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.
Visibility, Mar 25, 2005
MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH IS BAD. I WENT TO THE CHEVY PLACE IN MY AREA TO PRICE THE PART FOR IT AND THE GUY INDICATED TO ME THAT HE HAD MANY CHEVROLET MALIBU WINDOW SWITCHES THAT DID NOT WORK. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Mar 20, 2005
ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON. TOOK TO DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED APOXIMATELY. 2003 AND JAN. 2005. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Mar 18, 2005
AT 36,370 MILES HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET ON 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *BF THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 28,000 AND THE BLOWER ONLY WORKED ON HIGH SPEED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 16, 2005
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD THAT OIL WAS LOW, AND THAT MADE IT SHUT OFF. A FEW WEEKS LATER, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC, AND THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS UNSAFE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 15, 2005
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DEERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO HELP.*AK *NM
Exterior lighting, Feb 16, 2005
HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT WORK DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCHES.*AK
Exterior lighting, Feb 9, 2005
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 03V327000 CONCERNING HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2005
IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. GOT IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT. PAID $350 FOR REPAIRS. REPLACED PUMP AND CAR STALLED AGAIN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 150 MILES ON HIGHWAY. LUCKILY (WIFE AND OUR 2 KIDS WERE WITH ME AND IT WAS 15 DEGREES F OUTSIDE) IT RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME ANOTHER 100 MILES AWAY. TOOK IT TO DEALER (OGDEN CHEVROLET-630-986-8000) TO GET IT CHECKED. WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A BAD INTAKE GASKET AND NEEDED NEW WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT-TOTAL COST APPROX $1100.00. GOT THE WATER PUMP AND BELT REPLACED BUT NOT INTAKE GASKET. PAID $500 FOR REPAIRS. DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM. GM HAD MORE THAN 900 COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD INTAKE GASKETS CAUSING EXPENSIVE REPAIRS ON THEIR VEHICLES 2 WEEKS LATER, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED IT TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT 2 IGNITION COILS WERE BURNT AND NEEDED REPLACED. GOT THIS DONE WITH NEW PLUGS, WIRES AND TUNE UP AND ANTIFREEZE. PAID $520 FOR REPAIRS. FEB 2, CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. GOT IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. CAR STARTED OK AND COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND WOULD NEED REPLACED. COSTS $700-$1000. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 26, 2005
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN STALLING WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE ROAD. TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2005
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNS ON THE LIGHTS, THEY WON'T WORK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETECT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB *TC
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2005
HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. BAD SWITCH CAUSES HAZARD LIGHTS AND BLINKERS TO QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN. I PURCHASED ANOTHER PART AND INSTALLED MYSELF. I HAVE THE OLD PART. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2005
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE COOLANT HAVING TO BE REPLACED CONSTANTLY. I TOOK IT TO CREST CHEVROLET (SAN BERNARDINO), THEY CHARGED US TO CHECK THE COOLANT PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ON JAN 2, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A PISTON TO MISFIRE. I NOW AM STUCK HAVING TO REPLACE AN ENGINE ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT. ACCORDING TO MCO TIRES, A HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $2300. *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 29, 2004
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU TWICE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER TWICE AFTER THAT. I KEEP GETTING BLACK RESIDUE IN THE FILTER THAT PLUGS IT UP. I HAVE TRIED TO GET GAS AT DIFFERENT STATIONS BUT THAT HAS NOT HELPED. THE CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 4 TIMES NOW. THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION ON WHAT THE BLACK RESIDUE IS. *AK *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2004
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TRIED WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER INFORMED MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 13, 2004
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE INTAKE GASKET AND INTAKE SENSOR REPLACED. VEHILCLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP ONCE AGAIN. CONSUMER TRIEDTO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Exterior lighting, Dec 11, 2004
TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2004
GASKET LEAKS ANTIFREEZE. MOST OF MY FIRENDS AND CO-WORKERS WHO OWN MALIBUS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT $1266.00 (MICHAEL CHEVROLET, SUMMERVILLE, SC - 843-875-8034). TO ME, IT APPEARS THAT MOST OF THE CARS (2 YEARS OR OLDER) HAVE THE PROBLEM. THE PART SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. *AK
Air bags, Electrical system, Dec 6, 2004
HORN DOES NOT WORK. PROBLEM STARTED OUT INTERMITTENTLY. NOW IT SEEMS TO BE PERMANENT. VERY INCONVENIENT. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THE AIR BAGS EVEN WORK.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2004
I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2001. I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM BUTLER CHEVROLET FOR THE TURN SIGNAL/FLASHER PROBLEM WHICH WAS LATER RECALLED AND I WAS REIMBURSED. I TOOK IT TO DON DARR CHEVY WHICH FIXED A FAULTY SWITCH OPERATING THE AIR CONDITIONER/SWITCHING TO OUTSIDE AIR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DOBBS WHEN IT WOULD NOT START, THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND ASSEMBLY MODULE. TODAY,JIM BUTLER CHEVROLET REPLACED THE LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE OF THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT AND THE CAR NOT STARTING.BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NOT WORKING. OH! BUT THEY NOTICED A RECALL ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND REPLACED IT. THEY WERE THE ONE WHO REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME. I ALSO TOLD THEM OF THE OVER CRANK/GRINDING NOISE AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED, HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE, SO NO REPAIR. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR OR CHEVY BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS AND THE EXPENSE IT HAS CAUSED AND COST ME. I USED TO HOLD CHEVROLET IN HIGH REGARD, BUT CAN NO LONGER RECOMMEND ANYONE OWNING ONE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2004
I NOTICE THAT MY COOLANT HAD TO BE REFILLED BECAUSE THE "LOW COOLANT" LIGHT WAS STAYING ON IN THE DASH. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANAFOLD AND I NOW HAVE COOLANT IN MY ENGINE AND IN MY OIL. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU. THE ENGINE COULD BLOW CREATING OTHER PROBLEMS. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED WITH MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2004
CAR HAS ONLY AROUND 21,000 MILES AND HAD TO HAVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED. *AK
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS SIGNAL LIGHT WENT OUT. CONSUMER PUT THE SIGNAL LIGHT ON AND IT WENT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 2, 2004
THE CONSUMER STATED EXHAUST FUMES SEEPED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 28, 2004
2001 CHEVY MALIBU COMPLAINED OF HEAD GASKET AND FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. *BF THE CONSUMER HAD THE UPPER INTAKE AND HEAD GASKET REPLACED. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE STARTER TO BURN UP. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 25, 2004
DURING INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. *AK