Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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 owned a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the brake pedal required excessive force in order to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering failed and caused the vehicle to steer to the left. Additionally, the hood of the vehicle flew up and struck the top of the roof resulting in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and not diagnosed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while waiting to make a right turn, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The passenger sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000. Djr
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy during a crash. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician inspected the air bags and the diagnostic was unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Traveling on interstate I 40 doing 65mph cross over the media luckly their were no other car beside me or coming after I cross the media all I know it picked up speed like the gas pedal had stuck and it juke like but the air bag didn't come out it tore the front end of the body up the it accelerate by it self sometime just seating still.
While entering a on ramp at 25-40 MPH consumer collided into the rear of another vehicle stalled at the end of ramp. Seat belts were worn by the consumer, but none of the airbags deployed. There were no personal injuries, although there was damage to the vehicles. Police did arrive on the scene and no citations were issued.
Steering wheel locked,engine power was lost, brakes would not work. I could not control the vehicle,I hit a poled,borke both legs, have a rod in femur and messed up my knee,still recovering and in awheel chair for now.
While driving at 35mph consumer was involved in a frontal collision and neither of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was rendered a total loss. The appraiser stopped when repairs estimated exceeded $6700.00.
My wife and son were involved in a motor vehicle accident 08/31/2000,with another vehicle at an intersection.where our vehicle was traveling at approximately 5 miles per hour,when it was hit in the front center of our vehicle by a Ford explorer that was traveling at approx 35 m.p.h according to the driver and police report. The air-bags on my vehicle did not deploy,I would like something done about this.I am in the automobile business,I have seen vehicles involved in accidents not as bad as mine was and the air-bags did there job properly.my wife contacted the purchasing dealers service dept.and she was advised that the bags would not deploy unles the impact was atleast 35m.p.h. …
Put 3 sets of brake pads & rotors (at 16,000, 33,000, 42,000) on this car & now needs repairing again. Had front end collision, head hit steering wheel but air bags did not deploy. Entire front of car was completely crushed. Brakes failed 3 times. Would have resulted in a wreck if something had been in front of me. After repairs from wreck, leaking coolant - resulted in blown head gasket. Edwards chev & adjuster said was not from wreck - problem probably started before wreck. Car is extremely hard to steer when parking. Feels like there is no power steering.
2000, Chevrolet, Malibu broadsided another vehicle at approximately 25 MPH, and both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Consumer sustained knee injuries and was taken to hospital. The entire front hood was knocked to windshield, consumer is still undergoing pysical therapy for injuries.
Airbag complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Malibu airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 16 injuries to air bags 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.