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, Dec 30, 2005
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. WHILE DRIVING THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. IT HAD TO BE PULLED ONTO THE EMERGENCY SHOULDER AND TO SIT FOR TEN MINUTES. THEN, THE KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION FOR TEN MORE MINUTES. AFTER THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RESET BY ITSELF THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER UNDER CASE FILE # 1-384-309-432. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 22, 2005
LEAKAGE OF OIL AND COOLANT DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. CAUSED A MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND OIL THAT REQUIRED A COMPLETE FLUSH OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM, REPLACEMENT OF COOLANT, OIL FILTER, AND OIL CHANGE. COST OF THE REPAIR WAS OVER $900.00. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL. THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WORKED PROPERLY AFTER TAPPING THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE STICKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 30, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO LEAKING OF COOLANT. THE COOLANT HAD TO BE ADDED WEEKLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH WAS REPLACED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 29, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT HAD THE EGR VALVE, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, INTAKE GASKET, AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, SHE HAD THE BLOCK INSPECTED FOR CRACKS. IT HAS BEEN 18 MONTHS SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DEFECTS, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ,AND THERE WAS A DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF GAS MILEAGE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ONLY OFFERED A DISCOUNT ON A NEW VEHICLE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 17, 2005
THIRD REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS AND BRAKES WITHIN 3 YEARS OF OWNING CAR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 10, 2005
FAILURE- SLIGHT LEAK IN COOLANT FROM INTAKE SEAL, CONTINUOUS RUNNING OF FANS, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. CORRECTION- NEW THERMOSTAT, NEW SENSOR FOR THE FANS, AND NEW SEAL FOR INTAKE SEAL, $900 WORTH OF SERVICE. *NM
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2005
IT APPEARS THAT GM'S CLAIM THAT IT COMPLETED THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD WARNING SWITCH IS NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE. MY SIGNAL WARNING RELAY, SITUATED IN THE HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM, HASN'T STOPPED CLACKING FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS. PERHAPS IT IS THE ONE THAT SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACK. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING (NOT RESOLVED).
Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEY SEEM TO BE GETTING WORSE. A LOCAL MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 03V327000. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. *AK
Exterior lighting, Oct 17, 2005
HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS DOESN'T WORK AND MY TURN SIGNALS ARE SOMETIMES INOPERATIVE. GM SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THEY RECALL NO.03043 ALTHOUGH I HAVING SAME KIND OF PROBLEM STATED IN THAT RECALL(NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO.03V327000).*JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2005
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. *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 12, 2005
DT: THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN FIVE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN APRIL OF 2003. THE CONTACT HAD IT TOWED ITO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN. THE SECOND WAS IN JUNE 2004. THE CONTACT HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN IT SHUT DOWN. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE THIRD TIME WAS IN JULY, 2004 AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED. THE FOURTH OCCASION HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 25, 2004. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. IN MARCH OF 2005 THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, AND SHE TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS OCTOBER 4, 2005. SHE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THAT THE PART WAS KNOWN TO GO OUT BUT, NOT AS OFTEN AS ON CONTACT'S VEHICLE. *AK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Seat belts, Oct 7, 2005
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SWITCH STALLS BEFORE ROLLING UP. TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. INTERNAL FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON 5. IF I TURN THE FAN SWITCH ON OR OFF, TURN SIGNALS WILL START WORKING INSTANTLY. TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE BLOWER WENT OUT. I CANNOT LISTEN TO THE RADIO AND RUN THE REAR DEFROSTER AT THE SAME TIME. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE ALL THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO PUT IT ON. THE CAR HAS DIED AS I TRIED TO TURN LEFT AT A STOP LIGHT. THIS WAS A USED CAR WITH LESS THAN 30K MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN MARCH 2005, NO PROBLEMS UNTIL ABOUT MAY. NOW A PROBLEM A DAY SEEMS TO APPEAR. THE CAR NOW HAS 39K MILES ON IT AND MY HUSBAND WANTS ME TO TRADE IT IN ALREADY BECAUSE HE SAYS IT IS GOING TO "NICKEL AND DIME US TO DEATH". I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE PROBLEMS ON RECALL SITES, BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 3, 2005
WE WERE TOLD THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM THAT WE LOSE THE COOLANT INTAKE ON THE ENGINE OF OUR 01 MALIBU RESULTING IN A $1000 REPAIR - THIS DEALER HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 15, 2005
THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS APPROXIMATELY 8K MILES APART. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2005
DT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING ONE COULD HEAR A METAL PINGING SOUND COMING FROM THE MOTOR. IT WILL RATTLE FOR A MILE OR TWO AND THE NOISE WILL QUIETLY LOWER ITSELF. NOTICED THIS ON JULY 1, 2005. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT HAD A PISTON SLAP IN THE MOTOR. *AK
Electrical system, Sep 1, 2005
1. NORMAL DRIVING 2. TURN SIGNALS FAILED 3. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON OTHER VINS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL RECALL #03V327000. *NM
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2005
YES I HAVE A CHEVORLET MALIBU 2001 .I TOOK IT BOB RICHARD CHERVOLET BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS ALWAYS WRONG WITH THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM AND EVERY TIME THEY FIX IT THEY SAID IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN . IT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME IT HAPPEN . HOW I KNOW IT IS THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. BECAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN FOUR TIME ALREADY. FIRST OF ALL I'M PAYING CLOSE TO 23,000 FOR THIS CAR THE CAR WAS 14,700 BUT WITH THE FINANCE CHARGES IT COSTING ME 23,000 I AM READY TO GIVE THIS CAR UP BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM . I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO PLEASE HELP. *JB
Suspension, Aug 27, 2005
CAN'T KEEP CAR ALIGNED. TECHNICIANS SAID THAT THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS WITH OTHER MALIBU'S. THEY CAN'T DO ANY MORE TO KEEP ALIGNMENT IN PLACE. WE DID A TEST BY ALIGNING CAR AND GOING BACK IN 2 WEEKS AND ALIGNMENT HAS ALREADY DEVIATED FROM SET POINTS.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2005
I HAD TO REPAIR A MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET, LEAKING WATER. . I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CHEVY MALIBUS. THE CHEVY CO. SHOULD HAVE TO DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. UNFAIR THAT THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY THE BILL TO HAVE THIS FIXED. PLEASE CHECK INTO FORCING A RECALL ON THIS PLEASE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 9, 2005
A SLOW RADIATOR LEAK WAS OBSERVED OVER A PERIOD OF 2 MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. HE HAD MENTIONED THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE MALIBU, EVEN THOUGH GM TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT. THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED BEFORE ANY ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 27, 2005
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN 90+ DEGREE HEAT MY CAR OVERHEATED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IN AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANICS THAT MY COOLANT HAD BEEN LEAKING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO OVER HEAT THERE BLOWING THE HEAD GASKET AND CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO PAY $1200.00+ TO HAVE ANOTHER ENGINE PUT IT. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMOM WITH THE 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBUS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP DONE WITH THE OLD MOTOR, BUT IT WAS FRIED.
Exterior lighting, Jul 22, 2005
TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU STOPPED WORKING. THE BULBS AREN'T BURNED OUT SO MUST BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM (I'M GUESSING) AT FIRST THE SIGNALS WOULD WORK FOR A FEW DAYS THEN STOP FOR A DAY BUT NOW ITS BEEN 4 DAYS AND THE SIGNALS DON'T WORK AT ALL. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DOESN'T "BLOW" ON LEVELS 1-4 ONLY ON LEVEL 5.
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2005
CAR WOULD TURN OVER ONCE AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. ANT-THEFT LIGHT WOULD BE ON. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO GARAGE. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND RESET ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND RELEASED THE CAR. ALL AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $200. THIS IS 2ND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. FIRST INCIDENT COST $100. IT IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE YOU CAN NEVER PREDICT WHEN/WHERE IT WILL HAPPEN. FROM RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IT SEEMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM AND REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH/ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM DOES NOT HELP EITHER. HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN MY CAR!