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, May 8, 2002
WHEN DRIVING BRAKES PULSATE ERRATICALLY. HAS TO APPLY FULL PRESSURE TO PEDAL BEFORE STOPPING VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 2, 2002
VIBRATION AND PULSATING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, GRINDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD. DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. ROTORS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME IN OCTOBER 2001 FOR PREMATURE WEAR. *JG *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 26, 2002
THIS IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. THESE CARS ARE PURCHASED AS FLEET VEHICLES. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM AT ALL WITH LAQUA CHEVROLET, THEY HAVE FIXED THESE VEHICLES ANYTIME THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. WHAT I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH IS, THESE BRAKES WERE JUST REPLACED LAST MONTH AND WE ARE ON THE THIRD SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS, AND THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN THIS MONTH.. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO REGARDING THESE 8 VEHICLES? I ONLY SENT YOU ONE OF THE VIN NUMBERS, I HAVE 7 MORE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION TO THIS MATTER. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Mar 18, 2002
WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED IT WAS TIRES. CONSUMER WENT TO FIRESTONE, AND HAD TIRES REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER WONT LOOK AT VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 3, 2001, crash
ON THE 22ND OF OCTOBER MY VEHICLE HAD LOST ITS BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HILL. MY IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WAS TO APPLY MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH DID STOP MY CAR BUT ALSO PROCEEDED TO CAUSE IT TO CRASH. UPON INVESTIGATION BY MY INS. CO. (NATIONWIDE INS.) THEY FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES HAD FRAYED ON THE MALIBU WHICH HAD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES. FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH IS NOW CONSIDERED TOTALLED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE VEHICLE AND I AM FURTHER REQUESTING A RECALL ON THE HOSES OF THE MALIBU. A REPORT IS AVAILABLE FROM MY INS. CO @[XXX]HARRISBURG, PA [XXX] THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 24, 2001
BRAKES ARE SPONGY. THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES HAS TO PRESS DOWN HARD TO STOP. BRAKES SOUND LIKE METAL TO METAL RUBBING WHEN APPLYING HARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED COULDN'T GET VEHICLE TO DUPLICATE ITSELF.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 23, 2001
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND BRAKING EFFECTED. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR WITH 5,200 MILES. SERVICE DEPT SAID THIS IS NOT A UNCOMMON PROBLEM. BRAKES ROTORS SHOULD BE MADE BETTER! *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 10, 2001
AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR AWHILE, THE BRAKES GRAB AND SQUEAL, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, REAR BRAKES ARE NOISY, DEALER REPLACED REAR DRUM ASSEMBLY, CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, AND GREASED BACKING PLATES, BRAKE PROBLEM IS NOT REMEDIED. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2001
ENGINE PINGS WITH NO REASON, ROTORS ARE LOOKING BAD EARLY ON. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 11, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING AT 50-55 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE, AND THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIE FURTHER INFORMATION.*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