2001 Chevrolet Malibu

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Electrical

Electrical leads by volume: 285 of 721 complaints (40%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (17) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 922 in 2000 to 721 in 2001.

Data last changed Sep 16, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	vs. 2001 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)	2,700–2,950	2,700–2,950	2,950	2,950	2,950
Combined MPG	21–23	21–23	21	21	21
City / Highway MPG	17–19 / 26–28	18–19 / 27–28	18 / 26	18 / 26	18 / 26
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	386–423	386–423	423	423	423
Complaints filed	789	922	721	567	569	Not compared
Recalls issued	3	5	4	4	3	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	44	45	36	18	35	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	2	6	1	1	4	Not compared
Injuries reported	40	36	29	19	23	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	3	2	0	1	Not compared
Configurations compared	2	2	1	1	1

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?

Electrical: 285 of 721 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu get?

EPA rates it 21 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?

EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (1)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Automatic 4-spd	6	3.1L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	18 mpg	26 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950	423 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries	Deaths
Engine	175	5	0	2	1
Transmission & Drivetrain	18	2	0	2	1
Fuel System	40	2	0	1	0
Electrical	285	4	0	2	0
Brakes	91	4	0	2	0
Steering	41	7	0	3	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	37	2	0	2	0
Airbags & Restraints	29	17	0	17	1
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	25	3	1	1	0
Body, Seats & Latches	21	2	0	7	0
Visibility & Lighting	118	0	0	0	0
Other	41	2	0	3	1

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (4)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V400000 · Jul 7, 2014
Defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 03V327000 · Sep 4, 2003
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS. IF SOLDER JOINT CRACKING OCCURS AND RESULTS IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT, THE TURN SIGNALS/HAZARD LAMPS BECOME INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER CANNOT USE THEM TO SIGNAL INTENT TO TURN THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.