Most common 2000 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Share of the 922 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Malibu complaints by model year
Best Malibu years: 2025, 2021, 2019. Years to avoid: 2010. Compare all years →
2000 Chevrolet Malibu recalls (3)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace it if necessary.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 7 possible defects involving the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu:
Erratic fuel gauge
There is no summary currently available
Accelerator cable detaches from throttle
There is no summary currently available
Turn 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…
Engine 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…
Turn 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 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…
Erratic 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…
What 2000 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Brakes all 250 →
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.
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.
Lights all 241 →
There are three safety problems that have occurred. The first is that the turn signals sometimes work and sometimes don't. The second is that the engine will at time accelerate on it's own while driving and while idle. The third is that the engine sometimes completely shuts off while driving when it rains. A car repair shop has identified problems with the throttle position sensor and the idle air control motor. Searching on the internet reveals that this particular car has problems with the emergency light control that causes turn signal problems. I performed a recall search and the only recall I found was for an ignition switch modification which doesn't seem to relate to my problems.
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; [phone]) 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.
Electrical system all 199 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated on its own. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an unknown location for diagnostic testing. The mechanic replaced the water pump and the body control module, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
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, inc., (3450 airport hwy, alcoa, tn 37701) where the vehicle was repaired under recall. The contact stated that the ignition switch was not repaired under the recall campaign. …
2000 Chevrolet Malibu engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?
Based on 922 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Malibu rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Malibu at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
The brakes — 250 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the lights (241) and electrical system (199).
How many recalls does the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, the most recent from July 3, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Malibu?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2021 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010. See the full Chevrolet Malibu years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Malibu problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 27% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.