2001 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,005 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Malibu year — the 2001 model ranks #17 of 42 Malibu years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 43 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 310 reports (31% of the total).

1,005

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Malibu years?

Malibu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Malibu years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	310	31%	▲ up
Engine	198	20%	— flat
Lighting	121	12%	▼ down
Brakes	107	11%	▼ down
Fuel System	42	4%	▼ down
Steering	41	4%	— flat
Other	29	3%	▲ up
Speed Control	25	2%	— flat
Airbags	21	2%	▼ down
Suspension	20	2%	▼ down
Transmission	18	2%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	18	2%	▼ down
Body & Structure	15	1%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	13	1%	— flat
Seat Belts	9	1%	▲ up
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	8	1%	▼ down
Seats	6	1%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	4	0%	▼ down

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V400000Electrical SystemJuly 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 units

Defect

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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

03V327000LightingAugust 28, 2003 · 670,740 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO TURN OVER. AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED KNEE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL TECHNICIAN. THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 12, 2007 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 17, 2017 · crash

“THIS MALIBU HAD BLINKER AND INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEMS. THE BLINKERS WERE EITHER INOPERATIVE OR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE INTERIOR DRIVE PANEL LIGHTING WAS EITHER INOPERATIVE OR WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE PANEL WOULD GO BLACK WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT SO AS NOT TO ALLOW THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO BE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 7, 2010

“ PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER CAR, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER INFORMATION.*AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 20, 2002 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 1, 2004 · crash

2001 Chevrolet Malibu — common questions

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,005 complaints put the 2001 model at #17 of 42 Malibu years. It is one of the Malibu years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Malibu problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (310 complaints), engine (198 complaints), lighting (121 complaints).

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Malibu years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Malibu years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2004, 2011, 2008, 1998, 2006, 2012, 2016, 2005, 2013, 2000, 2007, 1999, 2018, 2017, 2001, 2003, 2002, 2020. The cleanest record among Malibu years belongs to 1977.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2001 compare to other Malibu years?

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2001 Chevrolet Malibu — common questions

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

What are the most common 2001 Malibu problems?

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu under NHTSA investigation?

Which Chevrolet Malibu years should you avoid?

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