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, Dec 31, 2001
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH, THEN AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER BOTH TIMES, COULD NOT FIND CAUSE.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 19, 2001
ROTORS GLAZING TWICE WITHIN 21,000 MILES. WAS TOLD THE ROTORS COULD BE REPLACED,BUT EXPECTED IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS.
Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2001
VIN IS [XXX] MANUFACTURED 05/00. RAIN WATER COLLECTS AND IS RETAINED IN RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. ONE LAMP OF FOUR SHORTED AND BLEW. ASSEMBLY IS INADEQUATELY SEALED AND INSULATED AGAINST WATER. COST OF NEW REPLACEMENT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS $249.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 7, 2001
ALTHOUGH THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE BRAKES ARE DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A SLIGHT CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE PADS BEGIN TO WEAR, NO SUCH NOISE WAS HEARD. WITH ONLY 23,450 MILES ON CAR, THE PADS ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROTOR WORE DOWN CUTTING GROOVES INTO THAT SIDE OF THE ROTOR WHILE PADS ON OTHER SIDE OF SAME ROTOR HAD A WAY TO GO BEFORE BEING WORN DOWN. I UNDERSTAND THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE CHEVROLET S10 AND FOR WHICH THE S10 WAS RECALLED. DEALER SAID IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR ROTORS TO GO BAD SOON AS PADS WEAR OUT ON THE MALIBU. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ROTORS EACH TIME THE PADS GO BAD, ESPECIALLY AT ONLY 23,000 MILES.*AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Visibility, Structure, Oct 28, 2001
BOUGHT MY CAR NEW OFF SHOW ROOM FLOOR AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE HAD IT IN FOR STARTING PROBLEMS BATTERY PROBLEMS FUEL PROBLEMS WINDOW PROBLEMS DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS ENGINE NOISE ENGINE OIL LEAKS VIBRATION PROBLEMS BRAKE PROBLEMS DYING PROBLEMS POPPING NOISES IN FRONT END STRUTS BOTTOMING OUT ROUGH RIDE AND STEERING PROBLEMS AND SO ON TOO MANY TO LIST ALL HAVE HAD FRONT END REALIGNED STUTS CHECKED AND REPALCED BRAKES CHECKED AND REPLACED WHEEL STUDS REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FLOAT REPLACED PISTONS REPLACED BATTERY REPLACED REMOTE START SYSTEM REPLACED ALARM SYSTEM REPLACED WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED FRONT CRANK SEAL REPLACED ALT CHECKED AND TESTED STARTED CHECKED STILL HAVING FUEL PROBLEMS BRAKE PROBLEMS VIBRATION ECT HAD IN THIS LAST WEEK FO 6 DAYS AND WHEN RETURNED STILL HAVING ENGINE NOISE STEERING PROBLEMS RADIO PROBLEMS FUEL PROBLEMS AND FOUND IMPACT MARK ON L/FRONT OF BUMPER ONE OF DEALERS TECH'S HIT SOMETHING AND NOW WANDERS TO LEFT LEFT HEAD LIGHT OUT OF LINE AND PUSHED BACK UNDER FENDER HOOD OUT OF LINE FENDERS BUMPERS DRIVING LIGHTS AND NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS AND DAMAGE POSSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DETECT AT THIS TIME HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY AND COMPLAINED HAVE TALKED WITH DEALER AND STILL NO RESPONSIBILITY TAKEN AND STATEMENTS OF WE MIGHT HAVE BRUISED IT IT HAS BEEN WRECKED NOW I AMD PAYING GOOD MONEY FOR JUNK AND WANT REFUND OF ALL COSTS TO ME AND THE CAR TAKEN BACK ENGINES SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE OVERHAULED AT 14000 MILES THE CAR IS 2 YAERS OLD AND ACTS LIKE ITS 20 NEED RESPONESE AND INFO TO HELP RESOLVE PROBLEMS TRYING TO HAVE RETURNED UNDER LEMON LAW UNIFORM CONFORMITY ACT AND MAGNUSON-MOSS ACT CAR HAS BECOME INSTRUMENT THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED AND WHOSE OPPERATION IS FROUGHT WITH APPREHENSION SINCERLY UNHAPPY AND HURT CONSUMER IS THE HIGHWAY SAFTY DEVISION INTERESTED AND GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ALL OF US WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEMS OR ARE WE OUT OF LUCK ????????? RESPONSE REQUESTED
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Equipment, Oct 20, 2001
3 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT MALIBU IN JULY, 2000 I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH WHEN MY CARE LOST ALL POWER. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL INDICATOR WIRING AND WAS FALSELY READING THE AMOUNT OF GAS I HAD WHICH RESULTED IN MY RUNNING OUT OF GAS AT 65MPH. PROBLEM HAS NOT REPEATED ITSELF. AT 21,000 MILES MY SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHTS FAILED AND MY HAZARD SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 23,000 MILES MY EVAPORATOR VENT VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACE (ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY). AT 20,000 MILES MY CAR WAS VIBRATING WHENEVER MY BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALOR SAID FRONT BRAKES WORN OUT AND ROTORS OUT OF ROUND AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND REFACED THE ROTORS. AT 33,000 MILES, CARE AGAIN VITRATED WHENVER BRAKES APPLIED AND DEALER TOLD ME AGAIN THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF "HOT SPOTS" AND THAT MY ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CUT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD JUST BEEN FIXED AT 20,000 MILES. WAS NEVER TOLD THAT MANUFACTURER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MALIBU BRAKES AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIAMTELY $700.00 TO FIX ROTORS AND IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. MY SEVICE FOR THE BRAKES WAS DONE AT FUTURE CHEVROLET IN OLD BRIDGE, NJ. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 10, 2001
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES ARE TERRIBLE, THE DEALER STATED THEY COULD DO NO MORE AND THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE MALIBU CARS ARE DEFICIENT, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED AND DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *SLC
Suspension, Sep 25, 2001
