Page 5 of 15 · complaints 201–250 of 721

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 →

Electrical System
Filed Oct 6, 201065,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 1, 2010PA

WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR-2001 CHEVY MALIBU THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR AMONTH AND CHEVY WILL NOT FIX. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET TO FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND CHEVY WILL NOT FIX OR RECALL. PLEASE HELP. I AM A SR CITIZEN WITH A SEVERELY DISABLED HUSBAND. THIS HAPPENS DAILY. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE GARAGE SAID A BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO IT WAS AND IT STILL DOES IT. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 30, 201070,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED. AFTER WAITING FOR ONE HOUR, THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM WAS RESET AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO RESUME PROPER OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 23, 2010RI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG COVER OPENED AND REMAINED FOLDED WITHIN THE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND WAS ALSO TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE SEAT BELTS WERE WORN AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Sep 7, 2010150,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS SINCE RECURRED 4 TIMES. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WOULD BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 150,000 WAS AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 2, 201089,677 milesIA

CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN STEERING HARD TO THE RIGHT AND MADE CLUNKING NOISES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT SIDE MOUNTING BOLT OF THE STEERING RACK RIPPED THROUGH THE RUSTED OUT FRAME CRADLE, LEAVING THE RACK ATTACHED BY ONLY ONE BOLT. THIS ALLOWS THE RACK TO PIVOT UPWARDS INSTEAD OF PROPERLY STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT HAND MOUNT IS ALSO VERY RUSTED AND IS NEARING FAILURE. CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME, SINCE THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 1, 2010168,000 milesFL

SEVERAL TIMES MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON,AND WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF THEN TRY TO CRANK IT BACK UP IT WANT CRANK HAD TO GET IT RESET TWICE. I'M STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 16, 201062,000 milesIL

RECALL ON EMERGENCY FLASHER DONE UNDER RECALL. CONTACTED CHEVROLET C.S. AND THEY CONFIRMED RECALL DONE,PART REPLACED. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR THE FLASHER WILL START CLICKING WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED. NEITHER THE EMERGENCY FLASHER OR TURN SIGNAL FLASH ON AND OFF,BUT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR MAKES THE CLICKING NOISE. THIS INTERMITTENT SOUND HAS NO PATTERN,AND LASTS FOR VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME,AGAIN WITH NO INPUT FROM THE TURN SIGNAL STALK OR EMERGENCY BUTTON BEING PUSHED. IT CAN BE SILENCED BY PUSHING IN ON THE EMERGENCY BUTTON PARTIALLY UNTIL THE CLICKING NOISE STOPS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 11, 2010100,000 miles00

2001 CHEVY MALIBU THEFT PREVENTION PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. EVERY 5-7 STARTS IT ACTIVATES AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR IT TO RESET BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START AGAIN. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 28, 2010140,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND THE AUTO THEFT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOR TEN MINUTES. AFTER TEN MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 22, 2010132,000 milesWA

I HAVE A 2001 MALIBU I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. IT WENT TO THE POINT WHERE IT JUST WONT START. WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. SO I HAVE TO SET 10 MINUTES WITH THE IGNITION LIGHTS ON AND THEN IT WILL START. BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING, I WAS TOLD THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS BY TAKING IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE EXPENSIVE WORK DONE ON IT, WHY WOULD CHEVROLET PUT A SYSTEM IN THAT IS THAT FAULTY. I SEEN ON LINE ITS ABOUT THE THEFT PASS OVER SYSTEM. THERE'S ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT, IS THIS WHAT I GET TRUSTING CHEVROLET. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 11, 2010131,000 milesMO

2001 CHEVY MALIBU - PASSLOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES AT RANDOM TIMES CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT START. LEAVING IGNITION KEY IN "ON" POSITION FOR TEN MINUTES WILL ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START, BUT INCIDENT OCCURS REPEATEDLY. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE, SAYS THIS IS RATHER COMMON. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jun 23, 201028,500 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. HER THREE YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL AWAY INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,500.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 21, 2010103,957 milesCA

