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: service brakes
88 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2004
MULTIPLE REPAIRS ON BRAKING SYSTEMS OF 2001 CHEVY MALIBUS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 11, 2004
WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM 5 TIMES BEFORE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 20, 2004
LEFT AND RIGHT HUB BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *PH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING DUE TO FRONT ROTORS HAVING EXCESSIVE RUNOUT AND PADS WORN OUT EVENLY. ALSO, CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM HUB BEARING, DEALER REPLACED BEARING. *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 18, 2004
WE HAD BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU IN NOV 2002 . AND IT IS NOW APRIL OF 2004 . WE HAVE HAD THE CAR 16 MONTHS AND WE HAVE WENT THROUGH 5 WHOLE BRAKE JOBS . WE HAD RECENTLY HAD OUR BRAKES DONE IN FEB OF 2004 WITH 65,000 MILES AND IT COST US $557.00 AND WE HAD REPLACED THE PADS,SHOES ,ROTORS AND CALIPERS . BY THE TIME WE HAD 5,000 MILES ON THE BRAKES THEY WERE GONE SO WE HAD TO DO THE WHOLE PROCESS OVER AGAIN . ANOTHER $600.00 BRAKE JOB . WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HUBS TWICE AND I FEEL WE HAVE BOUGHT A LEMON AND THE DEALER DOSE NOT WANT TO TALK TO ME . I FEEL THAT THERE ARE SOME MAJOR PROBLEM THAT NEED TO BE FIXED DEALING WITH THE BRAKES AND THE FRONT END ON THESE CARS . I FEEL THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN RIDING IN THIS CAR . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE . I WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM FIXED OR A REPLACEMENT CAR . WE CAN NOT PUT ANYMORE TIME/$$$IN THIS CAR WHEN THE BRAKES GO EVERY TWO MONTHS OR 5,000 MILES . PLEASE HELP. *JB
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 1, 2004
EVERY 15,OOO MILES BRAKES FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, DEALER STATED WHEEL BEARING MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 1, 2004
FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 13, 2004
THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED VIBRATIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TURNED AND PADS REPLACED BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
** I DON'T HAVE ALL THE ABOVE INFO AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. BOUGHT 11/01- HIT POTHOLE 12/01, REPLACED TWO PASSENGER WHEELS(BENT) AND COMPLAINED OF "THUMPING" NOISE. DEALER 2X CLAIMED NOT TO HEAR NOISE. CAR WOULD NOT START ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS STARTING 5/02. PAID 111.00 FOR RENTAL WHILE DEALER INSPECTED. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. NEXT WEEK, FAILED TO START AGAIN, 800# TECH ADVICE TOLD ME ABOUT "ANTI-THEFT" WAS ACTING UP AND GAVE ME PROCEDURES TO START CAR. "ANTI-THEFT" SYSTEM HAS SINCE QUIT WORKING. AUTO IN "VERY MINOR" FENDER BENDER" IN 10/02, THAT WEEK DRIVER DOOR HINGE STARTED "CRACKLING", HANGING UP. INSURANCE COMPANY BODY SHOP SAID "NO RELATION" TO MINOR ACCIDENT. HINGE HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND NOT WORKING AT ALL SINCE THEN. 7/03 DRIVER POWER WINDOW "FELL DOWN" UPON ATTEMPT TO OPEN AS NORMAL WITH POWER BUTTON. OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN/ARE: REAR PASSENGER SPEAKER DOESN'T WORK, INTERIOR LIGHT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, "" BLINKERS/EMER. FLASHERS"" HAVE QUIT WORKING PROPERLY ABOUT 4 TO 6 MONTHS AGO. (THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I LIVE 'UP' A BLIND DRIVEWAY ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD)?!! 1ST WEEK I HAD THE CAR I NOTICED MOTOR RATTLED PRETTY LOUDLY UPON START UP. QUESTIONED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS "LIFTER BLEED DOWN" AND DEALER WAS WAITING ON GM FOR REMEDY, IF AVAILABLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS USED WITH NEW WARRANTY IN PLACE, ABOUT 23,300 MILES ON 36/36000 NEW CAR WARRANTY AS WELL AS BOUGHT A 1500.00 EXTENDED 5YR/100000 WARR. ANY SUGGESTIONS, VERY TICKED OFF AND DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 15, 2004
THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE FLEX WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS HAS RESULTED IN UNEVEN AND PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS. THE PADS WERE REPLACED TWICE, ONCE AT 17,000 MILES AND ONCE AT 30,000. THE ROTORS WERE REMACHINED AT 17,000 MILES, REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES AND RESURFACED AT 33,000. THE FLEXING OF THE CALIPER CAUSES MISALIGNMET OF THE GUIDE PINS, CAUSING THE CALIPER TO HANG UP. AS A RESULT ONLY THE INNER BRAKE PAD IS STOPPING THE CAR. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO WEAR ON THE OUTER PAD. THE INNER PADS SHOW SIGNS OF OVERHEATING, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE ROTORS TO WARP (PULSATING), AND BRAKE FADE IN A PANIC STOP. THE CONSTANT FLEXING COULD ALSO COMPRIMISE THE INTGERITY OF THE ALUMINUM CALIPERS OVER TIME. GM CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE CHECKED THE NHTSB WEB SITE AND FOUND 28% OF THE COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THIS VEHICLE WERE BRAKE RELATED AND ALMOST ALL COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS CONDITION.
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