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, Apr 22, 2002
VEHICLE MISSES AT SPEEDS OF 60-80MPH, VEHICLE JERKS WHEN IT BACKFIRES. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 2, 2002
VIBRATION AND PULSATING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, GRINDING NOISE CAN BE HEARD. DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. ROTORS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME IN OCTOBER 2001 FOR PREMATURE WEAR. *JG *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 26, 2002
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTANTLY AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS, DEALER HAS REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 26, 2002
THIS IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. THESE CARS ARE PURCHASED AS FLEET VEHICLES. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM AT ALL WITH LAQUA CHEVROLET, THEY HAVE FIXED THESE VEHICLES ANYTIME THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. WHAT I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH IS, THESE BRAKES WERE JUST REPLACED LAST MONTH AND WE ARE ON THE THIRD SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS, AND THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN THIS MONTH.. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO REGARDING THESE 8 VEHICLES? I ONLY SENT YOU ONE OF THE VIN NUMBERS, I HAVE 7 MORE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION TO THIS MATTER. NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Mar 18, 2002
WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED IT WAS TIRES. CONSUMER WENT TO FIRESTONE, AND HAD TIRES REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER WONT LOOK AT VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Mar 5, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SHAKES ERRATICALLY. IT VIBRATES FROM INSIDE. ALSO, HAD NEW STRUTS PUT ON REAR. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, FRONT BRAKE PADS MAKE NOISE, ENGINE MAKES TAPPING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTING, THERE WAS A SHIMMY IN VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO STRUTS LEAK. *YH
Structure, Mar 5, 2002
AFTER RAIN CONSUMER NOTICED A LEAK INSIDE OF VEHICLE ON PASSENGER'S FRONT DOOR. ALSO, LEAKING ON FUSE BOX. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR REPAIRS THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 22, 2002
VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES AT SPEEDS OF 30-40 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES, IGNITION WAS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCES HARD START WHEN COLD, ENGINE ALSO MAKES NOISE. *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 31, 2001
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, OIL PAN EXPERIENCED A LEAK, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SLC
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Structure, Dec 26, 2001
TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED DURING NORMAL OPERATION. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK DEALER REPLACED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. WEATHERSTRIP AROUND BOTH REAR SIDE WINDOWS DEFORMED, AS WELL AS BOTH DOOR PANELS, DEALER REPLACED WEATHERSTRIP AND DOOR PANELS, EXPERIENCING TICKING AND WHINNING NOISE FROM ENGINE, DEALER STATES THIS WAS NORMAL. *TT
Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2001
TURN SINGALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. AT TIMES, TURN SIGNALS GO COMPLETELY OUT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2001
TOOK CAR IN CAUSE OF KNOCKING IN ENGINE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID COULDNT HEAR IT WHEN PICKED THE CAR UP MADE HIM RIDE IN IT WITH ME COULD HEAR KNOCKING TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK.TOOK BACK WORK ORDER SAYS PISTON SLAP.DIAGNOISIS POLYMER COATED PISTONS SLAPPING INSIDE CLYINDERS;REPLACED ALL PISTONS,HONE CYLINDERS,REPLACED RINGS REPLACED ALLCONNECTING ROD BEARINGS.WATER PUMBM WENT OUT TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN A WEEK AND A HALF LATER CAR KEPT RUNNING HOT ALL THE WAY IN RED HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED INHOSES WERE NOT RECONNECTED WHEN MOTOR WAS WORKED ON CD PLAYER WENT OUT ALSO FACE OF CD PLAYER GETS EXTREMELY HOT TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL BLINKERS HAVE WENT OUT TWICE FIRST TIME SAID FIXED THEM STILL NOT WORKING NOW WHEN YOU CRANK CAR IT KNOCKS HAVE REPORTED IT IT IS DOING THE SAME THING WHEN HAD PISTONS REPLACED LASTED NOV.06OUT*AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2001
