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: service brakes
58 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Sep 7, 2020
THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR CORRODED AND QUICKLY LEAKED FLUID OUT SO THE BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE FLUID LEAKED OUT WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE NIGHT BEFORE. IF THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATESTOPHIC MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVYS. I SAVED SOME OF THE BRAKE LINES HE HAD TO REMOVE.
Electrical system, Service brakes, May 23, 2016, crash
I TURNED ON MY AC AND THE TEMP AND FUEL GUAGE FUSE BLOWED WHILE HAVING THE AIR ON STILL CHANGING OUT FUSES AND THE AUTOMATIC CAR LOCKS ON IT OWN WHEN YOU CLOSES THE DOORS GETTING OUT OR IT WILL LOCK WHEN SOME ONE GETS OUT OF THE CAR ALL BY ITSELF WITHOUT HITTING THE DOOR LOCK ON THE KEYLESS ENTRY.
Service brakes, May 5, 2016
PURCHASED MY 2002 CHEV MALIBU NEW! HAS 39000MILES ON IT ,GRANTED, CAR IS 14YRS OLD BUT IN MINT CONDITION . ITS GONE THROUGH 3 SETS OF ROTORS ,3 SETS OF FRONT PADS, 2 SETS OF CALIPERS AND ONE SET OF BRAKE LINES, BOTH FRONT HUB & BEARINGS TWICE!! .THERE` S A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THIER BRAKE SYSTEM DESIGN!!
Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 5, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) .THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Service brakes, Nov 13, 2014
THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. UPON INSPECTION THE GM MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE UNDER BODY THAT HAVE A LOT OF CORROSION. THERE IS POTENTIAL RISK OF FAILURE WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT, IS GARAGE KEPT AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS AND ACCIDENTS RELATING TO THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE ON GM VEHICLES. DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, IT WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL DEALER TO WORKOUT A METHOD OF PAYMENT BUT GM WAS ESSENTIALLY NOT GOING TO BE OF ANY HELP. THE LOCAL DEALER CLEARLY HAS NO INCENTIVE TO TO BARE THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THIS IS A ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE OEM. OTHER VEHICLES BY GM HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THIS ISSUE IS PRESENT. OTHER OEM HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND QUICKLY ADDRESSED IT HAS A FREE REPAIR/RECALL TO THE THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 26, 2014
I WAS DRIVING FROM THE MARKET AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN BUT HAD NO BRAKES. NO SIGN OF ME NOT HAVING ANY BRAKES BEFORE HAND.. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK ALSO.THERE WERE NO CARS IN THE CROSSING AND I WENT THROUGH AND CONTINUED HOME. I GOT HOME WHICH IS ABOUT 1.5 MILES AWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY GOING AS SLOW AS I COULD. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE SAID THERE WAS FLUID ALL OVER THE GROUND ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE THE PICTURES OF THE LINES. WHEN HE LOOKED THE BRAKE AND GAS LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH. IF I HAD DRIVEN OVER THE MOUNTAIN TO GET HOME FROM THE DOCTORS I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. I ALSO WAS TOLD IF A CAR HAD HIT ME GAS LINE LIKE THAT IT COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE.YOU NEED TO CHECK GAS AND BRAKE LINE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THE COST TO FIX THIS, AND I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK IS $2550.00. I WANT SOMETHING DONE . I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. I SHOULD BE REFUNDED SOME OR ALL OF THE COST.CHEVY OWNER SINCE 1965. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 26, 2014
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT MAY STALL,(AND IT HAS MANY TIMES) WHICH CAUSES FAILURE OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CAR ALSO WON'T ALWAYS START. YOU CAN TURN THE KEY BUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON,IF THEY DON'T THE CAR WILL NOT START. ALSO THE BATTERY WON'T KEEP A CHARGE, UNLESS YOU START THE CAR AND LET IT RUN AT LEAST EVERY 2 DAYS. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Jul 22, 2014, crash
IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, BRAKES FAILED TO WORK, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TOTALED MY VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Jul 1, 2014
