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: engine and engine cooling
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 23, 2006
FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE VEHICLE DID NOT SPEED AS USUAL AND HAD TO RETURN TO LANE TO AVOID ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE STRUGGLED FROM 0 TO 25 MPH. WHEN GOING UP BRIDGE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 20 MPH. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE MUCH POWER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND REPLACED SENSORS BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF PROBLEM MECHANIC REALIZED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE. I ENTERED THE WEBSITE TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM (RECOMMENDATION FROM MECHANIC).*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jan 1, 2006
I FIRST PURCHASED THIS MALIBU 2002 IN FEB 2002. NOV 02 ( 9 MOS LATER) I HAD TO HAVE MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY. AROUND THE SAME TIME MY TURN/HAZARD SIGNAL WENT OUT AND I HAVEN'T HAD IT REPLACED YET AFTER 4YRS OF HAVING THIS CAR. IF I WANT TO USE IT I HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING THE HAZARD BUTTON TO MAKE IT COME ON. NOV 2005 I TRIED TO START MY CAR, BUT IT KEPT CUTTING OFF. MY DAD STATED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD THE FUEL PUMP,CRANK SENSOR AND MODULE REPLACED. MY CAR STILL DIDN'T START. FINALLY MY DAD WENT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRESSED THIS BLACK BUTTON (CUT OFF SWITCH) AND THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD START. I HAVE TO TRAVEL 25 MILES TO WORK SO I WAS TIRED OF WORRYING ABOUT THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE THEFT SYSTEM. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER 11/29/2005 THEY HAD THE CAR UNTIL 12/15/2005. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY IGNITION SWITCH, CRANK SENSOR AND MY ALARM/AUTOMATIC STARTER. I WAS OUT OF $366.73 TO THE DEALER AND TAKING A CAB TO WORK AT 5:30AM FOR X7DY COASTED$210.00. I WAS ALSO OUT OF MONEY FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR THE LAST 7YS THEY HAD MY CAR PLUS GAS ON BOTH BECAUSE THEY USED ALL GAS IN MY CAR. I HAVE HAD X2 IGNITION SWITCHES PUT ON MY CAR, I HAVE TO CHANGE MY TAIL/PARK/BRAKE BULB SEEMINGLY EVERY 6MOS. I AM ONLY GETTING MY HAZARD/TURN SIGNAL REPLACED WHEN NHTSA REVIEWS IT AS BEING AN DEFECT. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE SPEED OF MY CAR ALSO ON THE E WAY. I HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO MAKE IT TAKE OFF AT 60MPH. I HAVE TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR EVERY 3DYS. I LAST CHANGED MY FUEL FILTER 1YR AGO AND AGAIN HAVING IT REPLACED 1/1/06. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 1WK AFTER I GOT MY CAR OUT OF THE SHOP ON 12/22 AND IT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. MY COOLANT LIGHT COMES AND GOES OFF EVERY NOW AND THEN. I HAVE HAD MY COOLANT/FUEL FLUSHED. I HAD IT WINTERIZED WHAT'S THE PROBLEM. IF WE HAVE 47-50 PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING WHY CANT IT GET DONE. PLEASE RESPOND AND HELP US CHEVY OWNERS ASAP/WF. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 23, 2005
LOW COOLANT LIGHT ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN COMING ON. THE CHEVY DEALER CHECKED THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON, CHECKED FOR LOW COOLANT. FOUND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING INTERNALLY. COOLANT MIXING WITH OIL. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 6, 2005
THE LATEST INCIDENT IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE AT 50-60 MPH AND STARTED LOSING POWER. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. PICKUP BECAME NON EXISTENT AND THE DEALER FINALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AFTER CHANGING THE FUEL FILTER AND OTHER REGULAR MAINTENANCE ITEMS. I LIMPED INTO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $1600. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND IT COST $150. THE AGGRAVATION WITH THIS CAR IS FRUSTRATING TO SAY THE LEAST. WARNING MALIBU OWNERS...THE CONVERTER IS A KNOWN FAILURE ITEM THEY DON'T WANT US TO KNOW ABOUT!! *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2005
TWO WEEKS AGO MY WATER LEVEL LIGHT CAME ON. I ADDED DEXCOOL COOLANT PER MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND GO OFF FOR APPROX 1 WEEK. I ADDED DEXCOOL COOLANT EACH TIME. AFTER APPROX. 1 WEEK OF DOING THIS, THE LIGHT STOPPED COMING ON. YESTERDAY, WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AFTER WORK, THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE LOT UNDER MY VEHICLE. I FILLED THE RESERVOIR UP AGAIN AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. TODAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR GARAGE WHO INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY LOWER INTAKE GASKET AND THERMOSTAT GASKET AND VALVE COVER GASKET AT A COST OF $890.00. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT GM HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IN REFERENCE TO THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THEY FIXED FOUR OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM IS POSSIBLY DUE TO THE USE OF THE GM-RECOMMENDED DEXCOOL WHICH GM HAS SINCE DISCONTINUED USE OF. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2005
DT: THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONSUMER HEARD NOISES AND THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS NOT GOING TO STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. THE DEALER WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE GENERAL STATE INSPECTORS OFFICE. *AK THE NOISE REMAINED THE SAME. THE VEHICLE FELT UNSAFE DURING EXTREME WET WEATHER. *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2005
IN JANUARY 2004, THE ?LOW COOLANT? LIGHT WENT ON. IT REQUIRED MORE COOLANT TO BE ADDED. THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL LEAKING OF THE ENGINE COOLANT. THE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER. I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE CAP WAS REPLACED. THE LEAK STOPPED. IN FEB. 2005, THE ?LOW COOLANT? LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN AND AGAIN I ADDED COOLANT. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE ?LOW COOLANT? LIGHT WENT ON. THIS TIME I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPT. OF THIS DEALER THAT MY CAR REQUIRED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ALSO, ENGINE COOLANT MIGHT HAVE LEAKED INTO MY ENGINE, SO THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID REQUIRED FLUSHING AND FILTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT IT NEEDED TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY OTHERWISE SERIOUS DAMAGE COULD BE DONE TO MY ENGINE. I HAD THE SERVICE DONE AS I THOUGHT CONTINUING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE MIGHT HAVE POSED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. SO THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND MY COST WAS $1,700.00. I PHONED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THIS REPAIR IS CONSIDERED ?NORMAL MAINTENANCE? AND I NEEDED TO COVER THE ENTIRE PRICE OF THE REPAIR. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE, NEGLECTING TO HAVE THE NECESSARY SERVICE COMPLETED MAY HAVE RESULTED IN PERMANENT DAMAGE LIKE THE ENGINE CEASING TO WORK. I THINK THE ENGINE CEASING WHILE IN OPERATION MIGHT CAUSE A SLIGHT SAFETY HAZARD TO MYSELF, PASSENGERS IN THE CABIN AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES IN THE VICINITY OF MINE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 24, 2005
HELLO, ON CHEVY MALABU CARS, THEY HAVE DEFECITVE INPUT MANUFOLD VALVES. ONLINE THOUSANS OF PEOPLE ARE IN FORMS THAT SHOW IT IS IN ALOT OF PEOPLE CARS AND GM IS NOT HELPING
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 23, 2004
MY TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY MY ,FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 38,000 MILES,COOLENTENT SYSTEM ACTS UP OFF AND ON IT OVERHEATS AND THEN IT MIGHT WORK JUST FINE,HEAD GASKET STARTING LEAKING AT 39,000 MILES,MOTOR IS VERY LOUD AND NOISY WHEN IT FIRST STARTS, IT MISSES OUT WHILE RUNNING BUT PARKED, GAS GAGE DOESN'T READ PROPERLY IT BOUNCES ALL OVER THE PLACE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIO EQUIPMENT. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE THE TIME AND THE RADIO WOULD LOSE STATIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ ABOVE NORMAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD CUT OFF AND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD THERE WOULD BE A HESITATION. *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2004
CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT WHILE TRAVELING 500 MILES FROM HOME. MILEAGE WAS ONLY 60000 MILES. WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT PART WAS ON NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE RENTAL OR TOWING. WE WERE STUCK FOR TWO EXTRA DAYS WHILE SOMEONE TOOK COVERTER OFF AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT IT. THEN I WAS INFORMED BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I HAD VOIDED WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO GET COVERTER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ONLY AFTER A HUGE FIT WAS THROWN ON MY BEHALF. SECOND, GAS CAP SEAL IS BAD; AFTER FILL UP SOMETIMES HAVE TO RESTART CAR BECAUSE EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON. THIRD, AT 80000 MILES THE INTAKE AIR GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST OF $1200. FOURTH, WHILE TRYING TO INSTALL AFTER MARKET CD PLAYER DISCOVERED THAT YOU HAVE TO BUY $100 WIRE HARNESS AND NEW FRONT SPEAKER IN ORDER FOR STEREO TO WORK, THE WAY CHEVY MADE IT TO BE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 10, 2004
OVER HEATING PROBLEMS AND COOLANT LEAKS DUE TO A FAULTY INTAKE GASKET. DEALERSHIP WANTS $660.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM NEEDS TO DO RECALL. VEHICLE INFO 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU V6 ENGINE.*AK THIS PROBLEM LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY HWY
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Equipment, Mar 5, 2003
AT 15,000 MILES I HAD A PISTON KNOCK DEVELOP. PISTONS WERE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. GAS CAP SEAL BAD AT SAME TIME. DECK LID NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. AT 25,000 THE REAR LEFT SPEAKER WAS REPLACED DUE NOT WORKING AND THE TORQUE CLUTCH CONVERTER WAS COMING APART AND STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. FIRST PROBLEM WAS NOTED IN 2002.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 13, 2002
VEHICLE HESITATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65-70 MPH).*AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 23, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATES BETWEEN 65-70 MPH. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM.*JB