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 16, 2006
TURN SIGNAL BEGAN TO ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE EVERYTIME I DRIVE. MOST OF THE TIME, I AM DRIVING WITHOUT A TURN SIGNAL. *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
Exterior lighting, Oct 10, 2006
TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES WORKS, SOMETIMES DOESN'T, RADIO CUTS OFF, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALL ON FILE FOR MY VIN NUMBER, DESPITE THE EXACT ISSUE, TURN SIGNAL CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, BEING WRITTEN ON THE SERVICE CARD. *NM
Exterior lighting, Aug 28, 2006
THE HAZARD/ TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU FAILED, AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS EFFECTIVELY. *JB
Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2006
ON JULY 28 2006 MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, WITH THE A/C RUNNING, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE SAT OVER NIGHT IN OUR GARAGE, AND THE NEXT MORNING MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK. AS SOON AS SHE GOT TO WORK SHE CALLED ME SAYING THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING. SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE HAZARD LIGHTS, AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. WE CALLED THE AUTO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THEY HAD US BRING THE CAR TO THEM. AFTER DRIVING MY VAN FOR 45 MINUTES, WITH NO WORKING A/C, I ARRIVED AT HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY KEPT IT OVER NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING THEY CALLED AND SAID THE CAR WAS READY FOR PICKUP. I AGAIN DROVE 45 MINUTES IN 100 DEGREE TEMPERATURE TO PICKUP THE CAR. EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. SO I AGAIN DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME. THIS TIME WITH NO A/C. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE TURN TO MY STREET I MOVED THE TURN INDICATION LEVER DOWN FOR A LEFT HAND TURN. NOTHING HAPPENED. THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK AGAIN. A LARGE TRUCK WAS BEHIND ME AND ALMOST SLAMMED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I MADE THE TURN, ONLY TO BE PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER. THE OFFICER ASKED WHY I DID NOT USE MY SIGNAL. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING AGAIN. THE OFFICER DID NOT CITE ME, BUT TOLD ME IF IT WAS NOT CORRECTED I WOULD FACE A CITATION THE NEXT TIME. I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE HOUSE, AND DID SOME INVESTIGATION OF MY OWN ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE READ OVER 300 DIFFERENT REPORTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER 2002 MALIBU OWNERS. THE TURN LIGHTS AND HAZARD INDICATOR BUTTON HAVE NOT WORKED CORRECTLY SINCE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED. CHEVROLET DID A RECALL ON THE 2001 MODEL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THE SOLDERING OF THE CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD INDICATOR BUTTON ON THE 2001 MODEL WAS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF OR FOUND A RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL. *JB
Exterior lighting, Jun 24, 2006
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU, TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING. THE FUSE IS GOOD FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, LIGHT BULBS FOR TURN SIGNALS ARE GOOD AND HAZARDS WORK. *NM
Exterior lighting, Jun 8, 2006
MY FAMILY'S 2002 CHEVY MALIBU'S TURN SIGNAL FLASHERS ARE INTERMITENTLY FAILING. THE PROBLEM BEGAN YESTERDAY, 7 JUNE 2006, AND REOCCURED TODAY, THE 8TH OF JUNE, 2006. I NOTICE THAT NHTSA HAD A RECALL PENDING ON THIS EXACT ISSUE, BUT IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CLOSED. WHY, AND WHAT IS NHTSA DOING ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN LIEU THEREOF? *NM
Exterior lighting, Apr 13, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD FLASHING LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #03V327000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Exterior lighting, Mar 29, 2006
THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING/OCCURRED IN THE 2000 AND 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S (OF WHICH THERE IS A RECALL) IS OCCURRING IN MY 2002 MALIBU. *NM
Exterior lighting, Mar 10, 2006
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD FLASHERS. THE PROBLEM TENDS TO EXHIBIT ITSELF MORE OFTEN IN WARM AND/OR HUMID CONDITIONS. *NM
Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2006
INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. AFTER BRIEFLY TURNING ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL SOMETIMES WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BUT INEVITABLY THEY FAIL AGAIN SOON AFTERWARD.
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATES THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND WARNING LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, AND IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THERE IS A RECALL, #03V327000 CONCERNING THE HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALL, HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE.
