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8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$410
Average Mileage:
117,800 miles
Total Complaints:
51 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (33 reports)
  2. cut the yellow wire! (5 reports)
  3. had to take to dealer (5 reports)
  4. disconnect the battery for several hours (2 reports)
  5. blew ignition with air spray and removed all the dust out (1 reports)
  6. give radio to thief to get him to start car (1 reports)
2000 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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2000 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #51

Sep 012005

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I called GM, they say there is no open recall for this problem, The way I feel about it if something happens that this vehicle causes a wreck due to cutting off and there is a wreck involved. GM will have hell to pay they know of this issue and refuse to do anything about it. I do not feel the consumer should have to pay for GM's faulty issues. And people wonder why cars are not selling it is because they do not stand behind their product. CHEVY SUCKS WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY CHEVY'S AND HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY MEMBERS THAT FEEL THE SAME WAY!! NO WONDER PEOPLE ARE BUYING NISSAN AND OTHER FOREIGN VEHICLES!!!!

- patsy847, High Point, NC, US

problem #50

Oct 012011

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

So I bought my Malibu about two years ago. I had a Malibu that got totaled in a flood and decided to buy another since I liked the car so much. Well, I'm not so sure I like it anymore!! The problem started in October 2011 and has been a pain in the @$$ since. The first time it happened I didn't think much of it and it didn't do it again for about 2-4 weeks. Then when it happened again it was one of the coldest days of the month and I had an infant in the car! I couldn't get the damn thing to start. My mechanic replaces the ignition switch and the starter. It worked fine for about a week. Then the Anti-Theft System light started coming on while I was driving the car. In most of the reading I have done this should stall the car. Well it doesn't, I can drive long distances with the light on. So off and on for the last six months I have been dealing with the light coming on. Recently the car has been failing to start due to that little red blinking light. I have had to wait in a dark parking lot at night for the thing to start. It has been so bad that I have had to wait for 4-10 minute sessions, that's 40 minutes just to get the damn thing to start. Mind you some days I don't have the time to sit and wait for 10 minutes every time the thing wants to act up.

I have had about as much as I can handle with the Anti-Theft System light. I would like to get rid of the pain in my @$$ but don't want someone else to have to deal with the same problem. I know how frustrating it can be and would not want anyone else to have to deal with it. I am about to the point of clipping the wires and bypassing the theft system just so I can go a day without having to wait 10 minutes.

My mechanic had ordered the Passlock sensor and will be installing it next week. Hopefully this fixes the problem.

I think that GM should have to pay for all the problems I have had due to the Anti-Theft System. They made the cars with it in them, they should be responsible for taking it out. With all the complaints that you can read online about it you would think that they would recall it. Go to: http://www.gm.com/toolbar/contactUs.html and state your complaint also. Maybe if they get enough of them they will do something about the crappy anti theft system they put in the vehicles.

- Trina P., Rochester, MN, US

problem #49

Jul 242011

Malibu LS 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

My 2000 Malibu is very well maintained, even with over 160,000 miles. Starting in 2010 Summer, the theft system light would flash when I tried to start. This happened about twice last year, weeks apart. After about 10 minutes the light would go off and the car would start. The same thing has happened about 6 times this year, sometimes twice in a week. I was stranded in a hot parking lot in 90 degree weather this week because of this problem,while running an errand. This is the first time it has happened when parked outside of my yard. I have a funeral to attend in another state this week, and have to follow the procession to the cemetery. Fingers crossed. It is mind-boggling that GM has this problem with 1999 through 2002 models(probably being conservative) and does not see it as a recall item, or did not fix the problem in the first year. I have to take it to the dealer tomorrow, and hope I don't get ripped off. Thanks for this opportunity, and wish me luck.

- wello, JAMAICA, NY, US

problem #48

Aug 172011

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I cut the yellow wire and it worked..................Yesssssssssssss!

