TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2001 Chevrolet Malibu complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB WAS NOT FUNCTIONING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. ALSO, THE DEALER DID NOT INDICATE WHEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO REPROGRAM THE FOB. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE CONTACT WAS BLINDED BY THE HEADLIGHTS OF AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT KNEE, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND BELIEVED THE CRASH WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT NOTICE. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE PASS LOCK SENSOR, THE HOUSING AND THE KEY CYLINDER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,315.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,397.
CAR WAS FORCED OFF ROAD THEN ROLLED OVER INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO DITCH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE FOREHEAD AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V400 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 87,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AFTER EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS STEERING LOCK UP AND KEY NOT TURNING IN IGNITION (LOCKED UP) MY MALIBU WOULD NOT BUDGE OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION WHEN INSERTING KEY. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND SINCE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION THE MALIBU HAD TO BE DRAGGED ONTO TOW TRUCK WITH WHEELS LOCKED. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AT THE COST OF $70.00. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE MALIBU HAD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND CASE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THEFT SYSTEM AT (LABOR) $247.50. THE CYLINDER KIT WAS (PARTS) $225.90 AND SUBL CODE NEW CYLINDER WAS (OTHER) $20.00 FOR A TOTAL OF $493.40. WITH MISC. CHARGES OF $5.00 AND SALES TAX AT $29.90 THE TOTAL WAS $528.30. ADD THE ADDITIONAL $70.00 TOWING EXPENSE AND TOTAL IS $598.30. I BELIEVE I AM ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY EXPENSES AS THIS HAS BEEN A RECALLED VEHICLE. I EXPERIENCED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS A LOCKED IGNITION AND STEERING WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO SIT AND TRY AND TRY TO GET MY KEY TO TURN THE IGNITION. MANY TIMES I WAS LATE FOR WORK/SCHOOL AS I COULD NOT GET THE KEY TO TURN. I HAD TO CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR RIDES. *TR
THIS MALIBU HAD BLINKER AND INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEMS. THE BLINKERS WERE EITHER INOPERATIVE OR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE INTERIOR DRIVE PANEL LIGHTING WAS EITHER INOPERATIVE OR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE PANEL WOULD GO BLACK WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT SO AS NOT TO ALLOW THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO BE SEEN OR ANYTHING ELSE ON THE PANEL TO BE SEEN. *TR
I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN TREAD SEPARATION ON A GOODRICH PASSENGER TIRE, LEADING TO IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE TIRE DEFLATION. LUCKILY, I HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND WAS TRAVELING <5MPH. ON INSPECTION, THE OTHER 3 TIRES SHOWED INITIAL SIGNES OF SIMILAR FAILURE, AND ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TR
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS CAR FROM STARTING. FALSELY DETECTS THAT IGNITION KEY IS NOT THE CORRECT KEY FOR THIS AUTOMOBILE, EVEN THOU THIS KEY HAS BEEN USED TO START THE CAR THOUSANDS OF TIMES. TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM DRIVER MUST TURN OFF IGNITION, TURN KEY TO ON POSITION AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES FOR THE COMPUTER TO REGISTER THE KEY AS BEING CORRECT, TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO OFF AND THEN TURN IT TO START TO GET THE CAR STARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US AT LEAST 100 TIMES DURING THE PAST 6 YEARS. GM SERVICE SAYS THE REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AT A COST OF $400.00. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY REPORTED BY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GM 1998 THRU 2006 AUTOMOBILE OWNERS. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED FOR FREE BY GM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND TRUCKS. *TR
