2001 Chevrolet Malibu LS 3.6 V6

Summary:

I love this car!

Faults:

I have only had the car for about four months and I have already had to purchase new brakes.

I have also had to refill coolant once or twice.

General Comments:

This car can handle extremely well in all conditions I have tested it in.

I am extremely impressed with the comfort level of the vehicle. I never get tired of driving it.

The overall space available in it is great. I never have to worry about where to put something. there is always room.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th August, 2005

2001 Chevrolet Malibu

Summary:

Worst car I or my husband have ever owned

Faults:

Been in shop for brakes 6 times now.

Went in shop for brakes within a week of buying it.

Fuel seal went bad.

Fuel leaked onto battery cables, bad starting.

Turn signals quit working.

Brake lights went out.

Brakes needed new pads.

General Comments:

Will not buy another Chevy. Especially not a Malibu.

Was in shop 6 times in first year we owned it, 4-5 times since then.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th August, 2005

2001 Chevrolet Malibu LS

Summary:

We rolled lemons on unfixable 2001 Malibu

Faults:

Omitted is the small stuff and a warranty repair of the fuel pump.

The ignition switch went at 39928 miles. After towing in, the Chevy dealer replaced the ignition switch (at our cost) but didn't notice the horn was also not functioning. We accepted it (far from home and on vacation).

The car had to be towed in again for its 2nd replacement ignition switch at 52565. This dealer couldn't say what was wrong with the horn, but offered to poke around at $80 per hour. We didn't have him do that considering we had asked GM customer service to investigate and were hoping they'd want to look into it, and had already run up a $625 bill for this 2nd ignition switch replacement.

It took GM 75 days to come to the decision that they would offer nothing towards the replacement ignition switch nor the 2nd replacement ignition switch, nor investigate a possible short, despite the non functioning horn. Out of warranty was out of warranty.

Today, day 79, the car had to be towed in for the 4th time for it's 3rd replacement ignition switch. This $625 ignition switch is apparently being treated as a disposable fuse as long as it's us paying the bill. As for the horn, no one but a Chevy dealer can fix it, and they won't except at $80/hour T&M against no estimate --but now it's time to write that blank check or junk it because it due for state inspection :-)

General Comments:

If a company stands behind their cars you're okay. When they don't, it's a roll of the dice. We rolled lemons; maybe you'll be luckier. But when a car only has a 36,000 mile warranty there may be a very good reason!

The rest of my opinions of the Malibu just aren't important because the car isn't reliable, affordable, or salable if you have scruples (it still has a hidden defect). It's a car purchased brand new, with 55,000 miles, that we're still making payments on, that needs to go to the junkyard.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th August, 2005

11th Nov 2005, 18:09

Last night my daughter picked up a 2001 Chevy Malibu from the dealership, with approximately 80,000. This morning the car would not turn over. They got it started and off they went only to have the problem reoccur. The dealership after having th opportunity to diagnose the problem, stated that it the ignition switch. We are taking the car back. Thank you for your time in sharing your experience, as they quoted a far steeper price to repair than you paid, although the dealership was incurring the cost.

19th Jul 2006, 13:18

Easily the worst built new car I have ever seen. The heater switch doesn't work, the hazard switch was recalled, the AC turns itself on and off at will, as does the fresh/recycle air option.

The car has been maintained exactly to schedule, but is tired, loud, and has engine knocks. I will never buy another Chevy, and maybe not another American car.

21st May 2008, 09:02

If the AC continually cycles on and off it's probably low on freon.

12th Nov 2008, 12:42

I bought a 2001 Chev Malibu LS. Ather only 1 year, the engine is broken. The mechanic told me to change the engine... but the car has only 70,000 miles.