Problems with 2001 Chevrolet Malibu ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Tl* - the contact owns 2001 chevrolet malibu. less than one month after purchasing the vehicle the ignition/starter failed. the contact paid a repair shop to fix the ignition, and the failure recurred. the towing mechanic stated that when the lights blink allowing the vehicle to sit for 20 minutes, it will restart. the mechanic stated that the starter sensor failed. the contact was advised that there was a recall related to the failure, and the driver requested reimbursement. after the ignition repair the contact experienced problems the air conditioning problems. the mechanic repaired the air conditioning and stated a few days later that there had been a compressor defect, a possible leak which caused air conditioner failure. the contact had been disputing the lemon law, reimbursement, and the failures for quite sometimes. the manufacturer refused to assist her. the current and failure mileage were 61,512.*ak the contact has provided the repair order, the buyer's guide information at time of purchase and a list of major defects that may occur in used cars. update 5/3/07*tr

First my intake manifold needed to be replaced and i got chevy to pay half. i had to pay around 400 to get it fixed. now my car won't start. i got it towed and it started to work again. they couldn't find any problems, so i took the car back. two days later it won't start again. they still don't know what the problem is. my brother also has the same car and his is doing the same thing. they don't know what is wrong with his either. this has been going on for three months now. i can not afford to keep paying for this car. chevy really needs to recall the chevy it self. the car is nothing but problems and they are safety issues and will hurt someone one day. *nm

My car will not start. the anti-theft system thinks i am stealing my own car. i have to leave the key in the ignition for 10 minutes to reset the anti-theft system so it will allow my car to start. *tr

When the steering wheel is turned the horn will not work.*ak

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the engine stalled without notice. the engine restarted after several attempts and the vehicle resumed normal function. the vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. the technician replaced the pass lock sensor, the housing and the key cylinder. the failure recurred. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

2001 chevrolet malibu would not start. had vehicle towed to dealer. they diagnosed a bad passlock sensor. this is the second time, in 2006, this has happened. it is very expensive to have repaired. this seems to be a very common problem with the malibu. i think the govt. should have gm replace these sensors at no cost to the consumer, as the sensors are of poor quality and over engineered. *nm

No injuries - no crash - unsafe conditions - i own a 2001 chevy malibu - six times in the past 25 months since i purchased it, the car has failed to start due to a problem with the anti theft system. checking on the internet and with other malibu owners this seems to be a constant problem - safety problem - since my wife drives this car my fear is that the car may stall at a busy intersection and then may not start due to the anti theft system problem on the 2001 malibu - which is a very unsafe situation - since it appears there is many, many 2001 malibu with this problem it's a safety problem for many people - i'm sure this has happened to several people - i have had my 2001 malibu towed to gates chevrolet 6 times in the past 25 months for this problem counting today i consider the 2001 malibu to not only be a unreliable car but an unsafe car due to this problem. *jb

Three times car wouldn't start when key was put in ignition. had it towed to dealer each time. when dealer tried to start car each of the three times, it started every time except the last time. 1st time (oct 2005) dealer ran diagnostic test revealing nothing and replaced no parts. 2nd time (jan 2006) dealer replaced ignition switch and sensor for $450. 3rd time (june 2006) dealer couldn't start car, but waited 1-1/2 days to run diagnostic tests so when they finally got to looking at the car it started up again. dealer ran diagnostic test which again revealed nothing since the car was running again. dealer wanted to talk about replacing more parts (fuel pump and the ignition switch again) but i said no and took my car back. dealer cannot explain since 1st time why this is happening. this is now a very unreliable car since we never know when it will happen. *nm

After driving approximately 20-30 minutes, car will surge, and then stall. after waiting a few minutes the car will start and go another 15 min or so. this has happened on multiple occasions, and after multiple repairs. the last incident occurred on a busy bridge with no hazard lane; a police officer pushed me off the bridge with his squad car. i have replaced the alternator, fuel filter, & fuel relay. after each repair i was assured that the problem was corrected. after each repair the problem occurred again. i have taken it to two mechanics and they have not been able to find any problems. *jb

The anti- theft system light came on and then caused my engine to stop while in traffic. this happened twice today. i was able to avoid a traffic jam and possible accident by shifting into neutral and starting the engine while still moving forward. this problem happened once last month also. *jb

2001 malibu, auto theft that was installed by chevy keeps preventing my car from starting and it has to be towed this has happen 5 times in the last month. this car has had the fuel pump replace, ignition replace, it wear my tires down unevenly. 2 days after i got the car i returned for 2 weeks due to the fact that the rear end go opposite of front and now it is doing it again. this car has cost me over $2000.00 in the last 6 months. the paint is chipping away like my baretta did. *nm

2001 chevy malibu 70000 miles.. bought in february 06 was replaced in may of 2006 theft light comes on while driving then after a few months of that car wouldn't start took to a chevy dealer and replaced passlock sensor few months later 07/06/06 problem restarted again dealer put car on computer cant find problem no code stored now less then a year 03/03/07 car is now flashing theft light and car wont start until i leave in the on position and wait 10 mins then car resets again. dealer wants more money to find problem and i have to pay another 500 dollars for part i shouldn't have to pay for this when i already did that less then a year ago. there are many complaints on this issue isn't chevy going to find why this is happening and recall it ..i wont buy a chevy every again. *jb

Engine stops running, instruments do not light up, both gas and temp gauge needles fall back to off position. car can be restarted by moving gear selector lever and twisting ignition key to engage starter. car also is at times hard to start. if the ignition key is inserted and twisted to on, sometimes icons do not light up, nor will the gauges register,the engine will crank but not start. if the key is twisted back to the off position,then twisted back to the on position and the needles of the gas and temp gauges move, the engine will start. this car is 5 years. old and has 45,000 mi. on the speedometer has happened several times,but since the engine restarts,it has not been taken for repairs. the pcv valve has been replaced, and car has been subjected to the state mandated testing,which requires use of the obd port. this was last fall. *jb

Intermittently all dash lights stay on when starting the car. also the radio/ clock does not come on for approx. 60 sec's. dealer wants to replace ignition switch and passlock sensor. this seems to be a common problem with this car. manufacturer should be responsible for repairs. *nm

2001 malibu has had front brake disc and battery replaced, 16804 miles on vehicle.. mechanic has now informed consumer that ignition switch needs to be replaced. *ts *jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while reversing from a parking space, the vehicle suddenly stalled with the illumination of the pass lock system warning message. the contact attempted the to restart the vehicle multiple times before the vehicle would start and operate normally. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the ignition switch was replaced. the manufacturer was not notified. the vin was not available the failure mileage was 65,000.

I went out to start my car and it would not start. had it towed and was informed it was the anti-theft system again. the same thing happened back in april of 2005 and the whole system had to be replaced which was $300.00. they are having to replacing the whole system again for $500.00. *nm

5 mos after purchasing car, the transmission had to be replaced. a few months later the engine would shut off while driving on the road. the following parts have been replaced: ignition module, spark plugs, fan belt, water pump, knock sensor, camshaft position sensor, crankshaft sensor, ignition switch. *nm

Yes i have a chevorlet malibu 2001 .i took it bob richard chervolet because something was always wrong with the anti theft system and every time they fix it they said it will never happen again . it happen again. this is the fifth time it happen . how i know it is the anti theft system. because the same problem happen four time already. first of all i'm paying close to 23,000 for this car the car was 14,700 but with the finance charges it costing me 23,000 i am ready to give this car up because of the same problem . i just don't know what to do please help. *jb

I unlock my car, get in, put my key in the ignition and go to start the car, which it doesn't because the theft system light starts flashing. i then have to wait 10 minutes with the key in the "on" position, wait for the theft system light to go out, turn the key off, then start the car. this has happened at least 20 times. no parts have been replaced. *jb

I have a 2001 malibu. the theft system keeps kicking on, and won't let it start. i have to wait 10 minutes before it will allow itself to start.

Car would turn over once and immediately shut down. ant-theft light would be on. had to have car towed to garage. they could find nothing to explain what happened and reset anti-theft system and released the car. all at a cost of approximately $200. this is 2nd time it has happened. first incident cost $100. it is frustrating because you can never predict when/where it will happen. from research i have done it seems that other people have had similar problem and replacing ignition switch/anti-theft system does not help either. have lost all confidence in my car!

1. normal driving 2. turn signals failed 3. there is a recall for this exact problem on other vins the same year, make and model recall #03v327000. *nm

My chevy mailbu 2001 vin # [xxx] the theft system alarm sets itself and to reset it your having to wait ten minutes. i got on the internet to see if anyone else was having a problem. i found that most all chevy's from the year 1998 to 2005 are having the same problem. one person said that is alarm set itself while on the freeway doing 60 mph shut itself off. if that's not a safety hazard i don't know what is. i would not want that to happen to me. can some one do something about this theft alarm system chevy is putting in their cars? it's very frustrating. i could only wish some one would steal the car. it's a big pain and would of never bought a chevy if i new this!*js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Dt: when going over a railroad track or a man hole, consumer's car shut down. the vehicle steering and brakes locked up and the consumer had to manually maneuver the vehicle and put it in park.*ak *sb *nm

Went to crank car and it would not crank anti theft light was on. this is the 4th time that this has happened and each time i have to spend 300.00 plus dollars to get it fixed. chevy should be responsible for this. last year i had the same thing replaced 3 times and now here it is agian.

