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.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 12, 2004
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER ADDED COOLANT, AND NOTICED COOLANT STAINS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH INDICATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS BAD.*AK
Tires, Mar 8, 2004
BOTH PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE FLAT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE BECAUSE THE AIR WAS SEEPING OUT. THE BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Mar 8, 2004
THE CAR TURND OFF AND DOORS LOCKED. KNOCKING NOISES AT ENGINE AND EGR SCENSOR CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON/ VERY POOR QUALITY. *AK
Equipment, Mar 2, 2004
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM THAT IS INSTALLED IN MY CAR KEEPS GOING OUT. WHEN IT DOES GO OUT MY CAR WILL NOT TART AND I HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SHIP TO HAVE IT EITHER REPLACED OR REPROGRAMMED. I JUST HAD IT IN THE SHOP ON 2-27-04 AND THEY SO CALLED REPROGRAMMED IT AND NOW ON 3-1-04 I WENT TO THE STORE AT 7 PM COME BACK OUT TO GO HPME AND MY CAR WILL NOT CRANK. IT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP TO BE SERVOCED AGAIN. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. IN THIS CAR. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH OUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN.*AK
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE LOST POWER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Exterior lighting, Feb 24, 2004
THE TURNING SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTION ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE. GM HAS INFORMED ME MY VEICHLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2004
ANTI-FREEZE LEAKS FROM ENGINE. AREA OF LEAK SEAMS TO BE AROUND THE MANIFOLD OR HEADS. THIS CAUSES FUMES TO INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND MAKES THE OCCUPATES DIZZY OR WITH HEADACHES.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 13, 2004
ENGINE HAS EXPERIENCED "VALVE-SLAP" SINCE APPROX 5000 MILES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THIS IS INHERENT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE TO MAKE IT ECONOMICAL. CHEVROLET OFFERED 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE. THE (CHECK ENGINE) LIGHT ACTIVATED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. CODE INDICATED "SMALL EMISSIONS LEAK". MADE SURE GAS CAP WAS ON TIGHT, THEN CLEARED CODE WITH READER - ISSUE RESOLVED. APPROX A MONTH AGO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. CODE WAS P1404 (TEMPORARY CODE). TRIED TO CLEAR OUT CODE WITH READER, CAME BACK. DEALER ADVISED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY EGR VALVE SO REPLACED THE EGR VALVE WITH GENUINE CHEVEY PART, CLEARED CODE WITH READER - APPROX 20 MILES LATER (CHECK ENGINE) LIGHT BACK ON. I SUSPECT THAT ISSUE IS RELATED TO THE VALVE-SLAP PROBLEM AND RELATED WEAR ON PISTONS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 13, 2004
THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED VIBRATIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE FRONT ROTORS WERE TURNED AND PADS REPLACED BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 30, 2004
I HAVE 43,000 MILES ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAVE BEEN TOLD MY HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING. ANTI FREEZE IS LEAKING EXTERNAL TO THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR MAINTAINED AND SEE NO REASON A HEAD GASKET SHOULD FAIL WITH ONLY 43,000 MILES, THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. IF THE LOCAL MECHNIC'S KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHY HASN'T CHEVROLET BEEN MADE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS DEFECT AT THERE COST INSTEAD OF THE CONSUMER FOR A KNOW DEFECT.
