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 and engine cooling
149 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Structure, Seats, Apr 15, 2003
AFTER RESEARCHING THE SERVICE BULLETINS SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE, I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT I HAVE COMPLAINED/HAD SERVICED ABOUT 85% OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ARE LISTED ON YOUR DATABASE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW, FROM EVERETT CHEVROLET, WA IN 2000. SINCE THE PURCHASE. DATE, I HAD CHEVY DO THE FOLLOWING: NEW BRAKES (ALL THE WAY AROUND - ONCE, FRONT ROTORS/PADS - TWICE), ALL NEW PISTONS, TRANSMISSION REPLACED, MISS ON #1 CYLINDER - REPLACED 1 FAILED SPARK PLUG, LEFT REAR DOOR SQUEAKS WHEN OPEN/SHUT - LUBED (HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW), FRONT LEFT NOISE FROM STRUTS/BRAKES - NOT ABLE TO VERIFY AS OF YET (POSSIBLE STRUT PROBLEM/LUBE), FAN IN DASHBOARD HAS A SOUND IN THE MIDDLE (JUST ABOVE THE CD PLAYER/RADIO) LIKE THERE IS A PIECE OF PAPER CAUGHT IN THE HOUSING (CONFIRMED AFTER 4 COMPLAINTS, FAULTY FAN MOTOR), PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SQUEAKS WHEN OCCUPIED (DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE./FIX), REARVIEW MIRROR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (TIGHTENED, STILL DOES IT IN HOT WEATHER). BOTTOM LINE, THIS IS MY FIRST NEW CAR PURCHASE AND I AM HAVING SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT KEEPING THE CAR - AS IT ONLY HAS 21,405 MILES ON IT. WITH THE 3/30 WARRANTY. COMING UP IN OCT. 2003, I AM VERY MUCH AFRAID THAT I HAVE PURCHASED A LEMON AND NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING ANYMORE TIME/$$$ ON THIS VEHICLE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 13, 2003
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK IN TO OIL.*JB..*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 29, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING IF VEHICLE RIDES OVER A BUMP, ENGINE STALLS. DLR CAN NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 30, 2002
AT 20000, IF THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP OR A DISFIGURE IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN NO MATTER WHAT SPEEDS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS WHICH ONE CHANGED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE OTHER CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER. VEHICLE IS STILL EXEMPLIFYING SAME FAILURE. NLM
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 2002
THE FRONT END IS VIBRATING AT ANY SPEED. DEALER HAS DONE FRONT ALIGNMENT, REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES, AND THE ROTORS WERE TURNED. DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE, BUT WILL ONLY TURN (THREE TIMES) TO BE TURNED LESS THAN THREE MONTHS. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE SEVENTH TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ONE PROBLEM OR ANOTHER, AND FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWELVE WEEKS FOR A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. A VALVE ADJUSTMENT SEEMS TO REMEDY, THE FRONT END VIBRATION STILL NOT REPAIREED. *SCC
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2002
WHITE SULFIDES (FUMES) ARE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND OTHER OPENINGS IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTUERER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TT UPDATED *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 5, 2002
A KNOCKING NOISE WOULD COME FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2002
VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD IT WAS WEATHER CAUSING PROBLEM. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PAST TWO MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN TO ALTERNATE BODY SHOPS, BECAUSE ENGINE FAILED TO START. MECHANICS FLUSHED OUT THE CAR AND HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER TO DETECT ANY PROBLEMS. NO FOUND PROBLEMS AND CAR CRANKED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. CAR LAST FAILED ON MAY 3, 2002 AND IS STILL NOT WORKING AS OF TODAY. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***762043
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2002
ENGINE MISS-FIRES AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ON AFTER SERVICE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Apr 24, 2002
FRONT BRAKES PULSATE WHEN VEHICLE STOPS. BRAKES HAD FAILED AND DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM COULD REOCCUR. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE IS HEARING A CLUNK NOISE IN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA AND BRAKE NOISE IN FRONT WHEN BRAKING, VIBRATION IS WORSE AFTER 30 MILES OF STOPPING, DEALER REPLACED PADS AND RESURFACED ROTORS; ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY HUMMING TYPE NOISE DURING ACCELERATION. *YD
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2002
VEHICLE MISSES AT SPEEDS OF 60-80MPH, VEHICLE JERKS WHEN IT BACKFIRES. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 26, 2002
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTANTLY AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS, DEALER HAS REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NLM
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Mar 5, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SHAKES ERRATICALLY. IT VIBRATES FROM INSIDE. ALSO, HAD NEW STRUTS PUT ON REAR. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, FRONT BRAKE PADS MAKE NOISE, ENGINE MAKES TAPPING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTING, THERE WAS A SHIMMY IN VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO STRUTS LEAK. *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 22, 2002
VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES AT SPEEDS OF 30-40 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES HARD START WHEN COLD, ENGINE ALSO MAKES NOISE. *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 31, 2001
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, OIL PAN EXPERIENCED A LEAK, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SLC
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Structure, Dec 26, 2001
TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED DURING NORMAL OPERATION. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK DEALER REPLACED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. WEATHERSTRIP AROUND BOTH REAR SIDE WINDOWS DEFORMED, AS WELL AS BOTH DOOR PANELS, DEALER REPLACED WEATHERSTRIP AND DOOR PANELS, EXPERIENCING TICKING AND WHINNING NOISE FROM ENGINE, DEALER STATES THIS WAS NORMAL. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2001
TOOK CAR IN CAUSE OF KNOCKING IN ENGINE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID COULDNT HEAR IT WHEN PICKED THE CAR UP MADE HIM RIDE IN IT WITH ME COULD HEAR KNOCKING TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK.TOOK BACK WORK ORDER SAYS PISTON SLAP.DIAGNOISIS POLYMER COATED PISTONS SLAPPING INSIDE CLYINDERS;REPLACED ALL PISTONS,HONE CYLINDERS,REPLACED RINGS REPLACED ALLCONNECTING ROD BEARINGS.WATER PUMBM WENT OUT TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN A WEEK AND A HALF LATER CAR KEPT RUNNING HOT ALL THE WAY IN RED HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INHOSES WERE NOT RECONNECTED WHEN MOTOR WAS WORKED ON CD PLAYER WENT OUT ALSO FACE OF CD PLAYER GETS EXTREMELY HOT TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL BLINKERS HAVE WENT OUT TWICE FIRST TIME SAID FIXED THEM STILL NOT WORKING NOW WHEN YOU CRANK CAR IT KNOCKS HAVE REPORTED IT IT IS DOING THE SAME THING WHEN HAD PISTONS REPLACED LASTED NOV.06OUT*AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2001
DRIVER HEARD KNOCKING SOUND FROM ENGINE. TOOK TO WEBER CEVROLET AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED. PISTON AND PISTON RINGS WERE BAD. ONE WEEK LATER DRIVER HEARS POPPING NOISE FROM STEEERING COLUMN STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. GOLD PACKAGE DECALS WERE FADING OFF AS WELL. DRIVER NOW HEARS KNOKING COMMING FROM ENGINE AGAIN.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2001
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE RANDOMLY CUTS OFF, IT LOSES STEERING POWER. ALSO, ENGINE LEAKS OIL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2001
ENGINE PINGS WITH NO REASON, ROTORS ARE LOOKING BAD EARLY ON. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 6, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2001
ENGINE PISTONS REPLACED AT 2395 MILES DUE TO" PISTON SLAP". REPLACED ALL SIX PISTONS WITH TEFLON COATED ONES. PATCH AREAS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF PISTON IN AREA WHERE THE MOST VIBRATION AND WEAR OCCURS. ALL SIX PISTONS SHOWED SIGNS OF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IN AREAS WHERE TEFLON ADDED. ADVISED BY DIFFERENT DEALER ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS & SERVICE MANAGER THAT INSTALLING TEFLON COATED PISTONS IS JUST A SHORT-TERM STOP-GAP MEASURE AND THE PROBLEM WOULD RETURN. PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF OLD PISTONS. BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE POPPING NOISE, LIKE CALIPERS ARE STICKING AND THERE IS NOTICABLE REDUCED BRAKING ON WET SURFACES. DEALER SAYS "NOTHING IS WRONG". RACK AND PINION FAILED INITIALLY AT 4044 MILES . REPLACED AND THE SAME SOUNDS AND FEEL HAS RETURNED. 24 DAYS OUT-OF-SERVICE TO DATE. WILL TAKE ACTION VIA LEMON LAW AFTER 6 MORE DAYS OUT-OF-SERVICE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2001
FROM THE INITIAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE IT SMELLED AS IF IT HAD A SLIGHT OIL LEAK ON THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE EMITTED A SLIGHT ODOR THAT CONTINUED TO GROW STRONGER AS THE CAR WAS DRIVEN MORE. AT NO TIME COULD AN OIL LEAK BE FOUND. THE CAR WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN IN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND OTHERS ON MARCH 17, 2001. BY APRIL 24, 2001 CHEVROLET STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE USED SINCE MARCH 7, 2000 DUE TO THE ACRID SMELL OF BURNT OIL INSIDE THE CAR. THE SMELL CAUSED ME TO BE UNABLE TO OPERATE THE CAR DO TO IRRIATION TO MY SINUS AND EYES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO BE SERIOSLY ILL AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO A COLLISION AS A RESULT OF IMPAIRMENT TO THE DRIVER. *AK
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