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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 6, 2003
FUEL PUMP DEFECT CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY/SUDDNELY. REPAIR SHOP ALSO INDICATED THAT FUEL GAUGE/SENSOR DEFECT CAUSING GAUGE TO INACCURATELY SHOW AMOUNT OF FUEL - GAUGE FAILED TO REGISTER WHEN FUEL IS LOW.*AK
Air bags, Sep 3, 2003, crash
WHILE ENTERING A ON RAMP AT 25-40 MPH CONSUMER COLLIDED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE STALLED AT THE END OF RAMP. SEAT BELTS WERE WORN BY THE CONSUMER, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES. POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE AND NO CITATIONS WERE ISSUED.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 29, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING AND STARTING UP. *MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CONDITION IN WHICH IT WOULD EITHER NOT START OR ONCE STARTED IT WOULD HESITATE OR STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS AND WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY FROM VANDALISM OR SOMETHING IN THE TANK. THESE CONDITIONS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY THEREFORE THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE SERVICE ASSESSMENT. A GM BULLETIN WAS LOCATED WHICH RECOMMENDED THAT THE TECHNICIAN REPLACE THE EXISTING FUEL SENDER STRAINER AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF THE ENGINE SYMPTOMS. *NLM *JB
Exterior lighting, Aug 20, 2003
I HAVE A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BLINKERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT IN. WHEN THE BLINKERS ARE NOT WORKING I HAVE REALIZED MY HAZARD LIGHT ALSO DO NOT WORK. WE CHANGED THE FUSE AND THEY WORK FOR 3 WEEKS STRAIGHT BUT NOW I AM BACK TO ONE TURN THYE WORK THE NEXT THEY DONT.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Equipment, Aug 16, 2003
AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH TURNS ON AND OFF. VIBRATION IN FRONT END WHEN BRAKING. TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITENTLY. TICKING NOISE IN ENGINE UNTIL WARM. WINDOWS FOG EXCESSIVELY. SHAME ON CHEVROLET. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Aug 13, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT BRAKE LINE INDICATOR LIGHT DID NOT COME ON TO INFORM HER THAT SHE NEEDED BRAKES OR THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. SHE WOULD HEAR A FUNNY NOISE SOMETIMES. THEN, SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE PURCHASED VEHICLE, AND AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, WAS TOLD SHE NEEDED BRAKES, AND THAT THE CALIPERS ON DRIVER'S SIDE WERE GOING OUT. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE HER $140.00 TO TURN ROTORS, AND PUT BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE ONLY ONE MONTH. ALSO, CONSUME RGOT STRANDED, AND HAD VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. DEALE RFOUND THAT THE BATTERY POST WAS CORRODED, SHE WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. *AK
Exterior lighting, Aug 12, 2003
TURNING SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.HOW LONG IS GOING TO TAKE TO GET A RECALL ? DOES CHEVROLET WANT PEOPLE TO DIE FIRST ??*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Aug 11, 2003
ENGINE OVERHEATING, ALSO THE TURN SIGNALS ARE ERRATIC, WHEN THEY DO NOT WORK I HAVE TO TURN MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON, THEN OFF, AND THE TURN SIGNALS WORK THEN. AS FAR AS THE OVERHEATING GOES, I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR (OVER $350.00) THEY SAID THEY FOUND WATER IN THE OIL AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET. IT STILL IS NOT FIXED. THIS CAR HAS 45,000 MILES.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 8, 2003
WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A STOP, THERE IS GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED. BRAKES WEAR OUT EVERY 2-3 MONTHS(PAYING AN EXPENSIVE AMOUNT FOR BRAKE SHOES AND ROTORS AIR CONDITONING SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS AND YOU JUST CANNOT TRADE THIS CAR IN BECAUSE THE VALUE DEPRECIATES THE SAME DAY YOU DRIVE OFF THE CAR LOT.
Service brakes, Air, Aug 4, 2003, crash
WITH NEW BRAKE JOB DONE, THE ABS FAILURE CAUSED THE AUTO TO CRASH INTO ROAD GUIDE ON I-495. *AK
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS. *AK
Air bags, Aug 1, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE APPRAISER STOPPED WHEN REPAIRS ESTIMATED EXCEEDED $6700.00. *AK *CB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 1, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING FOR 2 YEARS. THE WIRES POWERING THE FUEL PUMP MOTOR IN THE FUEL TANK MODULE WERE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW TANK AND SO FAR NO STALLING HAD OCCURRED. *AK *CB THERE WERE 5 ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT AND EXPECTED GM TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM AND THE FUEL TANK MODULE DESIGN IMPROVEMENT. *SCC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 30, 2003
RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU CAME APART ON OUTER SIDEWALL WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. INITALLY NO CAUSE COULD BE FOUND. THE TREAD AND INNER SIDEWALL APPEARED TO BE OK. AFTER INSTALLING THE SPACE SAVER SPARE AND DRIVING ABOUT 100 MILES HOME AT 50 MPH THE TIRE AND RIM WERE IMMEDIATELY INSPECTED. THE TIRE WAS SO HOT YOU COULD BARELY HOLD YOUR HAND ON IT. THE RIM WAS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN FINGERS. THE BRAKE ON THAT WHEEL WAS NOT COMPLETELY RELEASING AND WAS CAUSING THE EXTREME HEAT BUILD-UP. THE OUTSIDE ON THE TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE GOTTEN SO HOT THAT IT LITERALLY FELL APART. THE BRAKE PADS ON THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPLACED AT ABOUT 38,00 MILES AND THIS SIDE HAD WORN MORE THAN THE OTHER, BUT NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND TO ACCOUNT FOR THE ABNORMAL WEAR. THE BRAKE ON THIS WHEEL APPEARS TO WORK NORNALLY MOST OF THE TIME AND THEN PERIODICALLY NOT RELEASE COMPLETELY AND CAUSE THE HEAT TO BUILD -UP AND THE ABNORMAL PAD WEAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM THE TIRE OR VEHICLE THAT THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT HUMMING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE A COUPLE SECONDS BEFORE FAILURE. I CONSIDER THIS AN EXTREME SAFET HAZZARD BECAUSE IT OCCURS WITH NO WARNING AND THEN IS USUALLY BLAMED ON THE TIRE. EITHER IT WAS DEFECTIVE OR HAD IMPROPER PRESSURE.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 29, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES THEY WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jul 28, 2003
