2001 Chevrolet Malibu LS from North America - Comments

2000 MALIBU

I bought my Malibu about 2 years ago and really haven't had too many problems. Just recently since I had the hazard signals replaced, my cruise works intermittently? I am now taking it back to the dealership for the 3rd time on this problem. Last time I replaced the SIR coil, which was covered under my extended warranty, and supposedly it was all set. Well I took a little trip over that same weekend and low and behold the cruise won't stay on. I have already replaced the brakes once, and my coolant leaks a little too. The more I read about this car, the more I worry. I can't afford to trade it in, just like everyone else, but I can't afford to not have a reliable car either. If a lawsuit comes about I am definitely in. I don't want to see anyone suffer the way most of us have.

I, like many others have had the same issues with my 2001 Malibu (piece of crap). Has anyone had the bracket that holds the alternator to the motor shear off? I heard a noise and felt a thud after starting the car, looked under the hood and the alternator was hanging by the cables. The dealer told me that this is very uncommon... Any takers?

I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu that has so many problems it is not even at 10,000 miles yet I have only had it for 9 months and it has been to the service dept. at the Chevy Dealership four times already.

1. There was a pulsating noise from the brakes

they said they fixed one day later it was doing it again.

2. I went back and they said they, but new brake pads in now so it should be good.

3. Loud noise when braking went to another dealership and they said there was lose bullets and calibers.

4. My power sterring went out and just stopped working so then I had to get a new steering column on a BRAND NEW CAR bought the car with 23 miles on it.

I also told them that my car alarm will go off I will push the trunk button to open and my car will start I press lock and the alarm goes off I know that my car has an automatic starter on the remote and they tell me that they played with it and it does not do that, but it does it with me whenever it wants too!!!

Its horrible I will never buy a GM car again I am in the process with getting my money back with the Lemon Law its just not safe.

I also have a 2001 malibu...e.g.r. value, brakes, door locks, engine light, i also have something going on when I reach the speeds of 45 and 55...it feels like gas isn't getting to it. I can give it some gas or let off and it will do o.k. (only at these speed do I have problems). Has anyone else has this or know what to do... i have spend $678.00 on it so far...thank-you...I will not get another! Ray from York, S.C.

My 2001 Malibu was leased brand new. On the plus side, this is a nice highway car that is comfortable to drive. I commute long distances and have been satisfied with the car's power and control.

Like all the other review entries on this site, I too have had the same frustrating problems with:

1. Brakes and rotors

2. Fan controls 1 and 2

3. Front end struts

4. Leaking around the driver's door.

However it is my RPMs going out of control when the car is hot that is the most serious problem and that has me looking around at this Malibu review site for guidance.

It started last year (in a heat wave) when the RPMs jumped up and stayed high causing the car to drive uncontrollably. The GM service department could not duplicate the problem and surprisingly the car drove fine after that, until last month (another heat wave). The GM service department discovered problems with the throttle cable and replaced it, but when they road-tested it with the new cable, the RPMs raced again. They put in another new cable after which the car drove fine for a month.

Yesterday, in the middle of an extremely hot day, the RPMs went wild and got stuck, sending the car careening through a red light into an intersection. Luckily, I was able to use the horn to warn the other drivers, and I yarded on my brakes so hard that the smell of burning rubber is still evident in the car. The car was towed to the GM service department, but no one will be in until Monday to look at it. It is likely the throttle cable again. Is there a connection between the heat and the cable malfunctions?

On the good news side, I have two weeks left on my warranty, and even more importantly as luck would have it, this happened to me instead of my son who is learning to drive my car and goes for his road test on Monday.

On the bad news side, this is something that comes on so quickly, without warning, and next time I might not be so lucky to whiz through a red light and not kill someone. What is GM's responsibility to not put me and my family into a death trap?

Any suggestions or guidance is welcome. I have one more year on my lease, and believe me, I am going back to imports after that.

July 29, 2004.

16:37.

I purchased my 2000 Malibu in December of 2000, (new). Now in July of 2004 this car has 117000 kilometers on the odometer. Tomorrow, July 30, I will be installing the fourth set of rotors and pads on the front brakes. (Calipers replaced once). I have changed the signal light flasher and intake manifold gasket. I have been refused a hearing on the matter of the abnormal wear out of the inner brake pads by the dealer, the manufacturer, Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan, the Federal Competition Bureau and the province of British Columbia consumer's group. My letters to the editor, although factual and documented, have gone unpublished. General Motors strategy has been to largely ignore me. I have converted my Malibu into a rolling billboard and have taken my complaints on the road. The public will be the final judge.

Would I buy again...? I'm not sure.

I must say however, that after reading some of the reviews, my "Mali" (that's her name) has been pretty dependable - she has taken us on at least a dozen road trips the last few years - in fact, we've just traveled 1534 miles - but not before having to have the calipers, rotors & pads (3rd time for pads) replaced. While having these items repaired we were also informed that the rear intake was leaking and we were told that this IS an issue and that Chevrolet is aware of this problem and that a possible recall could be in place. (??)

My BIGGEST complaint has to do with my TURN SIGNALS - they only work when they want, and here recently never seems to be when I need them to - but then, I only use them... when I need them... right!? And it's not just my car, I have spoke with 3 other people who own the same year & model who have the exact same problem. I have contacted my local Chevy dealer and I was informed that there is not a recall concerning the turn signals. Come on now... If I, personally can find 3 people that have the same issue, you can't tell me that there aren't others!