Exterior lighting, Jan 19, 2006
HAZARD SWITCH HAS STOPPED WORKING OR WORKS ONLY SOMETIMES. CAUSES THE BLINKERS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS NOT TO WORK, CAUSING A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *NM
Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jan 13, 2006
I PURCHASED 2002 MALIBU NEW NOV 2001. TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING ONCE IN 2002. REOCCURRED 3-4 TIMES IN 2003. 2004 OCCURRED 6-8 TIMES. 2005 OCCURRED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH UNTIL OCT-DEC WHEN SIGNALS MALFUNCTION WEEKLY. JAN 2006, SIGNALS MALFUNCTION 1-3 TIME A DAY SOMETIMES. VEHICLE HAS APPROX 32,000 MILES. CYCLING THE HAZARD SWITCH USUALLY ONCE OR TWICE CURES THE PROBLEM. CALLED DEALER NOV 2005, BUT NO RECALL ON 2002 MALIBU FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Exterior lighting, Jan 6, 2006
DT*:THE CONTACT STATED BOTH TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME THE LIGHTS SOMETIMES TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS. *AK
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
Exterior lighting, Dec 22, 2005
ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU LS THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD BUTTON HAS BECOME INOPERATIVE AT RANDOM DRIVING TIMES. BASICALLY IT MIMMICKS THE EXACT RECALL OF THE 2001 MALIBUS. I HAD SOMEONE WHO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MALIBU STATE THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MORE TIMES THAN NOT, THE SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. *NM
Exterior lighting, Dec 4, 2005
TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING, HAZDARDS WORK ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORK AND ALL FUSES ARE GOOD. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEARS MALIBU. *NM
Exterior lighting, Dec 4, 2005
MY 2002 MALIBU HAS A PROBLEM... WHEN MY SIGNAL LIGHTS DON'T WORK I HAVE TO TURN THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON & OFF THREE OR FOUR TIMES AND THEN THEY WORK AGAIN FOR A LITTLE WHILE... I THINK GM SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, SINCE SEEMS LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM... *NM
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2005
2002 CHEVY MALIBU TURN AND HAZARD SIGNAL FAILURE. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND I NOTICED THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP (A GM DEALERSHIP) AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I DID A "GOOGLE" SEARCH OF THE ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNDER INVESTIGATION. I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY ISSUE TO THE NUMBER OF REPORTS REGISTERED. *JB
Exterior lighting, Nov 19, 2005
2002 MALIBU TURN SIGNAL AND FLASHER SWITCH INTERMITTENT FAILURE. *JB
Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2005
TURN SIGNALS AND EMERGENCY FLASHER DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. TURN SIGNALS MAY WORK FINE FOR DAYS THEN SUDDENLY NOT WORK. OR, TURN SIGNALS MAY WORK FOR AWHILE WHILE DRIVING, THEN STOP WORKING SUDDENLY. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 29, 2005
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I BEGAN TO NOTICE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE TURN INDICATORS ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME, THEY FUNCTION NORMALLY BUT THEY RANDOMLY FAIL AND JUST AS RANDOMLY BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. THE PROBLEM SEEMS UNRELATED TO POWER ON/OFF CYCLES OF THE TURN INDICATOR SYSTEM OR VEHICLE. LIKEWISE, ROAD VIBRATION INTENSITY DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE CONDITION. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE FOUR WAY HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM STILL FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. THE FAILURE AFFECTS BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. NEITHER DASHBOARD INDICATORS NOR TURN INDICATOR LAMPS FUNCTION DURING THE FAILURE. THE SOUND ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE FLASHER UNIT IS ALSO MISSING DURING FAILURES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FLASHER UNIT AND THE PROBLEM WAS UNAFFECTED. I REINSTALLED THE ORIGINAL FLASHER. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.*JB
Exterior lighting, Oct 29, 2005
MALIBU 2002 TURN SIGNALS AND TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR DO NOT WORK AND WILL COME ON EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS BUT CHEVY HAS NOT RECALLED THE 2002 MODEL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY OR JUST AROUND TOWN. DO NOT WANT TO TAKE CAR IN AND SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IF THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED LIKE I'VE SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE SAY THEY HAVE TRIED TO DO. *JB