Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor and discovered that fuel was leaking from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and indicated that there had been fuel leaking on the fuel lines. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99V302000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the anti theft device light illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and the fuel regulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was parked, a strong odor of fuel emitted outside the vehicle. There was a recall regarding NHTSA campaign number: 99V302000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact smelled fuel when the vehicle was parked in the garage. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was excessive rust below the fuel tank. In addition, there were holes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,625.
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 a 2000 Chevy Malibu. It has something called the passlock system or theft system and it prevents the car from starting. It prevents the car from starting all the time. This isn't the first time you have received this complaint I bet. I have put an extra $2000 into the car after I brought it hoping it would fix it but I still have the problem. I have read on-line and everyone who owns a 96 and up GM car has this problem. Everyone says GM doesn't care about this problem and they won't fix it. They say this is the only way to get them to fix it. If we complain on here. Please make them fix this problem with their cars because you would save over 1,000,000 people time and frustration. No joke, literally 1,000,000 people have this problem. This is why they went bankrupt. GM sucks. This is why America sucks as a nation. We have to complain on here to fix our problems. …
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. …
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. …
Related recalls
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 investigations
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…
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, 9% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-302 (filler pipe and cap, Oct 29, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.