Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
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. …
On Wednesday, July 11 our daughter was driving our 2001 Malibu on I-75 at 70 MPH in the rain. The left front brake seized and she went into a 180 degree spin, hit the guard rail and rested facing oncoming traffic. About one year ago the identical thing happened on I-275, also in the rain. The only difference was that she spun to the right after the brake seized. We took the car to a mechanic one year ago and he said the problem was the heat shrink connector on one of the power wires going to the caliper. He was certain he had repaired the problem. We have not been able to have someone look at the brakes since the accident 2 days ago, but the car acted the same way. We want to be sure someone does not get killed from similar problems. It was a miracle that our daughter only received a serious fright both times.
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.
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. …
Car has vibrations at higher speeds 60+ was told it was tires/wheels they were replaced for $280 for tires and $200 for just steel rims. Car still vibrated at high speeds and also felt like rotors needed to be replaced-the kind of vibrating when braking. Replaced rotors and brake pads $49 a piece for rotors and $40 a piece for brake pads. Car continued to vibrate except when stopping. After time now (3 mos) when the car is vibrating and you go to slow down it shakes the car even worse. Was then told to replace the wheel bearings. Just did that yesterday they cost me $230 not only does the car still vibrate it has a grinding noise when you trun to the right now. Since ive bought it it has vibrations at high speeds and a "rubbing" vv, vv, vv noise when turing right. After replacing wheel bearings the car still makes all the noises and grinds now. …
I have had the brakes and rotors replaced twice since buying the car in April of 2001. I took the car to jim butler Chevrolet for the turn signal/flasher problem which was later recalled and I was reimbursed. I took it to don darr Chevy which fixed a faulty switch operating the air conditioner/switching to outside air. I had the car towed to dobbs when it would not start, they said it was the fuel pump and assembly module. Today,jim butler Chevrolet replaced the lock cylinder and ignition switch because of the theft system light and the car not starting.but was unable to find the cause of the daytime running lights not working. Oh! But they noticed a recall on the hazard lights and replaced it. They were the one who replaced it the first time. I also told them of the over crank/grinding noise after the car is started, happens occasionally. They could not duplicate, so no repair. …
The front brake calipers on this vehicle flex when the brakes are applied. This has resulted in uneven and premature wear of the brake pads. The pads were replaced twice, once at 17,000 miles and once at 30,000. The rotors were remachined at 17,000 miles, replaced at 30,000 miles and resurfaced at 33,000. The flexing of the caliper causes misalignmet of the guide pins, causing the caliper to hang up. As a result only the inner brake pad is stopping the car. There is virtually no wear on the outer pad. The inner pads show signs of overheating, which can cause the rotors to warp (pulsating), and brake fade in a panic stop. The constant flexing could also comprimise the intgerity of the aluminum calipers over time. GM claims this is normal. …
On the 22nd of October my vehicle had lost its brakes while traveling down a hill. My immediate response was to apply my emergency brake which did stop my car but also proceeded to cause it to crash. Upon investigation by my ins. Co. (nationwide ins.) they found that both front brake hoses had frayed on the Malibu which had caused me to lose my brakes. Further action will be taken to be reimbursed for my vehicle which is now considered totalled. My concern is that this does not happen to other owners of the same type vehicle and I am further requesting a recall on the hoses of the Malibu. A report is available from my ins. Co @[redacted]harrisburg, pa [redacted] thank you, [redacted]. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl-the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, the the brake pedal was depressed but failed to operate causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of the another vehicle. The air bags failed to deployed. The police report was filed. The passenger from the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries which required medical attention. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the ignition switch caused the brakes to fail. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred and the contact mentioned that the key would fail to release from the ignition.the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). However, the part to do the repairs was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Ne
When driving at highway speeds the vehicle stalled. The vehicle also lost power steering but the consumer managed to pull over. Problem had not been resolved. Two separated dealerships stated that there was nothing they could do to fix the problem until one dealer kept the vehicle for a week and stated that the vehicle experienced a "hicc up" and the vehicle was repaired. The left front wheel bearing was noisy and the left front hub was noisy. The fuel pump and ignition switch and the consumer had not experienced any more problems with the vehicle. Also the front rotors were replaced.
Brake complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, 12% of the model year's 721 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.