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
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
Exterior lighting, Feb 16, 2005
HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCHES.*AK
Exterior lighting, Feb 9, 2005
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 03V327000 CONCERNING HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2005
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNS ON THE LIGHTS, THEY WON'T WORK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETECT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *TC
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2005
HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. BAD SWITCH CAUSES HAZARD LIGHTS AND BLINKERS TO QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN. I PURCHASED ANOTHER PART AND INSTALLED MYSELF. I HAVE THE OLD PART. *NM
Exterior lighting, Dec 11, 2004
TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2004
I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2001. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM BUTLER CHEVROLET FOR THE TURN SIGNAL/FLASHER PROBLEM WHICH WAS LATER RECALLED AND I WAS REIMBURSED. I TOOK IT TO DON DARR CHEVY WHICH FIXED A FAULTY SWITCH OPERATING THE AIR CONDITIONER/SWITCHING TO OUTSIDE AIR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DOBBS WHEN IT WOULD NOT START, THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND ASSEMBLY MODULE. TODAY,JIM BUTLER CHEVROLET REPLACED THE LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE OF THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT AND THE CAR NOT STARTING.BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. OH! BUT THEY NOTICED A RECALL ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND REPLACED IT. THEY WERE THE ONE WHO REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME. I ALSO TOLD THEM OF THE OVER CRANK/GRINDING NOISE AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED, HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE, SO NO REPAIR. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR OR CHEVY BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS AND THE EXPENSE IT HAS CAUSED AND COST ME. I USED TO HOLD CHEVROLET IN HIGH REGARD, BUT CAN NO LONGER RECOMMEND ANYONE OWNING ONE.*AK
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS SIGNAL LIGHT WENT OUT. CONSUMER PUT THE SIGNAL LIGHT ON AND IT WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2004
EXTERIOR HAZARD WARNING LIGHT FAIELD TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED WITH GM MANIFACTOR BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2004
FRONT/REAR TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 30, 2004
SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON CAR WONT START. EMERGENCY FLASHERS COMES ON BY THEMSELVES SOMETIMES AND THE FLASHERS DONT WORK AT TIMES UNLESS YOU TOUCH THE FLASHER SWITCH THEN THE BLINKERS WILL WORK. DIDNT GET NO LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE FLASHER SWITCH JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ON THIS WEBSITE. I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU SL I BOUGHT IT FROM HARVEY TOYOTA IN BOSSIER CITY LOUISIANA...I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM TOLD THEM WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM THEY COULDNT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE FLASHER SWITCH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE IT BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I WANTED TO DO IT MYSELF. SO CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO CAUSE IT IS AN ANNOYING AND AGRAVATING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND YOUR CAR WONT START UN TILL THE SECURITY LIGHT GOES OFF AND YOU HAVE TO RESET IT EVERY TIME. THANKYOU P.S WE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002. *AK
Exterior lighting, Sep 13, 2004
HAZARD WARNING SWITCH AND TURNS SIGNALS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2004
BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND WHEN I CHANGED THEM THERE WAS WATER IN THE LIGHT CASEING, SO WHEN I TOOK THE BULB OUT THE CIRCUT BOARD GOT CORROSION FROM THE WATER AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTS AT ALL AFTER I REPLACED THE BULBS. I TOOK CAR IN TO BERGSTROM CHEVROLET AND GOT A DIANOGSTIC,WHICH SAID CIRCUT BOARDS WHERE INOP AND THAT COSTED ME $47.17. 8/21/04 I GOT LIGHTS FIXED AND THAT COSTED $176.24 I HAD TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET, BECASUE THE EXTENDED WARRIANTY WOULDN'T COVER COST. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL , BECAUSE WATER SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN INTO THE LIGHTS.*AK
Exterior lighting, Aug 4, 2004
