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: steering
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Apr 5, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH ON MARCH 4, 2007 THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON ITS OWN AND A FRACTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DETACHED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THE CONTACT STRUCK A BRICK WALL. THE VEHICLE AND CONTACT WERE UNHARMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 87,000.*AK
Steering, Oct 3, 2005
POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT. OFTEN UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT. WHEN TURNING LEFT POWER STEERING IS NON EXISTING WITH EXTREME POWER TO MANEUVER STEERING TO COMPLETE THE LEFT TURN. THE RIGHT TURNING STEERING IS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THE FAILURE IS DUPLICATIVE OF THE RECALL OF THE 1997 AND 1998 MALIBU. *NM
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
Steering, Air bags, Aug 17, 2004, crash
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD WITH THE SPEED LIMIT BEING 55 MPH WHICH I WAS DOING AND HIT THE EDGE OF THE ROAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT THE ENTIRE CAR WENT TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR HIT A TREE HEAD ON AT 55 MPH AND THE NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR TOTALED. *JB
Steering, Fuel system, Other, Seat belts, Jul 19, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT PROPERLY BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT BACK AND FORTH. *AK THE RACK AND PINION HAD A BAD LEAK. *SC THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. *JB
Steering, May 11, 2004
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING LEAK ON A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU WHICH IS SIMILAR TO RECALLS MADE ON 1996 AND 1997. *LA *SC *JB
Steering, Apr 29, 2004
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V527000 AFFECTING CHEVROLET, MALIBUS, 1997-1998 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK IN ADDITION, BEARING IN STEERING SNAPS EVEYRTIME WHEEL IS TURNED. *LA
Steering, Apr 8, 2004
MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU STEERING CYLINDER FELL APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. MY STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN AFTER I PARKED IT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. *AK
Steering, Apr 1, 2004
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TURNING LEFT STEERING WHEEL GOT STIFF. THEN, AFTER THE TURN WAS COMPLETED HE HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK. CONSUMER WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, BUT SOMEONE TOLD HIM THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HIS OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLE. *AK
Steering, Power train, Aug 12, 2003
AT 500 MILES IT WAS FOUND THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. RACK AND PINION SYSTEM FAILED AT 48,000 MILES. AT 49,000 MILES THE FRONT AXLE SHAFTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IN ADDITION TO MANY OTHER REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED ON THIS CAR.*AK
Steering, Jun 5, 2003
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. *JB
Steering, Feb 27, 2003
THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN, AND IT MADE A NOISE.*JB
Steering, Oct 24, 2002
ELBOW RIGHT ARM/ELBOW BECAME SORE AFTER DRIVING A CHEVROLET MALIBU FOR A WEEK. THE STEERING IS STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. HAVE A BAD CASE OF ELBOW NOW. INFO SUPLLIED BY MIKE TOMICH 989-665-2311. DT
Steering, Jul 9, 2002, crash
AT 40MPH AND WITH NO WARNING LOST STEERING CONTROL, RESULTING IN CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2001
DRIVER HEARD KNOCKING SOUND FROM ENGINE. TOOK TO WEBER CEVROLET AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED. PISTON AND PISTON RINGS WERE BAD. ONE WEEK LATER DRIVER HEARS POPPING NOISE FROM STEEERING COLUMN STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. GOLD PACKAGE DECALS WERE FADING OFF AS WELL. DRIVER NOW HEARS KNOKING COMMING FROM ENGINE AGAIN.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2001
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE RANDOMLY CUTS OFF, IT LOSES STEERING POWER. ALSO, ENGINE LEAKS OIL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Steering, Mar 14, 2001
WHEN VEHICLE WAS LEAVING HIGHWAY STEERING WAS LOST. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITH A FINGER COULD TURN STEERING WHEEL, BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE.*AK
Steering, Mar 6, 2001
AFTER COMING OFF FREEWAY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WANDER ACROSS CENTER LANE. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES TO IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE CURRENTLY. *AK