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: exterior lighting
148 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 10, 2010
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY WORKING/NOT WORKING. THIS SITUATION POSES A SAFETY RISK WHEN NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2010
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY WORKING/NOT WORKING. IS THERE OR IS THERE NOT A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM? *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2010
TURNING SIGNALS AND FLASHERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. SOMETIMES CUT OFF WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN OR WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2010
2002 CHEVY MALIBU. TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT UNTIL YOU TRY THEM. OF COURSE IF A MECHANIC HAS THE CAR ALL DAY THE SIGNALS WORK FINE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Nov 20, 2009
2002 CHEVY MALIBU, 80,000 MILES BRAKES ALWAYS NOISY EVEN WHEN NEW..BRAKES AND CALIPERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 2-3 MONTHS WITH MINIMAL USE......HAZARD LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL FAILURE...WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.....IGNITION LOCK-OUT....COULD NOT START CAR OR REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION....LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE......LEFT HEADLAMP FIELD OF VISION NARROW AND SHORT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2009
THE TURN SIGNALS ON OUR CAR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. NO EVENT LED UP TO THIS. THEY ARE UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. OCCASIONALLY EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. IF SHE TURNS THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THEN PUSH ON THE LOWER LEFT CORNER, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64000. UPDATED 01/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/19/10.*JB
Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2009
2002 CHEVY MALIBU TURN SIGNAL FLICKERS OR DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. NOV 08, $1000 PAID TO FIX MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND HAZARD SWITCH FOR CAR TO PASS INSPECTION THAT ONLY WORKED FOR A MONTH. 11 SEP 09, $144 FINE PAID FOR IMPROPER LANE CHANGE BECAUSE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK. SEP 09, $36 DOLLAR FOR OWNER TO REPLACE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. OWNER IS UNWILLING TO PAY $240 FOR ANOTHER MULTIFUNCTION FUNCTION SWITCH. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2009
AT 80,000 MILES MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU'S TURN SIGNALS STOP FLASHING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND IS DANGEROUS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE TURN SIGNALS WILL QUIT WORKING AT ANY TIME WITH OUT WARNING AND START WORKING ON THEIR OWN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 2, 2009
TURN SIGNALS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES THEY WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T, SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND JUST STOP WHILE BLINKING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 27, 2009
TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING DURING TRAVEL. NO APPARENT CAUSE. SIGNALS WILL WORK DURING THE TRIP, STOP WORKING, AND SOMETIMES START TO WORK AGAIN. SEEMS TO HAPPEN 3-4 TIMES PER WEEK. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2009
INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL ON 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. WORKS ONLY IF HAZARD SIGNAL IS PUSHED SLIGHTLY. I MUST HOLD HAZARD SIGNAL WHILE MAKING A TURN. 2001 MALIBUS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHY NOT 2002? PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR THIS YEAR ALSO. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 16, 2009
TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPERATING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 9, 2009
TURN SIGNAL /HAZARD SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY INTERMITTENTLY OPERATING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 4, 2009
TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. TURNING ON FLASHERS FOR A BIT USUALLY BRINGS THEM BACK. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE DAILY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 19, 2009
TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 15, 2009
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2009
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT AT ABOUT 104,000 MILES BUT I AM SURE THAT IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WELL BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE OF THE LOW PRICE I PAID FOR IT, BUT I NEEDED A CAR BADLY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR AND USUALLY WOULD HAVE TO TURN IT ON TO MAKE SURE ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON, NOT JUST THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT. IF ONLY THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON, ITS GUARANTEED TO NOT START. AT EXACTLY 111,111 MILES MY CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I TOOK THE KEY OUT AND PUT IT BACK IN. IT KEPT FLASHING THE ANTI-THEFT AT ME! I REPLACED THE IDOL SPEED MOTOR AND FOR SOME REASON IT STARTED. A WEEK LATER IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I READ ABOUT TRICKS ONLINE TO GET THE CAR TO START BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROMINENT PROBLEM WITH 2002'S. I FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I WAS STILL ABLE TO USE MY BREAKS, THANK GOD, BUT HAD TO SIT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO START MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I KEEP THINKING WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN MY 2-YEAR-OLD IS WITH ME? WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE DARK AND SOMEONE REAR ENDS ME BECAUSE MY LIGHTS GO OUT? I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP CHECKED, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE IDLE SPEED MOTOR REPLACED EVERY TIME I REPLACE SOMETHING IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS THEN IT STARTS TO ACT UP AGAIN. THE POINT IS THAT THE PROBLEM ALWAYS COMES BACK AND IT SEEMS TO GET WORST, AND HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WITH EVERY FAILURE. THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WITCH IS WHAT I AM HAVING FIXED NEXT, BUT I HAVE ACQUAINTANCES THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT COME BACK EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION CYLINDER. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS HAVING EVERYTHING DIE AGAIN WHILE I AM DRIVING BECAUSE ITS NOT JUST A INCONVENIENCE ANYMORE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHEVY NEEDS TO ADDRESS BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS AND OR SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2009
LOW COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. HAD THIS CHECKED DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND OIL WAS FOUND IN THE COOLANT. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED FOR THE 2ND TIME. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. STARTING IN THE SPRING/SUMMER OF 2008 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORKING PART OF THE TIME. THIS WAS CHECKED AT A DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE SIGNALS SEEMED TO WORK FINE FOR THEM AND THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE REPRODUCED THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG TO BE ABLE TO FIX IT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED SPORADICALLY. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY OTHER DRIVERS OF HIS INTENTION TO TURN THE VEHICLE, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN ISSUED BY GM. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $400. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER DRIVERS WOULD SWERVE AROUND HER AND ASSUME THAT SHE WAS BRAKING, WHEN IN REALITY, SHE WOULD BE IN ACCELERATION OR DRIVE MODE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ECM AND THE SENSOR APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH FOR ONE YEAR. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 40,000.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE LEAVING THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER HEAD GASKET SEAL, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER OF 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,300.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. ONCE I DROVE OFF THE LOT THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING FOR ME, THEY WERE WORKING DURING THE TEST DRIVE. AFTER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CONNECTED WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS BOX. WHENEVER IT WAS IN A CERTAIN POSITION THE BLINKERS WOULD WORK OTHERWISE THEY DID NOT. I TRIED FIXING IT WITH SOME RUBBERBANDS AND DUCT TAPE- FOR SOME REASON THAT WORKED FOR AWHILE BUT NOW IT'S ACTING UP AGAIN! HELP! *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2008
TURN SIGNALS WORKED FINE UNTIL MID 2007, THEN THEY STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH THE HAZARD BUTTON TO GET THEM TO WORK, THEN THEY ONLY WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE I HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH THE HAZARD BUTTON AGAIN. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT IT IS VERY UNSAFE! NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, I AM TRYING TO WAIT FOR A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IF THAT DOESN'T COME SOON, I WILL HAVE TO REPAIR IT MYSELF AT MY COST! *TR