Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Intermittently when the brake pedal was applied, the brakes grabbed so hard that the entire vehicle vibrated severely. When this occurred, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. This resulted in extended stopping distance. The brake rotors warped. On one occasion this failure caused lost of control, in which the consumer almost crashed into an 18 wheeler, but was able to pull over to the medium. The dealership has acknowledged that there was a problem with the braking system, but was unable to correct the problem, and was now refusing to work on the vehicle. …
We unfortunately own a 2000 Chevy Malibu. We have already replaced the rotors several times for going out of round. We have also replaced the fuel pump at less then 50,000 miles at the cost of $728.00. The air conditioner pops on and off on its own not cooling for the most part. The turn signals are nonfunctional and our VIN number is not included in the recall although it should be. Then there is the transmission slipping and the coolant leaking and the car overheating we are told this is a manifold intake gasket and will cost around 800.00 to fix. The newest problem is the factory installed radio tuner is burned out and now we have to replace the radio costing yet another $100.00 dollars or so this car has nickel and dimed us too much. After looking over your site I found these to be numerous complaints on the same year and model. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the hazard lights and turn signals would function intermittently. She could never pinpoint when they would malfunction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the lights functioned properly each time and they could not duplicate the failure. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer regarding NHTSA campaign id number 03V327000 (exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch) and they installed a new switch. The remedy corrected the issue; however, the failure recurred in the latter part of 2008. The dealer stated that the repair would be at the contact's expense again because the recall repair had previously been performed. In addition, the heater did not work. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was 62,902 and failure mileage was 42,668.
As stated by other complainants, I also have a problem with my cooling system. After losing my A/C now I'm faced with losing the whole engine. My car continuously runs hot the so called dexcool coolant keeps squirting over the engine and reading other complaints I'm facing either intake repairs or water pump and thermostat problems. This is ridiculous so many people having similar problems neither GMC or our so called would step in and put and end to this mess. I guest lobbyist are more important than the safety of America.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the engine stalled intermittently. The failure occurred on twelve occasions. The dealer stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 01/28/15 air conditioner and heater wouldnot come on. Updated 08/28/2017
Numerous problems: brakes made noise when applied, vehicle jerked when at a complete stop,the vehicle shut down on the consumer three times, it started loud and hard, bounced while being driven and a bolt fell off from under the passenger seat, however the dealer stated the bolt did not belong to the vehicle. Also the rear passenger window was inoperative, and the battery was weak.
The air conditioner stopped working on fan speeds 1 and 2. After pulling out the blower motor resistor, I found out half the circuit was burned out. After replacing the resistor, the fan works on all speeds. I threw out the old part.
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. …
I bought my 2000 Chevy Malibu from rod and ty's all star auto in puyallup, wa on 7/5/05. I bought the extended warranty/repair insurance. I have put over $600 of repairs into my car, only to find out that I need a new fuel pump, which is another $756.26 and the warranty people will only pay $425 for a substandard part. I also have some wires I need to have replaced, the A/C has never worked, even though they told me it did, the cd player destroys my cds and sometimes just won't play them at all, and I have a squeaky sound coming from the steering or suspension on the front end of my car. I paid over $13,000 for this car when it was 5 years old and had 74K miles on it (I got screwed) and now all these problems are coming up on it. The even cr*ppier part is, I still owe $9000 on it and it's only worth $2500 on trade in. What the heck am I supposed to do with this lemon piece of cr*p car? …
I bought my Chevy Malibu 02/01 and I have 39,000 miles and already I had problems with the air condition switch. The ac settings change on their own as you are driving the car. This causes the compressor to turn on and off, eventually causing premature compressor failure. My brakes were squeaking so I went to just brakes to get them changed and it cost 636.00. I had to have a four wheel friction reline, disc pads rf and lf, brake shoes relined rr and lr, rotors were new (could not cut) machine rf lf, drum machine rr lr, wheel cylinders new rr lr, bleed, flush, fill and adjust brake system, etc. I went to the dealer and they said "because I did not bring the vehicle to them, to get serviced there was nothing they could do about it because they did not look at the material." even though I had the material for them to look at. …
AC & Heater complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Malibu ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Malibu ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 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.