- Jeremy M., Thibodaux, LA, US

problem #47

Mar 092011

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

i bought my pos Malibu ls a while ago. and i can say that unless gm recalls this problem i will never buy a gm car again. i have a child under two and have been stuck in snow storms while waiting for fifteen or twenty mins for the fake anti theft light flashes on and off. been stuck in the heat as well, late for work late coming home from work many many times. go to the store come out try to start the car and it wont start until the damn light stops flashing. i called gm and complained about it but i was told there is no recall on this problem because they say it is not a safety issue. bullshit this is a safety issue. freezing in a car or roasting in the heat, not to mention if there is and emergency that i would need to drive to like take my kid to the dr or something .i want to have this problem fixed for good. but dealers say there is no guarantee it wont happen again if they try to fix it and it isn't cheap to fix, then cutting the wire is not good either because if ur battery dies u run the risk of ur car never starting again. GMGMGMGMGMGMGMGMGMGMGMGM FIX THIS PROBLEM!!!!! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE !!!!!!!!!!!!!RECALL i agree with a previous poster if any lawyer out there wants to start a class action law suit to have gm fix/recall this please help. all of us with this problem should really get a lawsuit together!!!!

- hatemycar, Hatemycarville, WI, US

problem #46

Nov 082010

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

I just bought my malibu in the beginning of October 2010. About a month later it wouldn't start right away and the Theft System Light kept blinking red. It has happened about one every two weeks since then. I even took it into a mechanic and they had it for two weeks and couldn't get it to Not start. In the last week it has gotten worse, Last night I had to wait in a cold parking lot for two hours! Normally I just wait for the blinking to stop and then I can turn my car on, but I waited six times for the blinking to stop (10-15 minutes each time) before it would start. That got me home, but then it wouldn't start in the morning when I had to get to school. It is really inconvenient and annoying! Not to mention I've only had my car a few months and I bought it with only 64K miles. Any solutions??

- jessicajade1287, Olympia, WA, US

problem #45

Apr 012010

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm trying to add to a forum of this specific topic. Don't know if i'm doing it right - oh well. My 2000 chevy malibu recently developed the problem of not starting. sometimes, randomly, it will not start and i have to wait 15 - 20 minutes for the anti theft light to go off then it will start. People been saying cut the yellow wire to fix. I found a webpage mentioning putting graphite in the ignition keyhole to solve the problem. After two "treatments" i've been driving my car for a few months so far with zero recurrence. (bought powered graphite at hardware store and puffed it into the ignition keyhole)

- P L., Honolulu, HI, US

problem #44

Oct 012010

Malibu v-6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 191,000 miles

Ive been driving a 2000 Chevy Malibu the past 2 years. When I bought it, it had 112,000 miles. 1 month later my fuel pump went out. I was just driving and my car decided to cut off. So got that replaced and 6 months later, power steering went out as im driving.Like seriously my car is literally trying to get me in a wreck as im driving. Anyways 12 months later my car decides it doesn't wanna crank. My thief system light comes on and off whenever it feels like it. And when it's on I know my car wont crank up. Its really embarrassing sitting in a car for 10-15 minutes trying to crank it back up if im at the gas station or wherever in public...Oh and when I'm driving up hills, even a little ity bity one, my car acts like its not getting enough gas...like its not going to make it. UGH its very frustrating. Other than that the car hasn't given me anymore problems. But I am getting close to 200,000 miles so Im sure to be expecting bigger ones soon.

- Ashley E., Quincy, FL, US

problem #43

Oct 172010

Malibu v6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles

I have a 2000 Chevy Malibu........and at first you would turn the key on and it would turn over but not start wait about ten minutes and then it would start and run with no problems.........well now the piece of sh*t just done something new it set for a week for i was using my fathers car, so i started it up let it run for about 2 minutes and then shut it off and then waited a few seconds and then tried to start it and all the buzzers are on but when you turn the key over nothing it won't even turn over or nothing

- d_rex888, Zanesville, OH, US

problem #42

Oct 272010

Malibu 3.1

  • Automatic transmission
  • 248,856 miles

So today was actually the first day that I've had this problem in the time that I've owned the car- which is not even a year. Aside from routine maintenance (brakes, fuel filter, etc..) , I've really not had to do much to the car; at this point I've replace my alternator and my belt tensioner assembly (and the belt which I had to have done at a shop because GM thought it would be smart to put a motor mount in the way). Getting back to the issue at hand, my theft system light was flashing this morning and the car wouldn't crank and I was 30 min late for work. Finally the car started and I got to work; then I left for lunch and it started just fine. As I was leaving to go back to work the light came on again and my car wouldn't start. Since then I've gotten home from work and tried to start my car and it starts just fine every time I try and start it. I have no idea what the cause of this is but I'd hope that GM would issue some sort of recall on it soon!

- Marcus O., Lenoir City, TN, US

problem #41

Aug 212010

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,978 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Well please welcome me to the world of crappy Malipoo's. I purchased this vehicle from a private party on August 20th and I was elated that I had a seemingly great car that was free from payments and the like. Boy, was I ever in for a rude awakening! The next day we were heading out of town, on the way out on the freeway the car seemed to operate well. Again, the operative word there is seems. It got onto the freeway and then I noticed when I started approaching inclines the car would seem to "chug" along and it never seemed like the fuel system and the acceleration were in communication with each other. Well I figured that this could be easily remedied.

We did manage to get back home without further incident. The beginning of the work week I was heading in to work and the car would crank but not turn over, I wasn't quite sure what was going on, so I tried again. The car still didn't work so then I was stuck out there with my children with me waiting to take them to school. I called my husband and he told me to wait 10 minutes till the 'theft deterrent light' went out and then proceed to restart it. Well, an hour later the car finally started after I attempted to disconnect the negative battery cable in hopes of resetting the system. I had to pump the gas while attempting to start the car at the same time and finally it starts. I am in a frenzy trying to get my kids to school and they are over 1 1/2 hours late due to this stupid car and it's theft deterrent system. Then I come back home afraid to turn this car off, for fear that being tempermental it won't restart. I come out and it starts right up like nothing was ever wrong with it. Okkkkaaayyy! Then the next day, in sweltering weather over 100 degrees I leave work and get in my car, it won't start. So I am sitting out baking in the hot sun. Finally the system starts. I had to make a few stops and the car died on me both times the same day.

I haven't had this vehicle for very long and I am at the point of no return already. I have invested too much time, energy and money into something that obviously isn't worth it. I think that GM knows that they have a defective product on their hands, evidenced by the myriad of complaints lodged on this web site and countless others that we may not be aware of. I think it is time for them to step up and take care of their consumers and do right by the people that keeps them in business. When will you issue a recall GM, when you receive so much negative publicity and attention that you are forced to rectify the problem. Step up, man up and fix the damn problem. All the millions and billons that you make, this shouldn't even make a dent in your finances or your bonuses!!

- berniemac, Sacramento, CA, US

problem #40

Aug 122010

Malibu LS 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,654 miles

i own a 2000 chevy malibu, wow words cant say wat im going to do to this car, the only words i have is dont cut the yellow wire it even more problems.

- statham, Tinley Park, IL, US

problem #39

Aug 012007

Malibu LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I've also had the issues with the theft light coming on. You guys are lucky if your car starts after 10 minutes! I have to wait 30 minutes!! This first happened a couple of years ago. I paid the dealer 470.00 to replace a sensor. I was told that there are 2 sensors and they only replaced 1. I was told then that we could have problems with the other one. We've been fine for 2 yrs but is now happeneing again. Other than this, my car has been a good one. I haven't had any other problems with my Mailbu except for a fuel pump that was pretty inexpensive. However I am on a tight budget and it does suck to have to pay 400+ to get these sensors replaced just to have them go bad again!! Frustrated this morning because my husband just called screaming at me because he's stranded and late for work!

- Bridgette W., Clover, SC, US

problem #38

Jul 132010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

HI there, I have Chevi Malibu as well and I was just leaving to go to class and as I put the key in the ignition, my engine just died as if it took its last breath. The anti-theft light came on and the alarm went off that I haven't even used in the past two years. What the heck?

This problem doesn't happen everyday but too often. It has made me late to work or anywhere else that I have to go. I normally have to wait a good 15-20 minutes for the engine to start back up again. I have had numerous issues with this car and have replaced a bunch of stuff already on this car and there always seems to be one problem after the other. I just finish replacing the tie-rods about two months ago. I think I just need a new car.

- Dee D., Orlando, FL, US

problem #37

Jul 052010

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

I now know that i am not alone in the world of the sh*tty Malibu. The pathetic part is that i grew up in a family that loves and would only own a Chevy...it was almost embarrassing for anything other than a Chevy to be in the drive way. This Malibu is a disgrace to the Chevrolet name!!! This car should be pulled from every lot and never sold again.

I just picked one of the many problems that my car has encountered just in the 2 short years i have owned it and posted under it....here are just a few of the problems i have had....see if u can relate: the car starts when it wants to ex. the theft system light in the dash lights up and shuts off my fuel pump stopping my car from starting! My blinkers don't work, hardly ever...my car sporadically overheats for no reason that anyone can figure out...the oil pressure drops due to lack of oil when i cant find a leak and without any warning from the check oil light.

i have replaced the:

alternator battery (twice) 6 tires front passenger hub assembly idle tensioner pulley power steering pulley (twice in 2 months) sway bars (2) intake gaskets( wasn't cheap! $500+) thermostat antifreeze jug both radiator hoses fuel pump ($300+) starter (already needs another one!)

