CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC · model year

2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC

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.

17
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

17 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
ENGINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE1

Recent Complaints

20170727ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 85,000

20170629ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 62,000

20170629EXTERIOR 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.

Mileage: 62,000

20170127ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

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.

20161202ELECTRICAL 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. *TR

20161004ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 98,000

20161004ENGINE

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

20160829ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 70,000

20160829ELECTRICAL 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.

20150729ELECTRICAL 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. *JB

20141120ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 100,000

20141016ELECTRICAL 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.

Mileage: 78,000

20141014ELECTRICAL 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? *TR

Mileage: 65,455

20141014VEHICLE 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? *TR

Mileage: 65,455

20141014EXTERIOR 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? *TR

Mileage: 65,455

20141001ELECTRICAL 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*JB

20140803EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TURN SIGNALS WORK ONLY SOMETIMES. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

Compare 2001CHEVROLETMALIBU CLASSIC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC have?
The 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC has 17 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC?
The most-complained component for the 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.