The Lemon Index2001 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2001 Chevrolet Malibu is worse than average by owner complaints: 249 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 125, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 733 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 106K miles on the car (452 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 65K–111K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 40K–77K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 41K–94K miles
Recalls 4
- electrical 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.
- lights 2009
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.
- fuel system, other 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
Show all 4 recalls
- lights 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE HAZARD WARNING SWITCHES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE SOLDER JOINT CRACKING CAUSED BY RAPID TEMPERATURE TRANSITIONS AND THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 377 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may comment that the service engine soon (ses) indicator is illuminated
- Experiencing a no crank no start, crank no start, no start or a start doesn't run that may be…
- Some customers may complain that the service engine soon (ses) indicator is illuminated with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedErratic fuel gauge2002–2003
- ClosedTurn signal failures2002–2003
- ClosedTurn signal failure2002
- ClosedErratic fuel gauge2001–2002
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★☆☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.1L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumerhears a wierd noise when braking. Please provide any further information. Mr
2001 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 8020508
More owner reports
Pulling out of a driveway consumer hit another car, and vehicle would not stop. Cause unknown. Please provide any furhter information.
NHTSA complaint 8017173
The front and rear brakes had to be replaced frequently.
NHTSA complaint 10011413
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 125; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (31%), engine (28%) and lights (27%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have?
4 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,500 and 106,000 miles. The middle report was at 73,000 miles, from 452 complaints.
Does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu have?
3.1L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works