INTERMITTENT ISSUE AT START WITH VEHICLE RPMS ELEVATING TO 3500, IF PUT INTO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SPEEDS TO 45 MPH. HAPPENS AT DIFFERENT TIMES (COLD, WARM, HOT). HAVE HAD IAC AND TPS SENSORS REPLACED (2 TIMES) AND MOST RECENTLY THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. EACH FIX WORKS FOR A FEW WEEKS, THEN ISSUE BEGINS AGAIN. MOST RECENTLY FREMONT CHEVROLET HAD VEHICLE FOR 10 DAYS AND COULD NOT GET IT TO REPEAT; THEREFORE, COULD NOT HAVE COMPUTER READ OR PROVIDE PROBLEM AND REPAIR. NO SERVICE COMPLETED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 20, 201089,000 milesMN

2001 MALIBU SECURITY SYSTEM - FAILED TO ALLOW OWNER TO START THE CAR. REQUIRED 10 MINUTE WAIT TO RE-SET. ALSO FAILED. OWNER UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK LATE AT NITE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES IN PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. DEALERS ONLY ABLE TO TEMPORARILY FIX PROBLEM AT HUGE COST. THERE ARE MANY, MANY PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THIS "SECURITY" SYSTEM. WHY ISN'T GM ORDERED TO RECALL AND REPAIR? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 10, 201029,000 milesTX

MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU HAS AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FEATURE ON IT. HOWEVER IT DOESN'T READ MY KEY RIGHT AND MOST OF THE TIME WON'T START. AND WHEN IT DOES START IT WILL OUT OF NOWHERE SHUT OFF WHILE IM DRIVING. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON ANY ROAD REALLY, IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN A FATALITY. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND APPARENTLY EVERY OTHER MALIBU OWNER HAS THE EXACT SAME PASS-LOCK THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEM. IT ONLY TAKES A MATTER OF TIME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE FIXED THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I CANT AFFORD THIS THANK YOU. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 19, 2010CA

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND I HAVE BEEN CHECKING ONLINE FOR A REMEDY FOR THE THEFT SYSTEM THE THEFT SYSTEM COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO CAUSING ME TO BE STUCKON THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP FOR 10 MIN UNTIL IT STOPPED FLASHING AND BECAME SOLID, THE THEFT SYSTEM HAS PUT MY FAMILIES WELL BEING IN DANGER BELIEVE ME I LOVE THE CAR BUT IT'S THEFT SYSTEM HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD I HAVE HAD EMERGENCY'S AND HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE THEFT SYSTEM STOPPED FLASHING IF YOU COULD HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IT WOULD BE GREAT I DON'T WANT CHEVY TO LOSE A LIFETIME CUSTOMER I HAVE A 2YR OLD DAUGHTER TO WORRY ABOUT AND MY CAR STOPPING AND LOCKING UP IS A DANGER THANK YOU *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed May 19, 201073,300 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNED OFF SUDDENLY. THE LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON AFTER A MINUTE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,217.

Electrical System
Filed May 3, 2010161,000 milesOK

GM VATS 2001 CHEVY MALIBU THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR IS UNABLE TO START REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE PASSLOCK SENSOR WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WELL IT DID FOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS NOW I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY NOR THE TIME TO KEEP REPEATING THIS FIX. AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WHY HASN'T GM HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS! *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 31, 2010PA

REOCCURING ABS WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME WITH THE ABS LIGHT DISPLAYING. WE HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES AND PADS, ROTOR AND HUB KIT TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE AND ALSO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. DEALER UNABLE TO DEFINE IF THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE OR TARGET THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM OR WHAT THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM COULD BE. GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE EVEN TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE FOR POSSIBLE RECALL. THEY HAVE PLACED THE BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THE OWNER.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 30, 2010158,214 milesWI

WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL MY CAR KEEPS ACCELERATING. FROM A STOP IT WILL ACCELERATE TO 45 MPH WITHOUT ME TOUCHING GAS PEDAL. ON THE FREEWAY IT KEEPS ACCELERATING UNTIL I BRAKE.THIS CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT AND CAN BE CANCELED BY ME TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE. I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU

Electrical System
Filed Mar 26, 2010110,000 milesMI

2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU: ANTI THEFT/PASS LOCK PROBLEMS. SPORATIC ISSUE CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO NOT START. MULTIPLE TOWS AND SERVICE CHARGE WITH NO CONSISTENT FIX.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 12, 2010IA

MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2001 MALIBU AROUND IN THE MORNING, AFTER PARKING IT IN THE DRIVEWAY UNTIL THE AFTERNOON IT WOULD NOT START. IT SAT FOR 3 DAY UNTIL I COULD RESEARCH HOW TO FIX IT. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE SYSTEM WILL NOT RECOGNIZE YOUR KEY AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE FOR THESE VEHICLES, NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. TO BYPASS IT YOU HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINS AND HOPE THE RESET TAKES PLACE AND A REPLACEMENT COULD COST YOU UPWARDS OF A THOUSAND DOLLARS. A TEN MINUTE WAIT TO START A CAR I OWN IS RIDICULOUS.*TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 9, 201065,676 milesSC

APPROXIMATELY THE FIRST OF JULY 2007 OUR VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY. MY HUSBAND HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE SPEED. EVEN WITH HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, IT WOULD ACCELERATE UP TO 65 MPH AND HE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY STRONGLY TO SLOW IT DOWN. WHEN HE WOULD TAKE HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKES, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN 100% OF THE TIME, BUT WAS MORE APT TO HAPPEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD WARMED UP. IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO HIS CAREFUL DRIVING. WE TOOK IT IN TO THE REPAIR GARAGE ON 7-24-07 AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACING WHICH THEY DID AND WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH IT SINCE THEN. WE THOUGHT WE SHOULD REGISTER THIS COMPLAINT IN CASE OTHER LIKE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 9, 2010100,000 milesOK

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE ABOUT THREE TIMES A MONTH. I HAVE TO WAIT 15-20 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LATE TO WORK MANY TIMES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Feb 5, 201015,000 milesIN

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU WITH THE 3.1L V6 ENGINE THAT HAS 4 DEFECTIVE PISTONS IN IT (GM DOCUMENT ID# 773655) ALSO INSTALLED IN 2001 BUICK, CHEVY, PONTIAC AND SOME OLDS MODELS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW WITH 4 MILES ON IT, IT HAD A SLIGHT "TICK" WHEN STARTED COLD AT THAT TIME, WHICH THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS "INJECTOR NOISE", NOT TO BE CONCERNED. THE NOISE GOT JUST A LITTLE WORSE UNTIL IT GOT UP TO 37,000 MILES (JUST OUT OF WARRANTY), THEN IT BECAME VERY NOISY AND DIDN'T GO AWAY WHEN WARMED UP. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS NOISE EVERY TIME I HAD THE DEALER CHANGE THE OIL. THEN I FOUND A COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THESE ENGINES AND THE FIX. THAT IS WHEN HE FINALLY PRODUCED THE BULLETIN EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM, AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS TOO LATE, WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET (REQUEST#71-79653429) AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE SAME THING-WARRANTY IS GONE, SORRY YOU DIDN'T KNOW TO GET IT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. WE ARE 72 YEARS OLD AND BOUGHT THIS CAR TO LAST US THE REST OF OUR LIVES, AND IT JUST MAY NOT MAKE IT. WE DO NOT DRIVE A LOT, 46,500 MILES IN OVER NINE YEARS, BUT THIS THING IS GETTING NOISIER BY THE MONTH. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO HELP US OLD FOLKS? *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Dec 22, 2009166,100 milesMA

REAR PARKING BRAKE EQUALIZER RUSTED OUT, LEADING TO LOSS OF EMERGENCY BRAKING AND PARKING BRAKES. UNABLE TO FIND REPLACEMENT PART WITHOUT REPLACING FRONT CABLE. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Dec 16, 200936,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE TURN SIGNALS ON THE VEHICLE ARE INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH). HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $200.00 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 14, 200975,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND JUMP STARTED THE ENGINE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE IGNITION BYPASS SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 25, 200974,866 milesMI

2001 CHEVY MALIBU, IGNITION THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS BLINKING AND THE CAR WON'T START. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 10, 200990,200 milesCA

NOT THAT I THINK DOING THIS IS GOING TO MAKE ANY REAL DIFFERENCE BUT I WILL TRY. I OWN A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND BESIDES BEING ONE OF THE WORST CARS MADE I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY PASSLOCK SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND I SEE THAT THERE IS STILL NOTHING DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IS IT BECAUSE YOUR DO NOT CARE? IS GM LINING YOUR POCKETS AND YOU ARE SWEEPING THIS UNDER THE RUG? WHAT EVER IT IS THE FACT THAT YOU TURN A DEAF EAR AND DO NOT MAKE GM FIX THIS PROBLEM IS WRONG!!!!! IF I HAD THE MONEY I WOULD SUE ALL OF YOU AND MAKE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM ON ALL OF THE CARS! COME ON THIS IS AMERICA AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BUILD GOOD CARS. GM WILL NEVER OUTSELL THE IMPORTS IN CARS AS LONG AS WE BUILD JUNK!! *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 6, 200994,500 milesSC

THE TURNING SIGNAL ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND WHEN IT DOESN'T IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. THIS PAST HALLOWEEN I WAS RIDING UP THE MAIN ST. AND COULD NOT SIGNAL TO CARS BEHIND ME (IT WAS DARK) THAT I WAS TURNING. THIS IS VERY SCARY SINCE IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN YOU PUSH THE ARM DOWN. NOTHING. THERE'S NO LIGHTS ON THE CAR OR FLASHER ON MY DASH. I HAD TO PASS MY TURN & KEEP GOING OUT OF MY DIRECTION SO I COULD SEND A SIGNAL THROUGH BRAKING AND USED MY HAZARD LIGHT TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS TURNING. I LIVE IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHERE I CAN'T JUST HOP ON A BUS OR TRAIN IF MY CAR MALFUNCTIONS. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO GIRLS AND OUR CAR RIDE ENDED UP SCARIER THAN THE HALLOWEEN MASKS. I'M WRITING BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. ON THE ROADS DOWN HERE IF YOU PUT ON YOUR HAZARDS AND SLOW DOWN, PEOPLE GENERALLY GO AROUND YOU. THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHERE I'M TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN & THEY TRY TO GO AROUND. GM HAD A RECALL IN 2003 FOR THIS ISSUE & WHEN I CALLED 11/2 THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BEFORE I PURCHASED IT IN 2005 FROM CARING AND THAT I'D HAVE TO FIGS THIS GM ISSUE OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. THE VERY REASON FOR THE RECALL IS THE REASON FOR THE ISSUE. THE SOLDERING CRACKS AND AFFECTS THE CIRCUITS. GM KNOWS THIS ISSUE WILL REOCCUR UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS & NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT BEFORE I HAVE TO TRUST A MECHANIC TO HALF FIX THIS GM ISSUE & CHARGE ME AN OBSCENE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE PROCESS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 6, 2009IA

SHAWN JANSEN'S MALIUBU WAS DRIVING FAST, AND I COULD CLEARLY SEE HIM WINGING IT. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 4, 200990,000 milesDE

OWN 2001 MALIBU. BEGAN SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 2 YRS AGO. HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED 2 MOS AGO. ALSO, HORN BEEPS, LOCKS GO OFF AND ON AND HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON CLICKS AS IF THE CAR IS POSSESSED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 2, 2009155,000 milesVA

2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU SHUTS OFF WHILE IN MOTION (MUCH FUN IN WASHINGTON D.C. COMMUTER TRAFFIC) OR PARKED. IT SHUTS OFF LIKE THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE DOORS UNLOCK AND THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. WITHIN SECONDS THE LIGHTS ARE BACK AND A WITH THE CAR COASTING IN NEUTRAL I CAN RESTART. OCCURS WHETHER THE ENGINE IS COLD OR HOT. I SEE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I HOPE MY WIFE OR CHILDREN BEING INJURED AREN'T THE CATALYST FOR A SAFETY RECALL OF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 27, 2009IL

PURCHASED A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND AFTER A WEEK WORTH OF STARTING THE CAR, THE CAR WOULD "CRANK" BUT NOT TURN OVER. I HAD TO WAIT 10-15 MINUTES WITH MY KEY IN THE ACC POSITION THEN RESTART MY CAR. I HAVE NIGHT CLASSES AND IF THIS HAPPENS AT NIGHT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. MY FRIEND ALSO HAS A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM I AM HAVING MY ANTI-THEFT PASSLOCK SYSTEM WIRE (YELLOW) DISABLED. HOW IS THE ANTI THEFT LOCK GOING TO LOCK OUT THE OWNER WITH THE ORIGINAL KEY?!?! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 26, 2009105,000 milesCO

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU THAT IS GIVING ME SAFETY PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE BCM, AND THE PASSCODE THEFT FEATURE. I HAVE HAD 2 DEALER EXPERIENCED MECHANICS TRY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH OUT SUCCESS. THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN PROHIBITS THE CAR FROM STARTING UNTIL YOU RESET THE CAR BY LEAVING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION UNTIL IT RESETS. NOT SAFE IF SITTING IN A DARK PARKING LOT (THE SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO LOCK) AND VERY AFRAID THAT IF THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC THIS WOULD TRIGGER AND NOT GOOD TO LEAVE YOUR CAR IN TRAFFIC 1 MIN WHILE IT RESETS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 10, 2009OH

2001 CHEVY MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM, THIS PROBLEM IS ROBBING PEOPLE AND IT'S JUST NOT FAIR. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Oct 2, 2009140,000 milesNY

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM/PASSLOCK PROBLEM, THAT TURNS THE CAR OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH (OR ANY SPEED FOR THAT MATTER). IN FACT, IT SIMPLY TURNS OFF WHENEVER IT LIKES. THIS MORNING TURNING ONTO A HIGHWAY, IT STALLED AS I TURNED AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A TRUCK HAD THE TRUCK NOT MOVED OUT OF THE WAY. I COULD NOT MOVE BECAUSE MY POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK DUE TO THE CAR SHUTTING OFF. THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO SAID HE'S REPLACED HUNDREDS ON ALL KINDS OF GM CARS, AND THAT HE WAS SURPRISED IT WAS NOT RECALLED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF POSTS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE IDENTICAL ISSUE! THIS IS INCREDIBLY FRIGHTENING AND HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON MORE OCCASIONS THAN I CAN COUNT! IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. *TR

Tires
Filed Sep 28, 20095,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH TBC SIGMA TOURING TIRES, DOT # 3PSJE371406. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE FELT A VIBRATION FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE HAD BLOWN-OUT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER.. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 19, 200943,000 milesCA

BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU IN APRIL WITH 41,000 MILES. RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, BUT THEN WOULDN'T ALWAYS START (HAD TO KEEP TRYING AND TRY EVERY KEY I OWNED). ABOUT 6-10 WEEKS AGO IT STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. I HAVE TO EITHER COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR JAM IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY TO RESTART IT. HAZARD!!!!!!! HAD IT TO MY MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG WHEN HE HAS IT. JUST GOT IT BACK THIS PAST MONDAY AND IT RAN OK FOR 4 DAYS AND THEN TODAY IT STOPPED 3 TIMES IN 1/2 MILE DRIVE. HELP - I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I FEAR SOMEDAY I WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT JUST STOPS RUNNING. HAVE HAD OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN IT JUST STOPS RUNNING AND SCARED THEM WHEN IT HAPPENED. I NEED MY CAR TO GET TO WORK TO MAKE A LIVING. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. WHO CAN I CALL FOR ASSISTANCE WITHOUT IT COSTING A FORTUNE TO FIX. I CAN'T AFFORD HUGE REPAIR BILLS AT THIS TIME AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GO BUY ANOTHER CAR. I PUT TODAY'S DATE AS THE INCIDENT DATE, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 12-15 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS. SHOULDN'T CHEVROLET FIX THIS FOR FREE?????? IT'S A DEFECT IN THE CAR!! THANK YOU *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 4, 2009IL

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. I HAVE SPENT NUMEROUS HOURS, AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND GET IT FIXED. I KNOW NOW THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND WONDER WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THE SAID PART. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 29, 2009124,000 milesPA

MY CAR IS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. 1. THE CAR FAILED TO START. IT GOT MORE AND MORE FREQUENT, FROM ONCE A DAY TO EVERY START. 2. THE GARAGE DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID THE THEFT PROTECTION SYSTEM FAILED TO RECOGNIZE MY KEY. 3. I GET NEW KEYS FROM THE DEALER. 4. THE PROBLEM GETS BETTER AND IT IS STILL THERE. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Jul 15, 200965,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. HE CANNOT USE THE TURN SIGNALS WHILE PREPARING TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 15, 200966,000 milesIN

