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.
Electrical system, Sep 23, 2015
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,911. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ UPDATED 4/3/18*JB *TR
Steering, Sep 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 10/25/15
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2015
TURN SIGNAL FLASHER QUITS AFTER FEW SECONDS
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 29, 2015
BRAKE LIGHTS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXIST AS OF THIS DATE. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. A RECALL PROBLEM. HAS BEEN IN DEALERS SERV. DEPT FOR REPAIRS ABOUT 4 TIMES THIS YEAR OF 2015. THIS ACTUALLY STARTED IN 2011. IN DEALERS FOR REPAIR RIGHT NOW SAME ISSUE.
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2015
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND RECALL NOTICE #14350 /#14V-400 PROBLEMS. *SMD THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
Engine, Jul 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER A WAIT PERIOD. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER THE ANTI THEFT WARNING INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER THE ANTI THEFT WARNING INDICATOR WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2015
CAR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DON'T WORK WHEN CAR IS STARTED THEN BEGIN WORKING SOMETIME AFTER THE CAR IS RUNNING 5-15 MINUTES. GAUGES, RADIO, AC, FAN, DO NOT WORK AND I AM WORRIED THE AIRBAGS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET (HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/NO-START-DUE-TO-FAILED-PASSLOCK-SENSOR-300). I SEE THE RECALL FOR REPLACING KEYS BUT THIS IS THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS FAILING.
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND BACK ON UNTIL THE ANTI THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED AFTER THE ANTI- THEFT WARNING TURN OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER AND KEY WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION WHICH MADE HIS BATTERY USAGE LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ
Electrical system, May 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE KEY NOT TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V470000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2015
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON NOVEMBER 5, 2013. *JB
Electrical system, Apr 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE STALLING SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE REMEDY DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE ACC MODE MORE THAN TWICE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY UNHOOK AND RECONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Electrical system, Mar 31, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART UNTIL THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE REPAIR WAS INADEQUATE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STILL EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS DONE PROPERLY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Mar 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Electrical system, Mar 12, 2015
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, PRIOR TO THE RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Electrical system, Feb 10, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Structure, Feb 5, 2015, crash
A CHURCH VAN WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY. WE T-BONED THEM GOING 35MPH. WE HIT THEM INCREDIBLY HARD AND YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! FOUR OF THEIR PASSENGERS WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE AMBULANCE AND THE TWO OF US IN THE MALIBU WENT LATER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE CHURCH VAN HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AS WELL. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jan 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND REINSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A DAY LATER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND TURN SIGNAL RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDED SPORT MODEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT THEN STATED THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2015
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES GOT REPAIRS DONE DUE TO RECALL. BUT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB