Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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. …
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. …
When trying to start the engine, the anti theft security system shuts down engine operation. You must wait 10 minutes with the ignition on while the security telltale light shuts off before you can start the engine. The ignition lock cylinder seems to be at fault, but the dealer said this is not part of the current recall involving unintended rotation of the cylinder. They said they will put a key cap on my keys to keep the ring centered to prevent offset rotation. The cylinder obviously needs to be replaced, but this is at an extra added cost. If the cylinder is so worn out and wants to rotate on it's own, why is it not included in the recall? I am the second owner of this vehicle with currently 134,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. Upon attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start and the theft system warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to shift the vehicle into neutral in order to have it pushed home. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact researched the failure online and found many complaints regarding the faulty theft system with the Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the failure occurred randomly. The contact read online to place the ignition in the run position for ten minutes before starting the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 130,450.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle's pass lock system failed and shut off the fuel pump. While the contact was driving 65 MPH, the pass lock system would shut off the fuel pump system, which caused the engine to seize without warning. The contact spoke with james Chevrolet of johnstown (108 s comrie ave, johnstown, ny 12095, [phone]) and was informed that they could replace the ignition switch and the pass lock system. The contact was provided a cost estimate for the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the key was difficult to turn in the ignition. The contact also experienced the vehicle stalling several times with no warning. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The recall repair was performed, but the remedy did not repair the vehicle. The contact stated the key was stuck in the acc mode more than twice and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact had to constantly unhook and reconnect the battery to get the vehicle to start. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. While stationary, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The contact stated that the security warning indicator illuminated. On one occasion, the vehicle stalled without warning. An unknown dealer in sandis, california was made aware of the failure and extended the key ring with an additional ring to have the ignition key hang separately from the other keys. Furthermore, the security system was reprogrammed to recognize the new key after the ignition was replaced on another occasion. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that several attempts had to be made before the vehicle could start. The contact stated that the vehicle was powered off and back on until the anti theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to be started after the anti- theft warning turn off. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the lock cylinder and key were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the contact stated that it took several attempts to start the vehicle after the anti theft warning indicator intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start until after the anti theft warning indicator was no longer illuminated. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 285 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, 40% of the model year's 721 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › anti-theft › control module (74 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.