This is just what i can remember right now...its sad that i have spent more fixing this car in the 2 years i have owned it than i did to originally purchase the damn thing. I may be a 25 year old female but i know a thing or two about cars....and this one is a piece of sh*t! I am now embarrassed to say that i still own this clunker and depend on it every day to transport my daughter and i through 3 counties! I mean seriously Chevrolet, WTF are you selling to hard working American citizens? We buy American made for a reason....but as soon as i have the chance to off this car....ITS GONE! And i wont miss my sh*tty bubu!

- Kelly W., Jeffersonville, KY, US

problem #36

Jun 132010

Malibu 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Hi everyone with those sh*tty Malibus. I think we should all get together and sue Chevrolet for all the bullshit we've had to put up with because our Malibus won't start when the theft system light comes on. Their blatant disregard for this problem has caused us all more problems than we should have to put up with and cost us all more money than we should ever have to pay for there stupidity. It's obvious to me that they knew this problem was going to exist when they manufactured and started selling these pieces of sh*t cars.

If we don't stand together and address this problem together, Chevrolet wins and we're screwed again just like we always are when dealing with greedy, self serving, rich and mean assholes. If anyone is interested in filing a lawsuit against these obnoxious creeps, contact me at cobb.1@lycos.com and I'll get the ball rolling. Couldn't hurt right. Good luck and never buy another Chevy.

- Chris C., Ellenboro, NC, US

problem #35

Jun 012010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

just find a thief and give him your radio and he will get your car to start. if later you want to hear tunes just fart out the "took my chevy to the levy" song from way back. gm is going to take care of this problem and have the songwriter of that song change the lyric to "tried to take my chevy to the levy but my red light was flashing so my girl i was going to meet there went home with a guy in a hyundai" instead of manning up and having a recall.

- Rick A., Willis, TX, US

problem #34

Apr 282010

Malibu LS 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 185,000 miles

my 2000 malibu is giving me the same problem with the anti-theft system. took it to the dealer fix it paid over $650.00 and the problem is back and is true this begings in the warmer temp where is this yellow wire everyone is talking about. could someone tell me where to find this wire so i could cut it i would realy realy appreciated thank you

- orellana, Bellport, NY, US

problem #33

Feb 042010

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

I've had my 2000 Malibu for 10 years and I've had this anti-theft problem for the last 5 years at least. I had a dealership look at it and they wanted a minimum of $300 to fix it. I could not afford that so I said no. It doesn't go off all the time sometimes I'll have weeks or months where I don't have this problem but then out of nowhere it will go off and I can't start my car for 20min or more. This happen to me today when I went to start my car for work. I was a half hour late for work this morning and almost had frost bite on my fingers from sitting in my dam car with no heat trying to get it started. I've been at my current job for almost two years and have been late several times do to this defect. I'm pretty sure my boss thinks I'm making it up because of how random it is and if I lose my job over it I'm suing GM big time for not issuing a recall on this. After reading the other complaints I'm glad I didn't pay the dealership anything because it sounds like that didn't fix the problem anyway. I'm going to try the air spray thing first and if I still have a problem I will see if I can get someone to help me cut the yellow wire. Stay tuned I'll let you know what worked for me.

I've had other small electrical issues like my driverside front door doesn't lock I have to lock it manually. The rear passenger window will roll down from the drivers controls but not up so if I accidentally hit it I have to crawl in the back seat to get it to roll back up. My 1-3 doesn't work for my heat. These are all minor issues but they started happening within the first year I owned this vehicle. The coolant issue that others have mentioned was also a problem, I had to have the intake manifold replaced it was a $700 job through my mechanic. That should have been a recall as well from what I hear. Does anyone know how we can get an official complaint started or bring all of our comments to someones attention that might actually do something about it?

- hannahmi, Lansing, MI, US

problem #32

Dec 212009

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 148,000 miles

I'm having the same problem with the car not starting, anti theft light comes on.....If I cut the yellow wire to the anti theft system what other problems am I likely to cause?

- debo9182, Commerce, GA, US

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