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: exterior lighting
111 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CANNOT ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNALS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,649.
Exterior lighting, Aug 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THE REPAIRS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $362. OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE FAILURE HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB
Exterior lighting, Apr 3, 2008
HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2005 UNDER RECALL # 03V327000. HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN IN MARCH 2008. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATE THE POLICY THAT SWITCH CANNOT BE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE UNDER THE RECALL, AND SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE FOR A KNOWN AND RECALLED ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 25, 2008
PLEASE SEE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU RECALL TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ON THIS VEHICLE WAS COMPLETED IN 2004. RECENTLY HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE BECOME INOPERATIVE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. WARNING/TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS EITHER DO NOT FLASH, STAY ON CONSTANTLY, DO NOT TURN ON, OR DIFFERENT LIGHTS BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY. GM DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *TR
Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jan 10, 2008
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND AFTER TAKING THE CAR IN TO GET THE SWITCH FOR THE BLINKERS FIXED ON THEIR RECALL, TWO WEEKS LATER IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. I HAVE HAD TWO DEALERSHIPS TELL ME SINCE THEY ALREADY REPLACED THE FAULTY PART THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AN THE AFTERMARKET PARTS MAY ALSO BE FAULTY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2007
SAFETY RECALL #03043A (03/08/2004) - TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS INOPERATIVE * THE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY: YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE HAZARD SWITCH OFF AND ON TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS TO WORK. IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK, THE DRIVER MUST TAKE ONE HAND OFF THE STEERING WHEEL TO PUSH THE HAZARD SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THIS DEFECT ALSO FORCES THE DRIVER TO TAKE THEIR EYES FROM THE ROAD AND TO THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK PROPERLY, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO CLASSIC CHEVROLET IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL ON 9/10/07 PER THIS SAFETY RECALL. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL COVERS VIN #'S FROM 1M500024 TO 1M669822 (THE VEHICLE CLEARLY FALLS WITHIN THIS RANGE VIN# 1M551207), THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS PART UNDER THAT RECALL. I CALLED CHEVROLET, AND WAS FIRST TOLD THAT IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL, AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH AT NO CHARGE, THEN WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT, AS THERE ARE CERTAIN VIN #'S WITHIN THIS RANGE THAT ARE NOT EFFECTED. ULTIMATELY CHEVROLET REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THE OTHERS IN THIS VIN RANGE AND COULD NOT POSSIBLY NOT BE PART OF THIS RECALL. I AM ASKING THAT THE NHSTA INTERVENE IN THIS MATTER, AS IT IS CLEAR THAT CHEVROLET IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS THIS VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. I FEAR THAT THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 22, 2007
ENGINE LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE, TURN SIGNALS GO IN & OUT, FUEL GAUGE NOT ALWAYS RIGHT, MAKING A LOUD BANGING NOISE, AND NOW DEAD WON'T EVEN START. 2001 CHEVY MALIBU 3.1L V6 $22,000 & ONLY 67,000 MILES. *JB
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2006
TL* - THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNS ON THE LIGHTS, THEY WON'T WORK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT COULD BE SOME TYPE OF WIRING PROBLEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF WHEN IN USE AND, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, TURNED ON WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V327000, REGARDING THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 6, 2006
MY TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT. I CALL CHEVROLET AND I WAS TOLD THIS PART HAD BEEN CHANGED JULY OF 2001. THIS WAS A RECALLED PART AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE ONE PUT IN IN JULY 2001 WAS A NEW PART OR STILL ONE THAT WAS ON RECALL. BUT I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT. *NM
Exterior lighting, Aug 18, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TAILLIGHTS LAMPS CONTAINED MOISTURE WHICH CAUSED THE BULBS TO BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THIS MAY SHORT OUT THE PANEL AND CAUSE A FIRE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 17, 2006
DT: WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED TURN SIGNAL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. HAZARD SWITCH RECALL. NOT TAKEN. *AK
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2006
TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO ALL THE TIME. THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT 670740 OTHER 2001 MALIBUS HAVE AND THEY CAN BE FIXED WITH A RECALL. MINE IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL WHEN MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. WHY? NO CRASH YET...BUT SOON. *JB
Exterior lighting, Mar 13, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE BECOME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL, #03V327000, CONCERNING THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE COMPONENT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL ANY LONGER AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB
Exterior lighting, Feb 22, 2006
I BOUGHT MY CAR WHEN IT WAS A YEAR OLD, SINCE BUYING THE CAR, I HAVE HAD TO PAY 800 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH CHANGED, WHICH I FOUND OUT LATER THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE ONLY CHARGED 400. I HAVE ALSO RESPONDED TO THE TURN SIGNAL RECALL TO HAVE THE HAZARD SWITCH FIXED ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME SWITCH GO OUT AGAIN, NOT EVEN 2 YEARS LATER. I AM BEING TOLD THAT IT WILL COST AT LEAST 200.00 TO FIX. INSTEAD OF THE TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING NOW THERE IS A CONSTANT CLICKING IN THE DASH, WHICH THEY SAID IS CAUSED BY THE HAZARD SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE...IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN WHY WOULD THEY REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WITH A DEFECTIVE ONE AND NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONE? *NM
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2005
IT APPEARS THAT GM'S CLAIM THAT IT COMPLETED THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD WARNING SWITCH IS NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE. MY SIGNAL WARNING RELAY, SITUATED IN THE HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM, HASN'T STOPPED CLACKING FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS. PERHAPS IT IS THE ONE THAT SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACK. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING (NOT RESOLVED).
Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEY SEEM TO BE GETTING WORSE. A LOCAL MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 03V327000. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. *AK
Exterior lighting, Oct 17, 2005
HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS DOESN'T WORK AND MY TURN SIGNALS ARE SOMETIMES INOPERATIVE. GM SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THEY RECALL NO.03043 ALTHOUGH I HAVING SAME KIND OF PROBLEM STATED IN THAT RECALL(NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO.03V327000).*JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2005
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 CHEVY MALIBU FOR TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LIGHT DEFECT. I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND I HAD EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY INDICATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RECALL AND THEREFORE WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF HAVING MY TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LIGHTS REPAIRED. *NM
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Seat belts, Oct 7, 2005
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SWITCH STALLS BEFORE ROLLING UP. TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. INTERNAL FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON 5. IF I TURN THE FAN SWITCH ON OR OFF, TURN SIGNALS WILL START WORKING INSTANTLY. TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE BLOWER WENT OUT. I CANNOT LISTEN TO THE RADIO AND RUN THE REAR DEFROSTER AT THE SAME TIME. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE ALL THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO PUT IT ON. THE CAR HAS DIED AS I TRIED TO TURN LEFT AT A STOP LIGHT. THIS WAS A USED CAR WITH LESS THAN 30K MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN MARCH 2005, NO PROBLEMS UNTIL ABOUT MAY. NOW A PROBLEM A DAY SEEMS TO APPEAR. THE CAR NOW HAS 39K MILES ON IT AND MY HUSBAND WANTS ME TO TRADE IT IN ALREADY BECAUSE HE SAYS IT IS GOING TO "NICKEL AND DIME US TO DEATH". I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE PROBLEMS ON RECALL SITES, BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Exterior lighting, Jul 22, 2005
TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU STOPPED WORKING. THE BULBS AREN'T BURNED OUT SO MUST BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM (I'M GUESSING) AT FIRST THE SIGNALS WOULD WORK FOR A FEW DAYS THEN STOP FOR A DAY BUT NOW ITS BEEN 4 DAYS AND THE SIGNALS DON'T WORK AT ALL. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DOESN'T "BLOW" ON LEVELS 1-4 ONLY ON LEVEL 5.
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
Exterior lighting, Jun 15, 2005
DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TURN SIGNAL WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. IT WORKED SOME TIMES, AND SOME TIMES IT WOULD NOT WORK. CONSUMER FIXED, IT WAS AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH. WHICH FAILED. CONSUMER KNEW OF NHTSA RECALL 03V327000 ON SAME MAKE/ MODEL, AND YEAR, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jun 8, 2005
DT: ON THE 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU THE RUBBER ON TAIL LIGHT DETERIORATED, RAIN COLLECTED IN TAIL LIGHT, AND DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER RECEIVED TWO TICKETS AS A RESULT.*AK