Type of vehicle- 2001 chevy malibu on at least 5 occsasions, the vehicle has failed to start. the battery is ok, as all accesories ork perfect. the car has had fuel, and we actually replaced the fuel pump, just to see if this was the problem. it will act as though it wants to start. i have had an automotive technician try to see what it is by hooking up to a diagnostics machine, although as quick as it is released from the wheel dolly, it starts, as if jarring the car makes a difference. in light of this we are unable to locate the problem, although we know it is likely related to a misfiring of a wire to the computer. after hooking up to machine when it starts, no fault codes are shown. it is very frustrating. the engine will crank, fuel pressure ok. ignition system plugs ahve fire. all normal systems are good, however engine will not fire.

Driver's side window switch stalls before rolling up. turn signals do not work all the time. internal fan switch only works on 5. if i turn the fan switch on or off, turn signals will start working instantly. turn signal problem started right after the blower went out. i cannot listen to the radio and run the rear defroster at the same time. the driver's side seat belt will not release all the time when i try to put it on. the car has died as i tried to turn left at a stop light. this was a used car with less than 30k miles when i bought it in march 2005, no problems until about may. now a problem a day seems to appear. the car now has 39k miles on it and my husband wants me to trade it in already because he says it is going to "nickel and dime us to death". i have seen several of these problems on recall sites, but the dealer said that my vin was not included in the recall. *jb

Car wont start anti- theft system again, towed to garage replaced ignition system again. *ak

My 2001 chvrolet malibu ls had to be towed to the dealership in order for the anti-theft/passlock to be replaced which was around $300.00. this is not the first time my car has had this problem. i had to have it towed the first time and they had to reset it. i followed the instructions to wait 10 minutes and then unlock your car and try and start it. nothing worked. this is very frustrating and expensive to deal with. *ak

Car ignition. would not start. this has happened on three separate occasions. we were told that it appeared that it was the anti theft device. upon putting the key in the ignition it was being seen as an intrusion and will not allow the car to start. we have been told by both the dealer and secondary repair shop that the cause appeared to be a loss of memory in the chip. the procedure, which was quite unacceptable, was to wipe the key with alcohol and proceed to turn the ignition on and off several times. my wife ,who is the primary driver, has been stuck on more than one occasion. car has became completely unreliable! dealer, without knowing the problem, insisted that warranty expired, and to replace the ignition cylinder was around $300, 00 something that drastic should be covered by gm. *ak

Had a leaking intake manifold gasket. was told it would cost about $1000 to fix. i called the phone # for chevy in my owners book. filed a complaint, and went to the dealer, gave them my case # chevy gave me. they called chevy, came back and told me it would cost me $350. they changed the intake manifold gasket, flushed the radiator, and changed my oil. chevy has a reimbursment assistance program for problems that aren't bad enough for recalls. they also reimbursed me $862.00 for my problem with the anti-theft , fully reimbursed. if you live in illinois, the best place to have your car serviced is george weber chevrolet in columbia, illinois. the people are great , the service is great. i live 50 miles away but after dealing with other chevy dealers in missouri giving crappy service, its worth the trip!

The driver placed the key inside of the ignition switch and the vehicle would not turn on. the driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and the mechanic determined that ignition cylinder switch needed to be replaced. *ak the problem would occur with no warning. the theft light had illuminated due to the ignition sensor and had to be reprogrammed. the theft light would also flash and the vehicle would become hard to start at times. this problem also may have occurred due to an internal failure of the ignition lock cylinder. *sc *jb

The turn signals work off and on ,i never know if they will work or not .if they don't work i found if you push on the emergency flasher swith they might come on. this car was recalled for this problem but the dealer says it doesn't include my cars vin the nhtsa campaign id number is 03v327000

There was a recall on the 2001 chevy malibu for turn signal/hazard light defect. i have a 2001 chevy malibu and i had experienced the exact same problems. i contacted gm and they indicated that my vin number was not in the recall and therefore will not reimburse me for the cost of having my turn signals/hazard lights repaired. *nm

I put key in ignition switch and it would not turn to any position , buy it does still lock all doors. dealership would not replace the switch ,free of charge.veh. only has 62000 miles on it.i am not happy about this defect.*ak

I have had the brakes and rotors replaced twice since buying the car in april of 2001. i took the car to jim butler chevrolet for the turn signal/flasher problem which was later recalled and i was reimbursed. i took it to don darr chevy which fixed a faulty switch operating the air conditioner/switching to outside air. i had the car towed to dobbs when it would not start, they said it was the fuel pump and assembly module. today,jim butler chevrolet replaced the lock cylinder and ignition switch because of the theft system light and the car not starting.but was unable to find the cause of the daytime running lights not working. oh! but they noticed a recall on the hazard lights and replaced it. they were the one who replaced it the first time. i also told them of the over crank/grinding noise after the car is started, happens occasionally. they could not duplicate, so no repair. i am not happy with this car or chevy because of all the problems and the expense it has caused and cost me. i used to hold chevrolet in high regard, but can no longer recommend anyone owning one.*ak

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 160,000 updated 09/05/14*lj updated 11/28/2014 *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. the vehicle has been repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vin was included in recall nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). the failure mileage was 69,397.

