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.
Air bags, Sep 4, 2002, crash
THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS FOR A SECOND AND MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE SAME TYPE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE IN MY FLEET. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DEALER DIDN'T INDICATE ANY KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. THIS NEEDS FURTHER ATTENTION BY SOMEONE THAT KNOWS MORE ABOUT THIS TYPE OF ISSUE AND THAT IS HONEST ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING ON. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I CAN DO TO AID IN THIS BUT MY OBLIGATION IS TO MY DRIVERS AND MY COMPANY TO PROVIDE SAFE TRANSPORTATION. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP YOU MAY GIVE ME IN MEETING THIS OBLIGATION.*AK
Power train, Aug 26, 2002
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WITH NO WARNING GEARS JUMP INTO REVERSE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 2002
THE FRONT END IS VIBRATING AT ANY SPEED. DEALER HAS DONE FRONT ALIGNMENT, REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES, AND THE ROTORS WERE TURNED. DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE, BUT WILL ONLY TURN (THREE TIMES) TO BE TURNED LESS THAN THREE MONTHS. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE SEVENTH TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ONE PROBLEM OR ANOTHER, AND FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWELVE WEEKS FOR A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. A VALVE ADJUSTMENT SEEMS TO REMEDY, THE FRONT END VIBRATION STILL NOT REPAIREED. *SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 26, 2002, crash
PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER CAR, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2002
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES, VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 18 TIMES. DEALER HAS TO RESET THE SYSTEM.*AK
Exterior lighting, Aug 13, 2002
TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE.*AK
Suspension, Aug 9, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON FLAT SURFACE FRONT END WILL MAKE LOUD NOISES, AND VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY VIBRATE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 9, 2002
CONSUMER STATES BRKAES DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT BRAKING POWER. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON HILLS, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, THERE IS AN ODOR AS IF PLASTIC WAS BURNING. CONSUMER HAS TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 6, 2002
ODOR ASSOCIATED WITH BRAKE FAILURE.@-DAY REST AND BRAKES APPEARED TO BE OKAY. AM AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS ON HIGHWAY WHEN I SENSED FAULTY BRAKING POWER. OFF HIGHWAY ON HILLY ROAD BRAKES WENT AOUT COMPLETELY AND THERE WAS AN ODOR LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. I HAD CAR TOWED TO BROOME CHEVROLET-OLDSMOBILE ON SATURDAY. IT STAYED THERE UNTIL MONDAY WHEN SERVICE SHOP OPENED. IT WAS THERE FOR TWO DAYS. THE ONLY THING I CAN GET FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER IS THAT THEY ROAD TESTED IT 3 TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I TRIED TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAD DONE TO DETERMINE THE POSSIBLE CAUSE. HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HIS MECHANICS DID EXCEPT ROD TESTED IT AND LOOKED THROUGH THE WHEEL. HE COULD NOT DEFINE WHAT LOOKING THROUGH THE WHEEL MEANT. I ASKED IF THEY TOOK A LOGICAL APPROACH TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM. HE COULD NOT ANSWER THIS. I GAVE SOME EXAMPLES, SUCH AS, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED FOR SOME REASON. THEY GOT HOT AND CHEMICALS IN THE MATERIALS VAPORIZED AND THIUS THE ODOR. NOW WHAT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK. THEN HE SAID THAT HE KNEW THAT THE BRAKE PEDDLE WOULD FLOORBOARD IF THE BRAKES GOT HOT. HE ALSO SAID THAT HARD BRAKING WOULD CAUSE THAT AND SLOW DRIVING AND BRAKING WOULD DO THAT INFERRING THAT I DID THT. I TOLD HIM THAT I DID NOT HARD BRAKE AND I DID NOT RIDE THE BRAKES. I ALSO SAID THAT IF SLOW DRIVING AND BRAKING WOULD CAUSE THE PROBLEM I HAD THEN MOST EVERYBODY DRIVING IN THE CITU WOULD EXPERIENCE WHAT I DID. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE OFFICE AND GOT NO HELP. I ASKE FOR SOURCES (TELEPHONE NUMBERS) WHERE I COULD FIND OUT ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WHERE I COULD TALK WITH KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE ON THE SUBJECT. ALL I GOT WAS THAT THEYB COULD NOT REPLACE EVERY PART; SHE HAD NOT NUMBERS; THAT THE CA WASS ROAD TESTED BY THREER PEOPLE AT BROOME (SHE HAD CALLED AND TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. I HAD GIVEN HER THE NUMBER.). MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 1, 2002
FRONT BRAKES ROTORS AND PADS WENT BAD PRIOR TO 29,173 MILES. CALLED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM, TOLD THEM 25,000+/- MILES WAS TOO SOON FOR BRAKES TO WEAR. DEALER SAID THEY MAKE BRAKES DIFFERENT NOW. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRENTY. ENDED UP REPLACING THEM AT MY OWN EXPENSE MYSELF. BRAKES STILL SCRAPE WHEN MOVING VEHICLE AT 5 MPH. AT 55-60 MPH AND PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD VEHICLE WILL SHAKE VIGOROUSLY PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL OUT OF HAND. HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY VEHICLE SINCE MARCH 2002. TRYING TO SELL IT. ALMOST HAD IT SOLD WHEN THE PERSON BUYING THE CAR TALKED TO THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME MY CAR. THE SALESMAN AT THE DEALER SAID TO HER THAT HE WOULDN'T THINK OF SELLING HER A MALIBU AND THAT SHE SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM THEM. THE SALESMAN SAID THAT THE MALIBU HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS, MOSTLY THE BRAKES AND IS BASICALLY A LEMON. CHEVROLET KNOWS ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM ON EARLIER MODELS (98-00), BUT HAS YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE OR SELL!*AK
Steering, Jul 9, 2002, crash
AT 40MPH AND WITH NO WARNING LOST STEERING CONTROL, RESULTING IN CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, ALL OF ELECTRICAL OUTLETS WENT OUT, RESULTING IN WINDOWS/RADIO, AND AIR CONDITIONING BECOMING INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE OCCURRING PROBLEM ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION; HOWEVER, HAD NO REMEDY FOR PROBLEM. *AK THE SPEEDOMETER IS THE ONLY THING OPERABLE ON THE DASH. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ONLY THING OPERABLE WAS THE RADIO. CONSUMER DIDN'T REPORT THE DEFECT BECAUSE ALL SYSTEMS STARTED WORKING ON THEIR OWN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REOCCURING. THERE HAS BEEN TWO ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CAUSE WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED CAUSING THE POWER ACCESSORIES CIRCUIT CONNECTOR TO MELT. *JG
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 1, 2002
VEHICLE WAS GOING 60MPH AS THROTTLE LOST PRESSURE AND ENGINE WAS HESITATING. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, AND ALREADY BEEN IN TO DEALER 6 TIMES. FUEL PUMP/ GROUND WIRES, AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT WAS STILL PROGRESSING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2002
WHITE SULFIDES (FUMES) ARE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND OTHER OPENINGS IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTUERER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TT UPDATED *JB
Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2002
ALL TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. TO GET THEM TO WORK CONSUMER HAS TO TURN ON HAZARD LIGHTS 4-5 TIMES TO GET TURN SIGNALS TO COME ON. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 5, 2002
A KNOCKING NOISE WOULD COME FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2002
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HORN UNEXPECTEDLY SOUNDED OFF WITHOUT APPLYING MECHANISM THAT CONTROLLED HORN LOCATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Seat belts, Jun 5, 2002
SEAT BELT LATCH WILL NOT PROPERLY FASTEN INTO THE BUCKLE HOUSING, AND AT TIMES RELEASES, CAUSING SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 5, 2002
THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO WARPAGE WHIVH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE HILE BRAKING, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS A DESIGN FLAWWARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WAS TURN DOWN BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *MJ
Seat belts, Jun 3, 2002
DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT TIGHTENS WITH ANY MOVEMENT AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO RELEASE THE BELT FROM THE BUCKLE TO GET ANY RELIEF. 3 WEEKS AGO SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT THIS HAS NOT COMPLETELY REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *NLM
Exterior lighting, May 28, 2002
FLASHER TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. *AK *TT
Engine and engine cooling, May 18, 2002
VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD IT WAS WEATHER CAUSING PROBLEM. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PAST TWO MONTHS I HAVE TAKEN TO ALTERNATE BODY SHOPS, BECAUSE ENGINE FAILED TO START. MECHANICS FLUSHED OUT THE CAR AND HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER TO DETECT ANY PROBLEMS. NO FOUND PROBLEMS AND CAR CRANKED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. CAR LAST FAILED ON MAY 3, 2002 AND IS STILL NOT WORKING AS OF TODAY. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***762043
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2002
ENGINE MISS-FIRES AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ON AFTER SERVICE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 8, 2002
WHEN DRIVING BRAKES PULSATE ERRATICALLY. HAS TO APPLY FULL PRESSURE TO PEDAL BEFORE STOPPING VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Apr 24, 2002
FRONT BRAKES PULSATE WHEN VEHICLE STOPS. BRAKES HAD FAILED AND DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM COULD REOCCUR. *AK CONSUMER STATES HE IS HEARING A CLUNK NOISE IN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA AND BRAKE NOISE IN FRONT WHEN BRAKING, VIBRATION IS WORSE AFTER 30 MILES OF STOPPING, DEALER REPLACED PADS AND RESURFACED ROTORS; ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY HUMMING TYPE NOISE DURING ACCELERATION. *YD