2001 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 739 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 37 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 29 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 3, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
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.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, other, storage, tank assembly, pressure relief devicesMar 12, 2007
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.
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 07E021000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, hazard flashing warning lights, switchAug 28, 2003
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.
WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 03V327000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
297 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 29, 2004
WE ARE PAYING ON A 2001 MALIBU. THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT SHOWING GASOLINE WHEN THERE WASN'T. THE CAR STALLED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE FUEL FILTER PLUS A DEDUCTIBLE ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NEXT THE BLINKERS DECIDED TO ONLY WORK OCCASSIONALLY SAME WEEK THE STARTER STARTED DRAGGING THEN THE CAR STARTED TO RUN HOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, REPLACED BLINKER SWITCH (NO MENTION MADE OF THE RECALL) REPLACED THE STARTER AND REPLACED THE GASKET THAT WAS LEAKING. WHEN I HAD ADDED COOLANT TO GET MYSELF HOME THE COOLANT THAT WAS N THE CAR WAS GREEN, THE COOLANT I PUT IN THE CAR GREEN..WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ORANGE WHEN I TOLD THE DEALER THERE WAS GREEN COOLANT IN THE CAR HE SAID OH SOMEONES BOOBOO UNFORTUNATELY YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT...ALMOST 300.00. YESTERDAY, LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND LEFT WORK AGAIN RUSH HOUR, CAR BEGINS TO MAKE A HORRIBLE NOISE I PULL OFF NOTICE THE ALTERNATOR BELT IS COMING APART BUT THE NOISE THAT I HEARD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ALTERNATOR BELT SOUNDS LIKE METAL ON METAL. $1400.00 WORTH OF WORK DONE IN APRIL, 800.00 A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THAT AND NOW THIS...THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED BY MY HUSBAND. NOW I READ WHAT I HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO, THE CAR WAS BOUGHT CHEVY CERTIFIED FROM A CHEVY DEALER. *LA
Electrical system, May 12, 2004
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE IGNITION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Apr 16, 2004
THE FUEL GUAGE REPORTS INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. YOU CAN GO THE THE GAS STATION AND FILL THE CAR UP AND THE GAS HAND WILL SHOW IT AS BEING EMPTY AND BEFORE YOU PUT FUEL IN THE TANK THE GUAGE WAS AT A 1/4 TANK. YOU MAY HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WILL SHOW THAT IT IS FULL. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL CUT OFF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ONE TIME THE CAR SHOWED 3/4 TANK OF FUEL WHILE IT WAS EMPTY. LUCKLY, I WAS ON A DOWNGRADE AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE INTERSTATE. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON BECAUSE THE OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY THE CAR RUNNING OUT OF GAS.*AK
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE LOST POWER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Nov 5, 2003
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER STEERING BUT THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK TWO SEPARATED DEALERSHIPS STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL ONE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A "HICC UP" AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS NOISY AND THE LEFT FRONT HUB WAS NOISY. *SCC THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONSUMER HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 15, 2003
AS AN AUTO-TECH FOR MANY YEARS, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN A VEHICLE'S STARTER NEEDS TO BE "BUMPED OVER'' OR SHORT CRANKING TIME, TO ASSIST IN TESTING. SOME OF THE NEWER GM CARS, (1999 AND NEWER), HAVE A FEATURE THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR A TECH. THAT IS TO SAY, ONCE THE START POSITION IS REACHED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE COMPUTER CONTINUES TO CRANK THE CAR, WHETHER OR NOT THE IGNITION IS HELD OVER OR RELEASED. THIS WAS UNEXPECTED AND COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR TECHNICIANS. I DO NOT KNOW THE REASON BEHIND THIS FEATURE, BUT IT WAS A RUDE AWAKENING. *LA
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2003
CAR RAN FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. BATTERY IS GOOD, ALL LIGHTS AND RADIO WORK. STARTER IS NOT TURNING AT ALL. CAR IS 2001 MALIBU WITH 32000 MILES. *LA
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2003
VEHICLE FAILED TO START. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. INFORMED BY MECHANIC A COMPUTER CHIP WAS CAUSING LACK OF STARTING PROBLEM. WOULD HAVE PROBLEM CHECKED AND REPAIRED EACH TIME. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 9 TIMES FOR NON START.*AK
Electrical system, Oct 3, 2003
CAR HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING AND CONTINUOUSLY ACTS AS IF THE BATTERY IS DEAD. BATTERY WAS CHECKED AND CLEANED THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ON A NORMAL BASIS WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED, CAR WON'T START, WHICH HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES IN A FEW MINUTES UNTIL IT FINALLY STARTS SUCCESSFULLY. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY THREE DAYS. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2003
MY UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS NEED TO BE REPAIRED. UNDER CA. EMSSIONS LAW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS COVERED BUT NOT THE COMPONENTS OR PARTS. THE GASKETS SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT THIS FAST ON A NEW CAR THAT HAS BEEN KEEP IN GOOD REPAIR. THESE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 9, 2003
AT APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES MY CAR STARTED HESITATING WHEN STARTING. THE DEALER COULD FIND NO FAULT AND I KEPT DRIVING WITH ONLY PERIODIC PROBLEMS. THEN MY GAS GAUGE, RADIO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND PASSIVE ALARM SYSTEM KEPT COMING ON. AT, 43,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER SAID THE KEY HAD LOST ITS MEMORY BUT I STILL KEPT HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. AT, 48,354 MILES THE CAR TOTALLY WENT OUT. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW THE IGNITION SYSTEM IS COVERED TO 50,000 MILES BUT THE DEALER STATED TEH IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT PART OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM. AFTER WRITTING CHEVY COMPLAINT DEPT MANY TIMES I GOT NO WHERE BECAUSE ALL THEY DO IS CALLL THE DEALER, THEY DO NOT GO WITH AN INDEPENDENT BODY JUST THE DEALER THAT GAVE ME THE ADVICE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HAD THE DEALER RETURN THE BAD PART TO ME AND WANT TO KNOW IF THIS PART IS COVERED. I PAID 400.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE DEALER DID GIVE ME A 75.00 CREDIT BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER MY KEY MEMORY THEY STATED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH THE ENTIRE TIME.*AK NOW, THE CAR IS AT 54,000 MILES AND COOLANT IS LEAKING AROUND, IN AND NEAR THE ENGINE. I HAVE KEPT THIS CAR IN GOOD REPAIR AND HAVE ALL RECEIPTS. THESE MAJOR PARTS SHOULD NOT BE WEARING DOWN THIS FAST. THE DEALER HAD TO CHANGE THE HAZARD SWITCH SHORTLY AFTER I FIRST GOT THE CAR.
