Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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. …
I can not remove the key from the ignition after putting the car in park. The above happened randomly at first, but got worse, and now happens every single time. I now have to leave the key in the car, in the accessory position, and carry a second key just to lock and unlock the car. If I don't restart the car within a few hour hours, the battery would be drained, and I would have to get a jump start - this had happened to me a few times. I searched this issue on the internet and found an article from autonews.com dated December 11 2014 saying that GM is aware of this problem, and would fix it if asked (not a recall). I contacted two local Chevrolet dealerships: community Chevrolet (16 jan 2015) and rydell Chevrolet (19 jan 2015), but was told they are not aware of any authorization from GM to fix the above stated issue. Please help me resolve this problem with GM.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart it after some time. Multiple warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact noticed coolant leaking and had to continuously refill the vehicle with coolant. After turning off the vehicle, the key failed to eject and remained in the accessory position. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired the manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 157,323. Updated 05/16/17 updated 7/9/18
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.
I bought this car brand new (had 4 miles on it) in August of 2000. Within a month, the A/C motor had to be replaced. Within 6 months the engine began to surge, and felt like it was going to stall whenever at a stop. During this same period of time, the brakes began pulsating, and I replaced them on my own. I have not had an issue with them since. Then this year, 2003, it completely died on me while doing 70 in rush hour traffic on the freeway in san diego. My whole family was in the car, and we could have been killed. I couldn't even turn on the flashers to let other drivers know we were in trouble. Obviously, the power steering went out, and we had to cross three lanes of traffic, solely propelled by our existing momentum, without the ability to steer. I am beginning the process of trying to assess what the issue is, though I am sure it is the alternator. …
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. …
I have had ongoing problems 3 years., approximately with frequent low coolant levels and low oil levels, in addition to noticing a strong odor of coolant after turning car off. I was informed recently , during a routine oil change in May, 2007, of a common problem often observed in GM 3.1 l and 3.4l v-6 engines. The intake manifold gasket leaked and allowed cross contamination of the coolant and oil systems. The oil system leaked into the coolant system, clogging the flow of engine coolant and damaging other systems, gaskets and fluids. The coolant leake d into the oil system as well, causing engine wear. Now I am told it will cost about $1000.00 to replace the intake manifold gasket, in addition to all the other gaskets affected by this leak. The main expense is for the labor to reach the intake manifold gasket in mid-engine. …
Previously submitted this report/complaint on this site, to GM and to the ftc around 2004 with no response. The Chevrolet Malibu from 2000 has similar ignition and engine issues now reported on the news in the cobalt and other cars. Owner had to replace the intake manifold several times, the ignition,starter, key system, idle control valve, and other parts numerous times due to the car engine smoking, "turning off" or not starting after stopping, parking, and not starting upon inserting the key, idling high or timing off. This began within 2-3 years of owning the car. The engine light came on when driving or starting the car. Multiple times the security light would blink and owner would have to wait 15 minutes to turn it on. GM even has this listed in the manual (in security feature/lock system). …
I bought the car at the end of 2000 and had to replace the intake manifold gaskets at around the same time (thanksgiving) in 2001. My fuel pump went out in 2002 and my mechanic just told me the intake manifold gaskets are leaking again. He suggest to replace them soon. It cost $900 to get it fixed the first time which was not under my extended warranty plan. I just paid the car off and have to fork out another $700-900 to get it fixed again. It is common knowledge to GM that there is a history of gaskets problems in several Chevy models especially the Malibu, but no recall has been issued and no compensation has been awarded to all those hard working people who trust the Chevy name. If nothing is done I will never buy Chevy again. Pontiac had the same problem with some of its cars a few years back and recalled all models with less than 100,000 miles on them. Why wont Chevy. …
I too, have many of the problems that other Malibu owners have. My turn signals work intermittently, the brakes have been replaced 2x, in addition to rotors, etc. The battery blew up, but was replaced as was the ac turning off and on by itself. The one issue that is very concerning to me, is one familiar to you. My car cuts off at anytime while driving. It has done this to me on 2 separate occasions. Nashville has 3 interstates running through it and I was on them both times this happened. It was very scary and dangerous. It is out of warranty and the shops that I have taken it to cannot replicate the problem. The mechanics at then shops told me that Malibu's are by far some of the most troublesome cars on the road today. Someone is going to be killed. You lose control and have no steering ability, what does it take to fix the problem. …
Engine complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 193 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, 21% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.