Total Complaints
17 filings
CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC · model year
17 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001CHEVROLETMALIBU CLASSIC carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 MALIBU CLASSIC is electrical system with 11 filings, followed by exterior lighting (3) and vehicle speed control (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2001 MALIBU CLASSIC, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
17 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
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.
Mileage: 85,000
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.
Mileage: 62,000
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.
Mileage: 62,000
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.
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. *TR
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.
Mileage: 98,000
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.
Mileage: 98,000
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.
Mileage: 70,000
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.
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. *JB
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.
Mileage: 100,000
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.
Mileage: 78,000
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? *TR
Mileage: 65,455
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? *TR
Mileage: 65,455
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? *TR
Mileage: 65,455
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*JB
TURN SIGNALS WORK ONLY SOMETIMES. *TR
Mileage: 96,000
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.