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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,994 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2000 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2000 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #19

Sep 162020

Malibu

  • 104,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The contact called the same dealer and informed them of the failure and was advised to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #18

Apr 192020

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 206,000 miles
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.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #17

Jun 102013

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2000 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to theft system light malfunction causes vehicle not to start, has had ignition cylinder/passlock sensor replaced several times and problem still exists. The consumer stated the vehicle takes 10 to 25 minutes before the theft system light to go off. Updated 03/31/2017

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #16

Oct 122016

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 157,323 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Marion, VA, USA

problem #15

Mar 112016

Malibu

  • miles
As driving along the highway the car completely shut off and would not start up again and has not started up since. The car was in motion, I was on the highway, traveling on I-10 highway.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #14

Nov 301999

Malibu

  • miles
2000 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch problems. The consumer stated the ignition switch was replaced twice. It was replaced on November 30, 1999 and March 19, 2014. The consumer stated while driving, the vehicle the steering and brakes failed. Also, the oil pressure switch and throttle body were replaced.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #13

Nov 022014

Malibu

  • 176,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Cedar Falls, IA, USA

problem #12

May 252010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the engine stalled intermittently. The failure occurred on twelve occasions. The dealer stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 01/28/15 air conditioner and heater wouldnot come on. Updated 08/28/2017

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #11

Sep 172014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 0 miles
I am appalled that I have received a recall notice in the mail, and when I go to make the appointment in order to repair the damage, no parts are available until mid October. The recall notice states we should schedule an appointment on or after October 1, 2014. However, what's the point" there are no parts available"

- Venice, CA, USA

problem #10

Apr 012009

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
My car has expereinced trouble starting due to this ignition swirch, recall. I have been stranded multiple times. I have been to service stations and the mechanincs could not figure out what was going on, causing me to put out money for a new starter, a new electrical system, new fuel pump etc. The problems that I have faced were due to the ignition switch not being in the "run" position. How can I ever be compensated for all of the repairs that were not really needed on my car due to some major corporation being greedy and keeping it's customers in the dark about the reality of the situation. GM has been putting me in danger for years now, and I have to continue to wait for the parts to be made to correct their error. I have been stranded on the road and in undesired places, this is unforgivable!

- Venice , CA, USA

problem #9

Jan 102010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After parking the car I was notified by a neighbor that my vehicle was on fire. The fire dept. Was call and extinguished the fire.the arson squad was called and determined the vehicles fire was due to a mechanical problem. After I researched the vehicle safety recalls and found out there had been a recall for this vehicle and I was unaware of it. I purchased it used. I did not receive any notice on the recall. I found there were many other fires associated with this failure. The vehicle was totally burned up vehicle was non repairable and towed to the junk yard after arson investigation was complete.

- College Park, GA, USA

problem #8

Jun 092014

Malibu

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and stalled. The entire instrument panel illuminated. The contact mentioned that the instrument panel had been malfunctioning since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Eugine, OR, USA

problem #7

Apr 032014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
My boyfriend and I bought a 2000 Chevy Malibu from a used car lot. In April of this year I went to take the car for a car wash for the first time and when the car got wet it turned off - all the lights on the dash board came on and the car that I just filled up 5 minutes prior- the gas needle went to zero. I took the key out and waited for the car wash to be over and it fired up right away. But when I got home and I turned it back on the car wouldn't start and a left light would come on. We let the car sit for a couple of days and then it started up fine and was running fine. One night coming home from a conference it was raining and we were driving down the freeway and it happened again car shut off, all the lights on the dash came on. We were thankfully able to safely get to the side of the road and the car fired up again and we got home but when we parked it it wouldn't turn on. We took it to a local Chevy dealership and we have to have the computer and all the wires replace $1,000 it cost - hasn't happened since. But there are other incidences to add...

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

problem #6

Aug 072013

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
My boyfriend and I bought a 2000 Chevy Malibu from a used car dealer in June of 2013. In August I was driving to a doctor's appointment and there was a lot of traffic so I got off the freeway and took back roads - and I am glad I did. While I was on a road where the speed limit was 45 miles per hour the car just started speeding on its own. The RPM's went up along with the speed and you could hear the engine just roaring. I was able to stop safely and I pulled into a bar parking lot and called a tow truck. When the tow guy got to the parking lot he opened the hood of my car and the throttle was about an inch from being removed from the apparatus that it is supposed to be attached to. He put the throttle back to where it was supposed to be and told me I should be fine - I said no and had it towed to a auto shop where they said the only thing they could do is zip tie the throttle to the apparatus. So my throttle and my safety currently depend on a zip tie...

