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, Oct 4, 2004
EXTERIOR HAZARD WARNING LIGHT FAIELD TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED WITH GM MANIFACTOR BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2004
FRONT/REAR TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 30, 2004
SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON CAR WONT START. EMERGENCY FLASHERS COMES ON BY THEMSELVES SOMETIMES AND THE FLASHERS DONT WORK AT TIMES UNLESS YOU TOUCH THE FLASHER SWITCH THEN THE BLINKERS WILL WORK. DIDNT GET NO LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE FLASHER SWITCH JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ON THIS WEBSITE. I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU SL I BOUGHT IT FROM HARVEY TOYOTA IN BOSSIER CITY LOUISIANA...I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM TOLD THEM WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM THEY COULDNT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH IT. I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE FLASHER SWITCH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE IT BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I WANTED TO DO IT MYSELF. SO CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO CAUSE IT IS AN ANNOYING AND AGRAVATING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND YOUR CAR WONT START UN TILL THE SECURITY LIGHT GOES OFF AND YOU HAVE TO RESET IT EVERY TIME. THANKYOU P.S WE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2002. *AK
Seats, Sep 29, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED AND THE LEVER SHEARED OFF. THE DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED AS WELL. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TWICE BUT THE PASSENGER STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *TC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 28, 2004
CONSUMER STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Sep 16, 2004
FILLED GAS TANK, DROVE 100 YARDS, GAUGE DROPS TO READ EMPTY. HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY IN THE SAME MANNER. ERRATIC. REQUIRES UTILIZATION OF THE TRIP METER TO TRACK FUEL USAGE. ON ONE OCCASION GAUGE READ TANK WAS ABOUT 1/8 FULL, CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND WAS OUT OF FUEL. SECOND ISSUE: "THEFT SECURITY" LIGHT HAS BEGUN TO COME ON ERRATICALLY. DRIVING ALONG, LIGHT WILL SUDDENLY COME ON. AFTER DEPARTURE OF CAR, AND RETURN, DRIVER MUST THEN FOLLOW 10 MIN. PROCEDURE TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. THIRD ISSUE: WITHOUT INSTALLATION OF HIGH QUALITY TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, THE NOISE LEVEL AND WEAR PATTERN IS ABSURD. THE CUPPING AND WEARING HAS OCCURED ON 2 DIFFERENT SETS OF GOOD QUALITY TIRES. UPON INSTALLATION OF MICHELIN HIGH QUALITY TIRES, THE PROBLEM STOPPED.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 14, 2004
CAR PARKED ALL DAY IN HOT SUMMER SUN. GRADUALLY DECELERATE FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL BY EASING OFF GAS PEDAL. EXCESSIVE BRAKING REQUIRED DUE TO GAS PEDAL STUCK. I BELIEVE A COMPONENT OF THE GAS PEDAL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS EXPANDING DUE TO INTERIOR TEMPERATURE CAUSING BINDING IN GAS PEDAL COMPONENT. ONCE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COOLS DOWN PEDAL OPERATES NORMALLY.
Exterior lighting, Sep 13, 2004
HAZARD WARNING SWITCH AND TURNS SIGNALS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2004
BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND WHEN I CHANGED THEM THERE WAS WATER IN THE LIGHT CASEING, SO WHEN I TOOK THE BULB OUT THE CIRCUT BOARD GOT CORROSION FROM THE WATER AND THERE WAS NO LIGHTS AT ALL AFTER I REPLACED THE BULBS. I TOOK CAR IN TO BERGSTROM CHEVROLET AND GOT A DIANOGSTIC,WHICH SAID CIRCUT BOARDS WHERE INOP AND THAT COSTED ME $47.17. 8/21/04 I GOT LIGHTS FIXED AND THAT COSTED $176.24 I HAD TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET, BECASUE THE EXTENDED WARRIANTY WOULDN'T COVER COST. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL , BECAUSE WATER SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN INTO THE LIGHTS.*AK
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
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THEFT LOCK DETERRENT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONCE SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE WILL NOT START AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE IGNITION. *AK
Power train, Aug 16, 2004
VEHICLE DEFECTS OF CHEVROLET MALIBU.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *NM
Air bags, Aug 12, 2004
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SC *JB
Exterior lighting, Aug 4, 2004
RECALL NOTICE REGARDING 2000 AND 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES AND THE SOLDER JOINTS ON THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH MAY CRACK. *MR *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2004
I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH LESS THAN 41000 MILES. RECENTLY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT AND ENGINE OIL TO ENTER MIX.*AK AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. CHEVY EXPECTS IT CUSTOMERS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET AND DENIES ANY RESPONSIBLITIES. AGAIN, IF YOU INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF GM CAR IS VERY PRONE TO THIS FAILURE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILS THE ENGINE MAY STOP WITHOUT WARNING, AND THEN FAIL TO START.
