Most common 2001 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Share of the 721 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Malibu complaints by model year
Best Malibu years: 2025, 2021, 2019. Years to avoid: 2010. Compare all years →
2001 Chevrolet Malibu recalls (2)
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
Certain passenger vehicles have hazard warning switches that May experience solder joint cracking caused by rapid temperature transitions and the soldering process. If solder joint cracking occurs and results in an open circuit, the turn signals/hazard lamps become intermittent or inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch. Owner notification began on February 5, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu:
Erratic fuel gauge
There is no summary currently available
Turn signal failure
Odi opened the investigation based on 9 complaints of turn signals operating sporadically on the 2000-2001 Chevrolet malibu.the turn signals quit working without warning and May occur while the vehicle is in motion or standing still.GM identified the hazard switch as the root cause of this problem.electrical current to the turn signal passes through the hazard switch.failure of the hazard switchresults in loss of…
Turn signal failures
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…
Erratic fuel gauge
Odi opened ea 02-028 to review complaints of consumers reporting that their fuel gauge was incorrectly displaying the amount of fuel in the gas tank.the fuel gauge receives an electrical signal from a fuel tank sending sensor circuit card.a float arm in the tank moves electrical contacts that rub against the card as the level of fuel rises and falls.disruption of the electrical signal (such as caused by corrosion of…
What 2001 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Electrical system all 285 →
I backed up my car, put it in drive and the anti theft system disabled the motor. I started rolling backwards and lost my perspective. I rolled backwards into a telephone pole causing a huge dent on my rear drivers side quarter panel. Thank god the pole was there or I might not have realized what was happening. Behind me was a rout iron fence and beyond that was a 20 ft drop (driveway has a retainer wall that it is built on top of. I had filed another complaint. The car had disabled itself on a bridge that has no slow lane to stop in. I can take pictures of the damage in the daylight if needed
When starting the Malibu the dashboard lights illuminate and when the key is turned to start the car the lights go out and the fuel gauge drops to zero or empty and the car will not start. This problem also occurs when driving the car and the ignition system shuts down leaving you with no steering assist and the engine is not running. So this problem is both in a standing start and while operating the car. I had initially brought the car to devan lowe GM dealer and service department for repairs and they discovered the fuel pump was not working properly. They replaced the fuel pump and the problem with the ignition is still persisting. This creates a dangerous condition for the driver and other cars on the road. …
Engine & cooling all 175 →
I backed up my car, put it in drive and the anti theft system disabled the motor. I started rolling backwards and lost my perspective. I rolled backwards into a telephone pole causing a huge dent on my rear drivers side quarter panel. Thank god the pole was there or I might not have realized what was happening. Behind me was a rout iron fence and beyond that was a 20 ft drop (driveway has a retainer wall that it is built on top of. I had filed another complaint. The car had disabled itself on a bridge that has no slow lane to stop in. I can take pictures of the damage in the daylight if needed
Approached intersection in turning lane to make left turn. Upon making such turn, vehicle did not accelerate as fast as it should. Was told second driver ran red light and collided with my vehicle in a head on collision. I was informed that my vehicle was struck on front passenger side. I remember hearing the crash and the car spinning out of control. Both airbags did deploy, as I was floating over the gear shift. Was told at the scene left leg was broken at the ankle per paramedic. Right leg was confirmed broken at the ankle at the hospital. I was wearing my seat belt, I had a burn mark that lasted almost six months. I spent 22 days in the hospital, I started as ortho-trauma, went to surgery the next day to repair my left leg with 1 plate and 8 screws. Three days later, I had complications from my injuries. I went to pulmonary icu (picu). …
Lights all 109 →
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.
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. …
2001 Chevrolet Malibu engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?
Based on 721 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Malibu rates average: 29% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Malibu at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
The electrical system — 285 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › anti-theft › control module. Next are the engine & cooling (175) and lights (109).
How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, the most recent from July 3, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Malibu?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2021 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010. See the full Chevrolet Malibu years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Malibu problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.