Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 979 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 181 | 18% |
| Service brakes | 173 | 18% |
| Electrical system | 133 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 110 | 11% |
| Fuel system | 28 | 3% |
| Tires | 25 | 3% |
| Air bags | 21 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 18 | 2% |
| Suspension | 16 | 2% |
| Steering | 14 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* 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 VE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD MALFUNCTION OR FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FIDDLING WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH, THE INDICATOR WORKED I
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT AN EXPERIENCE AT DISCOUNT TIRE 580 W TELEGRAPH WASHINGTON UTAH. AND YOU CAN FORWARD THIS TO ANY REGULATING AGENCY.FROM MY KNOWLEDGE, WHEN TWO TIRES ARE PURCHASED NEW, IT IS REQUIRED TO MOU
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
GAS FUEL TURNED BLACK AND WAS SPILLING OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THEN TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN IN THE INTERSECTION OF PALM ST N MAIN STREET SANTA PAULA CA.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN T
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
"TAKATA RECALL" I CURRENTLY OWN THIS VEHICLE AND I'M NOT ABLE TO USE THE BLINKERS OR EMERGENCY LIGHTS WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON ALL YOU HEAR IS A LOUD ALARM SOUNDING NOSIE. THEY DO NOT COME ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I KNOW THEY
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2000 Chevrolet Malibu. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 agen
Risk: 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.
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.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
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.
Risk: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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 1-800-63
| Reliability | 58 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 85 | excellent |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 979 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 181 of them (18%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 58/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.