Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
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).
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.
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.
I started my car and put it in reverse. Accelerator stuck and with both feet on the brake I could not stop the car from moving or reduce its speed. With both feet on the brake and not the accelerator I ran across two lanes of the highway and slammed into a tree. Apparently I have a totaled vehicle/Malibu 2000. Trooper did not believe the accelerator was stuck.
My boyfriend and I bought a 2000 Chevy Malibu from a used car dealer in June of 2013. In August I was driving to a doctor's appointment and there was a lot of traffic so I got off the freeway and took back roads - and I am glad I did. While I was on a road where the speed limit was 45 miles per hour the car just started speeding on its own. The RPM's went up along with the speed and you could hear the engine just roaring. I was able to stop safely and I pulled into a bar parking lot and called a tow truck. When the tow guy got to the parking lot he opened the hood of my car and the throttle was about an inch from being removed from the apparatus that it is supposed to be attached to. …
I was driving my girlfriend home in her car when I put the car in reverse it sped down my driveway. As I was driving and I had to stop it took all my strength to stop the car. When I let off the brake pedal the car took off, giving the feeling of whiplash and squealed the tires. I am a young driver so I did not know what was happening and why. I just know it took all the strength I had to stop the car and I did notice that the tachometer was increasing when the car was stopped. I feel if my girlfriend had been driving her car, she would not have been able to control the car. I am very strong, I work out and am able to press 200 lbs. This incident took all my strength.
Tl*-the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH and preparing to stop, and suddenly a vehicle crashed into the rear end. A police report was filed of the incident. The driver sustained a concussion, fractured hand and wrist; and additional injuries to the eye, ankle, and right leg. The severe injuries resulted in four surgeries on the hand and wrist, and two surgeries onthe ankle. The contact stated additional surgeries were required as a result of the failure. The manufacturer was notified but there were no resolutions. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle erroneously accelerated. The contact restarted the vehicle while it was still in motion and it resumed normal function. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was106,000. Updated 01/15/13 the consumer stated the current mileage was 107,697. The throttle body was cleaned, throttle sensor replaced, idle air control valve replaced yet, the failure persists. Old parts are available. Updated 1/23/2013
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the accelerator button became stuck. The vehicle accelerated to 80 MPH and would not stop. The contact drove onto the shoulder to slow down and stop the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. She had to place the vehicle into park in order to stop because the brakes would not stop the vehicle either. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was 57,000.
Complaint received via e-mail. While my family and I were driving home from a restaurant accelerator pedal locked open while approaching our exit. It was only by my quick reaction and cool head that my family was spared a horrendous accident. Vehicle was towed to a dealership. Just last week the power steering pump failed, and needed to be replaced.. This tribute was a nightmare, considering the age of this vehicle and only 45,000 kilometers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the ignition was started and the throttle stuck in an open position without warning. The contact informed that the vehicle was not being driven when the failure occurred. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 140,000.
NHTSA investigations
Erratic fuel gauge
There is no summary currently available
Accelerator cable detaches from throttle
There is no summary currently available
Acceleration complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration 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 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.