The 2000 Chevrolet Malibu has 5 safety recalls and 922 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (284 complaints).
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices
NHTSA recall 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007 · 742 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA recall 03V327000 · Aug 28, 2003 · 670,740 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
NHTSA recall 99V302000 · Oct 29, 1999 · 43,218 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2000 Chevrolet Malibu 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Malibu
23mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Malibu
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc
284
14
0
10
34,000 mi
Exterior lighting Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch; Turn signal
283
5
1
2
65,000 mi
Electrical system Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module; Ignition › Switch
Steering Rack and pinion; Steering wheel/handle bar
46
6
0
4
108,000 mi
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
36
0
0
0
56,500 mi
Suspension Front; Front › Macpherson strut
35
1
0
1
89,200 mi
Tires Tread/belt; Sidewall
34
2
0
2
28,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
32
21
0
16
110,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
26
1
0
1
47,596 mi
Structure Body; Frame and members
25
3
1
3
108,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 16, 2020 · 104,000 milesElectrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, TURN THE SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION THEN BACK TO THE ON POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 OR 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSS POWER BEFORE SHE COULD SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO WEST CHEVROLET,…
Oct 1, 2017 · 84,900 milesExterior lighting TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD MALFUNCTION OR FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FIDDLING WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH, THE INDICATOR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. STEVENS CREEK CHEVROLET (3640 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95117; (408) 490-0013) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VIN. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,900.
Apr 19, 2020 · 206,000 milesEngine I'VE REPLACED BATTERY, HEAD GASKETS, OVERFLOW TANK, AIR SYSTEM CONNECTORS, WATER PUMP, PCV VALVE, EVAP CANISTER, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES, RADIATOR, CAMSHAFT SENSOR, COOLANT TEMP SENSOR, BUT MY CAR IS STILL LEAKING COOLANT FROM UNDERNEATH LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ISN'T TRYING TO START. I'VE SPENT OVER $2000 AND STILL HAVEN'T SEEN RESULTS OR GOT IT TO FULLY FUNCTION. LAST TIME I DROVE IT WAS ON REGULAR GEORGIA ROADS GOING TO AND COMING HOME FROM WORK WHEN IT OVER HEATED TWICE GOING BOTH WAYS. *TR
May 6, 2020Tires I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT AN EXPERIENCE AT DISCOUNT TIRE 580 W TELEGRAPH WASHINGTON UTAH. AND YOU CAN FORWARD THIS TO ANY REGULATING AGENCY.FROM MY KNOWLEDGE, WHEN TWO TIRES ARE PURCHASED NEW, IT IS REQUIRED TO MOUNT THEM ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IF IT IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. AND MOVE THE LOWER TREAD TIRES TO THE BACK.WHILE AT THIS LOCATION, THE PERSON RUNNING THE SHOP STATED THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH TIRES OR ROTATE THEM IF THEY HAVE LOW TREAD.AND THEY MOUNTED THE TWO NEW ONES ON OPPOSITE CORNERS (FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER). AND TRIED TO SELL 2 ADDITIONAL TIRES.THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW. I WANT THIS BUSINESS REVIEWED FOR THEIR LICENSE. *TR
Oct 1, 2019 · 137,000 milesFuel/propulsion system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.
Jan 12, 2016 · 20 milesStructure › Body GAS FUEL TURNED BLACK AND WAS SPILLING OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THEN TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN IN THE INTERSECTION OF PALM ST N MAIN STREET SANTA PAULA CA.
Jul 20, 2019 · 167,000 milesExterior lighting TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); THEREFORE, THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
Jul 1, 2018 · 100,000 milesExterior lighting "TAKATA RECALL" I CURRENTLY OWN THIS VEHICLE AND I'M NOT ABLE TO USE THE BLINKERS OR EMERGENCY LIGHTS WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON ALL YOU HEAR IS A LOUD ALARM SOUNDING NOSIE. THEY DO NOT COME ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I KNOW THEY WORK SOME TIMES BUT IT'S VERY FEW AND IN BETWEEN . I SEEN THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS IN THE PAST FOR THIS ON THIS CAR BUT THE ELDERLY LADY WASN'T AWARE OF THEM . IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO UNDER THE RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND THERE NOT SURE HOW TO FIX IT.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
RQ04005 · opened Jun 18, 2004 · closed Nov 30, 2004TURN SIGNAL FAILURES GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS…
EA02037 · opened Dec 23, 2002 · closed Sep 5, 2003 · led to recall 03V327000TURN SIGNAL FAILURES BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM.GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU).GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION,…
EA02028 · opened Sep 30, 2002 · closed Dec 30, 2003ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR…
PE02066 · opened Sep 6, 2002 · closed Nov 3, 2003ENGINE STALL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE…
PE02064 · opened Aug 22, 2002 · closed Dec 23, 2002TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION BASED ON 9 COMPLAINTS OF TURN SIGNALS OPERATING SPORADICALLY ON THE 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU.THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL.GM IDENTIFIED THE HAZARD SWITCH AS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNAL PASSES THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH.FAILURE OF THE HAZARD SWITCHRESULTS IN LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS.GM REPORTS 318, 184 AND 201 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR THE MALIBU, ALERO AND GRAND AM RESPECTIVELY.GM ALSO REPORTS THE FOLLOWING MODELS HAVE THE SAME DESIGN TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH AS THE CHEVROLET MALIBU: CHEVROLET CORVETTE, MONTE CARLO, AND IMPALA; OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE AND ALERO; AND THE PONTIAC GRAND AM.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THE HIGHEST OCCURANCE OF THE PROBLEM IN THE MY 2000-2001 MALIBU, ALERO, AND GRAND AM.
SQ01002 · opened Jan 26, 2001 · closed Sep 30, 2002ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE There is no summary currently available
SQ00004 · opened Feb 2, 2000 · closed Jan 19, 2001ACCELERATOR CABLE DETACHES FROM THROTTLE There is no summary currently available
