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
739 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2009
I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I HAVE HAD THE PASSLOCK SENSOR REPLACED 5 OR 6 TIME OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED MY CAR TODAY TO A DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND NOW THEY WANT $700+ TO REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE THERE 3 TIMES AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT ANYONE HAS MENTIONED THAT THE BCM IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I WANT GM TO COVER THE COST WHICH THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO. EVEN AFTER THE PASSLOCK SENSOR IS REPLACED, THE ISSUE STARTS UP AGAIN WITHIN 3 TO 4 MONTHS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 3, 2008
GASKET IS CAUSING ANTIFREEZE LEAK INTO ENGINE AND THE CAR IS OVERHEATING. HAVE USE ABOUT A FEW BOTTLES OF ANTIFREEZE BACK TO BACK. ITS GOING TO COST SO MUCH TO REPAIR. IM WAITING FOR A RECALL FROM GM. THE SOONER THE BETTER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Nov 29, 2008
HAVE A 01 CHEVY MALIBU WHOSE LOWER INTAKE HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. HAVE 53 OTHER PEOPLE WHO ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH LOWER INTAKE AND MANY MORE TO COME. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 16, 2008
DANGEROUS BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGE EVERY 16,000 MILES LIKE CLOCK WORK. CAUSES WEAK BRAKES AND EXTREME WARE TO FRONT END MOVING PARTS. NEW TOP OF THE LINE ROTORS AND PADS WILL NOT CURE PROBLEM. IT IS AN ENGINEERING SCREW UP. THIS IS AN ONGOING ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND WHY GM IS GOING BROKE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL: IT ALL STARTED 2/2007... THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 CHEVY MALIBU FOR TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LIGHT DEFECT. I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND I HAD EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY INDICATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RECALL AND THEREFORE WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF HAVING MY TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LIGHTS REPAIRED. THERE IS A TICKING NOISE THAT IS OFF AND ON, SOMETIMES LASTING 3 MINUTES. THEN IN 5/2008... THE FOLLOWING HAPPENS AT THE SAME TIME: THE CAR DOES START THE FUEL GAUGE SAYS I AM EMPTY, RADIO WILL NOT WORK, A/C AND HEATER WILL NOT WORK. MY DAYTIME LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON, ALONG WITH MY WINDOWS, AND CRUISE CONTROL. THIS IS SPORADIC, BUT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY; SOMETIMES MORE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2008
MY CAR OVER HEATED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME I REALIZED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE WAS VERY LOW AND I FILLED IT UP AND WENT TO MY MEETING. AFTER MY MEETING WAS OVER AND BEGAN TO DRIVE THE CAR, IT OVER HEATED AGAIN. I HAD TO REFILL THE ANTIFREEZE 3 TIMES BEFORE I GOT IT TO AN AUTO SHOP (AS I WAS DRIVING). ONCE I GOT TO THE AUTO SHOPE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ANTIFREEZE WAS RUNNING IN TO THE OIL PAN. CURRENTLY, I DON'T HAVE A CAR BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD AND THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL CARS LIKE MINE (SAME YEAR) WITH THE SAME MOTOR PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2008
THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING THIS IS THE 4 TH ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. NO WARNING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN CAR JUST WON'T START. THIS CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES TWICE AT NIGHT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2008
THE CAR WILL START FINE, BUT ONCE YOU TURN IT OFF AND GO TO START AGAIN IT WILL JUST CRANK. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE SECOND TIME I REPACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. THE THIRD TIME I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO CHANGE AND A FRIEND SAID TO TRY PUTTING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINS. I DID AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. IT TURNS OUT THE ANT-THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS LOCKING ME OUT ABOUT EVERY MONTH. IT IS A MAJOR PAIN TO HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE AND NOT KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL START OR NOT, AND THEN SIT THERE FOR TEN MINS TO RESET IT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CANNOT ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNALS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,649.