VEHICLE WAS GOING 25MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND LEFT FRONT END DROPPED. LEFT TIRE BLEWOUT, AND VEHICLE SKIDDED/ HIT THE CURVE. LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING REAR END TO SPIN AROUND. MANUFACTURER HAD A TSB MENTIONING PROBLEM ,BUT WILL NOT COVER THE PROBLEM WITHIN WARRANTY AGREEMENT.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2001
THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS INADEQUATE. MY VEHICLE HAS 31000 MILES ON IT AND DURING BRAKING IT HAS A SHIMMY ON OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE PADS BEING WORN AND THE BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TURNING. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS AND SOME TIRE PROBLEMS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR COMPLAINT FROM OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO'S PROBLEMS HAVE STARTED SOONER THAN MINE IN MOST CASES IN FACT IN SOME CASES WHILE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE 12000 MILE WARRANTY. IT BEING A BRAKE AND TIRE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE PUTTING SOME LIVES AT STAKE. I MYSELF CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SIMPLY STATED I'M SORRY YOUR HAVING PROBLEMS WITH YOUR CAR. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2001
THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS NOISY AND WAS SERVICED SIX DIFFERNT TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. ROTORS AND DRUMS WERE BADLY WARPED CAUSING PULSATION WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 19, 2001
WITHIN THE FIRST 18000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE AMY FRONT ROTORS. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEY SAID NO. I HAD TO PURCHASE NEW ROTORS AND THEN WITHIN 8,000 MILES THEY STARTED GRINDING AGAIN. WHEN THE ROTORS GO BAD, IT MAKES THE CAR SHIMMY WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHEN I STOP. I CURRENTLY HAVE MY CAR IN A SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALERSHIP TO PUT ON THE THIRD SET OF ROTORS AND I ONLY HAVE 32800 MILES ON THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY THEM $35 FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND SEE IF THEY CAN FIND A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ANYWHERE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THEM THAT AMOUNT BECAUSE I AM CONSTANTLY PAYING TO HAVE NEW ROTORS PUT ON. NOT TO MENTION I HAVE TO MISS WORK A LOT FOR VARIOUS TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO FAULTY BLINKERS, KNOCKING NOISES, LIGHTS SURGING, ETC. WHEN PEOPLE DON'T WORK, THEY DON'T GET PAID!*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2001
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED/ANY TIME ON A DAILY BASIS. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 12, 2001
HAD ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. HAD THEM REPLACED AGAIN AT 19,000 MILES. FIRST TIME REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE THE SAME AS ON VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER KNEW OF PROBLEM , AND HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON ROTORS.*AK WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEED, THE CONSUMER FELT BRAKE PULSATION. BOTH THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 11, 2001
ROTORS ON BRAKES HAVE WARPED 3 TIMES BEFORE 20000 MILES! *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 10, 2001
BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE 14,000 MILES. THE ROTORS VIBRATE AND SHIMMY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. TRYING TO GET THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM IS A HASSLE. THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE I HAVE MY PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE DONE BY MY OWN PERSONAL *CERTIFIED* MECHANIC AND NOT AT THE DEALER THAT I HAVE VOIDED MY WARRANTY ON THE ROTORS. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $200 + FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROTORS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED AND ENFORCED FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS EVERY TIME I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION. THANK YOU!
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 7, 2001
WITHIN THREE MONTHS DEALER HAD TO TURN BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, AND GAVE NO REASON WHY THIS PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. *AK *SLC
Tires, Aug 31, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/60, CLAIM 49-3233-848. *SLC
Power train, Tires, Aug 31, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, TIRE BLEWOUT, STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES A WEEK PRIOR TO THIS, THE FRONT TIRES BEGAN SPINNING BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE AND THE PAVEMENT WAS NOT WET, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/60R15, CLAIM 20-5363-226. *SLC
Tires, Aug 31, 2001
RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT FIREPLUG, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/60R15, CLAIM 35-W577-593. *SLC
Tires, Aug 31, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRE BLEWOUT, VEHICLE JUMPED A LANE AND LANDED IN ANOTHER LANE, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT, FIRESTONE TIRE SIZE P205/60R15 93T, CLAIM 31-3083-344. *SLC
Tires, Aug 31, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/60, CLAIM 49-3233-848. *SLC
Power train, Tires, Aug 31, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, TIRE BLEWOUT, STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES A WEEK PRIOR TO THIS, THE FRONT TIRES BEGAN SPINNING BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE AND THE PAVEMENT WAS NOT WET, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/60R15, CLAIM 20-5363-226. *SLC
Tires, Aug 31, 2001
RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT FIREPLUG, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P215/60R15, CLAIM 35-W577-593. *SLC
Tires, Aug 31, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRE BLEWOUT, VEHICLE JUMPED A LANE AND LANDED IN ANOTHER LANE, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT, FIRESTONE TIRE SIZE P205/60R15 93T, CLAIM 31-3083-344. *SLC