I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU WAS INVOLVED IN ANY RECALL. STARTING NOV. 11, 2013, THE IGNITION SYSTEM WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVING. MY MECHANIC REPLACED A RELAY AND CHECKED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS FOR A TOTAL CHARGE OF $297.46 INCLUDING TOWING. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED SO ON 12/24/13 WITH ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSIS AND REPLACEMENT OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, I INCURRED A CHARGE OF $813.20. WITH THE TWO CHARGES TOTALING $1,110.20 I FEEL NOW RELATED TO THE KEY SET ISSUE. FORTUNATELY I JUST USE THE CAR IN TOWN AND HAVE NOT DRIVEN ON FREEWAYS AT HIGHER SPEEDS BECAUSE I RECOGNIZED THE POTENTIAL EXISTED FOR SOME KIND OF HAZARDOUS CONDITION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHILE WAITING IN THE TURNING LANE AT A STOP LIGHT, I SUFFERED MULTIPLE INJURIES WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED BY AN SUV TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I HIT MY THROAT AND CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL TWICE DUE TO THE IMPACT. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR WAS I RESTRAINED BY THE SEATBELT. *TR
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON MAY 8, 2008, AT A COST OF $ 343.06. ON MARCH 26, 2009, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. APRIL 14, 2009, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AGAIN, AT A COST OF $ 315.86. ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2010, THE IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 457.07. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000 UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ UPDATED 11/28/2014 *JS
ONE DAY OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE IN PARK AND IDLING CAR JUST DIED, RESTARTED FINE, THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER AT A STOPLIGHT DIED AGAIN, WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DRIVE ON, BUT THIS CONTINUED FROM THEN ON EVERYTIME IT WAS STOPPED AND RUNNING WOULD JUST DIE COULD RESTART WHEN READY TO DRIVE OFF AND IT WOULD GO FINE, UNTIL THE LAST TIME IT DIED WHILE GOING 35 MPH IN TRAFFIC AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STEER OUT OF TRAFFIC AND ALMOST COULDN'T STOP, BUT WOULDN'T RESTART ANYMORE, AND STILL WON'T START. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE IGNITION CAUSED THE ANTI THEFT TO ENGAGE AND TURN OFF COMPONENTS IN MOTOR, I'VE READ I OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM IN THIS SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL JUST WONDERING WHY IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED ALONG WITH ALL THE REST OF CHEVY' SCARS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, OBVIOUSLY IT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN JUST A COUPLE AND THE LAST TIME IT DIED ON ME I WAS LUCKY TO NOT GET HIT. *TR
2001 CHEVY MALIBU. FLASHERS DO NOT WORK, TURN SIGNAL FAILS, ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENT, MOST ALL THE TIME DOES NOT WORK. I TRIED TO GET THE RECALL AND DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS ALREADY REPAIRED FROM PREVIOUS OWNER. TURN SIGNALS NEVER WORKED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED. AND THE SIGNAL LIGHTS ON SIDES OF CAR HAVE NOT WORKED AT ALL TO KNOWLEDGE. THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT. IF IT WAS REPAIRED PROPERLY, THEN I SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM.CONTINUES TO BE A CRASH/ SAFETY RISK! THANK YOU. *TR
ANTI THEFT PASSLOCK SYSTEM, 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. LOCKED ME OUT FOR 3 TIME AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR. 6 MONTHS AGO HAD IGNITION SWITCH CHANGED OUT WORKED FINE UNTIL REPEATED TIMES BEING LOCKED, WON'T START NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IT IS PUT THROUGH RELEARNED CYCLE. NOW MAY LOOSE MY JOB, CAN NOT GO TO WORK FOR DAYS NOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,700. UPDATED 08/28/14*LJ UPDATED 09/4/2014 *JS
I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF GAS TO DECELERATE AND CAR WOULDN'T GO LESS THAN 50. ENGINE RPM'S WOULDN'T GO BELOW 2500. I COULD STILL STOP CAR WITH BRAKES BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND NOT INTERMITTENT LIKE THE PERSON REPORTED A FEW DAYS AGO. I CHECKED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE NON FUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL COULD BE AFFECTING ENGINE SPEED BUT NEITHER CABLE KEPT THE FLAP FROM BOTTOMING OUT. *TR