- Oak Creek , WI, USA

problem #5

Mar 282003

Malibu

  • 8,000 miles
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). Owner first told it was due to problems with the engine, then key, then it was a security programming issue, then it was the intake manifold (not covered under warranty for some reason). Some of the repairs cost hundreds of dollars and costs for towing. Eventually the car will not start at all and it must be reprogrammed, worked on by dealer. The Malibu and other cars such as Saturn have this issue. May be related to the engine and ignition issue mentioned in the news. At times owner was stuck far from home and had to tow the car. Highway driving was nerve wracking because you never knew what the car would do. There are hundreds of internet complaints about the Malibu from 2000 and onward related to engine and ignition failures.

- Brownsburg, IN, USA

problem #4

Apr 152013

Malibu

  • 74,000 miles
While driving, ignition switch failed causing the engine to stop with loss of power steering, brakes, etc. Failure was intermittent and required repeated service calls to identify the source of problem as the ignition switch.

- Midland, MI, USA

problem #3

Oct 112011

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 51,564 miles
Early in 2011 I started having difficulties with my 2000 Malibu. The problem was that the check engine light would appear randomly on the dashboard. After a few moments it would disappear. It began staying on longer and longer so I took it to a local Chevrolet dealer. They checked it out, couldn??T find anything specific, and told me I should have them put in a new computer. This cost approximately $550 after the repair a new symptom began to appear: Spontaneous engine stalling coupled with loss of steering control. Attempts to restart the car resulted in no engine cranking. I found that after waiting for a while the car would start again and be fine. At one point we were traveling at freeways speeds on the New Jersey turnpike. My daughter was driving and my two young granddaughters were in the back seat. Suddenly the engine stalled as described above. It was frightening, but we were able to coast to the side of the road safely. We sat for a few moments on the shoulder of the freeway, trying to figure out if we were going to be stranded. After a few tries, the car started up okay and we continued to our destination. When we arrived at the hotel parking lot, it repeated this behavior. We completed our journey and got home safely. A few days later I tried to start the car but it was completely dead. I contacted the same Chevrolet dealership who sent a tow truck to fetch us and the vehicle. Once at the dealership, one of the mechanics quickly suggested that it might be the ignition switch. The dealership replaced the ignition switch and charged me over $400. I am a senior citizen and the repair bills were a lot for me to handle.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #2

Jul 042013

Malibu

  • 168,000 miles
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. Pathetic GM link to the piston slap on my car on youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=mnttrctq5mm&feature=youtube_gdata_player.

- Camden, AR, USA

problem #1

Mar 152013

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
I was traveling to brighton, co from ft. Morgan, co to seller my 2000 Chevy Malibu. Our intended purpose was to take the funds from the sell and pick up 1996 Chevy S10. Prior to this trip my car had difficulties starting but never failed to start after several attempts. The car engine stalled coming off of the off ramp at around 30 mph. When the car stalled I had to manually steer the vehicle to get it to the shoulder of the road (I just had carpool tunnel surgery and it was painful to do so). After about 2 minutes I attempted to restart the car and it restarted after about the forth attempt at turning the key on waiting 30 seconds for the fuel pump and then turning the key over the rest of the way. After about 2 city blocks the car stalled again going around 20 mph. This time it took much longer before the car would start again. About 25 minutes, we let the engine cool and again it took several attempts to turn the motor over but it final did start. It traveled about a mile and stalled again going about 5 mph. This time we let the car sit for an hour and re attempted to start it. It went another mile and stalled again. We contacted a mechanic who suggested it may be the fuel regulator or the fuel pump. We have replaced the regulator and that did not work we have tested the fuel pump and it is working fine. I have read several documents involving this issue and I am still no closer to figuring out what the problem is. I only know I am not the only one having this issue. This car also has a faulty check engine light and does not appear to be over heating when it stalls. The theft light comes on intermittently but I have check the VIN on my car with Chevy and there is no recall for my car. Why is this happening at 115K. This could be very dangerous and I have half a mind to call a news station. I'm sure Chevy would love the new advertising. Please fix.

- Log Lane Village, CO, USA

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