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, Hydraulic, Jul 7, 2003
INSIDE DISC PADS WORE OUT AT 21000 MILES. HAD PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS CHECKED. CALIPER IS NOW STICKING AGAIN AND INSIDE PAD IS RUBBING*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 24, 2003
2002 MALIBU. ROTORS AND PADS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES AND PADS ALONE ONCE IN 35000 MILES. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S AND GRAND AM'S. BRAKES WILL BE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED FOR 2004. WHY REDESIGN IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM?? *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 19, 2003
THERE WAS A SEVERE PULSATION EVERY TIME I USED THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 20133 MILES ON IT. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE ROTORS TO BE WARPED AND I KNOW THAT PADS LAST A LOT LONGER THAN 20000 MILES. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 29, 2002, crash
I WAS IN A WRECK LAST MONDAY NIGHT WHILE DRIVING A COMPANY VAN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN YOU SET IT AT A SPEED THEN GO DOWN A HILL IT WOULD GET 15-20 MILES FASTER. ANY HOW THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT DOWN AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT OF THE VAN A FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY BY MY LEFT FOOT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNTIL THE FIRE GOT TO THEM. THE VAN ROLLED OVER ONCE AND LANDED ON ITS WHEELS THE DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN I ROLLED DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND GOT OUT THAT WAY AND THE ABS BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WHEN YOU HAVE TO GET ON THEM REAL HARD. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 22, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONSUMER APPLY HER BRAKES AND THERE WAS A LOUD STREAKING NOISE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 3, 2002
ROTORS HAVE WARPED ALREADY WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2002, crash
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY DIDN'T HOLD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE.CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 30, 2002
NEW CAR WITH 13136 MILES. TRIP TO FL. BRAKES GROUND WHEN CAUGHT IN SLOW X-WAY TRAFFIC IN LOUISVILLE KY. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS, TURN ROTORS AT CHV DLR. COST $242. WARRANTY NO GOOD. THEY BLAMED IT ON LIVING (1 MILE) DOWN A DIRT ROAD WHICH PREVENTED BRAKES FROM WORKING. REPORTED COMPLAINT TO HOME DLR. THEN NEEDED ROTORS TURNED AGAIN AT 16000 MILES. THE SAID THAT BRAKES DON'T ALWAYS LAST LONG, BUT WERE ABLE TO GET SRV. REP. TO REFUND $185. DLR AGREED TO REPLACE ROTORS IF I HAD MORE TROUBLE W/ BRAKES IN NEXT 10,000 MI. THAT MEANS I COULD HAVE A WHOLE BRAKE JOB AT 28,000 AT MY EXPENSE. I AM NOT HAPPY. A COMMONLY HELD IDEA IS THAT BRAKES SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. I DON'T RIDE MY BRAKES AND TRAVEL TO WORK ON PAVED RURAL ROADS WITHOUT MUCH TRAFFIC. I DO LOTS OF X-WAY DRIVING AND DON'T TAILGATE. TRADED IN A 1998 MALIBU DUE TO TROUBLE WITH MANIFOLD GASKET, AIR-CON ODOR. PREVIOUSLY HAD WARPED ROTORS AND A NEED TO REPLACE BRAKES MUCH MORE OFTEN THAN 6 PREV. CARS ON SAME DIRT ROAD. HAVE SINCE READ THAT MALIBU BRAKES HAVE A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS. I THINK GM IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD RE-ENGINEER THE BRAKES AND GIVE CONSUMERS A QUALITY PRODUCT.*AK