2000 Chevrolet Malibu: check engine light

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 8,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Mar 13, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 51,564 miles · VA

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 $550.00 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.

Filed Mar 16, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 115,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Engine · 63,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet malibu. While the contact was driving approximately 60 MPH, the engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated there was a leakage within the intake manifold gasket which could result to the engine overheating and potentially causing a fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000. Updated 02/23/11*lj updated 02/28/11

Filed Oct 23, 2010 · Fuel system · 141,600 miles · NY

On sept. 29, 2010, I bought a 2000 chevy malibu in ny from a nj dealer, the next day I noticed the check engine light on, so I took the car to a mechanic who told me that there was an issue with the gas emissions. I paid him to do a special emissions gas treatment, the check engine light remained on. The same car also has exterior lighting issues (the turn signals sporadically work and suddenly stop without warning and the emergency blinkers won't work either), I submitted this issue in a complaint on this website the federal safety agency.dot.gov on yesterday oct. 22, 2010. However I am submitting this because it is possibly related to the recall gas tank issues of this make, model and year car.

Filed Oct 23, 2010 · Fuel system · 141,600 miles · NY

On sept. 29, 2010, I bought a 2000 chevy malibu in ny from a nj dealer, the next day I noticed the check engine light on, so I took the car to a mechanic who told me that there was an issue with the gas emissions. I paid him to do a special emissions gas treatment, the check engine light remained on. The same car also has exterior lighting issues (the turn signals sporadically work and suddenly stop without warning and the emergency blinkers won't work either), I am submitting this because it is possibly related to the recall gas tank issues of this make, model and year car. Today when I contacted chevrolet recall 800‑630‑2438 they informed me that the recalls are VIN specific and that my car's VIN # is not on that list and that they can not fix my car. ???

Filed Oct 12, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · 9,000 miles · OH

Intake manifold gasket replaced three times under and outside of warranty. Hazard switch malfunctioning - almost caused accident turning signal/wiper washer switch malfunctioning premature brake wear until calipers replaced check engine light various emissions and fuel vapor leaks.

Filed May 3, 2007 · Electrical · 7,000 miles · CA

Upon starting the 2000 chevy malibu, the power windows wouldn't work, the fuel gauge read as empty, the gear indicator didn't light up. This problem continued for up to 2 minutes, then everything would come on. The "service vehicle soon" light would come on intermittently and eventually the "check engine" light came on. We took it to a certified mechanic who determined that a faulty ignition switch was the cause of the problem.

Filed Aug 12, 2006 · Electrical, Fuel system · 43,000 miles · MI

I have been having problems with my hazard lights as well as turning signals. They have been replaced since the last recall, but have went out again. I also have been having problems with my fuel line, such as my vehicle not wanting to accelerate, it seems that it idles at a intersection light with the RPM's going up to the 2 or 3 then acting as if it wants to shut off. I had the fuel line replaced not even thirty days after purchasing the vehicle. I purchased the vehicle jan of 2000, and I did see some investigation concerning the fuel line months prior to the purchase. My vehicle stopped on the side of the highway, and my vehicle was towed to a chevorlet dealer outside of lansing near lake odessa. I at that time was not charged for this fuel pump which they did try to charge but because it happened within the thirty days they replaced the fuel pump at no charge. I do see on this site that this vehicle a 2000 chevy malibu has been investigated due to fuel problems so I hoping this was looked into properly and brought to the surface once again because my pump was changed in 2000 and has been giving me problem since 2002. I have had tune-ups, transmission changed, routine oil changes, fuel line cleaned, diagnosis ran, and the results are nothing I'm hoping to get to the bottom of this before taking any documentation to a lawyer concerning a matter that has been brought to the surface but nothing done about it. Also I've took this vehicle back to the dealer where it was purchased and they can't find anything wrong with it. The question they ask is whether the check engine light has come on or not. I have all sensors checked out and that not the problem, but my gas leaves fast and I have a hard time accelerating on the residential streets as well as the high way. I also have been having to change the fuses in order for my horn and cigarette lighter to work. So someone please look into this because it's getting worse. Thanks for your time and consideration.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Engine · 91,000 miles · CA

While driving engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer noticed that the temperature needle was registering as hot on the dashboard. Vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to a blown head gasket. *ak

Filed Jun 10, 2004 · Lights · OH

The turn signals stop working for no reason.sometimes turning off the engine and restarting it can make them work again or pulling the bottle/can holder out can help. Lately the fuel indicater and the A/C will not work when the car is started but may come on 2 or 3 blocks down the road. Also the check engine and or the service auto light may come on. The fuses have been checked and do not appear to be damaged but sometimes rotating them will cause the part not working to start working again. I think there may be an electrial problem in the panel behind the fuses to the left of the steering wheel. This problem has been occuring with no apparent pattern except for the use of the bottle/can holder.

Filed Apr 18, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 54,593 miles · WA

I had the car for 3 1/2 years and it has given me so many problems with misfire sensors, clicking noise in the engine, noise while driving over a bump or hole, this is besides other problems like water pump, fuel pump, transmission, check engine light on the dashboard and much more.