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.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 10, 2003
MY CAR IS ONLY 3 1/2 YRS. OLD, BUT, I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT THAT I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING. LAST SUMMER, I HAD TO HAVE MY BATTERY AND SURROUNDING WIRES & HOSES REPLACED DUE TO A CORRODED CABLE WHICH HAD LEAKED ACID EVERYWHERE--LUCKILY UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, MY INTAKE VALVE GASKET IS RUINED, SO ANTIFREEZE LEAKS OUT CONSTANTLY AND THE CAR IS PERPETUALLY ON THE VERGE OF RUNNING HOT. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY ADD ANTIFREEZE AND WATER TO KEEP IT FROM OVERHEATING, ALTHOUGH, IT STILL SMELLS OVERHEATED ALL THE TIME. IT WILL COST ME BETWEEN $900-$1100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THE PART ONLY COSTS $150 DUE TO THE LABOR INVOLVED IN REMOVING THE TOP OF THE ENGINE TO GET TO THE GASKET. SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS ALREADY RUN OUT, I'LL HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL MYSELF. I DON'T APPRECIATE THIS BECAUSE I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AT THIS TIME, NOR DO I FEEL THAT IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER SHOULD FOOT THE BILL SINCE THE CAR IS SO YOUNG AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT I CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jun 27, 2003
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HAZARD SIGNAL LIGHTS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *NLM
Exterior lighting, Jun 27, 2003
MY TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY HAD THEM REPAIRED BY THE DEALER IN DEC 01 AND THEY FAILED AGAIN MAY 03 . *JB
Seat belts, Jun 26, 2003
LATCH PLATES ON THE REAR SEAT BELTS BROKE TWICE SINCE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.*AK PH *JB THE FEATURE WAS A SLIDING LOCK BAR BUILT INTO THE LATCH PLATE ASSEMBLY WHICH BROKE TWICE ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. GM INSPECTED THE PART AND IT WAS SENT TO AN ENGINEERING FOR REVIEW. GM AGREED TO REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE AS A GOOD WILL EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS FEATURE WAS DESIGNED TO LOCK THE BELT INTO PLACE AND PREVENT A CHILD SAFETY FROM ROCKING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*CB *JB
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Structure, Jun 23, 2003
I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS IN THE YEAR SINCE I PURCHASED SAID VEHICLE: -SIGNAL &/OR HAZARD LIGHTS WORK PERIODICALLY -RADIO & LIGHTER SHORT OUT/BLOW FUSES -A/C NOT WORKING -A/C CUTS ON AUTOMATICALLY W/ RECIRCULATION BUTTON -VENT ONLY WORKS ON LEVEL 3 OR HIGHER -WATER PRESENT IN TRUNK -UNEVEN TIRE WEAR -ERRATIC GAS GAUGE READINGS -COOLANT RAN COMPLETELY OUT W/OUT REASON. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 20, 2003
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. BELIEVES PROBLEM IS DUE TO FUEL FILLER RECALL 99V302000, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 16, 2003
I BOUGHT THIS CHEVROLET MALIBU LS IN 2000 AND ALREADY I HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: ALTERNATOR IS OUT, AIR COMPRESSER OUT, BLOWER MOTOR IS OUT, BATTERY IS OUT THEY ARE STILL CHECKING ON THE OIL LEAKAGE. *NLM
Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2003
TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING AND REQUIRED SERVICING BY THE DEALER. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 4, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
Exterior lighting, May 27, 2003
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE'S HAZARD/TURNING SIGNALS LIGHTS FAIL TO OPERATE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 23, 2003
THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. PRIOR TO THIS THE LIGHT WOULD FLICKER OFF AND ON. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 23, 2003
THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 500 MILES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THEM TWICE ALREADY. *NLM
Service brakes, Air, May 23, 2003
TSB 00-05-23-002A. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER FAILS TO REPAIR PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5000 MILES. MUST BE REPAIRED TO FIX SAFETY ISSUE. HOWEVER, FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY.
Exterior lighting, May 22, 2003
THE HAZARD AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. *JB
Exterior lighting, May 20, 2003
THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DEVELOPED EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION DUE TO WATER ENTERING THE SEALED ASSEMBLY, AND CAUSED THEM TO FAIL. *JB
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
Service brakes, Air, May 5, 2003
CONSUMER STATES SHE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HER AUTO, AND EACH TIME SHE TAKES HER AUTO IN, IT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. SHE STATES WHILE DRIVING HER AUTO THE DASH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, SHE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE NEEDED A MANIFOLD INTAKE VALUE. THEN LATER ON SHE BEGUN TO HEAR A SCAPING SOUND WHEN SHE APPLIES HER BRAKES, WHEN SHE TOOK IT IN THEY TOLD HER THAT SHE NEEDED FRONT ROTORS, SHE STATES THAT SHE WAS NOT TOLD THIS WHEN SHE TOOK HER AUTO IN THE FIRST TIME.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 5, 2003
2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. BRAKE AND ROTOR FAILURE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 2, 2003, crash
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES POSSIBLY FAILED. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 30, 2003
VIBRATING BRAKES. CALIPERS AND ROTORS CEAZING UP THIS WILL BE THE 6 TIME I AHVE HAD TO BRING THIS CAR IN FOR THE SAME THING I AM TOLD THAT THE ALIPERS CEAZE UP WHICH IN TURN WEARS THE RORTORS DOWN WHICH IN TURN WEARS THE BRAKE PADS DOWN AND NOBODY KNOWS WHY. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2003
I TOO, HAVE MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVE. MY TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 2X, IN ADDITION TO ROTORS, ETC. THE BATTERY BLEW UP, BUT WAS REPLACED AS WAS THE AC TURNING OFF AND ON BY ITSELF. THE ONE ISSUE THAT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME, IS ONE FAMILIAR TO YOU. MY CAR CUTS OFF AT ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. NASHVILLE HAS 3 INTERSTATES RUNNING THROUGH IT AND I WAS ON THEM BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SHOPS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS AT THEN SHOPS TOLD ME THAT MALIBU'S ARE BY FAR SOME OF THE MOST TROUBLESOME CARS ON THE ROAD TODAY. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED. YOU LOSE CONTROL AND HAVE NO STEERING ABILITY, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CAN SEE FROM OTHERS THAT THEIR PROBLEMS ARE BEING IGNORED AS WELL. WHEN WILL GM ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. DON'T THEY WATCH THE NEWS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE FIRESTONE RECALL, OR THE TOBACCO COMPANIES THAT KEPT SECRETS? IT IS TIME FOR SOMEONE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT. *NLM
Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2003
THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2003
BLINKER JUST STOPS WORKING OCCASIONALLY, IT HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OR STOPPED. I CAN GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN BY PRESSING THE HAZARD LIGHTS BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WILL EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON, IT ONLY HAPPENS RANDOMLY. IT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO HAPPENING RARELY, NOW IT HAPPENS WEEKLY. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Apr 21, 2003
HAZARD AND SIGNAL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS ENGINE NOISE (CONSTANT SQUEAKING OR TICKING) AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONS. *JB