Anti-theft system prevents car from starting. Car has slightly over 100,00 miles on it and suddenly recurring problems with the anti-theft system prevented the car from starting. Initially turning the key to on and letting the anti-theft system reset fixed the problem but it kept getting worse until now when the anti-theft light remains on and nothing will make it go off. In researching this I've discovered it is a common complaint for 2001 chevrolet malibu ls owners and very expensive to fix. Chevrolet is not supporting this issue through a recall and they should.
2001 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints
Page 7 of 11: complaints 161 to 190 of 285, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a 2001 chevrolet malibu. I have had the passlock sensor replaced 5 or 6 time over the life of the vehicle. I returned my car today to a dealer for the same issue and now they want $700+ to replace the body control module. In the last six months I have had the vehicle there 3 times and this is the first time that anyone has mentioned that the bcm is causing the problem. I want gm to cover the cost which the dealer refused to do. Even after the passlock sensor is replaced, the issue starts up again within 3 to 4 months.
Electrical: it all started 2/2007... There was a recall on the 2001 chevy malibu for turn signal/hazard light defect. I have a 2001 chevy malibu and I had experienced the exact same problems. I contacted gm and they indicated that my VIN number was not in the recall and therefore will not reimburse me for the cost of having my turn signals/hazard lights repaired. There is a ticking noise that is off and on, sometimes lasting 3 minutes. Then in 5/2008... The following happens at the same time: the car does start the fuel gauge says I am empty, radio will not work, A/C and heater will not work. My daytime lights will not turn on, along with my windows, and cruise control. This is sporadic, but happens at least once a day; sometimes more.
Theft system keeps failing this is the 4 th attempt to fix it. No warning that is going to happen car just won't start. This car has left me stranded 3 times twice at night.
The car will start fine, but once you turn it off and go to start again it will just crank. The first time I replaced the fuel pump. The second time I repaced spark plugs and wires. The third time I didn't know what else to change and a friend said to try putting the key in the on position for 10 mins. I did and it started right up. It turns out the ant-theft system keeps locking me out about every month. It is a major pain to have to be somewhere and not know when the car will start or not, and then sit there for ten mins to reset it.
Car will not start - theft system light comes on. I have tried the passlock "fix" of turning key to on for 10 minutes, shutting off and trying to restart but no luck on the car starting. The issue has gone on for over 3 weeks, each day getting worse and worse. I have taken the car to a shop and diagnostics came up negative and car started. 3 weeks later, car won't start again. Have a mechanic come look at it, he sees nothing wrong with it except that the fuel ignition isn't working - probably because of the passlock theft system!!
Theft system warning light comes on and will not let car be restarted until I leave key in started switch for 10 minutes.
Anti theft pass key car will not start due to theft protection kicking in have to reset everytime I want to start the car.
I have a 2001 chevy malibu. The anti theft system light keep coming on causing me to wait for 10 - 15 minutes for it to reset. Causing me to go back to dealer to get my key reprogram. A very expensive job. I've not had it done yet. I've researched this and have found out that this is common among malibu owners. What can we do to have gm recall our car to fix this problem. This problem last occurred on june 4, 2008. I've had this problem for awhile.
The anti-theft system on my 2001 chevrolet malibu frequently activates for no apparent reason, causing a ten minute waiting period before the car will start. This device does more harm than good and leaves me stranded in undesirable areas to in which to be stranded.
Gm passlock system is failing in the vehicle. Problems incurred are: no-start and engine shut-down while in operation. Sudden loss of power in vehicle is serious safety concern.
I purchased my 2001 in 2003 and has never given me any problems. But at the end of march my malibu would not start. I had it towed and got a full tune up and it ran for about a week before it started skipping. I took it back to the mechanic and he gave the car a transmission flush and it ran for about a week. Two days later while I was driving the car it cut off, I was able to restart it but then sunday morning 4/20/08 it would not start. I called my mechanic and he noticed that the anti-theft light was blinking and indicated that the system had locked me out, and that the ignition no longer recognizes the chip in the key. I have read online that several owners have been experiencing this problem. I am anger that general motors has not taken ownership of this very serious problem this problem and issued a recall. My car has 41,000 mi and I should not be having problems like this. This is not relevant to wear and tear this is a defected product and a safety issue that warrants the attention of the manufactures and owners who are having problems with their vehicle. This could possibly prove to be fatal if the car suddenly stops in the middle of traffic on the street or highway like my car did. My husband and I were lucky this time. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, and was contemplating trading for the newer 2008 model, not anymore.
Problems with anti-theft system. Car would not start. Have had to have car towed to dealership twice and had the ignition pass lock changed both times within a 6 month period. The third time it happened was one day before the 1 year guarantee on the parts and labor of the previous replacement ran out. Had car towed again. This time they said it was the wiring harness to the pass lock. They said it was corroded and they replaced it but I had to pay for it since it was not the same part as the pass lock part they replaced twice before. Naturally I have no way of knowing whether the wiring harness corrosion was the real problem on the first, second or third time. They never reimbursed me for the tow on the second replacement that was under their warranty either. Tow truck driver told me that this was an almost everyday occurrence for him on gm vehicles that he towed. Recall and reimbursement seems to be in order.
Cannot start engine because of anti-theft system.
Theft device replaced in ignition switch twice in just over 2 years, both repairs over $300+. Last time it failed while driving down the road, ignition just shut off. Had to tow to dealership to repair. Wife luckily got car stopped and someone helped push out of street. I see this complaint a lot. Sounds like it should be a recall just like the rest of the junk that is failing on these models. I will never buy chevrolet again.
I am a single mom of two, and am frustrated that all of my savings have gone into this money pit. I have replaced the intake manifold twice, and its going out again! I have replaced the water pump, heater core which are dying, and the theft system twice. I have had a fuel leak by my engine and had it enter inside my car and its doing it again, my ABS brakes only work when they want, and these are just a few of my complaints!
Anti-theft light comes on then the car just wont start. Had many sensors, as well as ignition switches, replaced. At my cost! Had to be towed, pushed, and pulled, too many times to count. Wont ever by a chevy again. Ever!!!! If you own a 2001 chevy malibu, sell it trade it. Whatever you do get rid of it. Save yourselves! A lot of money too.
Ignition switch / passlock anti-theft system prevents vehicle from starting about 70 percent of the time.
I went outside to start my 2001 chevy malibu and it wouldn't start. So I had it towed to mechanics they kept my car for a week. They could find a trouble code to find out what cased the problem of the anti theft system to go on. I use the same key everyday no one there to steal the car. So now my light stay on all the time an I learned how to program the code myself this way I don't have to pay every time it don't start. All so my turn signals stop working sometimes I never took it to get fix because I learned that if you push the hazard lights they will work again.
Car initially failed to start. Towed vehicle to shop. Shop couldn't find any thing wrong. Kept on happening. After multiple tows it was determined that it was the anti-theft system. System replaced-was ok for 3 months now happening again. Should not have to put $400 into same problem every 3-4 months.
My car will not start. The anti-theft system thinks I am stealing my own car. I have to leave the key in the ignition for 10 minutes to reset the anti-theft system so it will allow my car to start.
2001 malibu with 50,525 miles with first occurrence 12/07/06. Passlock system failure and car will not start (new fuel pump). Anti theft light keeps blinking and car won't start continues almost monthly. Malibu has been towed to dealer 7 times since dec 06. Fuel pump replaced dec 06 not the problem. Iginition cylinder not the problem. Towed again 10/17/07 same problem. Dealer clipped 3 wires to passlock sytem said they were crimped. (that might be the problem according to tech) however, probably been that way since car purchased in 2001 new. Wait and see. Called gm at one point and they covered half of a $800 repair bill. So far over $1500.00 in repairs and $400.00 plus in towing plus rental car fees. Gm why not recall? Too many complaints on same problem.
Car fails to start due to passlock system. Manufacture defect.
This 2001 chevy malibu is junk the anti-theft light keeps coming on the car starts only half the time. The sad thing is my wife and 4 month old baby rides in this car with me when it dies out on the high way here in town and it does it on busy streets here in town. My wife used to love gm products but now after this car and pontiac grand am we had she hates gm. It disappointing they have all bad consumer rating and no recall to fix this.
2001 chevy malibu.
The passlock system on my 2001 chevy malibu (the absolute worst car I have ever owned) is bad. Took it to the dealership several times under warranty and was told that they fixed it. Now it's way off of warranty and the system is failing on a weekly basis. $500 to fix, chevy won't issue a recall or (as usual) offer to fix the problem which there are literally thousands of complaints on.
2001 chevy malibu..theft system light goes on several time a year and will eventually cause the car not to start and require a tow and various types of ignition/starter types of replacements. This has cost me a lot of money, lost time at work and concern for my safety and my families safety when driving the car and not knowing when it will not start and we'll be stranded.*jb updated 12-12-07. *kb updated
Electrical problems, with anti theft lock switch, kill switch, hazard and signal lights.
I have a 2001 chevy malibu and I have had to many hard times trying to start it due to the theft system in the car. And gm don't make a recall for this problem.
Constant problems with the passlock system on my 2001 chevrolet malibu. Passlock engages constantly, causing me to wait 10 minutes for reset every time this occurs. This is a safety issue for my wife and daughter who must wait, in sometimes dark areas of town for passlock to reset before they can start the car and get safely on their way. Have had ignition replaced once but issue has not corrected.
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