VEHICLE FRONT END SHAKES/WOBBLES SEVERELY WHEN UNDER HARD BRAKING SITUATIONS DOWN HILL. LOUD LOW RUMBLE NOISE AND PEDAL VIBRATIONS ARE EVIDENT. SHAKING AND WOBBLING IS PRESENT THROUGH VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRING MORE STRENGTH AND DIRECTIONAL CORRECTIONS TO STEER AND GUIDE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. DOWN HILL BRAKING COULD BE SEVERELY IMPEDED IN NORMAL DRIVING OR WHILE TOWING A TRAILER. PANIC STOPS AND LIGHT BRAKING SITUATIONS ON LEVEL GROUND ARE NORMAL STRAIGHT AND TRUE. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CHECK OKAY AND IS CLEAN. ABS SYSTEM OPERATING NORMALLY. PARKING BRAKE OPERATING NORMALLY. VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CHECK OKAY. VEHICLE HAS 4 NEW TIRES MOUNTED AND BALANCED ON ORIGINAL FACTORY RIMS. TIRES ARE SIZED AND INFLATED TO VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS. COLD TIRE PRESSURE 29 PSI IN FRONT AND 26 PSI IN REAR. FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT ROTOR SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND WITHIN NORMAL SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AS HAVING WARPED FRONT ROTORS. FRONT ROTORS APPEAR TO WARP PREMATURELY UNDER NORMAL LOAD. VEHICLE HAS HAD FRONT ROTORS REPAIRED AND OR REPLACED 3 TIMES. HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT FRONT ROTORS ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE SIZE AND CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLES WITH THE SIX CYLINDER ENGINE OPTION DISPLACE MORE WEIGHT UPON THE FRONT AXLE CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT AND WEAR ON UNDERSIZED DISC BRAKES. VEHICLE PRESENTED WITH 69,000 ORIGINAL MILES. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 20, 2014
ON SEPT. 30TH 2013 WE HAD OUR 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WORKED ON AT JUST BRAKES ON 75 IN DALLAS. THEY RECOMMENDED A LONG LIST OF ITEMS COSTING AROUND $900 IN REPAIRS. WE DECIDED TO ONLY HAVE THE REAR BAKES DONE AT THIS TIME. ON JAN 16 OF THIS YEAR WE TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND FRONT BRAKES FIXED. OUR LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THE REARS WERE IMPROPERLY DONE AND WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL. THE PADS WERE INSTALLED BACKWARDS AND THE SPRINGS NOT ATTACHED. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO JUST BRAKES IN RICHARDSON SO THEY COULD PROPERLY FIX AND REDO THE WORK WE HAD PAID FOR. THE MANAGER BOBBY WAS EXTREMELY RUDE, HOSTILE AND ARGUMENTATIVE. HE BASICALLY DENIED THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM AND TOLD US TO LEAVE. HERE ARE A FEW THINGS HE SAID TO US WHEN WE TRIED TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION. HOW DO YOU KNOW THEY DON'T WORK?. WE HAD TESTED THE PARKING BRAKE AND IT WOULDN'T HOLD THE CAR AT ALL. HE SAID, THE E-BRAKE ISN'T DESIGNED TO DO THAT. HOW DID YOU GET THE CAR HERE IF YOUR BRAKES DON'T WORK? I AM NOT GOING TO GUARANTEE ANYTHING. I AM NOT GOING TO REFUND ANY OF YOUR MONEY. WHY DON'T YOU JUST FIX THEM YOURSELF? ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP ARGUING WITH ME? YOU SHOULD JUST TAKE THE CAR SOMEWHERE ELSE. TIRED OF HIS CONDESCENDING BELLIGERENT AND INSULTING ATTITUDE, WE INSTEAD WENT TO THEIR LEMON AVE LOCATION DOWNTOWN. THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL AND IMMEDIATELY FIXED THE BRAKES QUICKLY AND COURTEOUSLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS WE HAD BEEN DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WITH ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES WORKING FOR OVER 3 MONTHS. IT ALSO COST US LESS THEN HALF OF WHAT JUST BRAKES WANTED TO REPAIR THE FRONT END AT OUR LOCAL MECHANIC. BOBBY ORIGINALLY STATED ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WERE NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED THAT TURNED OUT WERE ACTUALLY NON-EXISTENT AND FRAUDULENT OVERCHARGES. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, May 16, 2012
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I SIGNALED FOR A LEFT TURN. WHEN I SIGNALED THE TURN, THERE WAS A BUZZING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY, I WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, ALBEIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ON. THE CAR RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND I DROVE IT 1/2 BLOCK TO A PARKING SPACE. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE CAR TO FH DAILEY, THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) THAT HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. THEY ARE REPLACING THE BCM. THEY DID NOT SEEM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND MY IMPRESSION IS IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THEM TO ENCOUNTER IT. I AM CONCERNED THAT, HAD I BEEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, ON THE HIGHWAY, OR ON A CURVING ROAD, THE ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT INJURY OR FATALITY TO MYSELF OR OTHERS.
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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 11, 2008
OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED IN 2006. JUST HAD TO DO IT AGAIN 12/5/08. CHEVY SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE THE BRAKES FREE OF CHARGE. I USE MY CAR DAILY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 21, 2008
FROM THE FIRST DAY I HAD THIS CAR, THE BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY IN THE FIRST FEW USES OF THE BRAKES, ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR MISSES OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES NOT ENGAGING AND SOMETIMES NOT RELEASING-A THUMPING SOUND IS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKE CYLINDER PISTON RELEASES. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Feb 5, 2008
WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET OR SNOWY, AND THERE IS POSSIBLE SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD, THE ABS IS ENGAGED EVEN WHEN YOU ARE PULLING UP SLOWLY TO THE STOP SIGN, OR SLOWING DOWN TO ARRIVE HOME, OR EVEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY... WHAT HAPPENS, IS WHEN DOING THOSE THINGS IN WEATHER AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IF YOU ATTEMPT TO PUT THE BREAKS ON IT MAKES AN AWFUL GRINDING SOUND AND PUSHED BACK ON YOU SO YOU CANT BREAK... THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES JUST BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY... I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN BEHIND SOMEONE THIS IS RIGHT ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET SO I WAS NOT SPEEDING AT ALL, IT WAS A RAINY DAY BUT THE RAIN WAS LIGHT, I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES ON MY CAR TOO. AS I PULLED UP BEHIND MY NEIGHBORS CAR TO THE STOP SIGN, I WAS BARELY PUSHING DOWN MY BREAK PEDDLE WHEN IT PUSHED BACK AT ME AND MADE T HIS DEEP SOUND I COULDN'T STOP AND I ALMOST HIT MY NEIGHBOR. I WENT TO MY LONG TIME MECHANIC AND HE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE ON A CLEAR DAY.... HE TOOK IT ON SOME GRAVEL AND STOPPED HARD WELL THE BREAKS DID THE SAME THING. HE SAID IT WAS THE ABS EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T LOOK AT THEM. I THINK IT IS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND NON OF THEM DID THAT TO ME ON WET OR SNOWY DAYS! I KNOW IT ISN'T NORMAL AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND IF THE ABS ARE GOING TO BE THAT STINGY THEN MY CHANCES OF CRASHING WILL BE 99% HIGHER! *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2008
I HAVE HAD MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2002. AFTER RUNNING FINE FOR A FEW YEARS, IT BEGAN TO DEVELOP RECURRING PROBLEMS. THE WHEEL BEARINGS (BOTH FRONT) HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ALONG WITH THE CALIPERS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 28, 2008
I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAD THE THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COME ON AND PAID $700 TO FIX THAT. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD...$500. I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK AND PAID $800 TO FIX THAT. EVERY TIME I GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED TOO, UNTIL THE LAST TIME WHEN THE CALIBERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL $900. NOW I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING MY PIECE OF JUNK. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Sep 27, 2007
THE ANTI-FREEZE HOLDING TANK KEEPS GETTING AN OIL RESIDUE IN IT AND THE ANTI-FREEZE KEEPS DISAPPEARING INTO THE ENGINE AND HAS TO KEEP BEING REFILLED. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS FAILING. THE A/C SWITCH ALSO TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN. ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 23, 2007
I HAVE FILED A SAFETY COMPLAINT WITH CHEVROLET ON THE 2002 MALIBU I PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES TWICE ONCE AT 33,378 MILES ON 5/5/2005 AND AGAIN AT 51,543 MILE ON 3/27/2007. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT AND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS REPAIR HAVE INFORMED ME THE REPLACING THE BRAKES AT 18,165 MILES ARE CONSIDERED ?ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.? FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FOUND WHEN THE CAR DID NOT ADEQUACY STOP PLACING ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE OR VISUAL INDICATOR OF THE BRAKING PROBLEM, INSTEAD I HAD TO RELY ON PERFORMANCE FAILURE WHILE ON THE ROAD. TO DATE THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Apr 15, 2007
