When starting the malibu the dashboard lights illuminate and when the key is turned to start the car the lights go out and the fuel gauge drops to zero or empty and the car will not start. This problem also occurs when driving the car and the ignition system shuts down leaving you with no steering assist and the engine is not running. So this problem is both in a standing start and while operating the car. I had initially brought the car to devan lowe gm dealer and service department for repairs and they discovered the fuel pump was not working properly. They replaced the fuel pump and the problem with the ignition is still persisting. This creates a dangerous condition for the driver and other cars on the road. I would request that gmc have the car towed to the devan lowe service department for troubleshooting purposes in coordination with gm technical department and reach a resolution as to the cause of the problem and issue a recall for all affected cars.
2001 Chevrolet Malibu: wrong fuel gauge reading
13 of the 720 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu describe wrong fuel gauge reading.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 69,500
- recalls
- 0
Wrong fuel gauge reading by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on several occasions. In addition, the key was extremely difficult to turn in order to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge and the ventilation controls failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) and stated that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
Headlights, all gauges, and all other electrical devices cut off while driving 45mph on a busy highway at night. Unable to see without headlights or be seen. Unable to detect speed of vehicle. Unable to use heater. Unable to lock or unlock doors. Unable to determine fuel level. Unable to safely operate vehicle due to malfunction of all electrical components during operation.
I bought my 2001 malibu in 2003. I had no real problems till this year 2009. My mileage now in 74,000 and the problems started at about 60,000. After a accident everything started to go. My gas gauge went down and my temp gauge also. My auto lock for my doors was not working. My air vents only work when they knob is on 3.main fuse box has major issues and the water pump went out and cost $2300.00 and needs a $500.00 service for the main fuse box. Water pump was replaced also 2005. Cost about $600.00 then. I wish someone would have pointed these problems before. Gm needs to step up to the plate; especially after taking more money from the tax payers for their mismanagement. I love my malibu but gm better get on the stick and help the ones who have this defective 2001 malibu.
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.
2001 malibu. Theft system light comes on constantly. Atleast 1x a week. I have followed teh turn to acc until light shuts off, turn off and then try and start, but this is time consuming. Now when the car does start the fuel gauge says I am empty, radio will not work, acc and heater will not work and if and when it kicks on the car makes a weird sound.
Engine leaks anti-freeze, turn signals go in & out, fuel gauge not always right, making a loud banging noise, and now dead won't even start. 2001 chevy malibu 3.1l v6 $22,000 & only 67,000 miles.
Fuel gauge reading 1/4 tank remaining and ran out of gas on highway. Filled up with gas and gauge would read full, then empty, then full again. Gauge has been inaccurate and need to use trip meter to determine when to fill tank.
The consumer was unable to wear the seat belt properly because the driver's seat belt would not retract back and forth. *ak the rack and pinion had a bad leak. *sc the gas gauge did not work properly.
The fuel guage reports incorrect fuel level. You can go the the gas station and fill the car up and the gas hand will show it as being empty and before you put fuel in the tank the guage was at a 1/4 tank. You may have to turn the car off and on several times before it will show that it is full. Also, while driving all of a sudden the car will cut off in heavy traffic. One time the car showed 3/4 tank of fuel while it was empty. Luckly, I was on a downgrade and was able to get it into the emergency lane on the interstate. The dealer has told me that there is not a problem with the fuel system. Furthermore, the check engine light has come on because the oxygen sensor has been damaged by the car running out of gas.
False fuel gauge reading; the federal safety agency tsb #031103, 3/11/2003. My 2001 malibu ran out of gas with fuel gauge showing 1/2 full. The engine stopped, power steering & power brakes were lost when my daughter was driving at 55mph. Light traffic volumes prevented this from being a potentially fatal situation. The fuel gauge continues to give false readings, chevrolet has declined to correct the failed fuel gauge because the car is over the mileage warranty limitations. I have reported this fuel gauge failure to gm/chevrolet (case #1-151341797). Gm/chevrolet has issued a tsb #01-06-04-008d titled "fuel system - inaccurate fuel gauge readings" on april 2003 due to the high failure rate of their fuel gauges. I feel that a recall may be warranted due to false fuel gauge readings when you consider that the net result of running out of fuel causes the severe reduction of steering and braking capabilities. Thank you raymond e keaton [email protected]
At approximately 30000 miles my car started hesitating when starting. The dealer could find no fault and I kept driving with only periodic problems. Then my gas gauge, radio, engine check light and passive alarm system kept coming on. At, 43,000 miles the car would not start. The dealer said the key had lost its memory but I still kept having the same problems. At, 48,354 miles the car totally went out. After having the car for several days the dealer said it was the ignition switch. Under california law the ignition system is covered to 50,000 miles but the dealer stated teh ignition switch is not part of the ignition system. After writting chevy complaint dept many times I got no where because all they do is calll the dealer, they do not go with an independent body just the dealer that gave me the advice in the first place. I had the dealer return the bad part to me and want to know if this part is covered. I paid 400.00 to have it fixed. The dealer did give me a 75.00 credit because it was never my key memory they stated it was the ignition switch the entire time.*ak now, the car is at 54,000 miles and coolant is leaking around, in and near the engine. I have kept this car in good repair and have all receipts. These major parts should not be wearing down this fast. The dealer had to change the hazard switch shortly after I first got the car.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu fuel gauge
Is wrong fuel gauge reading a common problem on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
13 of 720 owner complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu (2%) mention wrong fuel gauge reading. The model year with the most reports is 2007.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
Won't start 86Stalling 59Fuel pump 26Overheating 23No deployment 16Check engine light 15ABS 14Engine failure 12Knocking 11Brake failure 10Power steering loss 10Grinding brakes 9Loss of power 8Adaptive cruise 7Premature wear 7Door locks 6Headlights 6Hesitation 6Ball joint 5Seat belt 5Steering lock-up 5Tire blowout 5
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