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.
Exterior lighting, Feb 25, 2008
PLEASE SEE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU RECALL TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ON THIS VEHICLE WAS COMPLETED IN 2004. RECENTLY HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE BECOME INOPERATIVE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. WARNING/TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS EITHER DO NOT FLASH, STAY ON CONSTANTLY, DO NOT TURN ON, OR DIFFERENT LIGHTS BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY. GM DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2008
THEFT DEVICE REPLACED IN IGNITION SWITCH TWICE IN JUST OVER 2 YEARS, BOTH REPAIRS OVER $300+. LAST TIME IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IGNITION JUST SHUT OFF. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. WIFE LUCKILY GOT CAR STOPPED AND SOMEONE HELPED PUSH OUT OF STREET. I SEE THIS COMPLAINT A LOT. SOUNDS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE JUNK THAT IS FAILING ON THESE MODELS. I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVROLET AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 16, 2008
I AM A SINGLE MOM OF TWO, AND AM FRUSTRATED THAT ALL OF MY SAVINGS HAVE GONE INTO THIS MONEY PIT. I HAVE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE, AND ITS GOING OUT AGAIN! I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, HEATER CORE WHICH ARE DYING, AND THE THEFT SYSTEM TWICE. I HAVE HAD A FUEL LEAK BY MY ENGINE AND HAD IT ENTER INSIDE MY CAR AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN, MY ABS BRAKES ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT, AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF MY COMPLAINTS! *TR
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2008
ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE CAR JUST WONT START. HAD MANY SENSORS, AS WELL AS IGNITION SWITCHES, REPLACED. AT MY COST! HAD TO BE TOWED, PUSHED, AND PULLED, TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. WONT EVER BY A CHEVY AGAIN. EVER!!!! IF YOU OWN A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU, SELL IT TRADE IT. WHATEVER YOU DO GET RID OF IT. SAVE YOURSELVES! A LOT OF MONEY TOO. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2008
IGNITION SWITCH / PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS VEHICLE FROM STARTING ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME. *TR
Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jan 10, 2008
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND AFTER TAKING THE CAR IN TO GET THE SWITCH FOR THE BLINKERS FIXED ON THEIR RECALL, TWO WEEKS LATER IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. I HAVE HAD TWO DEALERSHIPS TELL ME SINCE THEY ALREADY REPLACED THE FAULTY PART THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AN THE AFTERMARKET PARTS MAY ALSO BE FAULTY. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 8, 2008
I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND IT WOULDN'T START. SO I HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANICS THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR A WEEK. THEY COULD FIND A TROUBLE CODE TO FIND OUT WHAT CASED THE PROBLEM OF THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TO GO ON. I USE THE SAME KEY EVERYDAY NO ONE THERE TO STEAL THE CAR. SO NOW MY LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME AN I LEARNED HOW TO PROGRAM THE CODE MYSELF THIS WAY I DON'T HAVE TO PAY EVERY TIME IT DON'T START. ALL SO MY TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING SOMETIMES I NEVER TOOK IT TO GET FIX BECAUSE I LEARNED THAT IF YOU PUSH THE HAZARD LIGHTS THEY WILL WORK AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE LEAK. SHE HAD TO PLACE ANTIFREEZE IN HER VEHICLE EVERY MONTH BECAUSE IT WOULD LEAK OUT CONSTANTLY. SHE NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO HER VIA EMAIL. THE SECOND TIME, SHE SPOKE WITH THEM AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. FROM THERE, THEY WILL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A DEFECT. GENERAL MOTORS FURTHER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,00 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 18, 2007
I HAVE MALIBU 2001 WITH 56000 MLS ON IT. TODAY I HAD TO CHANGE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.$950 TOTAL...BESIDE THIS A HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY THEFT SYSTEM,BRAKES ,LIGHT HAZARD SWITCH. AIR CONDITIONER ..ETC. THIS IS THE MY LAST GM CAR..PERIOD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 15, 2007
ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD VALVE GASKET DEFECTIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2007
CAR INITIALLY FAILED TO START. TOWED VEHICLE TO SHOP. SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. KEPT ON HAPPENING. AFTER MULTIPLE TOWS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. SYSTEM REPLACED-WAS OK FOR 3 MONTHS NOW HAPPENING AGAIN. SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT $400 INTO SAME PROBLEM EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 11, 2007
MY CAR WILL NOT START. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM THINKS I AM STEALING MY OWN CAR. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SO IT WILL ALLOW MY CAR TO START. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2007
