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
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2008
THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING THIS IS THE 4 TH ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. NO WARNING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN CAR JUST WON'T START. THIS CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES TWICE AT NIGHT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2008
THE CAR WILL START FINE, BUT ONCE YOU TURN IT OFF AND GO TO START AGAIN IT WILL JUST CRANK. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE SECOND TIME I REPACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. THE THIRD TIME I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO CHANGE AND A FRIEND SAID TO TRY PUTTING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINS. I DID AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. IT TURNS OUT THE ANT-THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS LOCKING ME OUT ABOUT EVERY MONTH. IT IS A MAJOR PAIN TO HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE AND NOT KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL START OR NOT, AND THEN SIT THERE FOR TEN MINS TO RESET IT. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2008
CAR WILL NOT START - THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE TRIED THE PASSLOCK "FIX" OF TURNING KEY TO ON FOR 10 MINUTES, SHUTTING OFF AND TRYING TO RESTART BUT NO LUCK ON THE CAR STARTING. THE ISSUE HAS GONE ON FOR OVER 3 WEEKS, EACH DAY GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A SHOP AND DIAGNOSTICS CAME UP NEGATIVE AND CAR STARTED. 3 WEEKS LATER, CAR WON'T START AGAIN. HAVE A MECHANIC COME LOOK AT IT, HE SEES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT EXCEPT THAT THE FUEL IGNITION ISN'T WORKING - PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM!! *TR
Electrical system, Sep 4, 2008
THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT LET CAR BE RESTARTED UNTIL I LEAVE KEY IN STARTED SWITCH FOR 10 MINUTES. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2008
ANTI THEFT PASS KEY CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO THEFT PROTECTION KICKING IN HAVE TO RESET EVERYTIME I WANT TO START THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2008
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT KEEP COMING ON CAUSING ME TO WAIT FOR 10 - 15 MINUTES FOR IT TO RESET. CAUSING ME TO GO BACK TO DEALER TO GET MY KEY REPROGRAM. A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB. I'VE NOT HAD IT DONE YET. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS COMMON AMONG MALIBU OWNERS. WHAT CAN WE DO TO HAVE GM RECALL OUR CAR TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM LAST OCCURRED ON JUNE 4, 2008. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. *TR
Electrical system, May 12, 2008
THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU FREQUENTLY ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING A TEN MINUTE WAITING PERIOD BEFORE THE CAR WILL START. THIS DEVICE DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD AND LEAVES ME STRANDED IN UNDESIRABLE AREAS TO IN WHICH TO BE STRANDED. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2008
GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS FAILING IN THE VEHICLE. PROBLEMS INCURRED ARE: NO-START AND ENGINE SHUT-DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IN VEHICLE IS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 20, 2008
I PURCHASED MY 2001 IN 2003 AND HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS. BUT AT THE END OF MARCH MY MALIBU WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED AND GOT A FULL TUNE UP AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE IT STARTED SKIPPING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE GAVE THE CAR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT A WEEK. TWO DAYS LATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IT CUT OFF, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BUT THEN SUNDAY MORNING 4/20/08 IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WAS BLINKING AND INDICATED THAT THE SYSTEM HAD LOCKED ME OUT, AND THAT THE IGNITION NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE CHIP IN THE KEY. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I AM ANGER THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT TAKEN OWNERSHIP OF THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUED A RECALL. MY CAR HAS 41,000 MI AND I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THIS IS NOT RELEVANT TO WEAR AND TEAR THIS IS A DEFECTED PRODUCT AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WARRANTS THE ATTENTION OF THE MANUFACTURES AND OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE. THIS COULD POSSIBLY PROVE TO BE FATAL IF THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY LIKE MY CAR DID. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE LUCKY THIS TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND WAS CONTEMPLATING TRADING FOR THE NEWER 2008 MODEL, NOT ANYMORE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2008
PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. CAR WOULD NOT START. HAVE HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND HAD THE IGNITION PASS LOCK CHANGED BOTH TIMES WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ONE DAY BEFORE THE 1 YEAR GUARANTEE ON THE PARTS AND LABOR OF THE PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT RAN OUT. HAD CAR TOWED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PASS LOCK. THEY SAID IT WAS CORRODED AND THEY REPLACED IT BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT SINCE IT WAS NOT THE SAME PART AS THE PASS LOCK PART THEY REPLACED TWICE BEFORE. NATURALLY I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHETHER THE WIRING HARNESS CORROSION WAS THE REAL PROBLEM ON THE FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD TIME. THEY NEVER REIMBURSED ME FOR THE TOW ON THE SECOND REPLACEMENT THAT WAS UNDER THEIR WARRANTY EITHER. TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS AN ALMOST EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE FOR HIM ON GM VEHICLES THAT HE TOWED. RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT SEEMS TO BE IN ORDER. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2008
