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: engine
176 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 27, 2005
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN 90+ DEGREE HEAT MY CAR OVERHEATED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IN AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANICS THAT MY COOLANT HAD BEEN LEAKING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO OVER HEAT THERE BLOWING THE HEAD GASKET AND CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PAY $1200.00+ TO HAVE ANOTHER ENGINE PUT IT. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMOM WITH THE 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBUS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP DONE WITH THE OLD MOTOR, BUT IT WAS FRIED.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2005
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, CAUSING IT TO STALL. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP VERY LITTLE BEFORE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ COMPLETELY HOT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL, LEADING TO THE WARPING OF THE CYLINDER WALL AND HEAD. THE ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *AK
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 8, 2005
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING AND THE COOLING SYSTEMS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR ONE MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER BUT IT WOULDN'T START. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE'S COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK AT THE BY PASS PIPE AT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE HAZARD AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD WERE WORN LOOSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND SET THE FRONT END. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 27, 2005
I HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL INJECTOR CLEANED ABOUT AYR AFTER I GOT THE CAR? NOW I AM TOLD I HAVE TO HAVE IT DONE AGAIN! ALSO THE ENGINE IS LEAKING ANDTHE COOLANT SYSTEM. I HEAR IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AS GM MADE NEW PARTS FOR THE ENGINE SO IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. MY MECHANIC FEELS THE ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO HIM WHEN THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AS NEEDING THE FUEL INJECTOR CLEANED THE FIRST TIME---IT SHOULDN'T HAVE NEEDED IT AND PROBABLY DIDN'T. I FEEL I MAY BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AGAIN BY THIS DEALERSHIP. I HOPE THIS CAR IS RECALLED FOR THE WRONG OR BAD ENGINE ITTING PARTS. I WAS ONE WHO REPLACED THE HAZARDS BEFORE IT WAS EVER RECALLED-I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED THE WAY THEY WERE ACTING HALF HAZARDLY! I DID AND THEN THIS SAME DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I HADN'T THAT THE WRONG PART-THE OLD PART WAS PUT IN THE CAR AND REPLACED IT. THIS IS DELAND CHEVROLT/CADILLAC IN DELAND FL. THEY SAID THEY REPLACED IT WITH THE RIGHT PART BUT I DOUBT THEY DID.
Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2005
I HAVE RECENTLY HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO GET FIXED. IT WAS LEAKING THE ENGINE COOLANT AND THE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST OVER $800 TO FIX. NOW , THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THAT WILL BE ANOTHER EXPENSE THAT I WILL HAVE TO MAKE ON A 4 YEAR OLD 26,000 MILE CAR.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2005
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, TURN SIGNALS, COOLING SYSTEM AND THEFT DETERRENT LIGHT. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: A CONTINUOUS BRAKE PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS, THE THEFT DETERRENT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH. THE RIGHT SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS WATER IN THE OIL, THEREFORE THE INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 27, 2005
HAD A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1000 TO FIX. I CALLED THE PHONE # FOR CHEVY IN MY OWNERS BOOK. FILED A COMPLAINT, AND WENT TO THE DEALER, GAVE THEM MY CASE # CHEVY GAVE ME. THEY CALLED CHEVY, CAME BACK AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME $350. THEY CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, FLUSHED THE RADIATOR, AND CHANGED MY OIL. CHEVY HAS A REIMBURSMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR PROBLEMS THAT AREN'T BAD ENOUGH FOR RECALLS. THEY ALSO REIMBURSED ME $862.00 FOR MY PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT , FULLY REIMBURSED. IF YOU LIVE IN ILLINOIS, THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED IS GEORGE WEBER CHEVROLET IN COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS. THE PEOPLE ARE GREAT , THE SERVICE IS GREAT. I LIVE 50 MILES AWAY BUT AFTER DEALING WITH OTHER CHEVY DEALERS IN MISSOURI GIVING CRAPPY SERVICE, ITS WORTH THE TRIP!
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Mar 18, 2005
AT 36,370 MILES HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET ON 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *BF THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 28,000 AND THE BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON HIGH SPEED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 16, 2005
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD THAT OIL WAS LOW, AND THAT MADE IT SHUT OFF. A FEW WEEKS LATER, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC, AND THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS UNSAFE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 15, 2005
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DEERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP.*AK *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2005
IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. GOT IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT. PAID $350 FOR REPAIRS. REPLACED PUMP AND CAR STALLED AGAIN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 150 MILES ON HIGHWAY. LUCKILY (WIFE AND OUR 2 KIDS WERE WITH ME AND IT WAS 15 DEGREES F OUTSIDE) IT RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME ANOTHER 100 MILES AWAY. TOOK IT TO DEALER (OGDEN CHEVROLET-630-986-8000) TO GET IT CHECKED. WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A BAD INTAKE GASKET AND NEEDED NEW WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT-TOTAL COST APPROX $1100.00. GOT THE WATER PUMP AND BELT REPLACED BUT NOT INTAKE GASKET. PAID $500 FOR REPAIRS. DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM. GM HAD MORE THAN 900 COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD INTAKE GASKETS CAUSING EXPENSIVE REPAIRS ON THEIR VEHICLES 2 WEEKS LATER, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED IT TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT 2 IGNITION COILS WERE BURNT AND NEEDED REPLACED. GOT THIS DONE WITH NEW PLUGS, WIRES AND TUNE UP AND ANTIFREEZE. PAID $520 FOR REPAIRS. FEB 2, CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. GOT IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. CAR STARTED OK AND COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND WOULD NEED REPLACED. COSTS $700-$1000. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 26, 2005
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN STALLING WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE ROAD. TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2005
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE COOLANT HAVING TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. I TOOK IT TO CREST CHEVROLET (SAN BERNARDINO), THEY CHARGED US TO CHECK THE COOLANT PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ON JAN 2, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A PISTON TO MISFIRE. I NOW AM STUCK HAVING TO REPLACE AN ENGINE ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT. ACCORDING TO MCO TIRES, A HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $2300. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2004
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TRIED WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 13, 2004
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE INTAKE GASKET AND INTAKE SENSOR REPLACED. VEHILCLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP ONCE AGAIN. CONSUMER TRIEDTO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2004
GASKET LEAKS ANTIFREEZE. MOST OF MY FIRENDS AND CO-WORKERS WHO OWN MALIBUS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT $1266.00 (MICHAEL CHEVROLET, SUMMERVILLE, SC - 843-875-8034). TO ME, IT APPEARS THAT MOST OF THE CARS (2 YEARS OR OLDER) HAVE THE PROBLEM. THE PART SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2004
I NOTICE THAT MY COOLANT HAD TO BE REFILLED BECAUSE THE "LOW COOLANT" LIGHT WAS STAYING ON IN THE DASH. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANAFOLD AND I NOW HAVE COOLANT IN MY ENGINE AND IN MY OIL. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU. THE ENGINE COULD BLOW CREATING OTHER PROBLEMS. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED WITH MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2004
CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 21,000 MILES AND HAD TO HAVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 2, 2004
THE CONSUMER STATED EXHAUST FUMES SEEPED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 28, 2004
2001 CHEVY MALIBU COMPLAINED OF HEAD GASKET AND FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. *BF THE CONSUMER HAD THE UPPER INTAKE AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE STARTER TO BURN UP. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 25, 2004
DURING INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. *AK
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Sep 16, 2004
FILLED GAS TANK, DROVE 100 YARDS, GAUGE DROPS TO READ EMPTY. HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY IN THE SAME MANNER. ERRATIC. REQUIRES UTILIZATION OF THE TRIP METER TO TRACK FUEL USAGE. ON ONE OCCASION GAUGE READ TANK WAS ABOUT 1/8 FULL, CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND WAS OUT OF FUEL. SECOND ISSUE: "THEFT SECURITY" LIGHT HAS BEGUN TO COME ON ERRATICALLY. DRIVING ALONG, LIGHT WILL SUDDENLY COME ON. AFTER DEPARTURE OF CAR, AND RETURN, DRIVER MUST THEN FOLLOW 10 MIN. PROCEDURE TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. THIRD ISSUE: WITHOUT INSTALLATION OF HIGH QUALITY TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, THE NOISE LEVEL AND WEAR PATTERN IS ABSURD. THE CUPPING AND WEARING HAS OCCURED ON 2 DIFFERENT SETS OF GOOD QUALITY TIRES. UPON INSTALLATION OF MICHELIN HIGH QUALITY TIRES, THE PROBLEM STOPPED.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2004
I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH LESS THAN 41000 MILES. RECENTLY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL TO ENTER MIX.*AK AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. CHEVY EXPECTS IT CUSTOMERS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET AND DENIES ANY RESPONSIBLITIES. AGAIN, IF YOU INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF GM CAR IS VERY PRONE TO THIS FAILURE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILS THE ENGINE MAY STOP WITHOUT WARNING, AND THEN FAIL TO START.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2004
IN MARCH 2004 I WAS TOLD BY CHEVY DEALER MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS A SEVERE LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 800.00. I CALLED GM AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,170 MILES ON IT-THEY INFORMED ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AS THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THE ORIGINAL GASKET WAS MADE,THEN WHY HAS GM SINCE RE-DESIGNED THE OLD GASKET WHICH IS WHAT HAS TO BE USED TO FIX ? THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ON THE MALIBU'S,AND I NEED HELP TO GET THIS REPAIR DONE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CAN NOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR,NOR AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ENGINE HESITATED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM