Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
My teenager was trying to avoid a collision ran off the right side of the road came back on the road and then the car was headed to left shoulder and (teenager) attempted to straighten the vehicle out and then the vehicle ran back off the right side of the road again causing a accident. Teenager said vehicle became hard to steer and brakes had no effect.
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.
When making a turn my steering wheel locked up and could not control my car I had towed to a mechanic that told me that the subframe to rack bracket was rusted out and that the subframe and the rack needed to be replaced and the repair cost will start at about $2000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
I bough the 2000 Chevy Malibu used in August 2014 since then I have been seeing the same thing I had happening with the 2003 Saturn vue I bought in 2012 pre owned , the key in the ignition comes out and does not turn off the car . The key comes out while the switch and car is still running the key also does not turn over as it sticks inside of the ignition switch and I have a hard time getting car started also . This is very dangerous and needs to be repaired I already had the Saturn vue repaired since it was recalled this car needs to be repaired as well. Please issue a national recall on the 2000 Chevy Malibu cars to get fixed asap. I would like to get the car fixed asap this is not safe and also it is getting harder to turn the car on and the key is falling out a times also while the car is being driven since the switch is sticking . …
While parking I heard a noise in the front end and upon turning the wheel harder the power steering went out. I could barely turn the wheel. Later in the day put in more power steering fluid thinking that was the problem but had the same issue. I thought the power steering was going out as I was hearing a grinding type noise in the front end. The next day I could feel something under the driver floor board and louder noises when turning hard. Took it to my mechanic and was told sub-frame is rusted and needs replaced as well as the rack and pinion; this will start out as a $2000.00 repair and could go up to $4000.00 depending on what else they find when they work on it. This is a safety hazard and should be fixed by GM as they used shoddy materials building this vehicle. My mechanic said I shouldn't drive it as I May loose control of the vehicle. …
Bought this car as a project car with low mileage. Got bought at a used car dealership. Piston slap!!! Especially cold. Front sub frame rotted out and rack and pinion destroyed needed immediate replacement. Later was told rocker panels are destroyed with huge holes I was clearly upset another Malibu with another problem. Common problem with Malibu's from '98-'02. Was unable to safety because of panels missing a layer in spots (holes). Rear quarter panels severe rotting around wheel wells and gas cap area requiring bondo to fill in holes a horrible problem with Malibu's. Air conditioning clutch grinding constantly and half the time A/C bottom works. Sadly GM will not recall these issues now have to invest $7000 to make into a show car. GM should be ashamed of body problems and constant piston slaps and lifter knocking. I have to do an overhaul of $600-800 on engine. …
Vehicle first towed to shop on 04/04/00 for vehicle overheating. Top radiator hose split. Informed dealer of vibration in front end at 30 MPH and up, they said they could not duplicate. On 04/11/00 heard thumping noise from front and while pulling in driveway lost control of left front wheel. Towed to dealer and left side outer tie rod end replaced. Picked up from dealer on 04/12/00 and 2 miles away ABS light came on. Parked vehicle in driveway and next morning light was off. Left for work and got 6 miles away when check engine light came on and transmisson started slipping. Caled and notified Chevy and they said drive vehicle then have it towed in the next day. On 04/14/00 was driving down road at 40 MPH when I lost control of steering again and hit a tree. Repairs to steering/ABS light/check engine light/transmssion slipping not taken care of yet.
The car will not turn left. It makes a metal on metal sound. My mechanic says the engine cradle is completely rusted out, and the rack and pinion steering needs replacing.he said the rust is caused by the hose from the air conditioning dripping on the engine. He said that he sees the engine cradles rusted out all the time on Chevy malibus. I have maintained this car and never knew about this rust until now. The car has very low miles for its age. The body of the car is perfect. I would like Chevy to repair this. It would be about $2000 or so to get the car repaired with a used engine cradle and a used rack and pinion. I see that other people have told you about the same problem.
Steering complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the model year's 922 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to steering 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.