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2004
CHEVROLET MALIBU SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. DOORS LOCKED, GAUGES WENT OFF, ETC. DEALER REPLACED THE INGITION SWITCH, AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. *AK
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2004
HORN WILL NOT ALWAYS WORKS, GOES IN AND OUT. ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES. STARTED BY JUST GOING OUT OCCASIONALLY, NOW IT HARDLY EVER WORKS. MANY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED, ON MANY DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC ANTI THEFT CONTROL ON 2001 MALIBU. *MR WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STAR THE VEHICLE, WITH THE KEY PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER FAILED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACED PART. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2004
IN MARCH 2004 I WAS TOLD BY CHEVY DEALER MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS A SEVERE LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 800.00. I CALLED GM AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,170 MILES ON IT-THEY INFORMED ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AS THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED! IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THE ORIGINAL GASKET WAS MADE,THEN WHY HAS GM SINCE RE-DESIGNED THE OLD GASKET WHICH IS WHAT HAS TO BE USED TO FIX ? THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ON THE MALIBU'S,AND I NEED HELP TO GET THIS REPAIR DONE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CAN NOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR,NOR AFFORD TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP. *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
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 8, 2004
CAR WILL NOT START AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. PROBLEM 1ST OCCURRED ON 6-16-04. ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE ANIT-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED REPROGRAMMING OF THE MODULE. ON JULY 1ST ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS DRIVEABLE TO SERVICE SHOP AT WHICH TIME BOTH IGNITION SWITCH AND BODY CONTROL MODULE WERE IDENTIFIED AS ISSUES. REPROGRAMMED AGAIN TO SEE IF PROBLEM PERSISTS. I'VE COMPLAINED OF HESITATION UPON CAR STARTING FOR 3 YEARS WHICH THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO RECREATE. I FEEL THAT THE ANTI THEFT ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN THE UNDERLYING ISSUE ALL THE TIME AND INTEND TO PURSUE THIS WITH THE DEALER IF PROBLEM REOCCURS. I FEEL THOUGH WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THAT ISSUE WAS REPORTED AND SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY DEALER AND GM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ENGINE HESITATED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2004
MULTIPLE REPAIRS ON BRAKING SYSTEMS OF 2001 CHEVY MALIBUS. *JB
Exterior lighting, Jun 9, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 9, 2004, crash
THERE WAS A REAR COLLISION THAT OCCURED A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS FIXED WITH NO FRONTAL DAMGE AT ALL. THE REAR DAMAGE WAS MINOR. A WEEK AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW IGNITION(600.00) THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED THE PAYMENT AND THE CAR WAS FIXED.THE DEALERSHIP DIDNT HAVE ANY SORT OF EXPLANATION TO WHY THE IGNITION WAS NEEDED THAT SOON AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. EIGHT MONTHS LATER THE CAR WOULDNT START.THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.A FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALL BUT OTHER ITEMS WEREN'T COVERED UNDER WARANTY.THE CAR WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED THE PAYMENT. FOUR MONTHS LATER,( MAY 1,2004),THE CAR DECELERATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WAS TOWED. *AK