Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 80 MPH as the engine rpms increased to 4,000. The contact had to coast onto the shoulder and turned the engine off in order to stop the vehicle. The contact then noticed smoke being emitted from the engine area. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who test drove the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred several times. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 82,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after shifting into park, turning off the ignition and exiting the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated and crashed into a building. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not inspected for the cause of the acceleration failure. The failure and the current mileage was 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. In addition, the vehicle would accelerate at high speeds without warning. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 143,911. Updated 11/09/15 updated 4/3/18
Brake lights and cruise control failed to work causing a safety issue. This problem still exist as of this date. Problem has not been found. A recall problem. Has been in dealers serv. Dept for repairs about 4 times this year of 2015. This actually started in 2011. In dealers for repair right now same issue.
My husband got in our 2001 Malibu backed it up, put it into drive, barely touched the accelerator, the car immediately took off in high throttle he could not figure out what was causing the acceleration next thing he knew the car was underneath his Chevrolet 4-wheel drive with a 6 inch lift kit. Car then pushed truck approximately 3 to 6 feet into a nearby oak tree causing car to be totaled truck to receive extreme damage as well. He called the police & reported the accident. I contacted GM they sent an investigator out to investigate the problem with the cars accelerator. …
When we would just start the car it would rev up to between 3000 to 4000 RPM and it would stay that way. This was only one way that it would act up. The other ways were when you were just driving along and the car would start to accelerate on it's own. Both ways you had to ride the brake and ride it hard in order not to hit the person in front of us. We had it in to one dealer twice with nothing getting fixed. We took it to a different dealer three times, they randomly replaced different things (guessing) at our cost, but problem still persisted. We even took it in when it was revving up to 3000 RPM, while they were under the hood it even went higher! We were told to turn it off because they were afraid it would blow, but when we came back to pick it up they said that it didn't happen again and they couldn't fix it if it didn't do it for them again. …
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.
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.
While waiting at a traffic light to make a left turn, the engine revved up to its maximum speed. Luckily my husband was driving and was able to make it around the corner and off the road. The only way besides the brake to slow the engine was turning it off. When he checked he found the accelerator cable had come out of the clip on the top of the engine. (there are two wires side by side. The front one--accelerator--was the one that came out) since he pushed it back in place it has been fine, but it can be a very dangerous thing to happen. He has taped the wire in place just in case.
NHTSA investigations
Erratic fuel gauge
There is no summary currently available
Acceleration complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 721 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.