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
Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2008
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU SEDAN 3.1 V-6 TURN SIGNAL WORK THEN THEY DON'T AT THIS TIME THEY ARE NOT WORKING .JUST CHECKED GOOGLE AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINT'S OF THE SAME ! *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR HER VEHICLE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING, WHICH WAS THE SAME FAILURE THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2008
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BAD SIGNAL LIGHTS. SOMETIMES THEY WORK SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. I SEE THERE IS A BULLETIN POSTED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SO I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT AND I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM FIX IT. CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME? THE LAST 8 DIGITS OF THE VIN. THAT'S WHAT THEY ASKED FOR TO CHECK. THANKS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 15, 2008
2002 MALIBU TURN SIGNAL WORK WHEN THEY WANT. HAVE TO HIT DASH BY HAZARD LIGHTS TO MAKE THEM WORK. HAVEN;T HAD A ACCIDENT YET ,BUT AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES. HORN ALSO HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN. ONLY HAVE 45,000 MILES ON MY CAR. I USED TO LOVE IT BUT NOW I AM AFRAID OF HAVING A WRECK AND EITHER DYING OR KILLING SOMEONE ELSE. CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THE PROBLEM CARS AND NOT JUST A FEW. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 6, 2008
I OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND I AM EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS "SMALL INTERMITTENT VOLTAGE BLEED FROM THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. NEEDS THE SWITCH REPLACED." ALTHOUGH I REFERRED THE TO THE DEFECT FOUND BY THE ODI, GM REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AT NO COST BECAUSE THEIR INTERNAL POLICY IS THAT THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH. WHEN I SHOWED THAT THE REPORT LISTED THE COMPONENTS AS THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THEY STILL DECLINED. THEY STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE TWO EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THEIR POLICY STATES THEY ONLY COVER THE HAZARD SWITCH ALONE. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AT MY COST. THEN "IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS, WHICH IT MAY, THEN REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH." WHICH AT THAT POINT, I WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH AT NO COST. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH WIRE SHORTED OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V327000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD: FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS: SWITCH RECALL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,100. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/10/08. *JB
Exterior lighting, Jul 6, 2008
WHILE DRIVING IN WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 55 MPH, THE CRUISE QUIT WITH NO WARNING AND THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. ALTHOUGH THE CRUISE HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS TO DATE, HAVE TO TAP (SOMETIMES BEAT) ON THE TOP OF THE DASH TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS WORKING AGAIN. HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS WHERE I HAD SOMEONE BEHIND ME - THE SIGNALS WOULD JUST STOP. SAW NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 03V327 BUT THAT RECALL WAS FOR 2000-2001 MALIBU. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 20, 2008
TURN INDICATORS INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WORKING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 9, 2008
THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK INTERNITTANTLY ON THIS AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 3, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM FAILED. THE TURN SIGNAL HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,961.
Exterior lighting, May 7, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. IT HAS THE TURN SIGNAL/FLASHER PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED IN PE05055. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE NEW FLASHER PER THE SERVICE LETTER BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALER WANTS $94 TO DIAGNOSE THE REAL PROBLEM PLUS POSSIBLY HUNDREDS TO FIX IT. CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL I PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, EVEN THEN THEY WILL NOT GIVE ANY ASSURANCES. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I THINK THAT YOU CLOSED YOUR INVESTIGATION PREMATURELY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. THEY BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, BUT WERE BLINKING VERY FAST. CURRENTLY, THE HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V107000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) AND INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE05055 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED BULBS AND FUSES IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM
Exterior lighting, Feb 14, 2008
THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH MY HAZARD SWITCH AND BLINKERS ON MY CAR. THEY WORK BASICALLY WHEN THEY WANT TO. I HAD BROUGHT IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER OVER A YEAR AGO AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS REFERRING TO. IT SEEMS AS IF ITS A DEFECT WITH THE CAR AND I'M NOT SURE BOUT FINDING OUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Structure, Dec 10, 2007
THE SEAL ON THE BACK LIGHTS GETS BAD AND ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET IN AND SHORT OUT THE BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL AND BACK UP LIGHTS. REPAIRS ARE OVER $200 AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WILL NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE LIGHTING HOUSING IS REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, BECAUSE LIVING NEAR ATLANTA, BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE WORKING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. COME ON GM, MAKE DRIVERS OF YOUR VEHICLES SAFE!!!!! *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 25, 2007
TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS. HAVE HAD CAR THE DEALER - THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I FIND LOTS OF INFORMATION THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN MANY OF THESE CARS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 9, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THEN RESTART SO THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD ILLUMINATE. AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,627 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 10/23/07 *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 10, 2007
HAZARD LIGHTS AND BLINKERS WILL QUIT WORKING OR NOT WORK AT ALL. *JB
Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jul 11, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE TURN SIGNALS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES WERE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 11, 2007
HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE ADDITION OF THE 2002 MALIBU TO THE RECALL FOR TURNING LIGHT FAILURE BY DEALERSHIP AS OF THIS DATE .. EVEN AFTER I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS OR COVERAGE BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK
Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2007
TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. I TRIED TO FIND A RECALL BUT THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAS A RECALL FOR CHEVY MALIBU'S UP TO THE YEAR 2001. I HAVE REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND THE IGNITION SWITCH STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. *JB
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
Exterior lighting, Mar 1, 2007
MY BLINKERS ON MY CHEVY MALIBU 2002 WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I NEED TO TURN THE BLINKER TO THE LEFT TO TURN ON MY CAR AS A SAFETY PROCEDURE INSTALLED BY THE PRODUCER. IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN I DRIVE I HAVE TO CHANGE LANES AND EVEN THOUGH I TURN MY BLINKERS ON THEY DO NOT WORK SO I AM CUTTING PEOPLE OFF ALL THE TIME. I TRIED TAKING IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. IT IS GETTING VERY ANNOYING AND TODAY I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO TURN MY CAR ON WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME MONEY FROM THE ATM. IT IS ANNOYING BECAUSE IF THE LEFT BLINKER DOES NOT TURN ON AND I START MY CAR IT DOES NOT START AND THE HORN SOUNDS. PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT ME FUNNY BECAUSE THE HORN SOUNDED LIKE 30 TIMES. *JB
Exterior lighting, Dec 15, 2006
TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK ONLY OCCASIONALLY. THERE IS NO SET TIME, EVENT, OR WEATHER CONDITION THAT MAKES THEM WORK, OR STOP WORKING. SOMETIMES, THEY WILL WORK WHEN I INITIALLY TURN THEM ON, AND STOP WORKING BEFORE THEY SHOULD TURN OFF. *NM
Exterior lighting, Dec 13, 2006
2002 MALIBU. TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE. *NM
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2006
TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU INTERMITTENT TO NOT WORKING FOR PERIODS OF TIME. UPON PUSHING THE HAZARD FLASHER BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES TURN SIGNALS EVENTUALLY WOULD WORK FOR AWHILE. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS TOLD PARTS WOULD COST $31.00 AND TOTAL WITH LABOR WOULD BE $75.00. FOUND ON NHTSA WEB SITE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055 WHICH IS THE EXACT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE FROM GM AS STATED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055 AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALER I CALLED FOR SERVICE. I FORWARDED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055. *NM