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, Jul 15, 2005
DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU, THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS ONLY WORK ABOUT 25 PERCENT OF THE TIME. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AFTER 32,000 MILES AND ON AROUND THE FIRST OF APRIL OF 2005. SOMETIMES WHEN FLIPPING ON THE LIGHTS THEY WILL WORK, THEN GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AT TIMES AFTER FLIPPING THE LIGHTS ON THEY WILL NOT COME ON AND THEN AFTER DRIVING FURTHER THEY WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN TURN ON. THE LIGHTS WOULD HAVE TO BE IN THE ON POSITION BEFORE IT WILL COME ON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN ANY TYPE OF WEATHER AND UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GM AND THEY TOLD HER TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST RAN ON THE VEHICLE, AND AFTERWARDS THAT THEY WOULD GET IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND GET SOME KIND OF PAYMENT FIGURED OUT. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AS OF NOW. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE KNOWS THAT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THEY ARE HAVING WITH THE 2000 & 2001, AND THOSE MODELS WERE RECALLED. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2005
FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS ON 2002 CHEVY MALIBU PROBABLY DUE TO FAULTY HAZARD SWITCH
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2005
I BOUGHT MY CHEVROLET 2002 MALIBU BRAND NEW AND HAVE OWNED IT FOR THREE YEARS, JUST TWO MONTHS AGO IT STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE TRIED LITTLE THINGS LIKE MANUALLY USING TURN SIGNALS AND TURNING THEM OFF PRIOR TO TURN COMPLETION, RESTARTING THE CAR, AND USING MY HAZZARD LIGHTS TO TRIGGER THE TURN SIGNALS TO WORK. SOMETIMES THESE THINGS WILL WORK MOMENTARILY, OTHER TIMES THEY HAVE NO EFFECT. ALSO I AM NOTICING MY HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK, AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL INTERRUPT MY TURN SIGNAL FROM WORKING AND OTHER TIMES MY TURN SIGNAL WILL CAUSE THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO TURN OFF! THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS FOR ME, IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME, MY CAR IS JUST PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY WANT TO TEST IT FOR A RATHER LARGE FEE. ALTHOUGH MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM HAS TOLD ME THAT GM HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM IN 2002, BUT POSSIBLY IN 2001, AND 2000 MODELS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED, AND WILL NOT OWN A CHEVY AGAIN.
Exterior lighting, Jun 13, 2005
ON 06-12-2005 MY BLINKERS STARTED WORKING INTERMITTANTLY. THEY MAY NOT WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES OR FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME AND WITH NO WARNING. THEY DON'T WORK RIGHT AWAY EVEN IF YOU RESTART THE VEHICLE. I'VE SAW THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS MODELS. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM TO BE OVER LOOKED ESPECIALLY IF WE TRAVEL. IT IS A DANGER IN HIGH TRAFFIC DRIVING.
Exterior lighting, May 2, 2005
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HER TURN SIGNALS DO NOT FUNCTION. THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF A RECALL FOR THE 2001 MODEL FOR THE SAME ISSUE, HOWEVER SHE OWNS A 2002 MODEL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2005
THE RADIO SOMETIMES WORKED AND SOMETIMES DIDN'T. AFTER 7 TRIPS, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AMPLIFIER. THE RADIO WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NOW IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW SWITCH. I DID NOT GET ONE AS YET, BUT SEE WHERE OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL, NOR DID THE DEALER INFORM ME OF THE ISSUE. I INITIALLY HAD TROUBLE WITH THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS BUT THEY DID REMEDY THAT. I GET SHOCKED (ELECTRICALLY) MANY TIMES WHEN I EXIT THE CAR AS DO SOME OF MY PASSENGERS.*AK
Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2005
MY SIGNAL LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY JUST STOPPED WORKING. NOW I HAVE FOUND THAT IF I TURN THE SIGNAL OFF BEFORE I ACTUALLY MAKE THE TURN AND IT TURNS OFF ITSELF THAT IT WILL CONTINUE WORKING. BUT IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS.*AK
Exterior lighting, Mar 29, 2005
THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR SOMETIMES DID NOT WORK AT ALL. RECALL 03V327000 CONCERNING HAZARD WARNING SWITCH WAS ISSUED. CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SHE CAME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Exterior lighting, Mar 2, 2005, crash
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR AND WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER 2004. SHE WAS TRYING TO MERGE LEFT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN A CAR JUST BEHIND HER ,AND TWO LANES TO THE LEFT, WENT FOR THE SAME SPOT. BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED, THE DRIVER IN THE OTHER LANE DID NOT KNOW SHE WAS TRYING TO MERGE AND PROCEEDED INTO THE SPOT. MY DAUGHTER HAD TO SWERVE BACK INTO HER LANE TO AVOID THE OTHER CAR , AND COULD NOT AVOID REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE AHEAD WHERE TRAFFIC HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED. I RECENTLY TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IN FACT THE PREVIOUS TWO MODEL YEARS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS RELATED TO A BAD HAZARD SWITCH. I FIDDLED WITH THE SWITCH AND FOUND THAT TAPPING THE SWITCH CAUSES THE SIGNALS TO MALFUNCTION. ALTHOUGH WE DIDN'T GET THIS CHECKED OUT UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I BELIEVE THE ACCICENT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE SIGNALS HAD BEEN WORKING, AND I AM REALLY ANNOYED THAT THE DEALERSHIP SEEMED SO IGNORANT OF THIS WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THEY EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jan 27, 2005
THE HAZARD SWITCH IS CUTTING OFF THE BLINCKER WHEN I TURRN THEM ON. IF I TOUCH OR MOVE THE HAZARD SWTCH THEN THE BLINKER WILL START WORKING AGAIN. 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BAND NEW WITH 11 MILES ON IT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING LAST YEAR. I ALSO SEE THAT A RECALL WAS DONE FOR THIS ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL, LOOKS LIKE THEY DIDN'T FIX IT ON ALL MALIBU'S.I*AK
Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2004
TURN SIGNALS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. REPLACED OEM SWITCH. PROBLEM CONTINUES.*AK
Exterior lighting, Nov 30, 2004
HAZARD WARNING/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
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
Exterior lighting, Nov 12, 2004
TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2004
THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
Exterior lighting, Oct 29, 2004
CONSUMER STATED TURN SIGNALS FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE TURN SIGNALS IN THE 2001 MODEL YEAR, HOWEVER THE 2002 MODEL YEAR WAS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
Exterior lighting, Sep 29, 2004
THE TURN SIGNALS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON A PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLE, SAME MAKE AND MODEL, FOR THE EXISTING PROBLEM. *JB THE RECALL WAS FOR HEADLIGHTS. *TC
Exterior lighting, Sep 15, 2004
THE SIGNAL INDICATORS AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Exterior lighting, Sep 1, 2004
TURN LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION SOMETIMES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR VEHICLES MAKE YEAR 2000 AND 2001. I HAVE 2002 MAKE CAR.*AK
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2004
THE CONSUMER STATEED THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, May 2, 2004
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TURN SIGNAL SWITCH OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY -- SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO 2000-2001 MY, WHICH WAS RECALLED AT 03V327000. HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE.*AK ABS LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME.
Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2004
WHILE TURNING THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO COME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2004
CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE BLACK SPOTS WHEN USING THE HEADLIGHTS. AS A RESULT VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. *AK RECALL#2V107000 *SC