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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 739

Of the 2001 reports, 37 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 29 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernElectrical system297 reports · 40% of complaints
Owner complaints739Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system297
  2. Engine and engine cooling149
  3. Exterior lighting111
  4. Service brakes88
  5. Hydraulic78
  6. Steering43
  7. Fuel system32
  8. Engine27

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  1. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 21, 2001

    ITEM#1) BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FOR ENGINE NOISE. ADVISED PISTONS NEEDED REPLACMENT. ADVISED CAR WAS "SAFE TO DRIVE". PISTONS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. LEFT COPY OF SERVICE REPAIR ORDER WITH SALESWOMAN AND ADVISED HER TO CONTACT GENERAL MANAGER OF DEALERSHIP AND CHEVROLET OF PROBLEM. ITEM#2) BRAKES, BROUGHT IN VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON 02-14-2001 FOR BRAKE INSTABILITY ON WET PAVEMENT. ADVISED BRAKES WERE "NORMAL" AFTER TEST DRIVE. NO ON HOIST INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED . BROUGHT IN VEHICLE ON 03-21-2001 FOR BRAKES AND ENGINE NOISE. ADVISED BRAKES WERE "NORMAL" AGAIN, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN REGARDING BRAKES AFTER ROAD TEST BY DEALERSHIP. PISTONS NEEDING REPLACMENT CONSTITUTES A FAILURE OF MAJOR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS AND THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS "SAFE". A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE MUST BE PROVIDED OR REFUND OF ALL EXPENSES AND RETURN OF TRADE-IN VEHICLE WHICH WAS RELIABLE.*AK