2002 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 596 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 20 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
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.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Campaign 14V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, other, storage, tank assembly, pressure relief devicesMar 12, 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Campaign 07E021000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsApr 10, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP THAT DOES NOT MEET THE PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
LIGHT INTENSITIES BELOW THE MINIMUM INTENSITY REQUIREMENTS CAUSE REDUCTION IN VISIBILITY DOWN THE ROAD FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND INTENSITIES ABOVE THE MAXIMUM INTENSITY REQUIREMENTS CAUSE INCREASE IN GLARE FOR DRIVERS AHEAD OF, OR APPROACHING, THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP AND REPLACE IT IF IT DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 02V107000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
274 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jun 26, 2007
2002 MALIBU WON'T START PROBABLY DUE TO THE ANTI THEFT PASS LOCK SENSOR. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE AND WE WERE ABLE TO START THE NEXT DAY. HOWEVER IT' HAPPENING AGAIN AND I CANNOT START THE CAR FROM THE LAST THREE HOURS. GET GM OF THEIR BEHINDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY MAKING THE ISSUE A RECALL.*AK
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2007
ANTI-THEFT LOCK SYSTEM ON UTES2002 MALIBU. WAIT TIME OF 10 TO 30 MINUTES TO RESET. CAR WILL NOT START. SAFTY ISSUE DUE TO NO RELIABLE SAFE WAY TO CRANK CAR. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2007
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM PREVENTED FROM BEING ABLE TO START ON THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO RESET IT BY TURNING THE KEY ON AND WAIED 15 TO 20 MINUTES. ONCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING ALL THE TIME I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 14, 2007
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEM IN MALIBU. CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS KEY IS LEFT IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINS. HAPPENS ABOUT 3 TIMES A DAY. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT EVEN WHEN THE SYSTEM IS REPAIRED, THE UNIT WILL FAIL AGAIN AT SOME POINT. THE MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AN OFFER TO PARTICIPATE IN A STUDY AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED AT THE SHOP SINCE THE DATE OF THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Electrical system, May 26, 2007
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH JUST OVER 50,000 MILES USE. OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE CAR HAS EXHIBITED A FAILURE TO START. A LITTLE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF A COMMON FAILURE OF THE GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE TEMPORARY FIX IS TO RESET THE SYSTEM BY TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE ON POSITION AND WAITING 10-15 MINUTES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND INCONVENIENT. AT THIS POINT IT DOESN'T REPRESENT AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUE, IN THAT THE IGNITION SYSTEM ISN'T SHUTTING DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE INABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE DOES REPRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE. MY STEPSON USES THIS CAR TO TRAVEL TO WORK AND TO COLLEGE. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIS SAFETY IF HE CAN'T START THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, E.G., TO AVOID CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. IF THIS WERE A SMALL THING TO HAVE REPAIRED, I WOULDN'T COMPLAIN SO MUCH, BUT MY MECHANIC TELLS ME IT WILL COST NEARLY $500. AS I SAID ABOVE, THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON--OR SO MY INTERNET RESEARCH TELLS ME. GM SHOULD RECALL THIS POORLY DESIGNED MECHANISM. THANK YOU. --TED KRINER *TR
Electrical system, May 14, 2007
MY WIFE WAS OUT DOING DAILY ERRANDS AND WHEN SHE WENT TO START THE CAR IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THEN, AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS IT STILL WOULDN'T START. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC, AND THE NEXT DAY BEFORE ANY WORK WAS DONE THE CAR STARTED, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN, A FEW WEEKS LATER MY WIFE AND SON WERE OUT DOING ERRANDS AGAIN AND SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT LUCKILY AFTER A HALF HOUR OF TRYING TO START THE CAR IT DID START. THE BATTERY WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD ,AND NO OTHER NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS. I WAS AFRAID THAT MY WIFE AND 1 YEAR OLD CHILD WERE GOING TO END UP STRANDED. THE ONLY THING I WAS TOLD BWAS THAT IT COULD BE LINKED TO THE FACTORY SECURITY CODE USED IN THE CAR, BUT NO ONE STATED THAT THEY COULD TEST FOR THAT, THEY JUST ASSUMED THATS WHAT HAPPENED. HAS ANY ONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2007
THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE THEFTLOCK KEY PASS SENSOR KEEPS FAILING AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE VEHICLE. TO CORRECT THIS THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE THEFTLOCK FEATURE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Electrical system, Apr 11, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 142,000. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON A DRY NIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHECKED EXTERIOR LIGHTS. THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT WOULD WORK WERE THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE, BUT THE FUSE BLEW INSTANTLY. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *AK
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2007
I OWN A CAR RENTAL COMPANY AND THE PRIMARY VEHICLE IN MY FLEET IS THE 01-03 CHEVY MALIBU. OVER THE PAST 14 MONTHS THE IGNITION ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS LEFT MY CUSTOMERS STRANDED AND FRUSTRATED. ONE CUSTOMER WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT IN A WAL-MART PARKING LOT WITH HER SMALL KID WHILE SITTING THROUGH A HEAVY RAIN STORM. ALL OF OUR KEYS/SPARES ARE ORIGINAL AND PURCHASED FROM GM DEALERS BUT THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2007
DRIVING CAR AND IT WOULD DIE. FIRST OCCURANCE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER. DEALER SAID FUEL PUMP WAS BAD AND REPLACED PUMP. SAME PROBLEM OCURRED OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE GAGES AND LIGHTS ON DASH ALSO QUIT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I COULD HIT THE KEY AND THEY WOULD COME BACK ON, AND THE CAR WOULD RESTART. DEALT WITH THIS FOR ABOUT 2 YRS BECAUSE THE COST OF A NEW SWITCH WAS MORE THAN I COULD AFFORD AT THE TIME.FINNALLY DISSASSEMBLED THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN PROBLEM GOT TOO BAD. DISCOVERED THAT GM HAD NOT USED THE NORMAL HEAVY WIPER STYLE CONTACTS THAT MOST IGNITION SWITCHES HAVE. THEY USED A PLASTIC CAM THAT PUSHES PINS THAT OPERATE VERY LIGHT SPRING STYLE CONTACTS. I FOUND THAT THE CONTACTS HAD ARCED AND WERE NOT MAKING GOOD CONTACT. USED VERY FINE EMERY CLOTH TO CLEAN CONTACTS, REASSEMBLED SWITCH, AND PROBLEM WAS SOLVED.CAR STARTS AND RUNS FINE FOR NOW, BUT AS SOON AS CONTACTS ARC ENOUGH, PROBLEM WILL RETURN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING THEM THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SECURITY SYSTEM. WELL ITS NOT. ANYONE WHO HAS A MINOR AMOUNT OF MECHANICAL ABILITY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM IN ABOUT AN HOUR. BE SURE AND CONSULT A REPAIR MANUAL ON THE PROPER REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM THE DASH. ITS NOT HARD, BUT THERE IS A TRCK TO IT.*AK
Electrical system, Feb 20, 2007
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. BOUGHT THE CAR 1 YEAR AGO. FIRST HAPPENED IN AUGUST 06. HAPPENED AGAIN IN JANUARY. NOW IN FEBRUARY IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK. CAR WILL NOT START, HAVE TO RESET THE KEY AND I HAVE FOUND NO ONE WHO HAS TAKEN THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER HAVE IT COMPLETELY FIXED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON MALIBU'S STARTING WITH 99-04 MODELS. NOW LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY, MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS, BUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVE. "QUICK FIX" SOLUTIONS ARE NOW GOING AROUND THE INTERNET TELLING PEOPLE TO CUT WIRES IN THEIR DASH TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE CUTS THE WRONG WIRE AND KILLS SOMEONE IN RESULT TO FIXING GM SCREW UP. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2007
CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE "THEFT DETERRENT" SYSTEM, RESULTING IN FAILURE TO START. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SAME PART THREE TIMES. LAST TIME THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN, AND CHARGED ME FOR THE TOW TO GET THE CAR BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX TIMES NOW IN THE PAST YEAR. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 10, 2007
FIRST INCIDENT OF LEAKING HAPPENED AFTER DEALERSHIP WORKED ON CAR. ARRIVED HOME COOLANT POURED OUT ON GROUND TOWED BACK. DEALERSHIP SAID RESERVOIR CAP SEAL. 10/2006 OR 11/2006, PICKING UP AT SCHOOL AND SMELLED NOT ENGINE. PARKED SAW COOLANT ON GROUND. NO ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT NEEDLE WAS PAST MIDDLE. FAMILY BROUGHT COOLANT FILLED IT UP AND WENT 5 BLOCKS TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. YESTERDAY, 1/9/2007 CAR OVERHEATED IN THE SCHOOL LINE. ADDED COOLANT. I BROUGHT IT TO A NON DEALERSHIP RADIATOR SHOP OWNER THINKS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. CAR AT DEALERSHIP. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS BUT BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED FEEL DEALERSHIP WILL TELL ME IT IS A NEW PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST EVENT SO I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE. AT LEAST TWO ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL & 5 SETS OF PADS. REPORTED TO GM THEY CLAIM IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE! A NON DEALERSHIP TIRE COMPANY HAD THE PADS REPLACED WITH A GOOD BRAND. 1 1/2 YEARS SINCE I HAD TO HAVE PADS. PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS. CAR IS RUNNING AND THE DRIVER GETS OUT LEAVING CAR ON AND THEN THE PASSENGER TURNS OFF THE CAR AND GETS OUT, LOCKS CAR, THE RADIO STAYS ON. I WENT INSIDE THE STORE AND CAME OUT AND THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING. WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE CAR BUT ENTER ONLY THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND THEN CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY, THE CAR LOCKS ITSELF. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD NOT PLACED THE KEYS ON THE SEAT OF THE CAR AND SHUT THE DOOR OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT. I REPORTED THIS BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE. RADIO WAS REPLACED FOR LEFT BUTTON PAINT (NOT SURE IF IT IS PAINT OR COVER ON BUTTON) RUBS OFF. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED.. I TRANSPORT GRANDCHILDREN AND I NEED A SAFE CAR. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2007
THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THEN CAR WOULDN'T START LAST NIGHT. CAR WENT TO MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *NM
Electrical system, Dec 27, 2006
THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES AND PREVENTS CAR FROM STARTING. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 17, 2006
THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS TRIGGERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. LAST TIME I WAS CHARGED ABOUT $65 TO RE-SET THE IMMOBILIZER. THIS TIME (A DIFFERENT MECHANIC) I WAS CHARGED $570 TO REPLACE THE KEY AND IGNITION CYLINDER, AFTER HE WAS UNABLE TO RE-SET THE IMMOBILIZER. I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN WILL A RECALL BE IMPOSED? THE CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON IT. *NM
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 10, 2006
MY CAR IS A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I AM EXPERIENCING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AND HAZARDOUS EMERGENCY LIGHT FAILURE THE TURN SIGNAL WORKS ON OCCASION ONLY. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL ( MANY OCCASIONS ). AN AVERAGE % OF HOW OFTEN IT WORKS IS ABOUT 5 %, THE OTHER 95 % OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS WON'T COME ON SOMETIMES. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE BEING HEARD WITHIN THE CAR ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME. THE SOUND APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE HAZARD EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH. ALSO, MY REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY IS NOT WORKING. IT WON'T UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS OR THE TRUNK. I HAVE TO PRESS IT AT CLOSE RANGE AT LEAST ABOUT 10 TIMES MAYBE MORE BEFORE IT WILL UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS OR OPEN THE TRUNK. *NM
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 10, 2006
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES, EMERGENCY SIGNAL FAILURE & THEFT SYSTEM MY CAR'S SIGNALS WORK OFF AND ON. WHEN I GO TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WORK SOMETIMES IT DOES. WHAT I USUALLY HAVE TO DO IS ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNAL AND THEN HOLD DOWN THE EMERGENCY HAZARD BUTTON WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT ACTIVATE MY SIGNAL TO WORK. IF I CAN NOT GET THIS TO WORK THEN I AM UNABLE TO USE MY SIGNALS AT ALL. THE THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON THE CAR CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START UNTIL I ALLOW IT TO SIT FOR 10 MINUTES TO CORRECT ITS SELF. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART AFTER THE 10 MINUTES THAT THE MANUAL SAYS TO WAIT. MY CAR IS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *NM
Electrical system, Sep 14, 2006
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE TURN SIGNALS/EMERGENCY FLASHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. YOUR WEB SITE CARRIES A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 RELATED TO 2002 MALIBU'S BUT WHEN I CALLED RELIABLE CHEVROLET IN ALBUQUERQUE NM TO SCHEDULE TO GET MY REPLACEMENT SWITCH, I WAS TOLD IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 17, 2006
MALIBU 2002 PURCHASED ON MAY 18, 2003 WITH 33,000 MILES . ON JULY 15, 2003 THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND CAR OVERHEATED. ACCORDING TO DEALER CAR WAS FIXED. ON JUNE 1, 2004 THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. JUNE 27, 2006 WITH 72, 000 MILES, THERE IS OIL IN COOLANT RESERVOIR AND A COOLANT LEAK. THERE WAS A LOWER INTAKE LEAK AND LEAK AT WATER PUMP. THE LOWER INTAKE AND WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT ON JULY 17, 2006 THE SAME PROBLEM CAME AGAIN. JULY 17, 2006 ONLY A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE PROBLEM WITH OIL IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. *JB
Electrical system, Jul 5, 2006
PURCHASED THIS 2002 MALIBU USED FROM LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. FIRST INCIDENT, AFTER A BRIEF STOP AT A GAS STATION THE CAR WOULDN'T RESTART. TURNED OVER BUT NO FIRE. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE THEFT-DETERRENT SYSTEM WAS STOPPING THE CAR FROM STARTING. THEY EXPLAINED THAT ONLY A DEALER CAN PROCESS OR RECYCLE THIS PROBLEM. THEY DID A TEMPORARY "RECYCLE" OF THE SYSTEM AND THE CAR STARTED BACK UP. I PLANNED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO FOLLOW UP, BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AT A STORE, CRANKED NO FIRE, THEFT LIGHT FLASHING, SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS. I WAS TOLD AT THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. THEY CHARGED ME $70.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TIME SPENT, AND I WAS THANKFUL THAT THE CAR WOULD AT LEAST START. NOW IT'S STUCK IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS TOWN AND I CAN'T EVEN GET IT TOWED (NO TOW COVERAGE). MY FEAR IS THIS HAPPENING REPEATEDLY. FIRST EVENT WAS ON JUNE 19, SECOND ON JUNE 30. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT "TRICKS" I AM HEARING ABOUT TO BYPASS THE SYSTEM AND GET THE CAR TO START. ONE SAID I SHOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL QUICKLY SIDE TO SIDE WHILE APPLYING MY FOOT TO THE ACCELERATOR, AND TURN THE IGNITION, ANOTHER SAID TO TRY SWITCHING KEYS, (WHICH I DID TRY BUT IT DIDN'T WORK). ANY OTHER IDEAS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! IF I COULD GET IT TO START THEN I COULD AT LEAST GET IT TO THE DEALER - I AM A SINGLE MOM, VERY BROKE, NO RESOURCES TO FALL BACK ON FOR THIS REPEAT EVENT SO SOON. I HAVEN'T EVEN MENTIONED THE CONSTANT BURNED OUT BRAKE LIGHTS- I REPLACE THE BULBS AND THEY BLOW WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS...NO VISIBLE ELECTRICAL LINE DAMAGE, EITHER...*NM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Visibility, May 13, 2006
CAR HAS FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL US WHY. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. OUR WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH. OUR HEAT ONLY WORKS ON NUMBER 4 AND 5. WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WITH MY BABY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, THE CAR JUST DECIDED TO DIE ON ME. I HAD TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE PASSING LANE, SO THAT I COULD PULL OFF OF THE ROAD. MY RADIO AND HEAT STILL WORKED, BUT CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. MY OIL AND BATTERY AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS WERE ON (I HAD NOT EVEN USED THE CRUISE CONTROL) AND MY CAR JUST WOULD NOT START. IT TOOK ME AN HOUR TO GET MY CAR TO START AGAIN, NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANY DISTANCE FOR FEAR OF BEING STRANDED. *JB
Electrical system, Visibility, May 11, 2006
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU LS WOULD NOT START AND NEEDED TOWED HOME. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN REGULARLY TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WITH NO RECALL FROM GM YET. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD AND WIFE THAT DRIVE USE THE CAR MOSTLY AND AM WORRIED OF THEIR SAFETY IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUITTING DURING A RAINSTORM. I CONTACTED GM AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND ALL REPAIRS WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *NM
Electrical system, May 3, 2006
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH CAR STARTING DUE TO FAILURE OF THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. THIS CONDITION LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED A NUMBER OF TIMES UNTIL THE CAR STARTED AFTER 10 MINUTES. *JB