RECALL NOTICE REGARDING 2000 AND 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES AND THE SOLDER JOINTS ON THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH MAY CRACK. *MR *SC *JB
Exterior lighting, Jun 9, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 29, 2004
WE ARE PAYING ON A 2001 MALIBU. THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT SHOWING GASOLINE WHEN THERE WASN'T. THE CAR STALLED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE FUEL FILTER PLUS A DEDUCTIBLE ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NEXT THE BLINKERS DECIDED TO ONLY WORK OCCASSIONALLY SAME WEEK THE STARTER STARTED DRAGGING THEN THE CAR STARTED TO RUN HOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, REPLACED BLINKER SWITCH (NO MENTION MADE OF THE RECALL) REPLACED THE STARTER AND REPLACED THE GASKET THAT WAS LEAKING. WHEN I HAD ADDED COOLANT TO GET MYSELF HOME THE COOLANT THAT WAS N THE CAR WAS GREEN, THE COOLANT I PUT IN THE CAR GREEN..WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ORANGE WHEN I TOLD THE DEALER THERE WAS GREEN COOLANT IN THE CAR HE SAID OH SOMEONES BOOBOO UNFORTUNATELY YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT...ALMOST 300.00. YESTERDAY, LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND LEFT WORK AGAIN RUSH HOUR, CAR BEGINS TO MAKE A HORRIBLE NOISE I PULL OFF NOTICE THE ALTERNATOR BELT IS COMING APART BUT THE NOISE THAT I HEARD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ALTERNATOR BELT SOUNDS LIKE METAL ON METAL. $1400.00 WORTH OF WORK DONE IN APRIL, 800.00 A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THAT AND NOW THIS...THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED BY MY HUSBAND. NOW I READ WHAT I HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO, THE CAR WAS BOUGHT CHEVY CERTIFIED FROM A CHEVY DEALER. *LA
Exterior lighting, Apr 15, 2004
CONSUMER PURCHASED A CHEVROLET, MALIBU AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP 2-3 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC, THAT CHEVROLET KNEW THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS AN ONGOING THING WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.*AK
Exterior lighting, Apr 10, 2004
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHICH IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL OPERATION. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE IN 2001 FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. GM ANNOUCED A RECALL IN AUGUST 2003 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. NHTSA ID NUMBER 03V327000. I HAVE CONTACTED GM REPEATEDLY ABOUT THIS RECALL AND KEEP GETTING TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THEY REFUSE TO TELL ME WHY IT IS NOT COVERED AND HOW THEY DETERMINED WHICH VEHICLES ARE COVERED. THEY KEEP REFERRING ME TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME IF IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I FEEL THAT GM EITHER DID NOT CORRECTLY IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED ALL THE VEHICLES WITH A HIGH PROBABILITY OF THIS FAILURE. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN DO TO TRY TO RESOLVE THIS IN A REASONABLE MANNER. AT THIS POINT I FEEL THE ONLY THING THAT WILL GET THEIR ATTENTION IS CORRESPONDENCE FROM EITHER THE NHTSA OR A LAWYER.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Mar 16, 2004
DRIVER SIDE DOOR CLICKS LOUDLY WHILE OPENING/CLOSING, IS IT A BAD HINGE? ONE OTHER PERSON HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. DOES NOT FEEL LIKE A LUBE PROBLEM. AFRAID BAD HINGE MAY BREAK/MOVE CAUSING DOOR TO SHIFT. TURN INDICATOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY-SAW ON YOUR SITE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THIS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Mar 8, 2004
THE CAR TURND OFF AND DOORS LOCKED. KNOCKING NOISES AT ENGINE AND EGR SCENSOR CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON/ VERY POOR QUALITY. *AK
Exterior lighting, Feb 24, 2004
THE TURNING SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTION ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE. GM HAS INFORMED ME MY VEICHLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jan 21, 2004
TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS.
Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY, THE EXTERIOR SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE INTERIOR FLASHERS OPERATE NORMALLY, BUT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT RESPOND. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH IF THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH IS PUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK. *PH
Exterior lighting, Jan 8, 2004
HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS SWITCH FAILED. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2004
TURN SIGNAL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK