Page 6 of 15 · complaints 251–300 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 Apr 15, 2009AR

I PURCHASED A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU USED. THERE ARE TIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START. I COME BACK IN 10-15 MINUTES AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP. THIS OCCURS ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY, I ALSO MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineCrash
Filed Apr 9, 200960,000 milesWA

I BOUGHT MY 2001 MALIBU IN 2003. I HAD NO REAL PROBLEMS TILL THIS YEAR 2009. MY MILEAGE NOW IN 74,000 AND THE PROBLEMS STARTED AT ABOUT 60,000. AFTER A ACCIDENT EVERYTHING STARTED TO GO. MY GAS GAUGE WENT DOWN AND MY TEMP GAUGE ALSO. MY AUTO LOCK FOR MY DOORS WAS NOT WORKING. MY AIR VENTS ONLY WORK WHEN THEY KNOB IS ON 3.MAIN FUSE BOX HAS MAJOR ISSUES AND THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND COST $2300.00 AND NEEDS A $500.00 SERVICE FOR THE MAIN FUSE BOX. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED ALSO 2005. COST ABOUT $600.00 THEN. I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE POINTED THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE; ESPECIALLY AFTER TAKING MORE MONEY FROM THE TAX PAYERS FOR THEIR MISMANAGEMENT. I LOVE MY MALIBU BUT GM BETTER GET ON THE STICK AND HELP THE ONES WHO HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE 2001 MALIBU. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 8, 200980,000 milesCA

THERE HAS BEEN A FAILURE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. FUEL REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. A FUEL PUMP WAS PURCHASED 300$ TO REPLACE OLD ONE. THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT HAS BEEN BOGGING ON AND OFF ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I CAN SELL THIS VEHICLE OR GET WHAT I PAID FOR IT ATLEAST? I SHALL TAKE FURTHER LEGAL ACTION UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 11, 2009AR

TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THE RECALL PARTS HAVE BEEN FIXED ON MY 2001 MALIBU AND ITS HARD TO GET ANY ONE TO RESPOND. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 8, 200958,000 milesOR

WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL DONE? HTTP://WWW.GIRARDGIBBS.COM/DEXCOOL.HTML THE CHEVY DEXCOOL ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOREVER AND ACCORDING TO THIS THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN. I'VE GOT A LEAKY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND NO WAY TO COVER THE COST. NOT ONLY THAT BUT BECAUSE I WAS NEVER TOLD OF THE RESULTS OF THIS LAWSUIT I'VE MISSED THE TIME TO REPAIR AND FILE. WHAT'S THE DEAL AND HOW COME THERE ISN'T A RECALL? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 5, 2009ME

WE HAD PURCHASED A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU LS IN 2004, IT HAD 28,922 MILEAGE. ON JULY 1ST 2004, HAD 28,959 MILES, THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON SO WE BROUGHT IT TO FOREST CITY TO GET IT CHECKED OUT, THEY FOUND THE RESERVOIR LOW AND TOPPED IT OFF, THEY SAID NO VISIBLE COOLANT LEAKS! ON JULY 12TH 2007 WE HAD BROUGHT IT BACK TO QUIRK ( WHICH WAS FOREST CITY) THEY SAID THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD CASKETS WERE LEAKING COOLANT, THEY WANTED $879.00 TO FIX IT (MILEAGE 46,495). WE GOT IT FIXED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR $370.00 ON JULY27,2007. NOW WE HAD A 20 POINT INSPECTION DONE ONJANUARY 29TH 2007 AND QUIRK SAID THAT WE NEED INTAKE MANIFOLD CASKETS AGAIN!, WITH ONLY 9,953, AFTER THE FIRST TIME THEY WENT, ( MILAGE 56,248). I HAVE TALKED TO QUIRK AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD TAKE 10% OFF THE $695.00 PRICE TO FIX IT, SO I TALKED TO GM AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T THERE PROBLEM BUT WOULD TAKE 25% OFF. IF IT WASN'T THERE PROBLEM THEN WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT? WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY I WASN'T CONTACTED ABOUT THE DEX COOL PROBLEM, THEY HAD NO ANSWER. I HAVE CHECKED A LOT OF WEB SITES AND THIS IS HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO PEOPLE. WHY CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT GM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP ALL OF US, THAT ARE HAVING THIS AND OTHER PROBLEMS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 3, 2009UT

2001 CHEVY MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM, MY CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 2, 2009149,130 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET, LOCATED NEAR THE WATER PUMP, WAS LEAKING WATER AND ANTIFREEZE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT AND WATER WOULD LEAK OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $695. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,130.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 1, 200999,000 milesIL

2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU PASS KEY SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE MUCH OF THE TIME. MY WIFE HAS TO LEAVE THE KEY ON FOR TEN MINUTES PLUS BEFORE THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE CAR WILL START. DEALER WANTS TO KEEP REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO FIX THE SYSTEM BUT IT NEVER DOES GO AWAY. *TR

Equipment
Filed Jan 28, 200920,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BECAME STUCK UNDERNEATH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT CONTINUOUSLY SHIFTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jan 25, 2009100,200 milesMN

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS CAR FROM STARTING. CAR HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 100,00 MILES ON IT AND SUDDENLY RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTED THE CAR FROM STARTING. INITIALLY TURNING THE KEY TO ON AND LETTING THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RESET FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT IT KEPT GETTING WORSE UNTIL NOW WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT REMAINS ON AND NOTHING WILL MAKE IT GO OFF. IN RESEARCHING THIS I'VE DISCOVERED IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS OWNERS AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. CHEVROLET IS NOT SUPPORTING THIS ISSUE THROUGH A RECALL AND THEY SHOULD. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 16, 2009MD

I OWN A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I HAVE HAD THE PASSLOCK SENSOR REPLACED 5 OR 6 TIME OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I RETURNED MY CAR TODAY TO A DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND NOW THEY WANT $700+ TO REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE THERE 3 TIMES AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT ANYONE HAS MENTIONED THAT THE BCM IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I WANT GM TO COVER THE COST WHICH THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO. EVEN AFTER THE PASSLOCK SENSOR IS REPLACED, THE ISSUE STARTS UP AGAIN WITHIN 3 TO 4 MONTHS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Dec 3, 2008OH

GASKET IS CAUSING ANTIFREEZE LEAK INTO ENGINE AND THE CAR IS OVERHEATING. HAVE USE ABOUT A FEW BOTTLES OF ANTIFREEZE BACK TO BACK. ITS GOING TO COST SO MUCH TO REPAIR. IM WAITING FOR A RECALL FROM GM. THE SOONER THE BETTER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 29, 2008108,000 milesWI

HAVE A 01 CHEVY MALIBU WHOSE LOWER INTAKE HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. HAVE 53 OTHER PEOPLE WHO ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH LOWER INTAKE AND MANY MORE TO COME. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 16, 200816,000 milesWA

DANGEROUS BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGE EVERY 16,000 MILES LIKE CLOCK WORK. CAUSES WEAK BRAKES AND EXTREME WARE TO FRONT END MOVING PARTS. NEW TOP OF THE LINE ROTORS AND PADS WILL NOT CURE PROBLEM. IT IS AN ENGINEERING SCREW UP. THIS IS AN ONGOING ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND WHY GM IS GOING BROKE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 12, 2008110,000 milesAZ

ELECTRICAL: IT ALL STARTED 2/2007... THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2001 CHEVY MALIBU FOR TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD LIGHT DEFECT. I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND I HAD EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY INDICATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RECALL AND THEREFORE WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF HAVING MY TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LIGHTS REPAIRED. THERE IS A TICKING NOISE THAT IS OFF AND ON, SOMETIMES LASTING 3 MINUTES. THEN IN 5/2008... THE FOLLOWING HAPPENS AT THE SAME TIME: THE CAR DOES START THE FUEL GAUGE SAYS I AM EMPTY, RADIO WILL NOT WORK, A/C AND HEATER WILL NOT WORK. MY DAYTIME LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON, ALONG WITH MY WINDOWS, AND CRUISE CONTROL. THIS IS SPORADIC, BUT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY; SOMETIMES MORE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 8, 200853,490 milesIL