THEFT SYSTEM ON CAR OCCASIONALLY KICKS IN, PREVENTING STARTING FOR 10 MINUTES OR MORE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I PUT IN KEY QUICKLY TO START CAR. USUALLY I CAN REMEMBER TO INSERT THE KEY, LET IT REGISTER, AND THEN TURN THE IGNITION. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAPPENED I DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM AND HAD IT TOWED. THE DEALER FIXED IT ONCE, SAID IT WAS WARRANTY WORK, THE NEXT TIME A MECHANIC PUT IN A NEW IGNITION SYSTEM WHICH HELPED FOR A WHILE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 11, 200974,000 milesNJ

PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM. FIRST PROBLEM WITH IT TWO YEARS AGO. NOW, THE PASSLOCK IS NOT ALLOWING MY CAR TO START AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY "ON" FOR TEN MINUTES THEN "OFF" BEFORE RESTARTING IT. MY BIGGEST CONCERNS ARE "WHAT IF I WAS RUSHING OUT THE DOOR TO TAKE ONE OF MY CHILDREN TO THE HOSPITAL AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO START MY CAR". THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I KNOW THIS SYSTEM IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY GM OWNERS (JUST LOOKING IT UP ON THE WEB SHOWS ME ALL THE PROBLEMS). I THINK TOO COMMON OF A FAILURE THAT A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. DISABLING THIS FEATURE COULD ALSO BE AN AFFORDABLE WAY FOR CONSUMERS TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY US WHO WERE FORCED TO HAVE THE "THEFT DETERRENT" IN OUR CAR. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 30, 200994,930 milesNC

TWO MONTHS AGO WE BOUGHT A USED 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TWO DAYS AFTER WAS SITTING, STRANDED BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTIONING PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE FIRST TIME IT MALFUNCTIONED I TURNED THE KEY AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT BLINKED SO I WAITED 10 MINUTES AND IT CRANKED AFTER IT RESET. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AT A COST OF $470. THE VERY NEXT DAY I GET STRANDED AT THE GAS PUMP ONLY THIS TIME THE SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON SOLID FOR 5 SECONDS THEN GOES AWAY. NO OTHER LIGHTS ON MY PANEL OTHER THAN THE MILEAGE SHOWS UP. I SAT FOR TWO HOURS WAITING AND TRYING TO CRANK IT BEFORE GETTING A RIDE HOME. WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND IT CRANKED RIGHT UP. YESTERDAY I WAS STRANDED AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME THE THING WENT DEAD. IT CRANKED RIGHT UP AND THEN AFTER A SECOND OR TWO WENT DEAD AGAIN. WENT TO RE-CRANK AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT ONLY COMES ON FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND NO OTHER LIGHTS. I SAT FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS TRYING TO CRANK THAT THING AND FINALLY HAD TO CALL THE POLICE TO GIVE ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN A RIDE HOME. WE WENT BACK THIS MORNING AND THE EVIL THING CRANKED RIGHT UP. WE DROVE IT HOME AND IT'S SITTING IN OUR DRIVE LOOKING INNOCENT AS EVER. IT WILL CRANK 20 OR SO TIMES BEFORE THE PASSLOCK KICKS IN AGAIN. THIS CAR RUNS GREAT AND I HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS OTHER THAN THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM OF THE '!@#$%!!!!

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 26, 2009MN

MY THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ABOUT A WEEK APART EACH. I ENDED UP REPLACING THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND RELEARN. THE REPAIRMAN INDICATED HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE ON A NUMBER OF MALIBUS. SOMETIMES USING A DIFFERENT KEY FIXES THE PROBLEM. NOT IN MY CASE. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ARE LOGGED ON INTERNET CHAT ROOMS. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 21, 2009OK

THE HAZARD/SIGNAL LIGHTS ON MY 2001 MALIBU STOPPED WORKING, AND WAS "FIXED" ON A RECALL NOTICE IN 2004. THE SAME ISSUE IS NOW OCCURRING AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN IN A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS WITH MY TODDLER IN THE CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 15, 2009120 milesNC

FIVE YEARS AGO I REPLACE HEAD GASKETS ON A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. RECENTLY, MY VEHICLE WILL NOT HOLD ANTIFREEZE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAISES. I HAVE WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE HEAD GASKETS BLOWN AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE MALIBU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS. IS THERE A RECALL OR COMPENSATION TO THE OWNERS FOR THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

Reading these

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 →