2001 Chevrolet Malibu LS from North America - Comments

I have a 2000 Le we bought used near the end of the warranty.We called for service and had to wait for gm roadside help for 3 1/2 weeks about a bad gas leak and trunk leaking. After raising cane they finally picked the car up,kept it for 4 days and said it was fixed!!

The gas leak was bad, but still G.M. kept telling my wife to drive it to them. I wish I would have had it in writing as it would with out question burned up (the best thing that this death trap is good for). After the"repair" my wife drove home when she got there so higher power must have been watching over her and my grandchildren because gas was everywhere. My 5 year old grandson said "pop-pop look that where its leaking from ". G.M. could not find it perhaps they need to hire some 5 year old children as they seem to know what junk looks like and G.M. does seem to care about the safety of their customers.

I intend to sue!

I have a 1997 Malibu. It has 33,000 miles on it. I recently had it servced at the dealership to replace the rotors and the brake pads and to check why it did not start intermittently. This has been happening on and off for eight months and was checked a couple of times previously, but the dealership could not find a problem with it on each occasion. A few weeks later it was back at the dealership to replace leaking rear wheel brake fluid and to check again why it did not start intermittently. They installed a new ignition system which they determined was the problem after speaking with GM. This is one month later and it is going back to the dealership because today the brakes were bumpy when applied and then later the car would not start. The car is so unreliable now I am afraid to drive it.

2000 Malibu... I have had most of the problems mentioned. Brakes were replaced before 20,000 miles, ventilation fan barely operates on settings 1 and 2. I had it in the shop for antifreeze leaking at the motor seal and the car shimmies when I go to slow down. I've talked to 2 other unfortunate consumers who have had the displeasure to say the least of buying a Malibu. This car should be recalled. I've always enjoyed the reliability of a Chevy until I bought this car. It was my 1st brand new car too.

Next one will be a foreign car. Chevy has lost several Billion dollars in not taking responsibility for defective cars. Law suits, explosions, warranty repairs, many recalls.

My wife bought a 2001 chevy malibu brand new. It had 7 miles on it when she bought it. We had the pads and rotors replaced in 2002. 6 months later it was grinding. We took the car to a different brake shop and did the same thing again, $320 later and 8 months they were bad again. Meanwhile we had the ARG valve replaced and the flashers. It took 3 times to get the ARG valve corrected. At this point the brakes are dangerous. I bought new pads, rotors, and a right front caliper, and had a friend that was a mechanic replace them for me. 2 months later the brakes are rubbing again. I had my mechanic friend look at it and he said the right side was heating up way too fast. We are taking it to the dealer today to find out why. We also been thinking of trading it in for a foreign car. The car is a LEMON. JAY FROM TN.

I own a 1997 Malibu, I have had to replace the alternator twice, too many brake pads replaced to count (thank goodness for lifetime warranties),rotors replaced twice with under 36,000 miles (warranty on rotors run out before your car warranty does), the head liner started falling in 2000, it squeaks at every little bump in the road, had the intake gasket replaced in October, and now at 100,000 miles my motor has completely locked up. I loved my Malibu at first, but now it is nothing, but the worst decision I've ever made.

I found this website because I was searching online for information about the idler pulley and belt which went this morning while I was driving to work. I didn't find anything helpful, but was shocked to read all the comments.

I bought my 1998 Malibu with 36,000 miles on it. 50,000 miles later, I have replaced the cooling fan motor and the serpentine belt, fixed the driver's side window, and, of course, replaced the brake pads once. (I dented a rim, but it was pouring out, and I did not see the pothole.) Today is the first time I have had a problem with it in a long time, and I cannot help, but think it may have something to do with the fact that the temperature last week barely hovered around 0 for a high, yet was 40 on Saturday.

My Malibu has been nothing, but great - I get good gas mileage (about 26 highway, and once made it from Quebec City to Massachusetts on one tank of gas), it is fast, and reliable. It handles well in the snow, and fits 5 adults comfortably, not to mention the trunk is HUGE. While I do not care for the restyling, I hope that GM has better engineered the new Malibu and Malibu Maxx so that future buyers will be more satisfied. I do have to admit tho, my next car will be a Nissan...

Sandy, Massachusetts.

I own a 2001 Chevy Malibu. I bought it at 23,000 miles, and have had it for two years. I have had the rotors fixed twice. I am now having a problem with starting the car. When I turn the key in the ignition, the car starts, but does not continue running. I took it to the dealer and he can't find what the problem is, because the car started several times for him. I am told that the Key has a chip in it that sometimes causes problems with starting the car. I still owe $9000.00 on the car. I will never buy a Chevy auto again. I think Chevy should honor their customers in a better manner. Most of us are now stuck with a large bill and a very poor product.

Me and my wife own a 2001 Malibu we had to replace the egr valve at 74,000 miles and after replacing it you need to have the computer reprogrammed to keep engine light off and to improve gas mileage, and had intermittent blinkers and had to replace the hazard switch, which now has a recall on them for the hazard switch. Other than that no other problems.

I own a 2001 Chevy Malibu LS and have had several of the problems mentioned here. Today I spent $700.00 to have the intake manifold gasket replaced. If you are losing antifreeze, check this out... I could have blown the engine. Brakes replaced once, but overall, I am pretty pleased. I have 84,000 miles on my Malibu and have found it to be reliable. GM should, in my opinion listen to the consumers and fix the recurring problems. I would think that if enough people complained, eventually GM would have to take corrective action. Is there a site to go to where we can legitmately list our issues and perhaps get them resolved?

I have a 2002 Malibu and I'm looking to trade it before things go really bad. The problem is these cars are worth nothng other a loss when traded. Oh by the way I have had to change brakes twice witin 21,000 miles.

WE bought our 1999 Malibu in Aug of 2000 and have nothing, but problems ever since. First it was in the shop seven times during the first 7 months for suspension and brake problems. We have replaced the Brakes and Rotors several times as well as the water pump, intake gasket for leaking, gas gauge won't work and air conditioner has been recharged twice and now the cam shaft has broken requiring a new engine all with only 80,000 miles on the car. The car still drives like it is on ice and vibrates at higher speeds. It was a "G.M buy back" with only 23,932 miles on it when we purchased it. I believe G. M has released a lemon in this model and should be held accountable for their actions. I believe we should ban together in a class action law suit to get these problems resolved. There are over 900 complaints on the NTSB (national transportation and safety board) web site for the 99 Malibu alone and most are for the same recurring problems listed here. We have contacted a lemon law Lawyer and will take legal action. We are very displeased with this car. H. D Hall Tulsa, OK.

I have a 2001 Malibu, which I bought in September 2003, because I was afraid that my 1996 Dodge Intrepid, which I had NEVER had a problem with, was going to start causing me problems...well, the Malibu has been nothing, but a pain!! In December 2003, I had to replace the Fuel pump, and again 2 weeks ago, Mar 9, had to replace the Fuel pump again, fortunately had bought the pump from a dealer and it was under warranty. Now, Mar 23, it will not start again, acting just like it did the last 2 times the fuel pump went out. This thing is EATING fuel pumps!! Have had no problems with the brakes thus far, nor have I had any problems with the AC. But the eating of fuel pumps has got to go. I sent an e-mail to GM, not that it did any good or is going to do any good. I love my car, when it is running, and got a good deal on it. It has all the bells and whistles, but geez...couldn't it run a little more often?

I agree that we should band together and file a class-action lawsuit. I have replaced the following on my 99 Malibu with 66,000 miles: rotors (FOUR TIMES!!) (probably $250 each time), fuel pump ($700), manifold gasket ($650), sunroof assembly ($1,200), CV Boot/Control Arm ($400), and probably a few other things that I have forgotten about. In addition, the fan does not work on speeds 1 and 2 (the circuit board is burned out for those two speeds), and the alternator is making noise so it is about to go. When Chevy introduced the car in 1997, they touted it as an 'import fighter'. It was supposed to go head to head with the Accord and Camry. What a joke! I am really serious about the Class Action lawsuit, would anyone who has knowledge of one that is being formed please post.

My husband and I own a 2001 Malibu. We have had to replace the pistons under warranty at 24,000 miles., the blower switch at 36,000 miles, which we paid for. Our car has 75,000 miles. on it, we are now having problems with the brakes and rotors, and with the theft system (pass-lock device) and the turn signals and hazard switch. We have contacted GM in reference to these complaints, they tell us the signal lights and hazard lights are under recall, but not on our car. We have friends that have a 2001 Malibu also and have been having the same problems. I think GM should be responsible for these problems,or recall all these vehicles. unhappy with our Malibu and GM in Kentucky.

My 2001 Chevy Malibu has been a nightmare!!! The recall for the flasher switch started my dilemma!!!

I had it repaired and have had nothing, but trouble since.

1st my ERG valve/ (Emission) had to be replaced. My car computer was not reprogrammed so I had to have the car towed back in a week later!

2 weeks later after having the computer reprogrammed, I had to have the Malibu towed back in again for not cranking. I had the Ignition switch replaced. ($320) Once again today my car is back in the shop. The Ignition Switch had to be worked on again and the horn wired to work.

I really thought this was a nice car, but it is turning out to be a headache. I spend more time having it towed back and forth from the dealership instead of riding in the car.

DO NOT BUY THE CHEVY MALIBU LEMON!!!