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: hydraulic
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 24, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT HUB CAP DETACHED FROM THE RIM. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SIX LUGS: NUTS WERE HOT. A TECHNICIAN TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE HEAT FROM THE FRONT BRAKES MELTED THE PLASTIC HUB CAP WHICH CAUSED THEM TO LOOSEN AND FALL OFF. *AK THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ALSO OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE HUB CAP TO FALL OFF. *PH *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 1, 2003
PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE - 29,000 MILES AND CAR NEED NEW ROTORS AND PADS. VERY LIGHT USE, HIGHWAY DRIVING, NO STOP AND GO DRIVING. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 19, 2003
FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY AT 12,000 MILES. DALER HAS REPLACED THEM THREE TIMES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Structure, Nov 12, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS, DOOR LOCKS AND BRAKES.*MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR SIX MONTHS UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO SERVICE THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD FREEZE IN THE WINTER TIME AND WOULD OPEN SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP RESPONDED BY STATING THEY DIDN'T EXPERIENCE THIS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING CHECKED. THUS, THE PROBLEM WASN'T HANDLED BY THE COMPANY. APPARENTLY, THE DOOR HINGES WERE NEVER PROPERLY GREASED UNTIL THE CONSUMER'S FATHER DID IT. THIS RESOLVED THAT PROBLEM. BRAKES WERE ROUGH AND UNRESPONSIVE AT TIMES. THE TURN SIGNAL WORK WHEN THEY WANTED TO OR WHEN THE A/C WAS ON MAXIMUM OUTPUT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO USE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF ANTIFREEZE. *PH *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2003
I HAVE A '01 CHEVROLET MALIBU, MY FUEL INJECTOR WENT OUT OF CAR, ANTIFREEZE CHAMBER LEAKING (REPLACED), TURN SIGNAL UNIT WENT OUT. ABS SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, WENT OUT..ALL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. ALL UNDER 60,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP (BOBB CHEVROLET) OH HAS NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR, I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE LISTED AS A LEMON.*AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Nov 5, 2003
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER STEERING BUT THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK TWO SEPARATED DEALERSHIPS STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL ONE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A "HICC UP" AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS NOISY AND THE LEFT FRONT HUB WAS NOISY. *SCC THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONSUMER HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 12, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES ON 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU.*MR BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH RESURFACING THE ROTORS AND REPLACING THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A METAL-TO-METAL SOUND AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED (7855 MILES) AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT. *PH *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 12, 2003
THE BRAKE ROTORS WARPED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIMMY WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK CONSUMER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE DUE TO COST. THE CONSUMER'S FRIEND STATED THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. *PH *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 6, 2003
BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 3, 2003
AT 47,000 MILES MY BRAKES BEGAN TO PULSATE VIOLENTLY WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. A METAL ON METAL SOUND COULD ALSO BE HEARD. THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE ROTORS WERE TURNED, NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS RESET. AT 90,000 MILES THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. THIS TIME THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, NEW CALIPERS WERE INSTALLED (THEY WERE BINDING) AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS AGAIN RESET. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 23, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, ALONG WITH EXCESSIVE GRINDING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTION BY A DEALERSHIP OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PADS WERE WORN 50%, AND THE FRONT ROTORS HAD WARPED. OWNER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE EXTENT OF BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 9, 2003
THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED FOR 2ND TIME , IT HAPPENED AT 40,000 MILES, AND NOW ALMOST A YEAR LATER AFTER THEY WERE TURNED THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN! I HAVE LOOKED ON THE WEB SITES OF OTHER OWNERS, AND THE SAME COMPLAINT HAS BEEN THEIR! *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 7, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WERE REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEALERSHIP, ONCE AT 13500K MILES ALONG WITH RESURFACING OF THE ROTORS AND THE REPLACING THE R/F CALIPER, AND AGAIN AT 7855K MILES LATER. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE CONSUMER EXITED THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN A LOUD METAL TO METAL SOUND WAS HEARD. THE BRAKES WERE DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND IN ORDER TO STOP, THE CONSUMER HAD TO CONTINUALLY PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL. *SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 19, 2003
IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE SYSTEM HAVE SOME DEFECTS. I'VE HAD BRAKES REPLACES 3 TIMES SINCE FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR (2003). CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL, HOSES AND LINES. BRAKES FAILED ONCE AT SLOW SPEED 30 MPH. HAVEN'T HAD A FAILURE SINCE, HOWEVER, THE SYSTEM IS EATING UP BRAKE PADS MOSTLY ON THE LEFT SIDE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2003
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES AND RATTLES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 5, 2003
THE DEALER REPLACED 5 SETS OF BRAKES AND ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 30, 2003
VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED THE BRAKES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED REPLACED FIVE TIMES PADS/ ROTORS TURNED THREE TIMES AND REPLACED ONE. BUT PROBLEM STILL RECURRING. PLEASE SEND COPY. AND FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 23, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2001 MALIBU LS USED BACK IN FEB 2002. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BREAKS MAKING A GROUNDING NOISE WHEN I COME TO SLOW STOPS. AS TIME GOES BY IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTERN. AT FIRST IT WAS ONLY WHEN I WOULD BE IN DRIVE THRU LINES WAITING OR THE BRAKE NOISE WOULD COME AND THEN GO AWAY FOR AWHILE. THE NOISE IS LIKE A GROUNDING OR METAL RUBBING NOISE. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT SOUND LIKE THE BRAKES ARE GOING TO SNAP OFF. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS CAR INTO TWO DIFFERENCE REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY ALL STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO HOW CHEVY MADE THE BRAKES. THEY TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT THEY NOW USE METAL ON THE BRAKES AND WHEN THE BRAKES GET HOT THEY MAKE THIS NOISE. I CAN TURN THE CAR ON AND USUALLY WITHIN 15 MINUTES THE BRAKES START MAKING THE NOISE. I HAD THE BRAKES OILED, BRAKES PADS REPAIRED AND NOTHING TAKES THE NOISE AWAY. FROM WHAT I AM TOLD AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ FROM OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINTS IS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IF YOU GET THE BRAKES REPLACED EVENTUALLY IT WILL START AGAIN. MANY PEOPLE HAVE WONDERED WHY NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. LIKE SOMEONE ELSE STATED WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED. A DEATH OR INJURY DUE TO THE BRAKES. I AM LUCKY COMPARED TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE BRAKES FAIL. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE I CAN TAKE OF HEARING THE NOISE. I CONTACTED THE CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA EMAIL AND ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. SINCE THEY CAN'T INSPECT THE CAR THEY HAVE TO RELY ON THE DEALERS. NOT ONCE DID THEY EVER ADMIT TO ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. I PAID ALOT FOR THIS CAR AND I SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES BUT THEY WERE NOT HELPFULL. I WON'T GO BACK ANYMORE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT CARS FROM THERE AND THEY HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I JUST WANT THIS BRAKE ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 14, 2003
THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ALSO A GRINDING NOISE. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BRAKE SHOES AND PADS 6 TIMES. BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 10000 MILES. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, May 12, 2003
1) LEAKING COOLANT FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO ENGINE, REQUIRED GASKET REPLACEMENT AND COOLANT / OIL CHANGE 2) TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH 3) A/C DOES NOT WORK, BLOWS HOT AIR, DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR 4) BRAKES WEAK, VIBRATE. REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET COMPONENTS (POWERSLOT ROTORS AND PERFORMANCE FRICTION CARBON METALLIC PADS) 5) AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS INOPERATIVE, DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR 6) POOR FUEL MILEAGE, BEST IS 28 MPG HIGHWAY (CAFE VIOLATION??) 7) STARTER FAILED, REPLACED WITH REBUILT UNIT. *NLM
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 10, 2003
THE BRAKES PADS WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES, HOWEVER THEY CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCED UNEVEN WEAR. *JB ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE MACHINED, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS THEY WERE CLEANED, LUBED, AND CALIPER SLID. SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 3, 2003
THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS DESIGNED, THE CALIPER PISTON OVER HEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE PISTON TO EXPAND. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Apr 3, 2003
EXCESSIVE BRAKE REPAIR:FRONT AND REAR SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 9/12/01 TO 3/31/03: BRAKES SERVICED ON 12/14/01-MACHINE FRONT ROTORS AND REAR DRUMS, 3/14/02-REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS MACHINE REAR DRUMS, 8/12/02 R&R REAR DRUMS & MACHINE R&R REAR BRAKE SHOES & LUBE BACKING PLATE, 3/31/03 FRONT BRAKES NEEDED CLEAN AND ADJUST REAR BRAKES. MILEAGE WAS RESPECTIVELY: 5836, 12450, 21975, 33533. ALL BRAKE WORK DONE BY DEALER. INDEPENDENT BRAKE INSPECTION ON 4/3/03 SHOWS FRONT BRAKES NEEDED AND 20/1000THS LEFT ON REAR DRUMS. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD SET OF BRAKES PUT ON THIS VEHICLE BEFORE THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRES. ALSO REAR DRUMS ARE WITHIN 20/1000THS OF DRUM SPEC DISCARD PRIOR TO MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRATION.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 26, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. WITH LESS THAN 16000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND CHANGED THE PADS AND ROTORS ONE TIME FOR FREE BUT THE OTHER TWO TIMES THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY. *NLM