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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,856 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 6 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #74

Feb 042002

Malibu

  • 29,117 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when the anti-theft security warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently with engine stalling sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and the anti-theft device was replaced. A few months later, the failure recurred and the vehicle was repaired a second time. Most recently, the anti-theft device was replaced a third time by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,117.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #73

Jul 052011

Malibu

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the alarm system activated and shut off the fuel system without reason. The failure recurred several times and each time, he would have to wait fifteen minutes for the alarm system to deactive in order for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was 84,200.

- Johnstown , PA, USA

problem #72

Jul 062011

Malibu

  • miles
Chevy Malibu, 2001. The theft system is ridiculous! I'm not trying to steal my own car, and would rather have it stolen than sit in a scary dark parking lot all alone waiting for it to start back up. Also, the anti-lock brake system sucks. Noone around where I live even deals with it.

- Farmington, MO, USA

problem #71

May 182011

Malibu

  • 22,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated occasionally the vehicle will not start and the warning lights are no longer illuminating. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not accepted at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 22,000 and the current mileage was 23,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #70

Jun 082011

Malibu

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start sporadically, as a result of the anti-theft pass lock system malfunctioning. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the anti-theft pass lock system and was advised by the manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #69

May 152011

Malibu

  • 106,789 miles
Anti-theft system passlock randomly activates and prevents starting of car -- must leave key in car for 10-15 minutes and then it starts. It happened again. Did internet search regarding Malibu starting problems and saw lots of people have same problem I have but when the cars are taken in they are told they need ignition switch or some other thing but after replacement still have the problem. Other people on the internet expressed that this is a safety issue and I agree -- having a car that may or may not start at any given time is not safe. For example, what if engines cuts off or is turned off and car needs to be moved for an emergency or safety reason but wont start for 10-15 minutes?! has happened more than 12 times over the 10 years we have owned it. Lost count. Bought it new.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #68

Nov 012010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Anti-theft system passlock randomly activates and prevents starting of car -- must leave key in car for 10-15 minutes and then it starts. Figured out it was not the battery because had just gotten a new one when it happened again. Did internet search regarding Malibu starting problems and saw lots of people have same problem I have but when the cars are taken in they are told they need ignition switch or some other thing but after replacement still have the problem. Other people on the internet expressed that this is a safety issue and I agree -- having a car that may or may not start at any given time is not safe. For example, what if engines cuts off or is turned off and car needs to be moved for an emergency or safety reason but won't start for 10-15 minutes?!

- Venice, CA, USA

problem #67

May 152010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 25 mph the anti theft light illuminated on the dashboard. When the vehicle stalled he coasted to the side of the road because the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The local mechanic advised him that only the dealer could provide him with the error code. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who reset the code. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the failure. The failure occurred twice. The failure mileage was 114,000 and the current mileage was 125,000. Updated 03/29/11 updated 04/28/11

- Lincolnton, NC, USA

problem #66

Nov 152009

Malibu

  • miles
Failing starter.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #65

Nov 132010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 141,628 miles
Our Chevy 2001 Malibu has a defective anti theft system that many other complain about also. It disables the car at the most in opportune times that can be life threatening in some instances. GM should recall this and they have not.

- Grants Pass, OR, USA

problem #64

Oct 102010

Malibu

  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when attempting to start her vehicle the auto theft system locked her out and would not allow entry for at least 10 minutes. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The VIN was not available. The current mileage was approximately 120,000. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Yankton, SD, USA

problem #63

Nov 162010

Malibu

  • 86,000 miles
[note that I lived in Ontario, Canada] I stopped my car in a parking lot, but then could not get started. I called the GM dealership and was told to wait for 20 min while leaving the key in the on position. It worked. But when I checked the internet (www.car-forums.com/S9/T1545.html) and found this problem is very common. For example, 1) I have found thousands of complaints about the passlock anti theft system defects. Please take 5 minutes to file a complaint to the nhts about this matter. www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/IVOQ/ GM does not care about this problem. Do not give them anymore of your money. They will not recall this problem. With enough complaints to the nhts the government will recall this product and make GM fix at their expense 2) I am the not to proud owner of a 2002 Chevy Malibu. My lastest repair is the passlock sensor..........a whole whoppin $500 plus the cost of my rental car and tow bill. This lovely GM product has been the worst car I have ever owned!! I think by the time it is paid off in another year almost everything under the hood will have been replaced. I will never again own a GM hunk of junk.......there is definately something to be said about owning a foreign car.....I guess you get what you pay for!!! the american car makers should be ashamed of the quality of product that is being built!! I am proud to be american but will never again be the owner of an american made vehicle 3)..hi there, I'm a Canadian university student with a 1997 chev Malibu that has that :cussing: Passlock system. That thing drives me insane and there is many a time that I am stuck sitting in my car for 10 minutes in a dark parking lot away from my school while it does its thing. I personally find that more dangerous than my car being stolen

- Nepean, CA, USA

problem #62

Oct 062010

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to start the vehicle, the anti-theft light illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 65,000.

- Pineville, LA, USA

problem #61

Oct 012010

Malibu

  • miles
When I go to start my car-2001 Chevy Malibu the anti theft light comes on and the car will not start. This has been ongoing for amonth and Chevy will not fix. I have researched the internet to find this is a common problem and Chevy will not fix or recall. Please help. I am a sr citizen with a severely disabled husband. This happens daily. I had it towed and the garage said a battery needed to be replaced. So it was and it still does it.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #60

Aug 302010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 168,000 miles
Several times my 2001 Chevy Malibu theft system light comes on, and when I turn my car off then try to crank it back up it want crank had to get it reset twice. I'm still having the same problem.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #59

Aug 162010

Malibu

  • 62,000 miles
Recall on emergency flasher done under recall. Contacted Chevrolet C.S. and they confirmed recall done, part replaced. Within the last year the flasher will start clicking without being engaged. Neither the emergency flasher or turn signal flash on and off, but the turn signal indicator makes the clicking noise. This intermittent sound has no pattern, and lasts for various lengths of time, again with no input from the turn signal stalk or emergency button being pushed. It can be silenced by pushing in on the emergency button partially until the clicking noise stops.

- Mt. Prospect, IL, USA

problem #58

Jun 102010

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
2001 Chevy Malibu theft prevention passlock system is defective. Every 5-7 starts it activates and you have to wait 10 minutes for it to reset before attempting to start again.

- Ottawa, 00, USA

problem #57

Jul 102010

Malibu

  • 132,000 miles
I have a 2001 Malibu I bought brand new. It went to the point where it just wont start. What's happening is the theft system light starts flashing. So I have to set 10 minutes with the ignition lights on and then it will start. But it keeps happening, I was told the only way to fix it is by taking it to the dealer to have expensive work done on it, why would Chevrolet put a system in that is that faulty. I seen on line its about the theft pass over system. There's alot of people having problems with it, is this what I get trusting Chevrolet.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #56

Jul 112010

Malibu

  • 131,000 miles
2001 Chevy Malibu - passlock system engages at random times causing vehicle to not start. Leaving ignition key in "on" position for ten minutes will allow the vehicle to start, but incident occurs repeatedly. Dealer cannot determine cause, says this is rather common.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #55

May 092009

Malibu

  • 103,957 miles
Intermittent issue at start with vehicle rpms elevating to 3500, if put into drive the vehicle speeds to 45 mph. Happens at different times (cold, warm, hot). Have had iac and tps sensors replaced (2 times) and most recently the power control module. Each fix works for a few weeks, then issue begins again. Most recently fremont Chevrolet had vehicle for 10 days and could not get it to repeat; therefore, could not have computer read or provide problem and repair. No service completed.

- Newark, CA, USA

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