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Electrical systemPart report

2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Electrical system Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
92%of 13 total for the year
Median mileage
78,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, 92% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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?”

NHTSA complaint #10644505, filed 2014-10, 65,455 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11002103, filed 2017-06, 62,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10913644, filed 2016-10, 98,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11011126, filed 2017-07, 85,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10899118, filed 2016-08, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20081152%
200717%
20054145%
20045951%
20031169%
20021169%
20011292%
2000982%
1998480%

Other parts of the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Exterior lighting
3 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology