RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Jul 27, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, most frequently naming the electrical, exterior lighting and driver assistance categories. 59 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1270.6%
  • Exterior lighting317.6%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Engine15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jul 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES BY AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED, AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ID
11011126
Incident
Jul 27, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 29, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID
11002103
Incident
Jun 28, 2017
Mileage
62,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND THE ANTI-THEFT LOCK WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-THEFT LOCK SENSOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10948059
Incident
Nov 10, 2016
Electrical
Filed Dec 2, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ON OCCASIONS THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10929529
Incident
Sep 1, 2016
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A SENSOR RELATED TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

NHTSA ID
10913644
Incident
Sep 29, 2016
Mileage
98,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING A CLASSIC, NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10899156
Incident
Jun 29, 2016
Electrical
Filed Aug 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES UNTIL IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT MONTHS LATER, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND WAIT TEN MINUTES TO TURN THE KEY BACK AND FORTH TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10899118
Incident
May 30, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed 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

NHTSA ID
10744284
Incident
Mar 2, 2015

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

18-NA-099

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

24-NA-098

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Malibu Classic by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008210035.5
2007150027.9
2005921039.2
20041161144.8
2003160035.0
2002160028.7
2001Viewing130030.0
2000110037.4
1999400
1998500
1997300
1978010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.