MY CAR OVER HEATED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME I REALIZED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE WAS VERY LOW AND I FILLED IT UP AND WENT TO MY MEETING. AFTER MY MEETING WAS OVER AND BEGAN TO DRIVE THE CAR, IT OVER HEATED AGAIN. I HAD TO REFILL THE ANTIFREEZE 3 TIMES BEFORE I GOT IT TO AN AUTO SHOP (AS I WAS DRIVING). ONCE I GOT TO THE AUTO SHOPE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ANTIFREEZE WAS RUNNING IN TO THE OIL PAN. CURRENTLY, I DON'T HAVE A CAR BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD AND THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL CARS LIKE MINE (SAME YEAR) WITH THE SAME MOTOR PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 21, 200883,000 milesWV

THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING THIS IS THE 4 TH ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. NO WARNING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN CAR JUST WON'T START. THIS CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 3 TIMES TWICE AT NIGHT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Oct 1, 200880,000 milesTX

THE CAR WILL START FINE, BUT ONCE YOU TURN IT OFF AND GO TO START AGAIN IT WILL JUST CRANK. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE SECOND TIME I REPACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. THE THIRD TIME I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO CHANGE AND A FRIEND SAID TO TRY PUTTING THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINS. I DID AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. IT TURNS OUT THE ANT-THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS LOCKING ME OUT ABOUT EVERY MONTH. IT IS A MAJOR PAIN TO HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE AND NOT KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL START OR NOT, AND THEN SIT THERE FOR TEN MINS TO RESET IT. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 18, 200878,649 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CANNOT ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNALS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,649.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 11, 200892,789 milesCO

CAR WILL NOT START - THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE TRIED THE PASSLOCK "FIX" OF TURNING KEY TO ON FOR 10 MINUTES, SHUTTING OFF AND TRYING TO RESTART BUT NO LUCK ON THE CAR STARTING. THE ISSUE HAS GONE ON FOR OVER 3 WEEKS, EACH DAY GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A SHOP AND DIAGNOSTICS CAME UP NEGATIVE AND CAR STARTED. 3 WEEKS LATER, CAR WON'T START AGAIN. HAVE A MECHANIC COME LOOK AT IT, HE SEES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT EXCEPT THAT THE FUEL IGNITION ISN'T WORKING - PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM!! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 5, 200870,500 milesMI

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A 3.1 LITER ENGINE AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET ONCE BECAUSE IT LEAKED OIL INTO THE ANTIFREEZE AND ANTIFREEZE INTO THE OIL. IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT I DID NOT KNOW EXISTED WITH THIS MOTOR? I FOUND OUT A SHORT TIME LATER THAT THE DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE AND HAD TO PUT A MOTOR WITH 30,000 MILES INTO MY CAR. THAT WAS 1YEAR AGO LAST AUGUST AND AS OF TODAY SEPTEMBER 5TH I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE INTAKE GASKET AGAIN. HOW CAN I GET THIS REPLACED AT GENERAL MOTORS COST, RATHER THAN MINE AGAIN? I KNOW OF MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I DO. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 4, 200873,000 milesVA

THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT LET CAR BE RESTARTED UNTIL I LEAVE KEY IN STARTED SWITCH FOR 10 MINUTES. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Aug 6, 200880,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THE REPAIRS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $362. OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE FAILURE HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 27, 200887,000 milesMI

THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ON A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, THE CAR SIMPLY REFUSES TO START BECAUSE DUE TO A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM, MY OWN CAR THINKS I AM TRYING TO STEAL IT. AS THE CAR AGES, THE INCIDENTS GROW MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THRE TIMES FROM THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM(AFTER 3 $75 TOWING FEES) THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. I WORK EXTREMELY HARD FOR MY MONEY AND FEEL INCREDIBLY DECEIVED BY GM FOR NOT RECALLING THIS ISSUE AS I CAN READ ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT CONSUMER BLOGS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jun 18, 2008103,561 milesVA

ANTI THEFT PASS KEY CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO THEFT PROTECTION KICKING IN HAVE TO RESET EVERYTIME I WANT TO START THE CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jun 17, 2008102,599 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING UP A VERY STEEP INCLINE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. ONCE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE DRIVER PLACED COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE AND CALLED HER LOCAL MECHANIC. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPAIRED. ON JUNE 9, 2008, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION. SHED ADDED COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE, DROVE HOME, AND CALLED HER LOCAL MECHANIC. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,599 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jun 6, 2008FL

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT KEEP COMING ON CAUSING ME TO WAIT FOR 10 - 15 MINUTES FOR IT TO RESET. CAUSING ME TO GO BACK TO DEALER TO GET MY KEY REPROGRAM. A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB. I'VE NOT HAD IT DONE YET. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS COMMON AMONG MALIBU OWNERS. WHAT CAN WE DO TO HAVE GM RECALL OUR CAR TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM LAST OCCURRED ON JUNE 4, 2008. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed May 12, 2008KY

THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU FREQUENTLY ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING A TEN MINUTE WAITING PERIOD BEFORE THE CAR WILL START. THIS DEVICE DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD AND LEAVES ME STRANDED IN UNDESIRABLE AREAS TO IN WHICH TO BE STRANDED. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 30, 200880,744 milesNY

GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS FAILING IN THE VEHICLE. PROBLEMS INCURRED ARE: NO-START AND ENGINE SHUT-DOWN WHILE IN OPERATION. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IN VEHICLE IS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 20, 2008NJ

I PURCHASED MY 2001 IN 2003 AND HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS. BUT AT THE END OF MARCH MY MALIBU WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED AND GOT A FULL TUNE UP AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE IT STARTED SKIPPING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE GAVE THE CAR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT A WEEK. TWO DAYS LATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IT CUT OFF, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BUT THEN SUNDAY MORNING 4/20/08 IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WAS BLINKING AND INDICATED THAT THE SYSTEM HAD LOCKED ME OUT, AND THAT THE IGNITION NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE CHIP IN THE KEY. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I AM ANGER THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT TAKEN OWNERSHIP OF THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUED A RECALL. MY CAR HAS 41,000 MI AND I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THIS IS NOT RELEVANT TO WEAR AND TEAR THIS IS A DEFECTED PRODUCT AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WARRANTS THE ATTENTION OF THE MANUFACTURES AND OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE. THIS COULD POSSIBLY PROVE TO BE FATAL IF THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY LIKE MY CAR DID. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE LUCKY THIS TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND WAS CONTEMPLATING TRADING FOR THE NEWER 2008 MODEL, NOT ANYMORE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 14, 200889,062 milesCA

PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. CAR WOULD NOT START. HAVE HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND HAD THE IGNITION PASS LOCK CHANGED BOTH TIMES WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ONE DAY BEFORE THE 1 YEAR GUARANTEE ON THE PARTS AND LABOR OF THE PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT RAN OUT. HAD CAR TOWED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE PASS LOCK. THEY SAID IT WAS CORRODED AND THEY REPLACED IT BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT SINCE IT WAS NOT THE SAME PART AS THE PASS LOCK PART THEY REPLACED TWICE BEFORE. NATURALLY I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHETHER THE WIRING HARNESS CORROSION WAS THE REAL PROBLEM ON THE FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD TIME. THEY NEVER REIMBURSED ME FOR THE TOW ON THE SECOND REPLACEMENT THAT WAS UNDER THEIR WARRANTY EITHER. TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS AN ALMOST EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE FOR HIM ON GM VEHICLES THAT HE TOWED. RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT SEEMS TO BE IN ORDER. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Apr 3, 200863,600 milesCT

HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2005 UNDER RECALL # 03V327000. HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN IN MARCH 2008. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATE THE POLICY THAT SWITCH CANNOT BE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE UNDER THE RECALL, AND SECOND REPLACEMENT WAS AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE FOR A KNOWN AND RECALLED ISSUE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 25, 200894,800 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE VALVE. THE DEALER AND ANOTHER MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,800.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 14, 200835,000 milesME

BOUGHT 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU NEW ON MARCH 14,2001 ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AROUND 35,000 MILES. HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE. SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL. IT IS EITHER PISTON SLAP OR BAD LIFTERS. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX ISSUE AT THE TIME. CAR CONTINUES TO RUN. ALSO THIS VEHICLE HAS POOR BRAKES. REPLACE ROTORS AND SHOES AT 12,000 MILES AT DEALER. REPLACED ROTORS AGAIN AT DEALER AT 30,000 MILES. CURRENTLY HAS 111,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WOULD LIKE GM TO FIX ENGINE ISSUE AT LITTLE OR NO COST. BRAKE ISSUE IS BETTER WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 6, 2008NC

CANNOT START ENGINE BECAUSE OF ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Feb 25, 2008106,000 milesPA

PLEASE SEE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V327000 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU RECALL TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ON THIS VEHICLE WAS COMPLETED IN 2004. RECENTLY HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE BECOME INOPERATIVE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. WARNING/TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS EITHER DO NOT FLASH, STAY ON CONSTANTLY, DO NOT TURN ON, OR DIFFERENT LIGHTS BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY. GM DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Feb 23, 200844,149 milesTX

THEFT DEVICE REPLACED IN IGNITION SWITCH TWICE IN JUST OVER 2 YEARS, BOTH REPAIRS OVER $300+. LAST TIME IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IGNITION JUST SHUT OFF. HAD TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. WIFE LUCKILY GOT CAR STOPPED AND SOMEONE HELPED PUSH OUT OF STREET. I SEE THIS COMPLAINT A LOT. SOUNDS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE JUNK THAT IS FAILING ON THESE MODELS. I WILL NEVER BUY CHEVROLET AGAIN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 16, 200838,000 milesIL

I AM A SINGLE MOM OF TWO, AND AM FRUSTRATED THAT ALL OF MY SAVINGS HAVE GONE INTO THIS MONEY PIT. I HAVE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TWICE, AND ITS GOING OUT AGAIN! I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, HEATER CORE WHICH ARE DYING, AND THE THEFT SYSTEM TWICE. I HAVE HAD A FUEL LEAK BY MY ENGINE AND HAD IT ENTER INSIDE MY CAR AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN, MY ABS BRAKES ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT, AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF MY COMPLAINTS! *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jan 24, 2008CA

ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE CAR JUST WONT START. HAD MANY SENSORS, AS WELL AS IGNITION SWITCHES, REPLACED. AT MY COST! HAD TO BE TOWED, PUSHED, AND PULLED, TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. WONT EVER BY A CHEVY AGAIN. EVER!!!! IF YOU OWN A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU, SELL IT TRADE IT. WHATEVER YOU DO GET RID OF IT. SAVE YOURSELVES! A LOT OF MONEY TOO. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 21, 200893,520 milesCA

IGNITION SWITCH / PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTS VEHICLE FROM STARTING ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Filed Jan 10, 2008MO

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND AFTER TAKING THE CAR IN TO GET THE SWITCH FOR THE BLINKERS FIXED ON THEIR RECALL, TWO WEEKS LATER IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. I HAVE HAD TWO DEALERSHIPS TELL ME SINCE THEY ALREADY REPLACED THE FAULTY PART THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AN THE AFTERMARKET PARTS MAY ALSO BE FAULTY. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jan 8, 2008AZ

I WENT OUTSIDE TO START MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND IT WOULDN'T START. SO I HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANICS THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR A WEEK. THEY COULD FIND A TROUBLE CODE TO FIND OUT WHAT CASED THE PROBLEM OF THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TO GO ON. I USE THE SAME KEY EVERYDAY NO ONE THERE TO STEAL THE CAR. SO NOW MY LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME AN I LEARNED HOW TO PROGRAM THE CODE MYSELF THIS WAY I DON'T HAVE TO PAY EVERY TIME IT DON'T START. ALL SO MY TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING SOMETIMES I NEVER TOOK IT TO GET FIX BECAUSE I LEARNED THAT IF YOU PUSH THE HAZARD LIGHTS THEY WILL WORK AGAIN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 20, 200750,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE LEAK. SHE HAD TO PLACE ANTIFREEZE IN HER VEHICLE EVERY MONTH BECAUSE IT WOULD LEAK OUT CONSTANTLY. SHE NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO HER VIA EMAIL. THE SECOND TIME, SHE SPOKE WITH THEM AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. FROM THERE, THEY WILL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A DEFECT. GENERAL MOTORS FURTHER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,00 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Dec 18, 200756,000 milesFL

I HAVE MALIBU 2001 WITH 56000 MLS ON IT. TODAY I HAD TO CHANGE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.$950 TOTAL...BESIDE THIS A HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY THEFT SYSTEM,BRAKES ,LIGHT HAZARD SWITCH. AIR CONDITIONER ..ETC. THIS IS THE MY LAST GM CAR..PERIOD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Dec 15, 200755,000 milesNY

ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD VALVE GASKET DEFECTIVE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Nov 18, 200768,000 milesOH

CAR INITIALLY FAILED TO START. TOWED VEHICLE TO SHOP. SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. KEPT ON HAPPENING. AFTER MULTIPLE TOWS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. SYSTEM REPLACED-WAS OK FOR 3 MONTHS NOW HAPPENING AGAIN. SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT $400 INTO SAME PROBLEM EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Nov 11, 2007NJ

MY CAR WILL NOT START. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM THINKS I AM STEALING MY OWN CAR. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SO IT WILL ALLOW MY CAR TO START. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Nov 9, 200750,000 milesFL

SAFETY RECALL #03043A (03/08/2004) - TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS INOPERATIVE * THE TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY: YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE HAZARD SWITCH OFF AND ON TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS TO WORK. IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK, THE DRIVER MUST TAKE ONE HAND OFF THE STEERING WHEEL TO PUSH THE HAZARD SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THIS DEFECT ALSO FORCES THE DRIVER TO TAKE THEIR EYES FROM THE ROAD AND TO THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK PROPERLY, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO CLASSIC CHEVROLET IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL ON 9/10/07 PER THIS SAFETY RECALL. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL COVERS VIN #'S FROM 1M500024 TO 1M669822 (THE VEHICLE CLEARLY FALLS WITHIN THIS RANGE VIN# 1M551207), THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS PART UNDER THAT RECALL. I CALLED CHEVROLET, AND WAS FIRST TOLD THAT IT WAS PART OF THE RECALL, AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH AT NO CHARGE, THEN WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT, AS THERE ARE CERTAIN VIN #'S WITHIN THIS RANGE THAT ARE NOT EFFECTED. ULTIMATELY CHEVROLET REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THE OTHERS IN THIS VIN RANGE AND COULD NOT POSSIBLY NOT BE PART OF THIS RECALL. I AM ASKING THAT THE NHSTA INTERVENE IN THIS MATTER, AS IT IS CLEAR THAT CHEVROLET IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS THIS VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. I FEAR THAT THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 killed
Filed Nov 7, 2007166,000 milesLA

MY BOYFRIEND WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. THE CAR FLIPPED AND HIT A TREE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *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.

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