"How reliable is the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?"

"Based on 1005 NHTSA complaints, the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu has a median complaint mileage of 70000 miles. The most common issue is Electrical System."

"What are common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu is Electrical System, accounting for a significant portion of the 1005 total complaints filed."

2001 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1005 complaints

1005

Total Complaints

70,000mi

Median Mileage

Electrical System

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

46,666 25th Percentile

70,000 Median Mileage

104,978 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Electrical System

174

Control Module

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine

Turn Signal

Switch

Steering

Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe

Engine

Switch

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"IN THE MORNING ON VERY SUNNY DAYS, CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE SEEING OUT THE BACK WINDOW, IN THE AFTERNOON, CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE SEEING THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *SLC"

"AFTER COMING OFF FREEWAY STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WANDER ACROSS CENTER LANE. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES TO IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE CURRENTLY. *AK"

"ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Electrical System 174 complaints

25th: 74,250 mi Median: 100,000 mi 75th: 130,337 mi

Control Module 74 complaints

25th: 44,787 mi Median: 70,500 mi 75th: 102,390 mi

Engine And Engine Cooling 47 complaints

25th: 40,000 mi Median: 66,000 mi 75th: 92,000 mi

Engine 42 complaints

25th: 34,250 mi Median: 51,830 mi 75th: 67,750 mi

Turn Signal 28 complaints

25th: 35,500 mi Median: 52,500 mi 75th: 58,750 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

FL: 74 CA: 71 PA: 67 MI: 65 IN: 56 NY: 48 IL: 45 TX: 43 OH: 43 MO: 34

Who Files Complaints?

22.8%

Original Owners

77.2%

Second+ Owners

Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1997	693	82,750	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	34
1998	1480	70,000	Rotor	53
1999	1227	60,000	Rotor	61
2000	1379	65,000	Electrical System	71
2002	754	68,607	Electrical System	28
2003	772	70,000	Electrical System	52
2004	1639	69,000	Steering	78
2005	1385	89,000	Steering	67
2006	1473	85,000	Steering	59
2007	1252	100,000	Steering	53
2008	1482	80,000	Steering	54
2009	2354	100,000	Steering	64
2010	2193	82,000	Steering	72
2011	1512	79,632	Electrical System	71
2012	1470	87,000	Electrical System	93
2013	1367	70,000	Electrical System	50
2014	561	60,000	Engine	32
2015	389	50,000	Engine	30
2016	1424	50,000	Engine	37
2017	1157	51,000	Engine	25
2018	1166	44,700	Engine	34
2019	293	41,750	Power Train	9
2020	307	70,000	Engine	15
2021	99	21,000	Unknown Or Other	0
2022	116	42,000	Electrical System	6
2023	48	34,853	Electrical System	5

Active Recalls (4)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Ignition

Campaign 14V400000 | 03/07/2014

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Exterior Lighting

Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Pressure Relief Devices

Campaign 07E021000 | 12/03/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Switch

Campaign 03V327000 | 28/08/2003

WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Maintain Your Electrical System

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom

Vehicle Rankings

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28