Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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
My wife was driving through the college parking lot at approximately 15 MPH. When she went to turn the car in a turn lane she had no control over the direction of the car. She ran over a curb with the car before coming to a stop. The local auto maintenance shop said the steering mechanism broke in the front causing loss of control. Because of this she ran the curb and broke off the left front wheel. After reading the almost 600 complaints on here my problem seems to be a very... Very common one. I called the local Chevy dealer and Chevy. They both told me sorry, but sorry. They couldn't do anything for me. "I" broke the car. They are ignoring huge safety issues with the 2001 Malibu. My wife could have been on the interstate and this happened. She could have died, and I would have brought Chevy down in court. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel seized. As a result, the vehicle crashed into ditch. The contact sustained an injury to the forehead and it was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. After the failure, the contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign 14V400 (electrical system). The approximate failure was 87,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired, but the results of the diagnostic testing were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 180,744.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 5 MPH into a parking space, the vehicle became very difficult to steer. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion had completely rusted off and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available. Ma 10/25/15
The anti theft system disabled the car on the tappan zee bridge, with no place to stop and 18 wheelers going by me at 60+MPH. I had to shut the ignition off, turn it back on and wait 10 minutes for the anti-theft to disable, so I could turn the ignition off and reset the anti-theft and start the car. Talking about scared to death. Happy I am still alive to report this. It was in motion 55mph and stopped running, anti theft started to blink
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 55-60 MPH on March 4, 2007 the steering wheel began to automatically turn on its own and a fraction of the steering wheel became detached. While depressing the brakes the contact struck a brick wall. The vehicle and contact were unharmed. The vehicle was towed. The current and failure mileage were 87,000.
I was driving down a road with the speed limit being 55 MPH which I was doing and hit the edge of the road on the right side and when I turned the wheel slightly to the left the entire car went to the left and the car hit a tree head on at 55 MPH and the neither of the air bags deployed. The car totaled.
After experiencing numerous steering lock up and key not turning in ignition (locked up) my Malibu would not budge out of the lock position when inserting key. I had to call a tow truck and since the key would not turn in ignition the Malibu had to be dragged onto tow truck with wheels locked. Car was towed to dealership at the cost of $70.00. At the dealership the Malibu had the ignition lock cylinder and case replaced and reprogrammed theft system at (labor) $247.50. The cylinder kit was (parts) $225.90 and subl code new cylinder was (other) $20.00 for a total of $493.40. With misc. Charges of $5.00 and sales tax at $29.90 the total was $528.30. Add the additional $70.00 towing expense and total is $598.30. I believe I am entitled to reimbursement for my expenses as this has been a recalled vehicle. …
When I had my right inner and outer tie rods replaced I left the shop and I heard a cluncking when I would make a turn I took it back to the shop and they said a screw had worked its way half way out and there is no way to get it in or out because it's wedged up against the rack and pinion without replacing the rack.and was told (off the record) would have no problem still driving it. I asked if it was safe and was told that when the screw breaks I will feel a jerk but will be able to control the car.so I was on the highway and lost my steering almost completely .managed to get it off the road and towed home. I had another shop replace my power steering pump and my rack and pinion.I was told that the decrepit a hole in the rack and was just sitting there and my rack and pinion bracket had broken and the rack was also just sitting there.and I was lucky I wasn't killed.
Steering complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the model year's 721 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to steering 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.