2000 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 1,379 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 22% of complaints. After that come lighting (21%) and electrical system (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,379 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 71 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 50 and 3
- Typical mileage
- 65,000 miles 657 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 44 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 71 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 157 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 128 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 82 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 48 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 45 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 31 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 24 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 15 |
| 200k+ miles | 12 |
What the data shows
Among the 657 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 65,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 42,000 miles (58 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 71 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 50 injuries reported; 3 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2000 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 28 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu with enough data (851 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Dt: contact states her daughter was in a 4 vehicle accident, the front airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was hit on the front and the rear. The manufacturer stated that vehicle was not going fast enough for the airbags to deploy.
Dt*: the contact stated while coming to a stop from 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and did not respond. The vehicle's front passenger side collided with another vehicle. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle occupants received minor injuries, although the seatbelts were worn. The vehicle was towed to an auto body and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not inspected to determine the cause of the brake failure.
Tl*-the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH and preparing to stop, and suddenly a vehicle crashed into the rear end. A police report was filed of the incident. The driver sustained a concussion, fractured hand and wrist; and additional injuries to the eye, ankle, and right leg. The severe injuries resulted in four surgeries on the hand and wrist, and two surgeries onthe ankle. The contact stated additional surgeries were required as a result of the failure.
Both frontal air bags deployed inadvertently while reversing. This resulted in lower face and neck injuries to the driver upon impact. Dealership could not indicate what caused the failure, but just wanted to repair it.
1. Lower intake manifold gaskets leaking coolant. 2. Horn is inoperative (2nd time). 3.HVAC kicks off and recirc. Will not hold its setting. (on-going for the last 2 years).