Electrical system, Aug 29, 2003
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A POWER LOCK PROBLEM. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS NEVER INFORMNED OF THE RECALL, AND HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE IGNITION SWICH CHANGED.*AK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 17, 2003
TURNING LIGHT HAS FAILED DUE TO AN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 16, 2003
ENGINE NOISE DEALER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE. HAZARD SWITCH SHORTS OUT NO TURN SIGNALS. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, May 12, 2003
1) LEAKING COOLANT FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO ENGINE, REQUIRED GASKET REPLACEMENT AND COOLANT / OIL CHANGE 2) TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH 3) A/C DOES NOT WORK, BLOWS HOT AIR, DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR 4) BRAKES WEAK, VIBRATE. REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET COMPONENTS (POWERSLOT ROTORS AND PERFORMANCE FRICTION CARBON METALLIC PADS) 5) AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS INOPERATIVE, DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR 6) POOR FUEL MILEAGE, BEST IS 28 MPG HIGHWAY (CAFE VIOLATION??) 7) STARTER FAILED, REPLACED WITH REBUILT UNIT. *NLM
Electrical system, May 7, 2003
THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE SIGNAL LIGHTS ALSO FAILED. NLM
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2003
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND WHEN ROAD CONDITION VARIES (SUCH AS A BUMP IN THE ROAD), VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AS IF DEACTIVATING THE CAR, E.G. CAR DOORS UNLOCK, NO RPM, GAS NEEDLE IMMEDIATELY DESCENDS TO E, IMMEDIATE DECELERATION. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2002
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES, VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 18 TIMES. DEALER HAS TO RESET THE SYSTEM.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, ALL OF ELECTRICAL OUTLETS WENT OUT, RESULTING IN WINDOWS/RADIO, AND AIR CONDITIONING BECOMING INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE OCCURRING PROBLEM ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION; HOWEVER, HAD NO REMEDY FOR PROBLEM. *AK THE SPEEDOMETER IS THE ONLY THING OPERABLE ON THE DASH. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ONLY THING OPERABLE WAS THE RADIO. CONSUMER DIDN'T REPORT THE DEFECT BECAUSE ALL SYSTEMS STARTED WORKING ON THEIR OWN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REOCCURING. THERE HAS BEEN TWO ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CAUSE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED CAUSING THE POWER ACCESSORIES CIRCUIT CONNECTOR TO MELT. *JG
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 1, 2002
VEHICLE WAS GOING 60MPH AS THROTTLE LOST PRESSURE AND ENGINE WAS HESITATING. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, AND ALREADY BEEN IN TO DEALER 6 TIMES. FUEL PUMP/ GROUND WIRES, AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT WAS STILL PROGRESSING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2002
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HORN UNEXPECTEDLY SOUNDED OFF WITHOUT APPLYING MECHANISM THAT CONTROLLED HORN LOCATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 15, 2001
THIS CAR HAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS APRIL 25, 01. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WENT DEAD SOMEONE RAN OVER AND ASSISTED ME IN GETTING THE CAR OUT OF THE STREET. IT WAS TOWED TO CRAIN CHEVROLET. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE CAR AND I GOT IT BACK THE NEXT DAY. MAY 4, 01 THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC ON A MAIN THOROUGHFARE I PULLED OVER AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT STARTED BACK UP AND IT STOPPED AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO GWATNEY CHEV. THEY REPAIRED IT AND I GOT IT BACK ON MAY 10, 01 AND IT STOPPED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC ON A MAIN THOROUGHFARE ON MAY 11, 01. IT IS NOW AT GWATNEY CHEV. I ALSO CONTACTED GM AND INFORMED THEM THAT I AM A RISK TO ME AND TO OTHER MOTORIST. GM CALLED TODAY AND SAID THAT THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND ARE HAVING TO ORDER A PART. IT WILL TAKE A FEW DAYS FOR ME TO GET IT BACK. HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED PROBLEM OF THEIR 2001 MALIBU STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. THE MANUFACTURER IS WORKING WITH ME HOWEVER, I THINK THAT OTHERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE.*AK