The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 250 of 922 complaints (27%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 789 in 1999 to 922 in 2000.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 922
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,700–$2,950
- Combined MPG
- 21–23
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | vs. 2000 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–24 | 21–23 | 21–23 | 21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–20 / 27–30 | 17–19 / 26–28 | 18–19 / 27–28 | 18 / 26 | 18 / 26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–423 | 386–423 | 386–423 | 423 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 975 | 789 | 922 | 721 | 567 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 34 | 44 | 45 | 36 | 18 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 24 | 40 | 36 | 29 | 19 | |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
Brakes: 250 of 922 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA rates it 21–23 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.1L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 193 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 79 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 199 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 250 | 17 | 0 | 13 | 3 |
| Steering | 45 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 64 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 34 | 21 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 32 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 245 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
- Defect
- 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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
- Consequence
- If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Defect
- 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 STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
- Consequence
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- 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:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
- Defect
- 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 O'RING AND RETAINER.
- Consequence
- FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- 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:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Defect
- 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 BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.
- Consequence
- WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy
- 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 1-800-630-6537.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
- Defect
- 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. FUEL LEAKS MAY OCCUR, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFUELING OR WHEN THE TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
- Consequence
- IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.