Exterior lighting, Jan 21, 2004
TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
** I DON'T HAVE ALL THE ABOVE INFO AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. BOUGHT 11/01- HIT POTHOLE 12/01, REPLACED TWO PASSENGER WHEELS(BENT) AND COMPLAINED OF "THUMPING" NOISE. DEALER 2X CLAIMED NOT TO HEAR NOISE. CAR WOULD NOT START ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS STARTING 5/02. PAID 111.00 FOR RENTAL WHILE DEALER INSPECTED. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. NEXT WEEK, FAILED TO START AGAIN, 800# TECH ADVICE TOLD ME ABOUT "ANTI-THEFT" WAS ACTING UP AND GAVE ME PROCEDURES TO START CAR. "ANTI-THEFT" SYSTEM HAS SINCE QUIT WORKING. AUTO IN "VERY MINOR" FENDER BENDER" IN 10/02, THAT WEEK DRIVER DOOR HINGE STARTED "CRACKLING", HANGING UP. INSURANCE COMPANY BODY SHOP SAID "NO RELATION" TO MINOR ACCIDENT. HINGE HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND NOT WORKING AT ALL SINCE THEN. 7/03 DRIVER POWER WINDOW "FELL DOWN" UPON ATTEMPT TO OPEN AS NORMAL WITH POWER BUTTON. OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN/ARE: REAR PASSENGER SPEAKER DOESN'T WORK, INTERIOR LIGHT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, "" BLINKERS/EMER. FLASHERS"" HAVE QUIT WORKING PROPERLY ABOUT 4 TO 6 MONTHS AGO. (THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I LIVE 'UP' A BLIND DRIVEWAY ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD)?!! 1ST WEEK I HAD THE CAR I NOTICED MOTOR RATTLED PRETTY LOUDLY UPON START UP. QUESTIONED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS "LIFTER BLEED DOWN" AND DEALER WAS WAITING ON GM FOR REMEDY, IF AVAILABLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS USED WITH NEW WARRANTY IN PLACE, ABOUT 23,300 MILES ON 36/36000 NEW CAR WARRANTY AS WELL AS BOUGHT A 1500.00 EXTENDED 5YR/100000 WARR. ANY SUGGESTIONS, VERY TICKED OFF AND DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 15, 2004
THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE FLEX WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS HAS RESULTED IN UNEVEN AND PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS. THE PADS WERE REPLACED TWICE, ONCE AT 17,000 MILES AND ONCE AT 30,000. THE ROTORS WERE REMACHINED AT 17,000 MILES, REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES AND RESURFACED AT 33,000. THE FLEXING OF THE CALIPER CAUSES MISALIGNMET OF THE GUIDE PINS, CAUSING THE CALIPER TO HANG UP. AS A RESULT ONLY THE INNER BRAKE PAD IS STOPPING THE CAR. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO WEAR ON THE OUTER PAD. THE INNER PADS SHOW SIGNS OF OVERHEATING, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE ROTORS TO WARP (PULSATING), AND BRAKE FADE IN A PANIC STOP. THE CONSTANT FLEXING COULD ALSO COMPRIMISE THE INTGERITY OF THE ALUMINUM CALIPERS OVER TIME. GM CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE CHECKED THE NHTSB WEB SITE AND FOUND 28% OF THE COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THIS VEHICLE WERE BRAKE RELATED AND ALMOST ALL COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS CONDITION.
Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY, THE EXTERIOR SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE INTERIOR FLASHERS OPERATE NORMALLY, BUT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT RESPOND. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH IF THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH IS PUSHED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK. *PH
Exterior lighting, Jan 8, 2004
HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS SWITCH FAILED. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Air bags, Jan 7, 2004, crash
AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT.*MR *CB *JB
Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2004
TURN SIGNAL FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
Power train, Dec 30, 2003
I PURCHASED MY CAR AT ROBBINS CHEVROLET IN HOUSTON, TX IN 2001. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAD BEEN HAVING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR FROM THE START. LAST MONTH THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I TOOK IT TO ROBBINS AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PCM MODULE, WHICH IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID THE PCM THAT WAS IN MY VEHICLE WAS NOT FOR A CHEVY MALIBU. ROBBINS SAID THE PCM WAS FOR A PONTIAC, WHICH IS A GM PRODUCT. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT ROBBINS & LANDMARK CHEVY. ROBBINS WANTS US TO PAY FOR THE PCM WHICH IS UNDER WARRANTY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A PART THAT IS UNDER WARRANTY. THE PART COULD HAVE CAME FROM THE FACTORY OR SWITCHED AT THE DEALERSHIP. DO I NEED TO TAKE LEAGAL ACTION TO GET THIS PROBLEM SOLVED??? THE SERVICE DIRECTOR IS TOMMY MORTON