FOUND CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES AND MASTER CYLINDER, AND OTHER LINES THAT ARE LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY CORROSION PLATE. THE BATTERY CORROSION PLATE WAS A GOOD IDEA. HOWEVER, PUTTING BRAKE LINES & OTHER COMPONENTS UNDER WERE ARE NOT A GOOD DESIGN. IT'S FLAWED, FOR IF THE BATTERY PLATE BECOMES CORRODED, THEN IT LEAKS ONTO THE LINES BELOW AND CAUSES DAMAGE AS IN MY VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 10, 2007
FIRST INCIDENT OF LEAKING HAPPENED AFTER DEALERSHIP WORKED ON CAR. ARRIVED HOME COOLANT POURED OUT ON GROUND TOWED BACK. DEALERSHIP SAID RESERVOIR CAP SEAL. 10/2006 OR 11/2006, PICKING UP AT SCHOOL AND SMELLED NOT ENGINE. PARKED SAW COOLANT ON GROUND. NO ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT NEEDLE WAS PAST MIDDLE. FAMILY BROUGHT COOLANT FILLED IT UP AND WENT 5 BLOCKS TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. YESTERDAY, 1/9/2007 CAR OVERHEATED IN THE SCHOOL LINE. ADDED COOLANT. I BROUGHT IT TO A NON DEALERSHIP RADIATOR SHOP OWNER THINKS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. CAR AT DEALERSHIP. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS BUT BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED FEEL DEALERSHIP WILL TELL ME IT IS A NEW PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST EVENT SO I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE. AT LEAST TWO ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL & 5 SETS OF PADS. REPORTED TO GM THEY CLAIM IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE! A NON DEALERSHIP TIRE COMPANY HAD THE PADS REPLACED WITH A GOOD BRAND. 1 1/2 YEARS SINCE I HAD TO HAVE PADS. PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS. CAR IS RUNNING AND THE DRIVER GETS OUT LEAVING CAR ON AND THEN THE PASSENGER TURNS OFF THE CAR AND GETS OUT, LOCKS CAR, THE RADIO STAYS ON. I WENT INSIDE THE STORE AND CAME OUT AND THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING. WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE CAR BUT ENTER ONLY THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND THEN CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY, THE CAR LOCKS ITSELF. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD NOT PLACED THE KEYS ON THE SEAT OF THE CAR AND SHUT THE DOOR OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT. I REPORTED THIS BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE. RADIO WAS REPLACED FOR LEFT BUTTON PAINT (NOT SURE IF IT IS PAINT OR COVER ON BUTTON) RUBS OFF. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED.. I TRANSPORT GRANDCHILDREN AND I NEED A SAFE CAR. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 28, 2006
BRAKE ROTORS ON 2002 MALIBU FAILING EVERY 18000 TO 20000 MILES. (3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS) I HAD THE ROTORS AND BRAKES CHECKED 7 MONTHS AFTER THE LATEST REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF VIOLENT SHIMMING IN THE FRONT END AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITH MY ROTORS AND BRAKES. NOW 5 MONTHS LATER(AFTER THE PARTS WARRANTY EXPIRED) I AM TOLD I NEED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKES. GM KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. I HAVE HAD 5 NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENT SHIM WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. ALL THE DEALERSHIP WILL SAY IS THEY CAN "SEE A PATTERN". I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY DEATHS WERE CAUSED BY THIS PATTERN! *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 14, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER HUB AND SPEED SENSOR. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. THE VEHICLE IS A MALIBU. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 30, 2006
BOTH FRONT CALIPERS AND BOTH REAR CALIPERS LEAKING. PROBLEM COVERED UNDER MY FIDELITY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THE NEW BRAKES THAT I HAD ON THERE WERE RUINED BY BRAKE FLUID CAUSED BY THE LEAK. WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER BRAKES. I HAVE 3 FRIENDS WITH THE EXACT SAME VEHICLE AND THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 18, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT COMPLETELY STOP. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING STOPPING PROBLEMS. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED. THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. THUS FAR, THE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TEN TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED OR DIAGNOSED. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB