2003
FRONT TIRES WEAR AND LOSE AIR PRESSURE PREMATURELY. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, BUT DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2003
MY 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU (36,000 MILES) RECENTLY STALLED 4 TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. ON FRIDAY 10/7 I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO CUT THE CAR BACK ON. AT WHICH TIME IT RESUMED DRIVING NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES. THEN IT STALLED AGAIN. I TOWED THE CAR INTO TOWN AND DROVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. (YES, THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY AROUND TOWN). THE REPAIR SHOP TESTED IT AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP I DROVE ABOUT 40 MILES (AGAIN AT GREATER THAN 75 MPH) AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. IT STARTED BACK UP IN 2-3 MINUTES. THEN 30 MILES LATER STALLED AGAIN. THIS TIME ON A PART OF THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE WAS NO SHOULDER! I COASTED THE CAR UNTIL THE SHOULDER REAPPEARED, PULLED ON TO IT AND RE-STARTED THE CAR. THE CAR DOES NOT SHOW ANY SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM IN MY DAY-TO-DAY DRIVING AROUND TOWN. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT SUITABLE TO DRIVE FOR LONG DISTANCES OR AT HIGH SPEEDS DUE TO THIS CONDITION. *LA