BRAKES PULSE/VIBRATE, ESPECIALLY AFTER STOPPING FROM SPEEDS OF 30+ MPH. DEALER ATTEMPTED 6 TIMES TO FIX WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, INCLUDING TURNING ROTORS, REPLACING ROTORS (AT 2200 MILES), REPLACING HUB ASSEMBLY. ALL EFFORTS HAVE FAILED AND PROBLEM RETURNS IN 3-9 MONTHS. MILEAGE AVERAGES 8000 MILES PER YEAR, AND BRAKES ARE NOT SUDDENLY APPLIED. LATEST ATTEMPT IS TO REPLACE BRAKES (AT 29K000 MILES) AND INSTALL "SHIM KIT."*AK
Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2003
WHEN YOU GO TO TURN ON THE TURN SIGNALS THEY DO NOT WORK. THEY WILL WORK ONE MINUTE AND NOT THE NEXT. AT TIMES YOU HAVE TO TURN ON THE FOUR WAY FLASHERS TO GET THE SIGNAL TO WORK AND AT TIMES THIS DOES NOT ALWAY HELP. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR REAR END MISSES BECAUSE OF THIS. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD!*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Equipment, Jul 27, 2003
MAY 02 MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR BRAKES AND FRONT END NOISE, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE TIME TO CORRECT THE FRONT END PROBLEM (WHICH THEY NOTED WAS COVERED BY MY WARRANTY) AND TO RESCHEDULE FOR THAT PROBLEM. I DID SO IN JULY 02 AND AT THAT TIME, THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE WORK AND TRIED TO BLAME ME FOR THE PROBLEM SO I PAID $281.75 FOR THIS WORK WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY NOTED THAT WOULD BE COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING SEVERAL TIMES: IN OCTOBER 3, 2002, OCTOBER 29, 2002, AND IN DECEMBER 2002. I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR AT A COST OF $280.52 FOR THE DEC. 2002 PROBLEM. IN MARCH 2003 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN FOR FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A RIGHT UPPER STRUT MOUNT HAD CALLAPSED. IN MAY 2003 THE VEHICLE HAS AGAIN OVERHEATED AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE YOUNG MAN THAT I SPOKE WITH WHEN I ARRIVED INDICATED THAT THEY (THE DEALERSHIP) WAS UNSURE AS TO WHY THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND TO JUST DRIVE IT BECAUSE HIS TRUCK DOES IT ALL THE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE BATTERIES THAT THEY WERE REPLACING KEPT CRACKING AND LEAKING. WHEN I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN REGARDING THE PROBLEM AND MY SAFETY CONCERNS, HE JUST BLEW ME OFF AS IF I WAS JUST COMPLAINING. ONCE AGAIN, IT IS NOW JULY 2003 AND FOR THE 4TH TIME, MY VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING AND OVERHEATING. IN ADDITION ON SERVERAL OCCASIONS I ALSO INDICATED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THAT THERE WAS A VIBRATING AND SHIMBLING WHEN MY BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND IT MAKES IT HARD TO CONTROLL THE VEHICLE, NOT ONCE WOULD THEY ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH ME NOR HAVE I BEEN NOTIFIED OR ANY DEFECTS OR RECALLS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOR THE 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY. IN ADDITION, MY TIRES CONTINUOUSLY LOOSE AIR AND THE TREAD IS SEPARATION FROM MY LEFT REAR TIRE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 17, 2003
WE HAVE A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU, WE HAVE 28,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES 2 (TWO) TIMES..ONCE AT 17000 MILES AND NOW AT 28,000 THEY ARE NOT WEARING EVENLY, THE INSIDE BRAKE IS WEARING DOWN BEFORE THE OUTSIDE..I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR I AM NOT GETTING COMPLETE BRAKE FUNCTION. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2003
MY CHEVROLET 2000 MALIBU LEAKED A WHOLE LOT OF DEXCOOL COOLENT ONTO THE GROUND...SO FAR, IT'S COST $900 TO FIX THAT AND A WATER PUMP. I'M NOT SURE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE CONSTRUED AS ONE. THE CAR HAS 5600 MILES ON IT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2003
WE OWN A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU. THE HEAT/AIR REGULATOR DOES NOT WORK UNTIL IT IS MOVED TO THREE, FOUR OR FIVE. IT DOES NOT WORK ON ONE OR TWO. MY BROTHER OWNS 97 MALIBU WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND MY SISTER HAS A 98 MALIBU WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Jul 11, 2003
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS: BRAKES MADE NOISE WHEN APPLIED, VEHICLE JERKED WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP,THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON THE CONSUMER THREE TIMES, IT STARTED LOUD AND HARD, BOUNCED WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND A BOLT FELL OFF FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE BOLT DID NOT BELONG TO THE VEHICLE. *PH ALSO THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE BATTERY WAS WEAK. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Jul 11, 2003
WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES , HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.*AK. ALSO WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, THE BRAKES HAD TO BE RE-APPLIED IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *TS *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 10, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL. *AK