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, Aug 31, 2007
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND I HAVE HAD TO MANY HARD TIMES TRYING TO START IT DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM IN THE CAR. AND GM DON'T MAKE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2007
CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. PASSLOCK ENGAGES CONSTANTLY, CAUSING ME TO WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR RESET EVERY TIME THIS OCCURS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WHO MUST WAIT, IN SOMETIMES DARK AREAS OF TOWN FOR PASSLOCK TO RESET BEFORE THEY CAN START THE CAR AND GET SAFELY ON THEIR WAY. HAVE HAD IGNITION REPLACED ONCE BUT ISSUE HAS NOT CORRECTED. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 5, 2007
I PURCHASED A USED 2001 MALIBU AND HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM , AND LEARNED OF IT BEING A COMMON PROBLEM FROM A NUMBER OF SOURCES ,AND WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT ANY EFFORTS TO GET GM TO FIX WHAT WAS CLEAR TO ME A SYSTEM DESIGN DEFECT. THE INTENT OF THE SYSTEM MAY BE WELL MEANING AND MAY WORK WELL, HOWEVER, WHEN IT CAUSES THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE SUCH INCONVENIENCE, AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH MONEY. IN 3 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS CAR THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT COST ME OVER $200 AND OVER 12 HOURS OF TROUBLE SHOOTING TO DISCOVER WAY TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS JUST THE ANNOYANCE OF HAVING TO WAIT FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2007
2001 MALIBU. THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY. ATLEAST 1X A WEEK. I HAVE FOLLOWED TEH TURN TO ACC UNTIL LIGHT SHUTS OFF, TURN OFF AND THEN TRY AND START, BUT THIS IS TIME CONSUMING. NOW WHEN THE CAR DOES START THE FUEL GAUGE SAYS I AM EMPTY, RADIO WILL NOT WORK, ACC AND HEATER WILL NOT WORK AND IF AND WHEN IT KICKS ON THE CAR MAKES A WEIRD SOUND. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 21, 2007
I HAVE A 2001 MALIBU. THE THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS KICKING ON, AND WON'T LET IT START. I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL ALLOW ITSELF TO START.
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2007
THE CAR WOULD TURN ON BUT WOULD NOT START. I TRIED JUMPING BUT IT STILL WOULDN'T WORK. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND SPENT $200 FOR THEM TO TELL ME THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RESET. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. I DID SOME RESEARCH, AND FOUND OUT IT COULD BE RESET BY LEAVING THE CAR ON FOR 10 TO 20 MINUTES THEN START IT. ALSO, I READ THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBU OWNERS AND GM WAS DOING NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2007
I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, FOR THE LAST 3 1/2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER 3 TIMES. THE THEFT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND GM WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO HERE I AM AGAIN HAVING TO REPLACE THE PART AGAIN. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2007
ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO I PURCHASED A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. I LOVED MY CAR! THAT SUMMER MY SISTER AND I WENT TO THE BEACH AND SPENT THE WHOLE DAY THERE. WHEN WE GOT INTO MY CAR TO CRANK IT UP THE THEFT LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. I HAD TO WAIT FOR 3 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE BEACH. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP IN MY KEY WAS WRONG AND I NEEDED ANOTHER KEY. WELL I GOT A KEY MADE AND IT WORKED FINE. TODAY I GOT OFF OF WORK AND WAS ON MY WAY TO TACO BELL AND MY THEFT LIGHT CAME ON, MY CAR STARTED BUT WHAT IS THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT WANT TO STOP ANYWHERE JUST IN CASE MY CAR WONT START. I AM PREGNANT NOW AND IT IS 95 DEGREES OUTSIDE, AM I EXPECTED TO WAIT? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE MY CHILD AND THIS HAPPENS? I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GET HURT OR EVEN DIE FROM THIS IN ORDER FOR A RECALL? I THINK IT IS CRAZY THAT I SPENT MONEY ON A CAR WITH DEFECTS AND NO ONE WILL FIX THIS. BELIEVE ME I WILL NOT STOP WITH THIS COMPLAINT..
Electrical system, May 19, 2007, crash
WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED THE HORN WILL NOT WORK.*AK
Electrical system, May 7, 2007
THE ANTI-THEFT ON THE CAR HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LATE TO WORK MANY TIME SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN JANUARY 2001. ALSO, IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED ALONE IN SHOPPING CENTERS UNTIL I COULD GET A TOW TRUCK TO COME. MANY TIMES! INCIDENT DATE WAS THE LAST DATE IT HAPPENED.*AK
Electrical system, Apr 6, 2007
CHEVROLET MALIBU, YEAR 2001. REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH PASS LOCK / ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING. TWO SEPARATE CONDITIONS OCCURRED 1. SYSTEM WILL MALFUNCTION SO THAT VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED , CANNOT BYPASS/RESET THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. 2. SYSTEM WILL NOT ARM ITSELF, AND THEFT SYSTEM DOES NOT PROVIDE INTENDED PURPOSE. ADDRESSED THIS WITH CHEVROLET , AND THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THEY COULD ONLY RECOMMEND THAT I CONTACT MY DEALER. MY CONCERN IS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF THE THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE IN MOTION. THIS PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED SEVEN TIMES SINCE OCTOBER, 2006. SO FAR, IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO RESET PROBLEM (1) BY KEEPING THE KEY IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES, AND "PROBLEM ; (2) BY TURNING THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK 3 TIMES TO THE RIGHT, THEN ONCE TO THE LEFT, THEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. (THESE MEASURES WERE OBTAINED FROM AN INTERNET SEARCH WHICH REVEALED WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE WITH THIS VEHICLE TYPE. *AK
Electrical system, Mar 26, 2007
PURCHASED CAR IN 2002 AND RAN FINE UNTIL ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND CAR RAN FINE FOR ANOTHER 3 MONTHS. SINCE, HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND CITY ROADS. REPLACED IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. RAN FOR ANOTHER MONTH. SAME PROBLEM AROSE. REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND ENGINE SENSOR. RAN FOR ANOTHER 2 MONTHS. STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM. WILL KILL WHILE DRIVING AND EVENTUALLY WON'T START AT ALL. WILL TURN OVER BUT WON'T FIRE.*AK
Electrical system, Mar 25, 2007
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WERE THE 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU WON'T START AFTER THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER ONCE ,AND I REFUSED TO PAY TO GET THE SAME ITEM FIXED WITHIN A YEAR. GM NEEDED TO DO A RECALL AND HAVE THIS FIXED. THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.*AK
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2007
VEHICLE WAS FAIRLY COOL HAVING ONLY TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME. AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, MY CAR DIED WHILE ACCELERATING INTO THE INTERSECTION. AFTER I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SWITCHED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A PROBLEM. HAD THIS BEEN A TIME WHEN MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T START FOR 10 MINUTES, THIS COULD HAVE CREATED A MAJOR TRAFFIC PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2007
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE LATER THE SAME DAY AFTER THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT I REPORTED. CAR WAS FAIRLY COOL. AS I APPROACHED A TURN, THE VEHICLE DIED LEAVING ME WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. AFTER I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP AND TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2007
VEHICLE WAS FAIRLY COLD AS IT HAD ONLY BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 1.5 MILES. AS VEHICLE WAS LEAVING THE I64 EASTBOUND AT THE OAKLAND EXIT IN ST. LOUIS IT DIED. CAR LOST POWER STEERING. AFTER I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR IN PARK, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES. UNFORTUNATELY, SEVERAL CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO WAIT AS I FIXED THE PROBLEM. HAD THE CAR NOT RESTARTED, AS IT DOES REGULARLY, THIS COULD HAVE CREATED A MAJOR PROBLEM ON THE INTERSTATE.*JB
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2007
MY WIFE WENT SHOPPING AFTER A LONG TRIP, SO THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN FAIRLY WARM. AFTER SHE FINISHED HER SHOPPING, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND THE THEFT LIGHT WAS ON. BECAUSE SHE HAS SEEN ME FIX THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES, SHE KNEW TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION, WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE THEFT LIGHT TO GO OUT, TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, WAIT A FEW SECONDS, AND RESTART THE CAR. NO ONE WAS INJURED. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2007
