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.
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
Air bags, Aug 14, 2001, crash
THE MALIBU WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH CAUSING A FRONT COLLISION AS WELL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 6, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTSDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Power train, Jul 16, 2001, crash
AUTOMATIC WENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE AS I WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. DRAGGED ME SOME 30 FEET BEFORE CROSSING I-8 EAST OF SAN DIEGO, CA. I HAD A CHEST CONTUSION, BROKEN TOE ON RIGHT FOOT, AND SEVERE BRUISING WITH BLEEDING.*AK
Power train, Jun 23, 2001
PROBLEM FIRST REPORTED ON 5 JUNE. CAR SPENT ALL DAY 6 JUNE AT THE DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.JUNE 9 TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING. JUNE 14 TRANSMISSON AT LOW SPEEDS IN HEAVY SHIFTED IN AND OUT OF GEAR.JUNE 14 CAR WENT TO THE DEALER AND AT THIS TIME IT IS STILL AT STAN ROBERTS CHEVROLET. I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2001
ENGINE PISTONS REPLACED AT 2395 MILES DUE TO" PISTON SLAP". REPLACED ALL SIX PISTONS WITH TEFLON COATED ONES. PATCH AREAS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF PISTON IN AREA WHERE THE MOST VIBRATION AND WEAR OCCURS. ALL SIX PISTONS SHOWED SIGNS OF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IN AREAS WHERE TEFLON ADDED. ADVISED BY DIFFERENT DEALER ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS & SERVICE MANAGER THAT INSTALLING TEFLON COATED PISTONS IS JUST A SHORT-TERM STOP-GAP MEASURE AND THE PROBLEM WOULD RETURN. PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF OLD PISTONS. BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE POPPING NOISE, LIKE CALIPERS ARE STICKING AND THERE IS NOTICABLE REDUCED BRAKING ON WET SURFACES. DEALER SAYS "NOTHING IS WRONG". RACK AND PINION FAILED INITIALLY AT 4044 MILES . REPLACED AND THE SAME SOUNDS AND FEEL HAS RETURNED. 24 DAYS OUT-OF-SERVICE TO DATE. WILL TAKE ACTION VIA LEMON LAW AFTER 6 MORE DAYS OUT-OF-SERVICE.*AK
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 15, 2001
THIS CAR HAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS APRIL 25, 01. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WENT DEAD SOMEONE RAN OVER AND ASSISTED ME IN GETTING THE CAR OUT OF THE STREET. IT WAS TOWED TO CRAIN CHEVROLET. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE CAR AND I GOT IT BACK THE NEXT DAY. MAY 4, 01 THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC ON A MAIN THOROUGHFARE I PULLED OVER AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT STARTED BACK UP AND IT STOPPED AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO GWATNEY CHEV. THEY REPAIRED IT AND I GOT IT BACK ON MAY 10, 01 AND IT STOPPED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC ON A MAIN THOROUGHFARE ON MAY 11, 01. IT IS NOW AT GWATNEY CHEV. I ALSO CONTACTED GM AND INFORMED THEM THAT I AM A RISK TO ME AND TO OTHER MOTORIST. GM CALLED TODAY AND SAID THAT THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND ARE HAVING TO ORDER A PART. IT WILL TAKE A FEW DAYS FOR ME TO GET IT BACK. HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED PROBLEM OF THEIR 2001 MALIBU STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. THE MANUFACTURER IS WORKING WITH ME HOWEVER, I THINK THAT OTHERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2001
FROM THE INITIAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE IT SMELLED AS IF IT HAD A SLIGHT OIL LEAK ON THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE EMITTED A SLIGHT ODOR THAT CONTINUED TO GROW STRONGER AS THE CAR WAS DRIVEN MORE. AT NO TIME COULD AN OIL LEAK BE FOUND. THE CAR WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN IN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND OTHERS ON MARCH 17, 2001. BY APRIL 24, 2001 CHEVROLET STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE USED SINCE MARCH 7, 2000 DUE TO THE ACRID SMELL OF BURNT OIL INSIDE THE CAR. THE SMELL CAUSED ME TO BE UNABLE TO OPERATE THE CAR DO TO IRRIATION TO MY SINUS AND EYES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO BE SERIOSLY ILL AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO A COLLISION AS A RESULT OF IMPAIRMENT TO THE DRIVER. *AK
Seats, May 1, 2001
POWER DRIVER'S SEAT TRACKS AND ADJUSTORS ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHEN STOPPING AND STARTING. THIS CREATE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE OR HAVE REDUCED BRAKING FORCE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 21, 2001
ITEM#1) BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FOR ENGINE NOISE. ADVISED PISTONS NEEDED REPLACMENT. ADVISED CAR WAS "SAFE TO DRIVE". PISTONS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. LEFT COPY OF SERVICE REPAIR ORDER WITH SALESWOMAN AND ADVISED HER TO CONTACT GENERAL MANAGER OF DEALERSHIP AND CHEVROLET OF PROBLEM. ITEM#2) BRAKES, BROUGHT IN VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON 02-14-2001 FOR BRAKE INSTABILITY ON WET PAVEMENT. ADVISED BRAKES WERE "NORMAL" AFTER TEST DRIVE. NO ON HOIST INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED . BROUGHT IN VEHICLE ON 03-21-2001 FOR BRAKES AND ENGINE NOISE. ADVISED BRAKES WERE "NORMAL" AGAIN, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN REGARDING BRAKES AFTER ROAD TEST BY DEALERSHIP. PISTONS NEEDING REPLACMENT CONSTITUTES A FAILURE OF MAJOR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS AND THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS "SAFE". A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE MUST BE PROVIDED OR REFUND OF ALL EXPENSES AND RETURN OF TRADE-IN VEHICLE WHICH WAS RELIABLE.*AK
Steering, Mar 14, 2001
WHEN VEHICLE WAS LEAVING HIGHWAY STEERING WAS LOST. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITH A FINGER COULD TURN STEERING WHEEL, BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE.*AK
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2001
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK
Steering, Mar 6, 2001
AFTER COMING OFF FREEWAY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WANDER ACROSS CENTER LANE. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES TO IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE CURRENTLY. *AK
Visibility, Jan 9, 2001
IN THE MORNING ON VERY SUNNY DAYS, CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE SEEING OUT THE BACK WINDOW, IN THE AFTERNOON, CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE SEEING THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *SLC