5th Nov 2004, 09:59

We have a 2001 Chevy Astro van with the same problem. Not in the recall, but dealer will not fix. If you shim the hazard switch over with a piece of wood, it will fix the problem. (brake lights will work, but hazards won't) Better than paying $300 + to Chevy to install another switch that will go bad.

17th Jul 2005, 23:36

I have a 2001 malibu ls, the blower knobs goes out every 7 months on the dot. It cost me 250.00 each time it goes out. Now I am having problems with my brakes. The aluminum calibers cost me 700.00 to replace. These calibers make all kinds of noise and sounds like the front end is coming apart. I was told that the aluminum calibers can't withstand heat, so why are they put on malibu's.

14th Dec 2005, 12:13

I have a 2001 Malibu that has continuous problems. It just seems to be a really horrible car! I have spent more money fixing it than I actually paid for the car! I wouldn't advise anyone to buy one unless it is bought brand new and you don't plan to keep it for a long time. I bought it with 42k miles. It now has 96k and it is falling apart! It definitely was not intended to be a long term car. I like the look of the car the engine, muffler, etc are crap!

9th Nov 2006, 17:18

I have also been having problems with my hazard lights. I received a letter saying to take it to a dealership and they would fix it. They come on and make clicking noises for no reason. I have taken my 2002 Chevy Malibu to the dealership (2 different ones) four times and they all claim to have replaced the switch; yet the problem has never gone away. I am now taking it to another non- Chevy delaership.

10th Jan 2007, 20:21

Hi, I have owned 2 Malibu's One was a 1999 Malibu which always had problems with the rear brake lights going out. I replaced just the part that the bulbs sit in and have not had any problems since. I also replaced the device that houses the hazard button, to stop the annoying clicking that made you want to drive off a cliff. Now I have a 2002 malibu and have problems with the blower not working on 1,2,3, I have read that all I need to do is change a fuse that is located underneath the carpet on the passengers side. So wish me luck and if you can fix the minor, but annoying things, the cars will run and last forever. Pushing 125k on my 2002, and 150+k on my 1999.

1st Feb 2007, 08:29

I purchased a 2001 Chevy Malibu, because at the time, there was no tax for the life of the loan. The car was new, but a few months later I had to replace the brakes and rotors.

The car is 5 years old now, and I have had the brakes done 6 times, and needs them again. The cars coolant, which was not to be changed for 5 years, as per the sticker, turned to sludge in 3 and now has to be topped off once in a while. The lower engine knock that I have been hearing, has something to do with gears, and I am in need of a new engine. The car has an electrical problem that is draining the battery every 3-5 days. I have put way too much money into this piece of garbage, and Chevy says that this car, which hasn't left the confines of a 25 mile radius from my home, is not their problem. Figures I need a new motor the exact week of my last payment.

12th Nov 2007, 12:31

I have a 2001 Malibu and I have had all of the same problems mentioned above. Signal lights not working and of course the blower working on setting 4 and 5. Fortunately these were fixed under warranty. However my biggest issue is with the calipers - I had these replaced 16 months ago and now they are "faulty" again. They are leaking and making huge noise when I stop. I paid for the replacement 16 months ago and now they want me to pay again. Aren't calipers suppose to pretty much last the life of the car. I have only 72Kilometers on it. Geesh...

26th Jan 2008, 13:15

My mom owns a 2001 Chevy Malibu and has had nothing but problems with it for the past 2 years. After it died driving down the road, no one knew what was wrong with it, until the tow-truck pulled up and told us the keyless entry was to blame. We were dumbfounded until we made the dealership repair the entry locks, and the problem went away. Now we're dealing with a hazard/flasher button that likes to click all day long. we've replaced it twice and it still won't go away. The store where we bought the last flasher button said he sold 17 of these replacement flashers for these cars just last year. Obviously we're not the only ones with this problem. Anyone out there know how to fix it?

27th Jan 2008, 00:00

I just don't get it. Why are so many people having problems with these cars? With the exception of one person all seven people that I know including me that have owned these cars swear they're reliable. We do have two common complaints though:brakes suck, and the gas mileage needs improvement (highways is decent though). Other than that we've no problem.

11th Aug 2008, 22:04

Blow Motor issues:

A friend of mine just inherited a 2001 Malibu from a family member. The car sat for a month and the blower motor seized up and fried the resistor card that controls the blower speeds. The blower was relatively easy to remove and unseize with oil and spray grease. It's located just behind the glove box. Very poor design. The motor sits in the bottom of the duct where it is exposed to condensation drainage. They will fail. The resistor card is located just in front of the fan motor next to the firewall. You'll need a 5.5mm socket to remove the card. Unfortunately, I fried a new resistor card troubleshooting the problem. This item retails for $35. I find it troubling that the seized fan motor blows the resistor card and not the blower fuse.

The car is cheap, shoddy construction, careless design, typical GM second rate trash. When it's working okay, the car is fine if you can ignore the details. Oh, the car also has a troubling engine knock with only 109,000kms. Sounds like the beginnings of a bad rod bearing. Bit of a time bomb unfortunately.

I'll be waiting for the signal switching problem to manifest and the brakes to fail. I think the front wheel bearings are also on the way out.

It baffles me that people continue to buy vehicles from GM.