DRIVER HEARD KNOCKING SOUND FROM ENGINE. TOOK TO WEBER CEVROLET AND PROBLEM WAS FIXED. PISTON AND PISTON RINGS WERE BAD. ONE WEEK LATER DRIVER HEARS POPPING NOISE FROM STEEERING COLUMN STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. GOLD PACKAGE DECALS WERE FADING OFF AS WELL. DRIVER NOW HEARS KNOKING COMMING FROM ENGINE AGAIN.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 3, 2001, crash
ON THE 22ND OF OCTOBER MY VEHICLE HAD LOST ITS BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HILL. MY IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WAS TO APPLY MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH DID STOP MY CAR BUT ALSO PROCEEDED TO CAUSE IT TO CRASH. UPON INVESTIGATION BY MY INS. CO. (NATIONWIDE INS.) THEY FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES HAD FRAYED ON THE MALIBU WHICH HAD CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES. FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH IS NOW CONSIDERED TOTALLED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME TYPE VEHICLE AND I AM FURTHER REQUESTING A RECALL ON THE HOSES OF THE MALIBU. A REPORT IS AVAILABLE FROM MY INS. CO @[XXX]HARRISBURG, PA [XXX] THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Nov 19, 2001, crash
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND ONE PERSON INJURED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK *YD
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2001
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE RANDOMLY CUTS OFF, IT LOSES STEERING POWER. ALSO, ENGINE LEAKS OIL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 24, 2001
BRAKES ARE SPONGY. THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES HAS TO PRESS DOWN HARD TO STOP. BRAKES SOUND LIKE METAL TO METAL RUBBING WHEN APPLYING HARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED COULDN'T GET VEHICLE TO DUPLICATE ITSELF.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 23, 2001
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND BRAKING EFFECTED. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR WITH 5,200 MILES. SERVICE DEPT SAID THIS IS NOT A UNCOMMON PROBLEM. BRAKES ROTORS SHOULD BE MADE BETTER! *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 10, 2001
AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR AWHILE, THE BRAKES GRAB AND SQUEAL, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS, REAR BRAKES ARE NOISY, DEALER REPLACED REAR DRUM ASSEMBLY, CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, AND GREASED BACKING PLATES, BRAKE PROBLEM IS NOT REMEDIED. *SLC
Exterior lighting, Oct 3, 2001
TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENLY. AT TIMES, TURN SIGNALS GO COMPLETELY OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED IF TURN SIGNALS WORK IN SHOP THEY CAN'T FIX PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2001
ENGINE PINGS WITH NO REASON, ROTORS ARE LOOKING BAD EARLY ON. *AK
Tires, Sep 24, 2001
VEHICLE HAS 17,000 MILES, ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE ABNORMAL WEAR. CENTER OF ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE "VALLEYS" IN THEM. FRONT TWO TIRES HAVE KNOTS ON TOP INSIDE. PIECES OF RUBBER ARE COMING OFF. TIRES MAKE "WHOP" SOUND WHEN DRIVING. (TIRESIZE: 31) (TIRESIZE: 31)
Vehicle speed control, Sep 20, 2001
CAR REPEATEDLY FAILS TO MAINTAIN SET SPEED AND ACCELERATES RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I HAD DEALER LOOK AT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL ON THIS MODEL. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET DIRECTLY (CASE: C04708022) AND THEY AGREED SAYING IT WAS SOMETHING I WOULD JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 11, 2001
WHILE TRAVELING AT 50-55 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE, AND THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. PLEASE PROVIE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Tires, Aug 31, 2001
CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH AND HAD BALANCED TIRES TWICE, WHILE DRIVING OVER 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES, CONSUMER PULLED INTO TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND EXPERIENCED ROLLOVER, CAUSING ONE INJURY, POSSIBLY FAULTY TIRES, FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING T-2, P215/60R15, CLAIM 53-C796-229. *SLC