SAFETY RECALL #03043A (03/08/2004) - TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS INOPERATIVE * THE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY: YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE HAZARD SWITCH OFF AND ON TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS TO WORK. IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK, THE DRIVER MUST TAKE ONE HAND OFF THE STEERING WHEEL TO PUSH THE HAZARD SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THIS DEFECT ALSO FORCES THE DRIVER TO TAKE THEIR EYES FROM THE ROAD AND TO THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK PROPERLY, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO CLASSIC CHEVROLET IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL ON 9/10/07 PER THIS SAFETY RECALL. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL COVERS VIN #'S FROM 1M500024 TO 1M669822 (THE VEHICLE CLEARLY FALLS WITHIN THIS RANGE VIN# 1M551207), THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS PART UNDER THAT RECALL. I CALLED CHEVROLET, AND WAS FIRST TOLD THAT IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL, AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH AT NO CHARGE, THEN WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT, AS THERE ARE CERTAIN VIN #'S WITHIN THIS RANGE THAT ARE NOT EFFECTED. ULTIMATELY CHEVROLET REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THE OTHERS IN THIS VIN RANGE AND COULD NOT POSSIBLY NOT BE PART OF THIS RECALL. I AM ASKING THAT THE NHSTA INTERVENE IN THIS MATTER, AS IT IS CLEAR THAT CHEVROLET IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS THIS VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. I FEAR THAT THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
Air bags, Nov 7, 2007, crash
MY BOYFRIEND WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. THE CAR FLIPPED AND HIT A TREE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Oct 26, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH. THE FLOOR MAT BLOCKS BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 3/5/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM PERSISTS UNLESS MATS ARE REPOSITIONED WITH EACH ENTRY AND DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED TO BUY NEW MATS AT THE TUNE OF $48.00 TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 03/05/08 *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 17, 2007
2001 MALIBU WITH 50,525 MILES WITH FIRST OCCURRENCE 12/07/06. PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE AND CAR WILL NOT START (NEW FUEL PUMP). ANTI THEFT LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING AND CAR WON'T START CONTINUES ALMOST MONTHLY. MALIBU HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALER 7 TIMES SINCE DEC 06. FUEL PUMP REPLACED DEC 06 NOT THE PROBLEM. IGINITION CYLINDER NOT THE PROBLEM. TOWED AGAIN 10/17/07 SAME PROBLEM. DEALER CLIPPED 3 WIRES TO PASSLOCK SYTEM SAID THEY WERE CRIMPED. (THAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO TECH) HOWEVER, PROBABLY BEEN THAT WAY SINCE CAR PURCHASED IN 2001 NEW. WAIT AND SEE. CALLED GM AT ONE POINT AND THEY COVERED HALF OF A $800 REPAIR BILL. SO FAR OVER $1500.00 IN REPAIRS AND $400.00 PLUS IN TOWING PLUS RENTAL CAR FEES. GM WHY NOT RECALL? TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 15, 2007
CAR FAILS TO START DUE TO PASSLOCK SYSTEM. MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 10, 2007
THIS 2001 CHEVY MALIBU IS JUNK THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE CAR STARTS ONLY HALF THE TIME. THE SAD THING IS MY WIFE AND 4 MONTH OLD BABY RIDES IN THIS CAR WITH ME WHEN IT DIES OUT ON THE HIGH WAY HERE IN TOWN AND IT DOES IT ON BUSY STREETS HERE IN TOWN. MY WIFE USED TO LOVE GM PRODUCTS BUT NOW AFTER THIS CAR AND PONTIAC GRAND AM WE HAD SHE HATES GM. IT DISAPPOINTING THEY HAVE ALL BAD CONSUMER RATING AND NO RECALL TO FIX THIS. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 10, 2007
2001 CHEVY MALIBU. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 3, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE LOW ANTIFREEZE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ANTIFREEZE HAD TO BE REFILLED ONCE A WEEK. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,849. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE WAS INFORMED BY TO MECHANICS, THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Visibility, Air bags, Sep 28, 2007
NUMEROUS THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG WITH MY 2001 MONTE CARLO. 5 OR 6 TIMES THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPAIRED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WHERE IT CONTINUALLY POPS OUT. I AM REALLY CONCERNED WHEN IT MIGHT EXPLODE W/O A CRASH OR IF THERE IS A DRIVER SIDE CRASH IF IT WILL COME OUT TO PROTECT ME. STEERING AND FRONT SUSPENSION POPS. AT 55,117 MILES WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED (WHICH HAS BEEN DONE EVERY 3000 MILES) OR LESS AND ON THE MULTI POINT INSPECTION SHEET, IT LISTED SEVERAL THINGS THAT "MIGHT NEED ATTENTION" SOON. THEY ARE STEERING LINKAGE AND STEERING COMPONENTS, CV AXLE BOOTS OR DRIVE SHAFT AND U JOINTS. THESE THINGS SHOULD NOT BE WORN OUT ON A CAR WITH NO MORE MILES THAN THIS. MY REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER DOESN'T WORK. NOTICED THIS AFTER ONE OF THE AIRBAG REPAIRS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF BUT STILL THE NOISES PERSIST AND NOW TO BE TOLD THAT THESE PARTS MIGHT NEED REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT? WE PAID A LOT OF GOOD MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE (THIS IS A LIMITED EDITION HIGH SPORT VEHICLE) AND FEEL GM SHOULD BUY IT BACK AND REIMBURSE EVERY DIME OF IT DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY OF IT OR PROPERLY REPAIRED OR PARTS REPLACED AT GM EXPENSE WHILE PROVIDING AN EQUAL VALUE VEHICLE WHILE REPAIR WORK IS DONE. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 22, 2007
THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU (THE ABSOLUTE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED) IS BAD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY FIXED IT. NOW IT'S WAY OFF OF WARRANTY AND THE SYSTEM IS FAILING ON A WEEKLY BASIS. $500 TO FIX, CHEVY WON'T ISSUE A RECALL OR (AS USUAL) OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 19, 2007
2001 CHEVY MALIBU..THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT GOES ON SEVERAL TIME A YEAR AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START AND REQUIRE A TOW AND VARIOUS TYPES OF IGNITION/STARTER TYPES OF REPLACEMENTS. THIS HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY, LOST TIME AT WORK AND CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL NOT START AND WE'LL BE STRANDED.*JB UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE INTAKE GASKET. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES). AS OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2007
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WITH ANTI THEFT LOCK SWITCH, KILL SWITCH, HAZARD AND SIGNAL LIGHTS. *JB