A FEW MILES AFTER THE CAR WOULDN'T START, THE CAR DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION DURING ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP. LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I GOT THE CAR IN PARK. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2007
LOADED UP THE FAMILY FOR A TRIP AND THE CAR WON'T START. THEFT LIGHT IS ON AND I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM TOO MANY TIMES BEFORE, SO I KNEW WHAT TO DO. TURN THE KEY INTO THE ON POSITION, WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR THE THEFT LIGHT TO TURN OFF, TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART. NO ONE WAS INJURED THIS TIME. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 13, 2007
I UNLOCK MY CAR, GET IN, PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND GO TO START THE CAR, WHICH IT DOESN'T BECAUSE THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. I THEN HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION, WAIT FOR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT TO GO OUT, TURN THE KEY OFF, THEN START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 20 TIMES. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 8, 2007
2001 CHEVY MALIBU 70000 MILES.. BOUGHT IN FEBRUARY 06 WAS REPLACED IN MAY OF 2006 THEFT LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING THEN AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF THAT CAR WOULDN'T START TOOK TO A CHEVY DEALER AND REPLACED PASSLOCK SENSOR FEW MONTHS LATER 07/06/06 PROBLEM RESTARTED AGAIN DEALER PUT CAR ON COMPUTER CANT FIND PROBLEM NO CODE STORED NOW LESS THEN A YEAR 03/03/07 CAR IS NOW FLASHING THEFT LIGHT AND CAR WONT START UNTIL I LEAVE IN THE ON POSITION AND WAIT 10 MINS THEN CAR RESETS AGAIN. DEALER WANTS MORE MONEY TO FIND PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER 500 DOLLARS FOR PART I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN I ALREADY DID THAT LESS THEN A YEAR AGO. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ISN'T CHEVY GOING TO FIND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND RECALL IT ..I WONT BUY A CHEVY EVERY AGAIN. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2007
MY 2001 MALIBU SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY CHECKED OUT OKAY, ETC. IT DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER AT ALL. MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE BATTERY CABLES. UPON REPLACING THEM THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. UPON RESETTING THE SYSTEM, THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE CAR IS RUNNING AGAIN. NOW I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL STOP AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY INFANT IN THE CAR.*JB
Electrical system, Feb 27, 2007
I HAVE A MALIBU 2001. FIRST I WASN'T ABLE TO START MY CAR. I WENT TO THE SHOP AND THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP. I DIDN'T REALIZE THEN THAT PROBLEM WAS THE THEFT SYSTEM. SAME THING HAPPENED 20 DAYS AFTER I CHANGED FUEL PUMP. I WENT TO SAME STORE AND MECHANICS STARTED CAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. NOW TWICE A WEEK THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT TURNS ON AND I CANT TO START CAR WITHOUT RESETTING IT. A FEW DAYS AGO THEFT LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING A CAR AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED. AFTER I PULLED OVER CAR I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT ON AGAIN . *JB
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2007
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY IN MY CAR AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STAYED ON THEN STARTED BLINKING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN ONE DAY THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THE THEFT LIGHT JUST STAYED ON IN I TOOK IT TO A DEALER IN THEY SAID IT WAS A THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND THAT MANY 2001 MALIBU'S HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IT WOULD COST $300.00 TO 400.00 TO BE FIXED. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 21, 2007
2001 CHEVY MALIBU DIED WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE DIDN'T SPUTTER OR ANYTHING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM JUST SWITCHED THE CAR OFF CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS FAIRLY COLD AS IT HAD ONLY BEEN RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES. SPECIFICALLY IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION DURING ACCELERATION AFTER A STOP. *NM