2000 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability

1,392 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 7 defect investigations. It scores 59/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 70,000 miles.

1,392Complaints
59/100Trouble index
5Recalls
67,000Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 2000 sits among all Malibu years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Electrical 504 complaints (36%) · typically ~70,000 miles
“Consumer called complaining about having problems with the vehicle turn signal and safety light (emergency signal) dealer has replaced the switch turn signal part at 24.000 miles, and consumer states the problem is recurring. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Malibu
Brakes & stability 307 complaints (22%) · typically ~43,000 miles
“The rotors were out of round and the pads were faulty causing the vehicle to vibrate and make noise when the brakes are applied. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Malibu
Engine 199 complaints (14%) · typically ~63,000 miles
“Intake gasket coolant leaking problems which results to overheating and engine failures.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Malibu
Fuel system 71 complaints (5%) · typically ~60,600 miles
“My car kept dying while driving down the road. My mechanic told me to consider 1/4 tank empty, because when the car got down to empty, all the gas was in the lines and it ruined the fuel pump. It has not happened since i got a new fuel pump. 8jb”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Malibu
Other 66 complaints (5%) · typically ~62,500 miles
“1. Paint is chipping off on fromt bumper and lower driver side 2. Turn signals and hazard lights only work sometimes”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Malibu
Steering 46 complaints (3%) · typically ~108,000 miles
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Malibu

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 659 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 67,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 46,000 and 104,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14V400000 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E012000 2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 07E021000 2007

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN…

Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 03V327000 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 99V302000 1999

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.…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

Federal defect investigations

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES RQ04005 opened 2004, closed 2004
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES EA02037 opened 2002, closed 2003

Led to recall campaign 03V327000.

ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE EA02028 opened 2002, closed 2003
ENGINE STALL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION PE02066 opened 2002, closed 2003
TURN SIGNAL FAILURE PE02064 opened 2002, closed 2002
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE SQ01002 opened 2001, closed 2002
ACCELERATOR CABLE DETACHES FROM THROTTLE SQ00004 opened 2000, closed 2001

Technical service bulletins

337 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2000 Malibu TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

1999peak 229 in 20042020

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

The 2000 Chevrolet Malibu drew 1,392 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 59/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).

What are the most common 2000 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

The top reported problems for the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu are electrical (504 complaints), brakes & stability (307), and engine (199).

At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Malibu problems show up?

Owners most often report 2000 Chevrolet Malibu problems around 67,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 46,000 and 104,000 miles.

Does the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

5 recall campaigns apply to the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 1999 Malibu All Malibu years 2001 Malibu →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.