Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic with NHTSA between 2014 and 2017.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Malibu Classic. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other Chevrolet Malibu Classic
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
650.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
541.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2014peak 5Jul 2017
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 85,000 milesCovina, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES BY AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED, AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11011126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesPompano Beach, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #11002103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesPompano Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #11002103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND THE ANTI-THEFT LOCK WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-THEFT LOCK SENSOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10948059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allen, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ON OCCASIONS THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10929529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesFT Wayne, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A SENSOR RELATED TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10913644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesFT Wayne, IN
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A SENSOR RELATED TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10913644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesWilson, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES UNTIL IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT MONTHS LATER, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND WAIT TEN MINUTES TO TURN THE KEY BACK AND FORTH TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10899118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING A CLASSIC, NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10899156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maryville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND RECALL NOTICE #14350 /#14V-400 PROBLEMS. *SMD THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10744284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesOxford, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE IGNITION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW KEY CHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10659746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesStamford, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOA DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #10645046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,455 milesKimball, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ALL LIGHTING AND INSTRUMENTATION ON THE DASH WOULD GO OFF SUDDENLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN THE GAUGES WOULD WORK AGAIN. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED OR CONDITION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. HAVE NOT HAD THAT PROBLEM SINCE THEN . BUT I RECEIVED A KEY RECALL #14350. THE REKEYING HAS BEEN COMPLETED BUT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME IF THE RECALL WAS ON THE ORIGINAL SWITCH, OR REPLACEMENT SWITCH PUT IN 2011. IF THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH WAS A RECALL ALSO HOW DO I KNOW IF MY VEHICLE WAS CLASSIFIED UNDER THE CORRECT RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10644505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,455 milesKimball, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ALL LIGHTING AND INSTRUMENTATION ON THE DASH WOULD GO OFF SUDDENLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN THE GAUGES WOULD WORK AGAIN. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED OR CONDITION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. HAVE NOT HAD THAT PROBLEM SINCE THEN . BUT I RECEIVED A KEY RECALL #14350. THE REKEYING HAS BEEN COMPLETED BUT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME IF THE RECALL WAS ON THE ORIGINAL SWITCH, OR REPLACEMENT SWITCH PUT IN 2011. IF THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH WAS A RECALL ALSO HOW DO I KNOW IF MY VEHICLE WAS CLASSIFIED UNDER THE CORRECT RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10644505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,455 milesKimball, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL LIGHTING AND INSTRUMENTATION ON THE DASH WOULD GO OFF SUDDENLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN THE GAUGES WOULD WORK AGAIN. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED OR CONDITION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. HAVE NOT HAD THAT PROBLEM SINCE THEN . BUT I RECEIVED A KEY RECALL #14350. THE REKEYING HAS BEEN COMPLETED BUT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME IF THE RECALL WAS ON THE ORIGINAL SWITCH, OR REPLACEMENT SWITCH PUT IN 2011. IF THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH WAS A RECALL ALSO HOW DO I KNOW IF MY VEHICLE WAS CLASSIFIED UNDER THE CORRECT RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10644505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lumberton, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATED FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 3/18/15*CN UPDATED 04/30/15
NHTSA complaint #10640505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesGary, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TURN SIGNALS WORK ONLY SOMETIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10618522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.