*sigh*

August 6, 2004.

My 1998 Malibu has 78,000 miles.

1. Today, I had the brakes replaced for the 6th time. The first three brake jobs happened within the first 18 months.

2. Back drivers side window dropped inside the door one day after work. Replaced the power window motors twice.

3. Intake gasket replaced $500.

4. Fuel injector #3 also replaced today for the second time. Last summer the Malibu was at the dealer 4 times to replace injectors.

5. The radio, CD player, and cassette player stopped working after a year and a half. That was another trip to the dealer.

6. The positive connection to the battery corroded after a year. Had to buy a new battery.

7. My wife, son, and I were driving to the putt-putt golf course and the alternator quit. The car died out 1 mile before we arrived at the Chevy dealer. This in turn drained the battery. We had to buy another battery.

8. The #1 and #2 ac controls relay had to be replaced.

9. The rear light housings were replaced. Brake light blub's kept blowing out.

It saddens me to read all of this a year after I am upside down on this purchase. This is my first "new" car. 2001 Malibu LS purchased in11/2003. 1. This car has left me stranded three times. 2. The check engine light has been on since I replaced the battery in 12/24/04. 3. First Fuel pump $600.00 including towing for 2 miles. 10/21/04 4. Fuel pump is out again, but this time I was stranded 60 miles from my house. I had a 1989 Ford Mustang, it never left me stranded. THIS CAR IS NOT RELIABLE!!! I have learned my lesson; never again will I buy junk from GM.

11/09/04..All within this year. Issues with my 2001 Malibu which now has 62000 miles.. First leaving me stranded, was the battery.. Few months later replace the intake manifold gasket then replace fuel pump, fuel pump relay, replace the radiator, the tempeature gage is jumping around replace the sensor three times still doesn't work right!.. replace oil pressure sensor a month later started up again leaving me stranded, it was the theft anti system. change ignition cylinder and ignition switch, working fine a week later my car just doesn't want to start nothing no lights just nothing started three min later.. going back to the dealer today to have it check on again.. Nice car, but so many issues. I just want a good car.. it's not very much to ask for is it?

Linda Perales.

I was having a problem with my blinkers coming on when they want... and to my dismay I find that it is a problem not just with the recalled ones which only go to the 2001 Chevy Malibu which do not include my car 2002 Chevy Malibu. I called the local dealer and was told that it would probably cost around $300 to fix because it is located behind the column and wouldn't you know it the warranty has expired. I am not happy with my Chevrolet and will go back to buying the car I wanted to...an import. Stupid me I let some friends tell me this car was comparable. Between the brakes/rotors, and fan controls 1 & 2 and the smell of gas in the car which has been fixed so far and the car is only 2 1/2 years old. I am not a happy person.

Chevrolet needs to update there recall list because low and behold it also should include the currents years.

NOT HAPPY IN THE CAROLINAS.

2001 Malibu.

I got mine about 3 years ago and it hasn't left me so far. Although after reading these comments, now I'm scared! It has taken me on many road trips, I now have almost 96,000 miles on it. When I got the car it was used with about 12,000. I have also had trouble with the fan not working on 1 & 2, many problems with brakes and rotors. Yes, I was beginning to think I was crazy, until now, about my horn blowing whenever where ever!!! But over all I do like my car, but I do wish GM would fix the problems that are happening again and again. Get a clue people.

1999 Malibu 65k miles v-6.

1. Brakes about every 6 months

2. Have replaced a window motor/regulator. right side rear

3. Left side passenger periodically works.

4. Currently, drivers window control has a bad switch, but of course you have to buy the whole control panel. In fact I was looking for one when I came across this site, and decided to share. Misery loves company.

5. There is no telling where air is going; Example, defrost, floor, panel. It is usually a combination.

I will not buy another Malibu, nor would I recommend one, except to someone I dislike.

My husband and I have owned 2 Malibu's brand new off the lot. The '99 was on it's way to having a lot of the air intake problems mentioned in other comments. We traded it in (without addressing the problems) for a 2001 and have had good luck. I have noticed similar problems as others have mentioned such as the turn signal problem which was fixed when I received the recall letter. Until then, all we could do was push the hazard switch to make it work for a little while longer. I also do not have fan control on settings #1 and #2. I'll be going in to see if this can be fixed relatively easy based on the earlier comments I now know what to ask for and I thank you all for sharing your comments. I just had the coolant leaking into the manifold problem that was fixed under warranty. Even though, I still love my car. The cabin size has been great for a family of 4 and the trunk space has been awesome. We have taken the kids across country with all of the baby paraphernalia and all. We were unable to afford the Impala or we would have gotten bigger. This has been an awesome car for us. I think almost every car is going to come with it's own issues. (ex: Ford Explorer) It's just a crap shoot and buy a good extended warranty to cover your butt.

I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu and I'm about to drive the car off the road. I bought it at a used car dealership 1 year ago. I have made a huge mistake. Right now, just at this moment, the car will not START. The car was fine for about two months until winter started. Then all of a sudden, the car won't start in cold weather. Changed just about everything in the car. The beginning of this year, the car was again fine. Until two weeks ago, when the weather started to get colder. I took it to repair shop and he has no idea what could be wrong. He thinks it's a number of different things. I really seriously think all Malibu's should be recalled.