CANNOT START ENGINE BECAUSE OF ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2008
THEFT DEVICE REPLACED IN IGNITION SWITCH TWICE IN JUST OVER 2 YEARS, BOTH REPAIRS OVER $300+. LAST TIME IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IGNITION JUST SHUT OFF. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. WIFE LUCKILY GOT CAR STOPPED AND SOMEONE HELPED PUSH OUT OF STREET. I SEE THIS COMPLAINT A LOT. SOUNDS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE JUNK THAT IS FAILING ON THESE MODELS. I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVROLET AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 16, 2008
I AM A SINGLE MOM OF TWO, AND AM FRUSTRATED THAT ALL OF MY SAVINGS HAVE GONE INTO THIS MONEY PIT. I HAVE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE, AND ITS GOING OUT AGAIN! I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, HEATER CORE WHICH ARE DYING, AND THE THEFT SYSTEM TWICE. I HAVE HAD A FUEL LEAK BY MY ENGINE AND HAD IT ENTER INSIDE MY CAR AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN, MY ABS BRAKES ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT, AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF MY COMPLAINTS! *TR
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2008
ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE CAR JUST WONT START. HAD MANY SENSORS, AS WELL AS IGNITION SWITCHES, REPLACED. AT MY COST! HAD TO BE TOWED, PUSHED, AND PULLED, TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. WONT EVER BY A CHEVY AGAIN. EVER!!!! IF YOU OWN A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU, SELL IT TRADE IT. WHATEVER YOU DO GET RID OF IT. SAVE YOURSELVES! A LOT OF MONEY TOO. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2008
IGNITION SWITCH / PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS VEHICLE FROM STARTING ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 8, 2008
I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND IT WOULDN'T START. SO I HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANICS THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR A WEEK. THEY COULD FIND A TROUBLE CODE TO FIND OUT WHAT CASED THE PROBLEM OF THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TO GO ON. I USE THE SAME KEY EVERYDAY NO ONE THERE TO STEAL THE CAR. SO NOW MY LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME AN I LEARNED HOW TO PROGRAM THE CODE MYSELF THIS WAY I DON'T HAVE TO PAY EVERY TIME IT DON'T START. ALL SO MY TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING SOMETIMES I NEVER TOOK IT TO GET FIX BECAUSE I LEARNED THAT IF YOU PUSH THE HAZARD LIGHTS THEY WILL WORK AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2007
CAR INITIALLY FAILED TO START. TOWED VEHICLE TO SHOP. SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. KEPT ON HAPPENING. AFTER MULTIPLE TOWS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. SYSTEM REPLACED-WAS OK FOR 3 MONTHS NOW HAPPENING AGAIN. SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT $400 INTO SAME PROBLEM EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 11, 2007
MY CAR WILL NOT START. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM THINKS I AM STEALING MY OWN CAR. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SO IT WILL ALLOW MY CAR TO START. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 17, 2007
2001 MALIBU WITH 50,525 MILES WITH FIRST OCCURRENCE 12/07/06. PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE AND CAR WILL NOT START (NEW FUEL PUMP). ANTI THEFT LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING AND CAR WON'T START CONTINUES ALMOST MONTHLY. MALIBU HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALER 7 TIMES SINCE DEC 06. FUEL PUMP REPLACED DEC 06 NOT THE PROBLEM. IGINITION CYLINDER NOT THE PROBLEM. TOWED AGAIN 10/17/07 SAME PROBLEM. DEALER CLIPPED 3 WIRES TO PASSLOCK SYTEM SAID THEY WERE CRIMPED. (THAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO TECH) HOWEVER, PROBABLY BEEN THAT WAY SINCE CAR PURCHASED IN 2001 NEW. WAIT AND SEE. CALLED GM AT ONE POINT AND THEY COVERED HALF OF A $800 REPAIR BILL. SO FAR OVER $1500.00 IN REPAIRS AND $400.00 PLUS IN TOWING PLUS RENTAL CAR FEES. GM WHY NOT RECALL? TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 15, 2007
CAR FAILS TO START DUE TO PASSLOCK SYSTEM. MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 10, 2007
THIS 2001 CHEVY MALIBU IS JUNK THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE CAR STARTS ONLY HALF THE TIME. THE SAD THING IS MY WIFE AND 4 MONTH OLD BABY RIDES IN THIS CAR WITH ME WHEN IT DIES OUT ON THE HIGH WAY HERE IN TOWN AND IT DOES IT ON BUSY STREETS HERE IN TOWN. MY WIFE USED TO LOVE GM PRODUCTS BUT NOW AFTER THIS CAR AND PONTIAC GRAND AM WE HAD SHE HATES GM. IT DISAPPOINTING THEY HAVE ALL BAD CONSUMER RATING AND NO RECALL TO FIX THIS. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 10, 2007
2001 CHEVY MALIBU. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 22, 2007
THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU (THE ABSOLUTE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED) IS BAD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY FIXED IT. NOW IT'S WAY OFF OF WARRANTY AND THE SYSTEM IS FAILING ON A WEEKLY BASIS. $500 TO FIX, CHEVY WON'T ISSUE A RECALL OR (AS USUAL) OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2007
2001 CHEVY MALIBU..THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT GOES ON SEVERAL TIME A YEAR AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START AND REQUIRE A TOW AND VARIOUS TYPES OF IGNITION/STARTER TYPES OF REPLACEMENTS. THIS HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY, LOST TIME AT WORK AND CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL NOT START AND WE'LL BE STRANDED.*JB UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2007
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WITH ANTI THEFT LOCK SWITCH, KILL SWITCH, HAZARD AND SIGNAL LIGHTS. *JB