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 24, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT HUB CAP DETACHED FROM THE RIM. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SIX LUGS: NUTS WERE HOT. A TECHNICIAN TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE HEAT FROM THE FRONT BRAKES MELTED THE PLASTIC HUB CAP WHICH CAUSED THEM TO LOOSEN AND FALL OFF. *AK THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ALSO OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE HUB CAP TO FALL OFF. *PH *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Dec 23, 2003
THIS CONCERNS THE QUALITY OF A 2001 MALIBU PURCHASED NEW. THIS CAR HAS HAD A NEW ENGINE, TWO IGNITION SYSTEMS, TWO BRAKE JOBS, AND NOW A MAJOR COOLANT LEAK THAT IS TO COST OVER $800.00 TO REPAIR. IT HAS HAD TWO SETS OF TIRESAND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS, INJECTOR FUEL PROBLEMS, AND EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEMS. IN OTHER WORDS THE COST OF OPERATION IS MORE THAN THE CAR PAYMENT PER MONTH. THE QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE RANKS AS A LEMON.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 23, 2003, crash
MY HUSBAND GOT IN OUR 2001 MALIBU BACKED IT UP, PUT IT INTO DRIVE, BARELY TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TOOK OFF IN HIGH THROTTLE HE COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE ACCELERATION NEXT THING HE KNEW THE CAR WAS UNDERNEATH HIS CHEVROLET 4-WHEEL DRIVE WITH A 6 INCH LIFT KIT. CAR THEN PUSHED TRUCK APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 6 FEET INTO A NEARBY OAK TREE CAUSING CAR TO BE TOTALED TRUCK TO RECEIVE EXTREME DAMAGE AS WELL. HE CALLED THE POLICE & REPORTED THE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED GM THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CARS ACCELERATOR. THE INVESTIGATOR HOOKED A COMPUTER UP TO THE CAR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO RECORD THE LAST 5 SECONDS BEFORE IMPACT, TOOK SOME PICTURES, STARTED THE CAR TO LISTEN TO THE MOTOR (HE STATED THE CAR WAS STUCK IN HIGH ACCELERATION) MOVED SOME THINGS UNDER THE HOOD (THE GAS CABLE) A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS MADE THEN THE CAR WAS ONCE AGAIN STARTED & WAS FINE. THREE DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A CALL FROM GM ADVISING ME THAT THE RESULTS FOUND WERE THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. I IN TURN ASKED FOR A COPY OF ALL INFORMATION THAT WAS USED IN DETERMINING THIS DECISION INCLUDING A COPY OF THE PICTURES THAT WERE TAKEN AS WELL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PICTURES WERE THE PROPERTY OF GM & SOME INFORMATION WAS AS WELL BUT I COULD BE SENT A SMALL PORTION OF THE INFORMATION USED IN THIS DETERMINATION PROCESS. A WEEK LATER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM WHICH READ THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE PRODUCT ALLEGATION INVOLVING MY MALIBU, BUT OUR INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCT ALLEGATION. THEREFORE, GM IS UNABLE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES & THEY SUGGESTED THAT I RESOLVE THIS MATTER THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I LATER INVESTIGATED THIS ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT GM HAS ALSO BEEN HAVING SOME DEFECTS WITH THIS COMPUTER THAT RECORDS THE 5 SECONDS BEFORE IMPACT & THAT THEY HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHICH HAPPENED IN OUR CASE.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 21, 2003
ENGINE COOLING. MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAK ALLOWING OIL AND COOLANT TO ENTER INTO ENGINE. BEEN ADDING FLUIDS FOR A YEAR. THE GASKET MUST BE DEFECTIVE AND A RECALL ISSUED. I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOU SITE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 16, 2003
SINCE I HAD BOUGHT MY 2001 MALIBU IN OCTOBER OF 2003 I HAVE HAD TO ADD COOLANT INTOT HE CAR ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY. I FINALLY GOT FED UP WITH DOIN THAT AND DECIDED TO HAVE IT PRESSURE CHECKED. ONCE I DID THAT I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE COMPANY THAT DID THE PRESSURE TEST ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED THIS EXACT PART IN SEVERAL OTHER CARS WITHIN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS.*AK
Equipment, Dec 10, 2003
WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE, THE SCISSOR/TYPE JACK COLLAPSED AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE DEALER ORDERED A NEW JACK. *AK THE VEHICLE FELL ON THE CONSUMER'S ARM. *SCC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 1, 2003
PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE - 29,000 MILES AND CAR NEED NEW ROTORS AND PADS. VERY LIGHT USE, HIGHWAY DRIVING, NO STOP AND GO DRIVING. *AK