OVER THE PAST MONTH, THE MALIBU HAS STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS OCCURRED BOTH ON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION ONE TIME ALMOST CAUSING A BROADSIDE IMPACT AS MY SON PULLED OUT TO MAKE A LEFT ONTO A BUST STREET. HE WAS FORTUNATE AND THE ONCOMING DRIVER WAS ABLE TO BRAKE IN TIME. WE TOOK IT TO A GARAGE THAT SAID OUR IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WE HAD DONE. CURIOUS BECAUSE THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED WITH THE OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CHEVY RECALL, BUT OUR VEHICLE HAS YET TO BE RECALLED FOR THIS OBVIOUSLY HAZARDOUS DEFECT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE WINDOW WAS MANUALLY PULLED INTO THE CLOSED POSITION WHERE IT COULD NOT BE REOPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
DRIVING CAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING RPM >2000 WHEN PUT IN PARK RPM >2500. WHEN BRAKE FOR LIGHT AND TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE CAR WILL ACCELERATE BY IT SELF I LET IT GO UP TO 45 MPH THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, I TURN ENGINE OFF AND TURN BACK ON IT WILL IDLE NORMALLY 1000 OR LESS. NO PANEL WARNING LIGHTS POP UP. *TR
DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN IT STARTED RAINING. THE DRIVER'S WINDOW WAS DOWN. TRIED TO PUT IT UP WITH ELECTRONIC WINDOW BUTTON BUT IT WOULDN'T WORK. HAD TO GET OUT OF CAR AND MANUALLY GRAB ONTO THE WINDOW AND PULL IT UP. THE WINDOW CONTROL QUIT WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE MAIN CONTROL PANEL FOR THE WINDOW STILL WORKS FOR OTHER WINDOWS IN CAR.. GM HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN TOLD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND OTHERS. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VISIBLE ANTIFREEZE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
THIS 2001 CHEVY MALIBU HAD THE RACK AND PINION BREAK FREE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE DUE TO FRAME CORROSION. THE CAR IS NOW UNDRIVABLE AND NEEDS NEW ENGINE CRADLE (FRONT FRAME). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE FRAME SHOULD NOT RUST ON A CAR IN A PLACE THAT COULD KILL SOMEBODY. BAD DESIGN. POOR QUALITY. NEVER BUY A GM ....EVER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,536 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 07/01/14 MA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 05/19/14 MA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED THE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
HEADLIGHTS, ALL GAUGES, AND ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 45MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. UNABLE TO SEE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS OR BE SEEN. UNABLE TO DETECT SPEED OF VEHICLE. UNABLE TO USE HEATER. UNABLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS. UNABLE TO DETERMINE FUEL LEVEL. UNABLE TO SAFELY OPERATE VEHICLE DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DURING OPERATION. *TR
YESTERDAY AS I WAS DRIVING, THE PASSLOCK, (ANTI THEFT SYSTEM) HAD SHUT THE CAR DOWN. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY ON SIDE STREETS AND THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT AT THE TIME. IT GOT ME LOOKING INTO WAYS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, AND IT AMAZED ME HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE OF CARS DYING ON THEM WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY MECHANICS THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, YET IM UNSURE OF WHY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, OR KILLS SOMEONE. *TR
HI, IT'S ME.... AGAIN. IMAGINE THAT WITH MY CHEVY MALIBU. I WENT TO START THE CAR THIS MORNING. HOWEVER, IT WOULDN'T. I COULD HEAR THE FUEL PUMP RUN FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN TURN OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD FIRE BRIEFLY, AND THEN STOP. THE STARTER IS WORKING GREAT. SO I TURNED TO GOOGLE. I FOUND, LIKE SO MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON HERE THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS TO BLAME. IT LIKES TO RANDOM TURN ON, PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. I CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK WHAT CHEVY WAS GOING TO DO TO FIX CHEVY'S BUSTED ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD TO TURN THE KEY TO THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MIN. THE ANTI-THEFT WOULD RESET, AND THEN I COULD START ME CAR. THEY FORGOT TO TELL ME THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO THIS UNTIL I SPEND $500 OF MY OWN MONEY TO FIX A PROBLEM CHEVY KNOWS ABOUT. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING ON CHEVY'S PART? OH WHAT.... CORPORATE AMERICA SAYS SO. THEY ARE BIGGER THAN ME, AND THEREFORE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PUTTING OUT A RELIABLE PRODUCT TO CONSUMERS. CHEVY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A CORPORATE GREED MANAGER. JUST MAN UP AND FIX YOUR CRAPPY CARS. *TR
YET AGAIN IT IS ME. AS MANY OF YOU ON HERE KNOW THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU THAT APPEARS TO BE A GROUNDING ISSUE ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS: I AM DRIVING ALONG AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SHUTS OFF. INCLUDING THE RADIO, AC/HEAT, ENGINE GAUGES, SPEEDO, TACH, EVERYTHING INSIDE INCLUDING HEAD LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH. AFTER READING OVER THE 594 REPORTS ON HERE I HAVE GAINED AND UNDERSTANDING THAT ALOT OF YOU HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. CHEVY, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A SARCASTIC MOMENT TO THANK YOU. TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DON'T DO. THANK YOU FOR PRODUCING UNSAFE CARS AND NOT HAVING THE MORALITY TO CARE AT ALL ABOUT PEOPLES LIVES, AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY WORK HARD FOR OUR MONEY UNLIKE YOUR CORPORATE "BIG WIGS". THEN WE SPEND OUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON AN "AMERICAN" BRAND CAR, WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE JUNK AND ITS MANUFACTURE DOESN'T CARE IF IT REALLY WORKS OR NOT AND IS UNSAFE. THANK YOU CHEVY. YOU ARE THE BEST!!!! *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE COLLEGE PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. WHEN SHE WENT TO TURN THE CAR IN A TURN LANE SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR. SHE RAN OVER A CURB WITH THE CAR BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE LOCAL AUTO MAINTENANCE SHOP SAID THE STEERING MECHANISM BROKE IN THE FRONT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. BECAUSE OF THIS SHE RAN THE CURB AND BROKE OFF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. AFTER READING THE ALMOST 600 COMPLAINTS ON HERE MY PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A VERY... VERY COMMON ONE. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND CHEVY. THEY BOTH TOLD ME SORRY, BUT SORRY. THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. "I" BROKE THE CAR. THEY ARE IGNORING HUGE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE 2001 MALIBU. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND THIS HAPPENED. SHE COULD HAVE DIED, AND I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT CHEVY DOWN IN COURT. BASICALLY, CHEVY NEEDS TO GROW A PAIR AND MAN UP BY FIXING THESE REAL ISSUES THAT ARE PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. CHEVY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA TODAY..... CORPORATE GREED AT ANY EXPENSE SO PEOPLE CAN MAKE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT MAKING A GREAT PRODUCT OR KEEPING CONSUMERS SAFE. I WILL NEVER... NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY. THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AT ALL. WHAT A SHAME FOR AN "AMERICAN" COMPANY. OH WAIT, THEY ARE OWN BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND FIAT. AKA NOT AMERICAN ANYMORE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AT LOW SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT INCLUDING RADIO,AIR CONDITIONER,POWER WINDOWS ...I HAD TO STOP AND PULL OFF ROAD AND CALL FOR HELP. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 5 TIMES AND DEALERS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BUT LOOK AT ME. ALSO THE SECURITY SYSTEM WENT OUT AND I COULD NOT CRANK CAR AND SPENT $500 TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 30 MPH AND HEARD SOME POPPING IN MY LEFT FRONT TIRE. I THEN NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. IT TOOK ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO GET IT TO TURN SLIGHTLY AND THE MORE I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL, THE LOUDER THE POPPING SOUND GOT. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO STEER MY CAR. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MONRO AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT MY SUB FRAME STEERING RACK COMPLETELY CRACKED AND THAT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. HE SAID I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT CONSIDERING THIS WAS SO SUDDEN. I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED A MONTH AGO AND IT PASSED WITH SHINY STARS. IT WAS IN FANTASTIC SHAPE AND IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. *JB
