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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 944

Of the 2000 reports, 47 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 37 people were injured and 3 people died.

Primary concernService brakes252 reports · 27% of complaints
Owner complaints944Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Service brakes252
  2. Exterior lighting241
  3. Hydraulic230
  4. Electrical system207
  5. Engine and engine cooling174
  6. Fuel system67
  7. Gasoline56
  8. Steering44

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  1. Electrical system, May 6, 2015

    HELLO.. MY NAME IS [XXX] .. I AM WRITING YOU ABOUT MY SISTERS CAR.. IT IS A 2000 CHEVY MALIBU .... THE CAR KEEPS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING.... IT RUNS GOOD THEN WITHOUT WARNING SHE WILL BE SOMEWHERE AND CUT THE CAR OFF AND IT WON'T START BACK... IT TURNS OVER BUT WON'T START.. AFTER AWHILE IT WILL START.... THIS HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES... WE HAVE SENT IT TO THE SHOP AND SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS ON IT AND IT IS STILL HAPPENING.. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR ANSWERS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON RECURRING PROBLEM ON THESE CARS... MY SISTER IS DISABLED AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING WITH HER CAR.... EVERYONE ON THE FORUMS SAY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIXED BY CHEV. YOU ALREADY HAVE THE VIN NUMBER FOR THE CAR LISTED ABOVE... MY SISTERS NAME IS [XXX] ..... HOPEFULLY SOMEONE HERE CAN HELP HER GET THIS ISSUE FIXED.... PLEASE LET US KNOW... THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

  2. Electrical system, Apr 27, 2015

    LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN HANNA ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2000 CHEVROLET CLASSIC SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (ATTN: TARA GITTER). *SMD

  3. Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 16, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS GETTING STUCK IN THE ACC AND ON POSITIONS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE KEY COULD ALSO BE REMOVED AND THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING. THE CONTACT ALSO APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO APPLY FORCE NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

  4. Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V302000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

  5. Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 23, 2015

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. IT WAS REPLACED ON NOVEMBER 30, 1999 AND MARCH 19, 2014. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. ALSO, THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH AND THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED. *JB

  6. Electrical system, Jan 21, 2015

    CAR WILL NOT START, GM PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM DISABLES CAR AND SOMETIMES AFTER BEING STRANDED FOR 30 MINUTES IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER, THE CAR WILL START AFTER GOING THROUGH A SERIES OF 3 TIMES TURNING THE KEY ON FOR 10 MINUTES, TURNING KEY OFF FOR 10 SECONDS. OTHER TIMES, THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN START AFTER COMPLETING THAT RESET. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR A WAY TO DISABLE THE SECURITY THEFT SYSTEM SO THAT OWNERS ARE NOT STRANDED IN THE BITTER COLD TEMPERATURES WHILE WAITING FOR THE CAR TO RESET AND DECIDE TO START. *TR

  7. Electrical system, Engine, Jan 19, 2015

    I CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. THE ABOVE HAPPENED RANDOMLY AT FIRST, BUT GOT WORSE, AND NOW HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME. I NOW HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE CAR, IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION, AND CARRY A SECOND KEY JUST TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. IF I DON'T RESTART THE CAR WITHIN A FEW HOUR HOURS, THE BATTERY WOULD BE DRAINED, AND I WOULD HAVE TO GET A JUMP START - THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES. I SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND AN ARTICLE FROM AUTONEWS.COM DATED DECEMBER 11 2014 SAYING THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND WOULD FIX IT IF ASKED (NOT A RECALL). I CONTACTED TWO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS: COMMUNITY CHEVROLET (16 JAN 2015) AND RYDELL CHEVROLET (19 JAN 2015), BUT WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY AUTHORIZATION FROM GM TO FIX THE ABOVE STATED ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH GM. *TR

  8. Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 14, 2015, crash

    MY TEENAGER WAS TRYING TO AVOID A COLLISION RAN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD CAME BACK ON THE ROAD AND THEN THE CAR WAS HEADED TO LEFT SHOULDER AND (TEENAGER) ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE VEHICLE OUT AND THEN THE VEHICLE RAN BACK OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AGAIN CAUSING A ACCIDENT. TEENAGER SAID VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT. *TR

  9. Steering, Jan 6, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  10. Electrical system, Dec 30, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

  11. Electrical system, Dec 29, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES LATER, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO TURN IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,514.

  12. Electrical system, Dec 23, 2014

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICES RECEIVED. *TA AFTER WAITING FOR 45 MINUTES AT THE DEALER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL. *JB

  13. Electrical system, Dec 22, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN

  14. Electrical system, Dec 16, 2014

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS CONSISTENTLY WORE OUT MANY KEYS OVER THE YEARS. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED PERIODICALLY, SHE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE ARRIVED, THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. TWO WEEKS, THE DEALER CALLED HER AND SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THEY COULD NOT RETROFIT HER CURRENT KEYS TO THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INFORMED SHE WOULD HAVE TO BUY A FACTORY MADE KEY AT $15.00 EACH PLUS TAX, TO ALLOW THEM TO DO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER DID NOT BELIEVE THE ISSUE WAS THE KEY, BUT WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *JB

  15. Electrical system, Dec 4, 2014

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU REMOVE AND REPAIR IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER SWITCH *TA THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

  16. Electrical system, Dec 2, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, ALL ELECTRICITY TO THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TEN MINUTES IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/05/14*LJ UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN

  17. Electrical system, Dec 2, 2014

    THIS VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY COMES OUT IN RUN POSITION WHILE CAR IS RUNNING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE GM RECALL FOR A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. AS PART OF THIS RECALL, THE KEY WAS MODIFIED. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF THE FAULTY SWITCH AND REMAINS A SAFETY CONCERN. *JS

  18. Electrical system, Nov 26, 2014

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU CONSUMER IS INQUIRING IF ANY GM DEALER WILL SERVICE VEHICLE PER RECALL ALTHOUGH IT WAS PURCHASED AT A MAZDA DEALER *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE STARTER. *JB

  19. Electrical system, Nov 26, 2014

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU ANTI THIEF LIGHT FLASHES AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT*CW THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND HAZARD WARNING SWITCH WERE REPLACED. *JB

  20. Electrical system, Nov 22, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

  21. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 19, 2014

    MY TURN SIGNAL RARELY WORKS. I HAVE FOUND IF I CAN GET THE HAZARD TO COME ON AND GO OFF MY TURN SIGNAL WILL WORK AT TIMES BUT SOMETIMES YOU CANT EVEN GET THE HAZARDS TO WORK. *TR

  22. Electrical system, Nov 17, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,254. UPDATED 1/23/15*CN UPDATED 9/5/2017*CN

  23. Electrical system, Nov 12, 2014

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF AND RECALL REIMBURSEMENT. *TGW IT WAS DETERMINED, THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL, STATING THE KEY WOULD REPLACED. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER STATED SHE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB

  24. Electrical system, Nov 12, 2014

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES AND REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB

  25. Electrical system, Nov 10, 2014

    2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL CONCERNING KEY RING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED GM PROPOSED TO FIX A SERIOUS PROBLEMS, EVEN DEADLY PROBLEM, BY SUPPLYING TWO KEY RINGS AND A KEY PLUG AS THEIR WAY OF CORRECTING AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED FIFTY CENTS WORTH OF GADGETS DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR REPLACING AN ENTIRE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. *JB