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2008
CAR WILL NOT START - THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE TRIED THE PASSLOCK "FIX" OF TURNING KEY TO ON FOR 10 MINUTES, SHUTTING OFF AND TRYING TO RESTART BUT NO LUCK ON THE CAR STARTING. THE ISSUE HAS GONE ON FOR OVER 3 WEEKS, EACH DAY GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A SHOP AND DIAGNOSTICS CAME UP NEGATIVE AND CAR STARTED. 3 WEEKS LATER, CAR WON'T START AGAIN. HAVE A MECHANIC COME LOOK AT IT, HE SEES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT EXCEPT THAT THE FUEL IGNITION ISN'T WORKING - PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2008
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A 3.1 LITER ENGINE AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET ONCE BECAUSE IT LEAKED OIL INTO THE ANTIFREEZE AND ANTIFREEZE INTO THE OIL. IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT I DID NOT KNOW EXISTED WITH THIS MOTOR? I FOUND OUT A SHORT TIME LATER THAT THE DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE AND HAD TO PUT A MOTOR WITH 30,000 MILES INTO MY CAR. THAT WAS 1YEAR AGO LAST AUGUST AND AS OF TODAY SEPTEMBER 5TH I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET AGAIN. HOW CAN I GET THIS REPLACED AT GENERAL MOTORS COST, RATHER THAN MINE AGAIN? I KNOW OF MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I DO. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 4, 2008
THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT LET CAR BE RESTARTED UNTIL I LEAVE KEY IN STARTED SWITCH FOR 10 MINUTES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THE REPAIRS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $362. OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE FAILURE HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2008
THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ON A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, THE CAR SIMPLY REFUSES TO START BECAUSE DUE TO A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM, MY OWN CAR THINKS I AM TRYING TO STEAL IT. AS THE CAR AGES, THE INCIDENTS GROW MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THRE TIMES FROM THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM(AFTER 3 $75 TOWING FEES) THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. I WORK EXTREMELY HARD FOR MY MONEY AND FEEL INCREDIBLY DECEIVED BY GM FOR NOT RECALLING THIS ISSUE AS I CAN READ ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT CONSUMER BLOGS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2008
ANTI THEFT PASS KEY CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO THEFT PROTECTION KICKING IN HAVE TO RESET EVERYTIME I WANT TO START THE CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING UP A VERY STEEP INCLINE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. ONCE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE DRIVER PLACED COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE AND CALLED HER LOCAL MECHANIC. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPAIRED. ON JUNE 9, 2008, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION. SHED ADDED COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE, DROVE HOME, AND CALLED HER LOCAL MECHANIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,599 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2008
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT KEEP COMING ON CAUSING ME TO WAIT FOR 10 - 15 MINUTES FOR IT TO RESET. CAUSING ME TO GO BACK TO DEALER TO GET MY KEY REPROGRAM. A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB. I'VE NOT HAD IT DONE YET. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS COMMON AMONG MALIBU OWNERS. WHAT CAN WE DO TO HAVE GM RECALL OUR CAR TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM LAST OCCURRED ON JUNE 4, 2008. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. *TR
Electrical system, May 12, 2008
THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU FREQUENTLY ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING A TEN MINUTE WAITING PERIOD BEFORE THE CAR WILL START. THIS DEVICE DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD AND LEAVES ME STRANDED IN UNDESIRABLE AREAS TO IN WHICH TO BE STRANDED. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2008
GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS FAILING IN THE VEHICLE. PROBLEMS INCURRED ARE: NO-START AND ENGINE SHUT-DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IN VEHICLE IS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 20, 2008
I PURCHASED MY 2001 IN 2003 AND HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS. BUT AT THE END OF MARCH MY MALIBU WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED AND GOT A FULL TUNE UP AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE IT STARTED SKIPPING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE GAVE THE CAR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT A WEEK. TWO DAYS LATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IT CUT OFF, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BUT THEN SUNDAY MORNING 4/20/08 IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WAS BLINKING AND INDICATED THAT THE SYSTEM HAD LOCKED ME OUT, AND THAT THE IGNITION NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE CHIP IN THE KEY. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I AM ANGER THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT TAKEN OWNERSHIP OF THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUED A RECALL. MY CAR HAS 41,000 MI AND I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THIS IS NOT RELEVANT TO WEAR AND TEAR THIS IS A DEFECTED PRODUCT AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WARRANTS THE ATTENTION OF THE MANUFACTURES AND OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE. THIS COULD POSSIBLY PROVE TO BE FATAL IF THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY LIKE MY CAR DID. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE LUCKY THIS TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND WAS CONTEMPLATING TRADING FOR THE NEWER 2008 MODEL, NOT ANYMORE. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2008
PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. CAR WOULD NOT START. HAVE HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND HAD THE IGNITION PASS LOCK CHANGED BOTH TIMES WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ONE DAY BEFORE THE 1 YEAR GUARANTEE ON THE PARTS AND LABOR OF THE PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT RAN OUT. HAD CAR TOWED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PASS LOCK. THEY SAID IT WAS CORRODED AND THEY REPLACED IT BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT SINCE IT WAS NOT THE SAME PART AS THE PASS LOCK PART THEY REPLACED TWICE BEFORE. NATURALLY I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHETHER THE WIRING HARNESS CORROSION WAS THE REAL PROBLEM ON THE FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD TIME. THEY NEVER REIMBURSED ME FOR THE TOW ON THE SECOND REPLACEMENT THAT WAS UNDER THEIR WARRANTY EITHER. TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS AN ALMOST EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE FOR HIM ON GM VEHICLES THAT HE TOWED. RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT SEEMS TO BE IN ORDER. *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 3, 2008
HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2005 UNDER RECALL # 03V327000. HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN IN MARCH 2008. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATE THE POLICY THAT SWITCH CANNOT BE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE UNDER THE RECALL, AND SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE FOR A KNOWN AND RECALLED ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 25, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE VALVE. THE DEALER AND ANOTHER MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,800.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 14, 2008
BOUGHT 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU NEW ON MARCH 14,2001 ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AROUND 35,000 MILES. HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE. SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL. IT IS EITHER PISTON SLAP OR BAD LIFTERS. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX ISSUE AT THE TIME. CAR CONTINUES TO RUN. ALSO THIS VEHICLE HAS POOR BRAKES. REPLACE ROTORS AND SHOES AT 12,000 MILES AT DEALER. REPLACED ROTORS AGAIN AT DEALER AT 30,000 MILES. CURRENTLY HAS 111,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WOULD LIKE GM TO FIX ENGINE ISSUE AT LITTLE OR NO COST. BRAKE ISSUE IS BETTER WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 6, 2008
CANNOT START ENGINE BECAUSE OF ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. *TR