I'VE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES NOW WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM ON MY 2001 MALIBU. IT HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY COUPLE DAYS TO WEEKS NOW & IS BECOMING A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY JOB & ALSO WHEN IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT WHEN I'M IN A DARK PARKING LOT, OUTS NOT THE BEST SITUATION TO BE IN. IM A SINGLE MOM & HAVE HAD PLENTY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE THE WORST & CONSTANT ONE OF THEM ALL. IF GM KNEW THIS WOULD BE A PROBLEM THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING FOR THEIR CONSUMERS & TAKEN CARE OF THE DEFECT, WHICH IS NOT OUR FAULT YET WE THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY & SUFFER FOR IT. *TR
CRUISE CONTROL SLIPS AS WELL AS DASHBOARD BEEPS
THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES FOR NO REASON, AND HAVE TO WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE CAR WILL START. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON GM'S PART TO FIX THIS. *TR
WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR, THE ENGINE TURNED BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE THEFT LIGHT IN THE DASH WOULD FLASH. I CALLED GM DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT MANY OF THE GM MODELS OF THESE YEARS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. HE SAID THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHERE THE THEFT SYSTEM WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY AS BEING THE CORRECT KEY FOR MY AUTOMOBILE. HE TOLD ME TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES AND THE THEFT LIGHT WOULD GO OUT, AND THEN I COULD START THE CAR. HE SAID TO BRING IT IN AND THEY COULD REPAIR/REPLACE THE PROBLEM FOR AROUND $500 DOLLARS. AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND HAVING THE REPAIRS MADE, AGAIN WITHIN TWO YEARS, THE THEFT LIGHT IN THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL I LEFT IT SITTING WITH THE KEY/IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION FOR THE 10 MINUTES IT TAKES TO RESET THE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM. I THINK GM SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. WHILE IN PARK, THE RPMS JUMP RANDOMLY BETWEEN 500 AND 3500. WHEN PLACED INTO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WOULD GAIN SPEED TO 45-65 MPH ON FLAT GROUND WITH FOOT OFF OF BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR. REPLACED THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR -- DIDN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE. VERY DISAPPOINTING, GIVEN THAT THE CAR WAS ALWAYS WELL MAINTAINED AND THAT I RECENTLY CHANGED TRANSMISSION OIL, SPARK PLUGS, BATTERY, FUEL PUMP, ENGINE OIL, A BUNCH OF OTHER PARTS AND STILL HAVE 3/4 TANK OF GAS... *TR
THE ANTI-THEFT WON'T LET ME START MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES IN THE MORNING AN OTHER TIMES. IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET STARTED AN I NEED TO GET A RECALL ON IT HOPEFULLY. I'M ONLY ONE OF MANY WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS RESOLVED. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. THE THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS COMING ON AND PREVENTS MY CAR FROM STARTING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING OFF AND ON OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS. THIS TIME I HAPPENED TO BE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT SHUT DOWN. MY DOOR LOCKS WON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY BECAUSE OF THIS. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE THIS IN TO GET REPAIRED JUST FOR THIS TO GO OUT AGAIN. I HAD IT DONE WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR NOW IT NEEDS FIXED AGAIN. GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THE PASSLOCK SENSOR. THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND YOU WOULD THINK BY NOW THAT GM WOULD DO A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS, WHEN ENGAGED, ARE INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 1/23/13 *CN UPDATED 02/11/2013*JS
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu → · Every Malibu year → · How the figures are calculated →