Horn does not work. problem started out intermittently. now it seems to be permanent. very inconvenient. it makes me wonder if the air bags even work.*ak

While driving home from work in 90+ degree heat my car overheated to the point where i had to have it towed in and was told by the mechanics that my coolant had been leaking and causing the car to over heat there blowing the head gasket and causing me to have to pay $1200.00+ to have another engine put it. i have heard this is a commom with the 2001 chevrolet malibus. i don't know what the repair shop done with the old motor, but it was fried.

Car will not start and needed to be towed. problem 1st occurred on 6-16-04. issue was identified as the anit-theft system, which caused reprogramming of the module. on july 1st anti theft light came on and car was driveable to service shop at which time both ignition switch and body control module were identified as issues. reprogrammed again to see if problem persists. i've complained of hesitation upon car starting for 3 years which the dealer was never able to recreate. i feel that the anti theft issue may have been the underlying issue all the time and intend to pursue this with the dealer if problem reoccurs. i feel though warranty has expired that issue was reported and should be rectified by dealer and gm. *ak

Consumer stated that when putting key in the ignition to start vehicle it will not start. this was the second time this happened. had the vehicle towed to the dealer the first time, and was told that they had to reprogram the computer. currently, it was doing the same thing. the first time it happened was on 5/28/04,and again on 6/3/04.*ak

2001 chevrolet malibu experiencing problems with the vehicle not starting. the consumer has had the anti-theft system, and the ignition switches replaced. *mr consumer stated the theft light comes on and vehicle does not start. *bf *nm

Filled gas tank, drove 100 yards, gauge drops to read empty. happens occasionally in the same manner. erratic. requires utilization of the trip meter to track fuel usage. on one occasion gauge read tank was about 1/8 full, car stopped running and was out of fuel. second issue: "theft security" light has begun to come on erratically. driving along, light will suddenly come on. after departure of car, and return, driver must then follow 10 min. procedure to alleviate the problem. third issue: without installation of high quality tires on this vehicle, the noise level and wear pattern is absurd. the cupping and wearing has occured on 2 different sets of good quality tires. upon installation of michelin high quality tires, the problem stopped.

Horn will not always works, goes in and out. only works sometimes. started by just going out occasionally, now it hardly ever works. many failures have occurred, on many different occasions.*ak

We are paying on a 2001 malibu. the fuel sensor went out showing gasoline when there wasn't. the car stalled in rush hour traffic. the sensor was replaced but i had to pay for the fuel filter plus a deductible on my extended warranty. next the blinkers decided to only work occassionally same week the starter started dragging then the car started to run hot. took it to the dealer, replaced blinker switch (no mention made of the recall) replaced the starter and replaced the gasket that was leaking. when i had added coolant to get myself home the coolant that was n the car was green, the coolant i put in the car green..was supposed to be orange when i told the dealer there was green coolant in the car he said oh someones booboo unfortunately you have to pay for it...almost 300.00. yesterday, long memorial day weekend left work again rush hour, car begins to make a horrible noise i pull off notice the alternator belt is coming apart but the noise that i heard had nothing to do with the alternator belt sounds like metal on metal. $1400.00 worth of work done in april, 800.00 a few months before that and now this...the car is well maintained by my husband. now i read what i have to look forward to, the car was bought chevy certified from a chevy dealer. *la

I am a single mom of two, and am frustrated that all of my savings have gone into this money pit. i have replaced the intake manifold twice, and its going out again! i have replaced the water pump, heater core which are dying, and the theft system twice. i have had a fuel leak by my engine and had it enter inside my car and its doing it again, my abs brakes only work when they want, and these are just a few of my complaints! *tr

The fuel guage reports incorrect fuel level. you can go the the gas station and fill the car up and the gas hand will show it as being empty and before you put fuel in the tank the guage was at a 1/4 tank. you may have to turn the car off and on several times before it will show that it is full. also, while driving all of a sudden the car will cut off in heavy traffic. one time the car showed 3/4 tank of fuel while it was empty. luckly, i was on a downgrade and was able to get it into the emergency lane on the interstate. the dealer has told me that there is not a problem with the fuel system. furthermore, the check engine light has come on because the oxygen sensor has been damaged by the car running out of gas.*ak

Consumer was unable to start the ignition. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak