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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2003
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES AND RATTLES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 17, 2003
TURNING LIGHT HAS FAILED DUE TO AN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 16, 2003
ENGINE NOISE DEALER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE. HAZARD SWITCH SHORTS OUT NO TURN SIGNALS. *NLM
Steering, Jun 5, 2003
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 5, 2003
THE DEALER REPLACED 5 SETS OF BRAKES AND ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 30, 2003
VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED THE BRAKES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED REPLACED FIVE TIMES PADS/ ROTORS TURNED THREE TIMES AND REPLACED ONE. BUT PROBLEM STILL RECURRING. PLEASE SEND COPY. AND FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Exterior lighting, May 29, 2003
TURN SIGNAL WORKS SPARRATICLY, SOMETIMES WORKING AFTER PRESSING HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 23, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2001 MALIBU LS USED BACK IN FEB 2002. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BREAKS MAKING A GROUNDING NOISE WHEN I COME TO SLOW STOPS. AS TIME GOES BY IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTERN. AT FIRST IT WAS ONLY WHEN I WOULD BE IN DRIVE THRU LINES WAITING OR THE BRAKE NOISE WOULD COME AND THEN GO AWAY FOR AWHILE. THE NOISE IS LIKE A GROUNDING OR METAL RUBBING NOISE. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT SOUND LIKE THE BRAKES ARE GOING TO SNAP OFF. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS CAR INTO TWO DIFFERENCE REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY ALL STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO HOW CHEVY MADE THE BRAKES. THEY TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT THEY NOW USE METAL ON THE BRAKES AND WHEN THE BRAKES GET HOT THEY MAKE THIS NOISE. I CAN TURN THE CAR ON AND USUALLY WITHIN 15 MINUTES THE BRAKES START MAKING THE NOISE. I HAD THE BRAKES OILED, BRAKES PADS REPAIRED AND NOTHING TAKES THE NOISE AWAY. FROM WHAT I AM TOLD AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ FROM OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINTS IS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IF YOU GET THE BRAKES REPLACED EVENTUALLY IT WILL START AGAIN. MANY PEOPLE HAVE WONDERED WHY NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. LIKE SOMEONE ELSE STATED WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED. A DEATH OR INJURY DUE TO THE BRAKES. I AM LUCKY COMPARED TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE BRAKES FAIL. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE I CAN TAKE OF HEARING THE NOISE. I CONTACTED THE CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA EMAIL AND ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. SINCE THEY CAN'T INSPECT THE CAR THEY HAVE TO RELY ON THE DEALERS. NOT ONCE DID THEY EVER ADMIT TO ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. I PAID ALOT FOR THIS CAR AND I SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES BUT THEY WERE NOT HELPFULL. I WON'T GO BACK ANYMORE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT CARS FROM THERE AND THEY HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I JUST WANT THIS BRAKE ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED.
Exterior lighting, May 20, 2003
INTERMITTENT OR TOTAL FAILURE OF EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. SOMETIMES TURNING ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS A FEW TIMES WILL RESTART THE TURN SIGNALS. REPLACING THE FUSE DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 14, 2003
THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ALSO A GRINDING NOISE. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BRAKE SHOES AND PADS 6 TIMES. BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 10000 MILES. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, May 12, 2003
1) LEAKING COOLANT FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD INTO ENGINE, REQUIRED GASKET REPLACEMENT AND COOLANT / OIL CHANGE 2) TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH 3) A/C DOES NOT WORK, BLOWS HOT AIR, DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR 4) BRAKES WEAK, VIBRATE. REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET COMPONENTS (POWERSLOT ROTORS AND PERFORMANCE FRICTION CARBON METALLIC PADS) 5) AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS INOPERATIVE, DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR 6) POOR FUEL MILEAGE, BEST IS 28 MPG HIGHWAY (CAFE VIOLATION??) 7) STARTER FAILED, REPLACED WITH REBUILT UNIT. *NLM
Electrical system, May 7, 2003
THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE SIGNAL LIGHTS ALSO FAILED. NLM
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 5, 2003
IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD, MY 2001 CHEV. MALIBU HAS LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN. I HAD TO HAVE A WRECKER PICK IT UP BOTH TIMES, AND BOTH TIMES I HAVE HAD TO RENT A CAR. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD IT IS OUT OF GAS. IT WAS SHOWING HAVING PLENTY OF GAS. THE MECHANIC AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS THE 15TH ONE IN TWO WEEKS TIME. HE STATED THAT IT IS THE FUEL SENSOR MODULE.!!!!! *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2003
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 17, 2003
WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP THE IT STALLED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. *NLM WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP THE IT STALLED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. *MR
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2003
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND WHEN ROAD CONDITION VARIES (SUCH AS A BUMP IN THE ROAD), VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AS IF DEACTIVATING THE CAR, E.G. CAR DOORS UNLOCK, NO RPM, GAS NEEDLE IMMEDIATELY DESCENDS TO E, IMMEDIATE DECELERATION. *JB
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Structure, Seats, Apr 15, 2003
AFTER RESEARCHING THE SERVICE BULLETINS SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE, I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT I HAVE COMPLAINED/HAD SERVICED ABOUT 85% OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ARE LISTED ON YOUR DATABASE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW, FROM EVERETT CHEVROLET, WA IN 2000. SINCE THE PURCHASE. DATE, I HAD CHEVY DO THE FOLLOWING: NEW BRAKES (ALL THE WAY AROUND - ONCE, FRONT ROTORS/PADS - TWICE), ALL NEW PISTONS, TRANSMISSION REPLACED, MISS ON #1 CYLINDER - REPLACED 1 FAILED SPARK PLUG, LEFT REAR DOOR SQUEAKS WHEN OPEN/SHUT - LUBED (HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW), FRONT LEFT NOISE FROM STRUTS/BRAKES - NOT ABLE TO VERIFY AS OF YET (POSSIBLE STRUT PROBLEM/LUBE), FAN IN DASHBOARD HAS A SOUND IN THE MIDDLE (JUST ABOVE THE CD PLAYER/RADIO) LIKE THERE IS A PIECE OF PAPER CAUGHT IN THE HOUSING (CONFIRMED AFTER 4 COMPLAINTS, FAULTY FAN MOTOR), PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SQUEAKS WHEN OCCUPIED (DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE./FIX), REARVIEW MIRROR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (TIGHTENED, STILL DOES IT IN HOT WEATHER). BOTTOM LINE, THIS IS MY FIRST NEW CAR PURCHASE AND I AM HAVING SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT KEEPING THE CAR - AS IT ONLY HAS 21,405 MILES ON IT. WITH THE 3/30 WARRANTY. COMING UP IN OCT. 2003, I AM VERY MUCH AFRAID THAT I HAVE PURCHASED A LEMON AND NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING ANYMORE TIME/$$$ ON THIS VEHICLE. ANY SUGGESTIONS? *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 10, 2003
THE BRAKES PADS WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES, HOWEVER THEY CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCED UNEVEN WEAR. *JB ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE MACHINED, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS THEY WERE CLEANED, LUBED, AND CALIPER SLID. SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 3, 2003
THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS DESIGNED, THE CALIPER PISTON OVER HEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE PISTON TO EXPAND. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Apr 3, 2003
EXCESSIVE BRAKE REPAIR:FRONT AND REAR SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 9/12/01 TO 3/31/03: BRAKES SERVICED ON 12/14/01-MACHINE FRONT ROTORS AND REAR DRUMS, 3/14/02-REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS MACHINE REAR DRUMS, 8/12/02 R&R REAR DRUMS & MACHINE R&R REAR BRAKE SHOES & LUBE BACKING PLATE, 3/31/03 FRONT BRAKES NEEDED CLEAN AND ADJUST REAR BRAKES. MILEAGE WAS RESPECTIVELY: 5836, 12450, 21975, 33533. ALL BRAKE WORK DONE BY DEALER. INDEPENDENT BRAKE INSPECTION ON 4/3/03 SHOWS FRONT BRAKES NEEDED AND 20/1000THS LEFT ON REAR DRUMS. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD SET OF BRAKES PUT ON THIS VEHICLE BEFORE THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRES. ALSO REAR DRUMS ARE WITHIN 20/1000THS OF DRUM SPEC DISCARD PRIOR TO MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRATION.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 26, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. WITH LESS THAN 16000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED AND CHANGED THE PADS AND ROTORS ONE TIME FOR FREE BUT THE OTHER TWO TIMES THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 21, 2003
IN 2001 WE PURCHASED A NEW CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER JUST 17,000 MILES WE WERE INFORMED IT WOULD NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE THE BRAKES HAD WORN OUT. GM REPLACED THE BRAKES FOR US. 13,000 MILES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING AND LETTER WRITING, GM REPLACED THE BRAKES AGAIN. I INSPECTED THE BRAKES IN BOTH INSTANCES AND NOTICED THAT ONLY THE INNER BRAKE PAD WAS WORN, THE OUTER PAD LOOKED BRAND NEW. THE CALIPER IS CAST ALUMINUM AND IT BENDS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED MUCH LIKE A CHEAP "C" CLAMP THAT YOU MIGHT FIND IN A DOLLAR STORE. THERE ARE TWO MAJOR CONCERNS I HAVE ABOUT THIS CONDITION. FIRST AND FOREMOST IS THE SAFETY OF THIS SYSTEM. WITH THE CONSTANT FLEXING I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CALIPER MAY FRACTURE AT SOME POINT DOWN THE ROAD. IN ADDITION TO THE FLEXING, I BELIEVE THE INNER PAD IS OVERHEATING, SINCE IT IS DOING ALL OF THE WORK, AND THIS COULD CAUSE BRAKE FADE. THE CALIPER ALSO APPEARS TO BIND ON THE GUIDE PINS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN THE CASTING BENDS, IT CAUSES A MISALIGNMENT OF THE GUIDE PINS AND CONSEQUENTLY THE CALIPER THEN BINDS. THE SECOND ISSUE I HAVE IS WITH THE LIFE OF THE BRAKES. GM SAYS THE BRAKES SHOULD ONLY LAST BETWEEN 8,000 AND 12,000 MILES. IF THE CALIPER DIDN'T FLEX AS MUCH AND THE PADS WERE WEARING EVENLY THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THE BRAKES WOULD GO UP SIGNIFICANTLY. IN EITHER CASE GM BLEW IT WITH THEIR CHOICE OF THESE CALIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE. AT THE VERY WORST, THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THESE VEHICLES COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE BRAKES, AND ARE PEOPLE EVEN LOOKING AT THE BRAKES AS A CAUSE? AT BEST, GM IS SHAFTING THEIR CUSTOMERS. PEOPLE ARE PAYING NEEDLESSLY FOR SERVICE WORK THEY DON'T NEED. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY RESULTING FROM THIS. IT ALSO SPEAKS TO GM'S INTEGRITY AND ETHICS, ALLOWING AN INFERIOR BRAKE SYSTEM TO BE USED ON ITS VEHICLES. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2003
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THEE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 11, 2003
THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 2, 2003
BRAKES PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED AT 25K MILES. PREMATURE WEAR BUT DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 46K MILES CAR IS AGAIN IN NEED OF BRAKE PADS. *JB