Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 107 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 107, in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 03V327000 (Exterior Lighting) and 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
THE BLINKERS RANDOMLY WORK; MOST LIKELY NEEDS A NEW HAZARD SWITCH. THE CAR'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD RISE WHEN SITTING IN IDLE; NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT AS OF 11/2020.
2ND CYLINDER IS MISFIRING AND SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, CAUSING MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, WHICH I SEE IS A LARGE ISSUE IN CHEVY MALIBUS. MY TURN SIGNAL/HAZARDS ALSO DON'T WORK 85% OF THE TIME, WHICH IS A RECALL FOR MY MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR (CHEVROLET, MALIBU, 2001) BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER. ANOTHER ISSUE I SEE IS MY LEFT HEADLIGHT SHINES OUT FROM THE SIDE, WHICH I ALSO SAW TO BE AN ISSUE IN SEVERAL OF THE SAME MODELS OF MY CAR. KEEP IN MIND I BOUGHT IT RECENTLY, USED, SO THE DATE I NOTICED THE ISSUES WAS FAIRLY RECENT.
THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS COMING ON CAN'T START CAR COMES ON WHILE I DRIVE, TURN SIGNAL HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO,RPMS GO UP REAL HIGH WHILE I DRIVE AND WHEN IT PARK, TAKE FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL BUT CAR SEEMS TO SPEED UP KIND OF HARD TO STOP A CAR THAT SPEEDS UP WHEN NOT GIVING GAS TO IT, BREAK LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN TURN SIGNAL DOESN'T WORK ALL THIS HAPPENS AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY TO SMALL CHILDREN AND OF COURSE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START AS IT THINKS I'M STEALING MY CAR WITH THE KEY THEFT SYSTEM BREAK LIGHTS DON'T WORK WHEN TURN SIGNAL WON'T WORK EXCELS IN SPEED ON ITS OWN ALL STARTED IN MARCH 2016 AS I JUST BOUGHT IN FEBRUARY 2016.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND REINSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A DAY LATER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND TURN SIGNAL RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,910.
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
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
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
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS, THEY WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU STOPPED WORKING THEN THEY STARTED WORKING AGAIN THEY SEEM TO BE INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES PUSHING THE FOUR WAY FLASHER WILL MAKE THEM WORK AGAIN ITS A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND NEVER KNOWING WHEN YOUR TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK IS VERY ANNOYING AND QUIT DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD BARELY SEE AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING DUE TO POOR LIGHTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED VERY DIMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED AN OCCASIONAL FUEL LEAK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES) OR 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO TEST DROVE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WERE OPERATING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE FLASHING SWITCH IN 2002 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V327000, (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS: SWITCH) AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FURTHER ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
GM IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE SWITCH PER THE RECALL. EVEN THOUGHT THE VEHICLE IS MADE BETWEEN THE RECALL DATES FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU). SUMMARY: BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2003, GM NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V327) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU, OLDSMOBILE ALERO, AND PONTIAC GRAND AM. GM'S RECALL COVERS 670,740 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 1, 2001 (ALERO AND GRAND AM) AND FEBRUARY 1, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2001 (MALIBU). GM REPORTS THAT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IS DUE TO SOLDER JOINT CRACKING IN THE HAZARD SWITCH, AND HAS IDENTIFIED RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS OF THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS AS THE CAUSE OF CRACKING. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNALS FLOWS THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH AND AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WILL CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TURN/HAZARD LAMPS TO BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE. GM WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. BASED ON GM'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION. *TR
I OWN A 2001 CHEVY MALIBU LS 6 CYL. THIS YEAR HAS 670,000+ CARS RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING AND THE EXACT SAME YEAR. YET BECAUSE MY VIN ISNT INCLUDED OR ENOUGH PEOPLE WITH MY VIN HAVE NOT REPORTED THE PROBLEM..I AM EXCLUDED FROM HAVING THEM FIX THIS FOR ME. MY TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING, THEY WILL NOT FLASH, CLICK OR GO ON AS OF RECENTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT GM DID RECALL FOR MY CAR YEAR AND TYPE, YET I AM EXCLUDED BECAUSE OF MY VIN, SO MY LIFE..DOES NOT MATTER? BECAUSE...MAYBE ONLY A FEW HUNDRED HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? THIS IS A KNOWN RECALL WITH MY TYPE OF CAR, AND I AM IN DANGER HERE...I CALLED GM 2 TIMES 8/8/2011 I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF MY VIN...UMMMMM HOW ABOUT INCLUDE MY VIN!!! MY LIFE MATTERS JUST AS MUCH AS ANOTHER OTHERS AND IF I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND REPORTING IT, THEN INCLUDE THE VIN..FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AS WELL!!! HALF A MILLION MALIBUS FROM 2001 WERE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL...WHAT MAKES THEM THINK MINE WASN'T?! PLEASE HELP..I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH NO TURN SIGNALS AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR TEXT BOOKS AND NOW DEALING WITH A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE GM DOES NOT WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP...! IS YOUR FILE NUMBER, WHERE YOU GUYS HAVE THE RECALL POSTED: 03V327000. *TR
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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