Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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). …
There was a rear collision that occured a week after purchasing the vehicle. The car was fixed with no frontal damge at all. The rear damage was minor. A week after receiving the vehicle the car would not start. The car was towed to the dealership and it was determined that the car needed a new ignition(600.00) that was not covered under the warranty.the dealership received the payment and the car was fixed.the dealership didnt have any sort of explanation to why the ignition was needed that soon after the purchase of the vehicle. Eight months later the car wouldnt start.the car was then towed to the dealership.a fuel pump was install but other items weren't covered under waranty.the car was received after the dealership received the payment. …
Dear NHTSA representative, I want to raise a concern about GM's passlock system that turns off fuel injectors to prevent car theft. My 2001 Chevy Malibu's engine turned off in the middle of the road while driving on Friday, sept 18th. Luckily there were no accidents. I am very sure the cause is the passlock system because the theft system light came on and I had to reset the passlock system by keeping the key in the "on" position for 10 minutes. Reading online automotive blogs, it appears that many people face the same problem. Please hold GM responsible for this very dangerous fault in their vehicles. Help repair damages and prevent new accidents by granting a recall or otherwise forcing GM to compensate drivers of GM vehicles with this passlock issue. Best regards, -andrew
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.
Takata inflators, the car that I own smells like gasoline everyday and each time that the car is started in the morning. When I turn on the heat or air the gas smell is even stronger I am afraid that the car will one day explode even without me smoking.
Theft deterrent system (passlock) activates shutting off the flow of fuel to vehicle. Consulted youtube for help, hundreds of people have had he same problem that the dealer fixes with a new inginition module.
We are paying on a 2001 Malibu. The fuel sensor went out showing gasoline when there wasn't. The car stalled in rush hour traffic. The sensor was replaced but I had to pay for the fuel filter plus a deductible on my extended warranty. Next the blinkers decided to only work occassionally same week the starter started dragging then the car started to run hot. Took it to the dealer, replaced blinker switch (no mention made of the recall) replaced the starter and replaced the gasket that was leaking. When I had added coolant to get myself home the coolant that was n the car was green, the coolant I put in the car green..was supposed to be orange when I told the dealer there was green coolant in the car he said oh someones booboo unfortunately you have to pay for it...almost 300.00. …
This complaint relates to the poorly designed GM passlock anti-theft system that erroneously enters anti-theft mode and disables the fuel injectors. GM should be forced to recall this passlock system '' it is simply unacceptable to strand motorists because of an incompetently designed anti-theft system. I have replaced both the in-tank fuel pump and two ignition modules (at an expense of three towing bill plus $1000+ in repair costs), only to find out that the anti-theft system was misreading my ignition key and disabling the injectors. Several internet forums that I found after the expensive repairs describe how to reset this erroneous signal after having to wait 10 minutes for the system to clear. I have personally read hundreds of similar horror stories in online forums, and this is a widely known issue. …
Dt: the vehicle has completely shut down five times. The first time was in April of 2003. The contact had it towed ito the dealership. They told her that there was a problem with the ignition cylinder. They replaced the ignition cylinder. The theft system light came on before the vehicle shuts down. The second was in June 2004. The contact had just pulled out of driveway when it shut down. Dealership replaced the fuel pump, which did not need to be replaced. The third time was in July, 2004 and the dealership said that the battery needed to be replaced. The contact had the battery replaced. The fourth occasion happened on October 25, 2004. The dealership replaced the ignition cylinder. In March of 2005 the theft system light came on, and she took vehicle back to the dealership. They told her that they could not do anything because there was no problem. …
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. …
NHTSA investigations
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the model year's 721 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion 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.