2001 Chevrolet Malibu LS from North America - Comments

When I bought this 2001 Chevrolet Malibu at 29,000 miles it ran like new. Needs new brake pads and rotors at 35,000 miles. Overheating at 36,000 miles. Power steering will not work at 37,000 miles unless accelerating. Engine power is very sluggish with a/c running low. Air intake is hidden behind driver side headlight, giving very, very poor air flow. After 5 yrs of the new release no improvements have been made.

GM needs to have a major recall on 1997-2002 Chevrolet Malibus.

I agree completely. I have had several problems with my Malibu. I currently own a 98 Malibu LS with 66K miles on it. I bought it was a GM Certified vehicle. What makes it certified is beyond me. I have had several problems in which others have had, and I think Chevrolet should recall. Just to name a few... Battery leaking, pads and rotors replaced every 12 to 15K miles, HVAC Control head, piston slap, blower motor going out on speed 1 & 2, engine running sluggish when AC is on... and those are just to name a few. After 5 years you would think Chevy would have fixed some of its previous problems. I love my Malibu dearly when everything is running correctly. I hate to swear off GM vehicle, but I would be telling a fib if I said that I have not been checking out some new Hondas.

I also agree that there needs to be a recall. I own a 1998 Malibu and I've only had problems. I'm not going to get into the details, but this car has cost me more money than it should have. I'm looking at a new Mitsubishi...

I own a 2000 Chevy Malibu LS - I've already replaced a front tie rod, brakes and rotors and the air conditioning blower will not work on 1 or 2. This is my first American car, I hate to say it, but I am looking at purchasing Foreign next time. I can't afford a car payment and repair bills.

I strongly agree about the need for a recall, although I can only say this about a 2001 Malibu. When I bought my brand new Malibu in June of 2001 I was so happy to have a bigger car! However, only a week later I had to have my car towed to a service shop because I had no brakes. This time it was the left brake caliper that was leaking (on a car that had been driven less than 100 miles). Then, in December of 2001, my coolant began to leak and again had to be towed and fixed. Now I am experiencing a problem with the suspension with a loud squeak every single time I drive over a bump. To make a long story short, several times now my Malibu has been towed back to the dealer to be repaired and my own salesman has suggested I trade it in (who can afford a new car every year?). The only good thing about my Malibu, is that it has very low miles. Very easy to do when it's towed half the places it needs to go and I have spent as much time driving rental cars as I have my own car in the past year. Thank goodness for my warranty!

I bought a 1998 malibu ls used it had 78000 kms. althought I have not had problems with the brakes as many have after 12000 kms. I feel they will need to be done very soon. the blower motor does not work on 1@2 like most. there should be a recall on this. in short piece of junk.never again.

I've have a 1999 Malibu and am already on my 4th set of rotors for the front. The suspension on the car creaks and moans constantly an I've just had to replace a fuel injector. I would not recommend for anyone to purchase a Chevy Malibu. In my opinion, they are pieces of junk.

I've had only horrible experiences with my 1999 Malibu. Brake problems are constant and extremely unsafe. My car starts to shake when speeds exceed 50 mph. The entire electric system is haywire (lights flicker when parked at a red light, etc.) This is by far the worst car I've purchased, and now that I'm trying to trade it in for a SAFE car no dealership will give me even half of what I paid for it (less than a year ago!).

I own a 2001 Malibu. After 57,000 miles, I've had to replace the front pads three times. Also the check engine light has been on for about a year now. I've always been a chevy man, but I think I'm gonna buy a Dodge.

I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu and at 6,000 miles I had to replace the rotors and brakes. I have also had to replace the starter twice, the fuel pump, the water pump. I'm on my third intake gasket. The body module also went bad. My keyless entry stopped working. Also the passenger side window motor went bad, the stereo shorted out and stopped working. In my opinion if anyone is thinking about buying a Malibu please don't. Mine personally has been nothing but a headache. It is a cute looking car that why I like it in the first place, but I would never buy another one.

I just bought a 2002 Malibu and after owning it for a month it's been to the shop twice. The first time the temperature ran a little warm (they told me those cars do that). The second time the car leaked when it was raining. They had to replace all the interior (carpet, seats, etc.). I'm now worried what is going to happen next?? (my driver window is already making a noise) I think I made a $20,000 mistake = (

I have a 2001 model and have never had a problem with it.

Add me to the list to never buy from GM--they've given me nothing but a run around. And I have the extended warranty! My Malibu LS is a 2001 and we have replaced the pads and rotors, it shakes on the highway and has the cold engine tick. These are items that have been placed on the Service Bulletin page for GM and nothing will be done about these problems. I'm still in the process of fighting for my right to get my car fixed under the warranty. The shops say that the Malibu is known for the above problems, just to name a few. I will not take this lying down because my next step is 1-800-LEMONS---then if I get no where AGAIN--it's time to trade it in and count my losses...

I also own a 1998 Malibu, and I have had nothing but trouble since the first month. The taillights were the first to go. They let in water during a storm and burned out all of the bulbs. So that was replaced and a month later it did the same thing only this time it melted the bulb housings. The brakes went out only a few weeks after I purchased it. They have since been replaced at least 7 times. I have replaced the rotors 3 times, and its not just the brakes, I have also replaced both of my front wheel bearings and they are starting to sound bad again. Another problem that I have had is also with the tie rods. I had to replace them because the end actually bent. My coolant leaks and I also have problems with the temperature gauge getting hot. I replaced the thermostat and that did nothing for the problem. I've had to replace the motor mounts because the car would shake whenever I braked or when I shifted in to gear, not only that also when I turned. The struts have also been replaced on the car that I thought was a good buy. But now I have so much money into the thing that it might as well have been a Cadillac. I would not recommend a GM product to anyone that I know.

Hello fellow Malibu owners! My husband owns a 1998 Malibu, and I say "he" because I'll have nothing to do with it. Let me put it this way, I see the Napa specialist more than I see my husband. If he's not under the car, we're talking with the Napa guys to see whatever we can possibly do to prevent the Malibu from malfunctioning all the time. Whether it's from brake pads, motor mounts, rotors, wheel bearings, to super-dooper-engine-juicer...nothing seems to be fixing thee inevitable. LAY THE MALIBU TO REST!

I too own a 2001 chevy malibu. It was originally owned by my mother who bought it brand new from the dealer and a year later I took over. While the car was still in her name, she experienced a noise coming from the engine. When I took over the payments I had the car taken to the dealership and looked at they said it was the pistons and that had been recalled. it was fixed, but still makes a whistling noise when first turned on and when excellerating. about a month or so later the battery wouldn't work, here it was leaking acid and had corroded the red (positive) bolt. now I am experiencing a noise coming from the front right tire which sounds like a rubbery squeaky noise. it has been suggested that the brakes are in need of service.. I don't see how this could be seeing as the car only has 25,000 miles and is a year and three months old!!!. tomorrow I find out what is wrong.