Malibu (6th)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LG8
3.1L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Chevrolet Malibu Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
L67
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 10 additional engine variants with limited data
L61
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
LX9
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LN2
2.2L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZ4
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LCV
2.5L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L26
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LE9
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LY7
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LE5
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LA3
3.2L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Malibu, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu
On a used 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (1,073), the engine (540) and the exterior lighting (523). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,073 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 540 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu about the engine, all engines combined.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 523 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu about the exterior lighting.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 452 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu about the brakes.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 423 owner complaints on the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Recalls (7)
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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
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.
Show 2 older recalls
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP THAT DOES NOT MEET THE PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
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.
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu complaints?
Owners have filed 2,815 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the exterior.
Is the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 2,815 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA has 2,815 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Malibu?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the exterior, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Malibu have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,815 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.