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
596 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2010
OWN A 2002 MALIBU WITH 95K MILES. SINCE DECEMBER OF 2009 THE CAR DOES NOT START ALL THE TIME. ONCE YOU TURN THE CAR OFF THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART. YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR AT LEAST A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE CAR WILL START AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH SINCE DECEMBER AND IN JUNE IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC THREE TIMES AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM REALLY WAS UNTIL VIEWING ALL THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2010
CHEVY MALIBU 2002 V6 - COOLANT LEAK PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 15, 2010
PASSIVE ALARM SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THEFT ALARM LED COMES "ON" WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE REPORTS OF CAR DYING WHILE DRIVING, SEE THE LINK HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM. CONSUMERS SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE NOT KNOWING WHY THE CARS DOES NOT START OR STOPPED RUNNING. *TR
Electrical system, May 30, 2010
I OWN A CHEVY MALIBU 2002. THE PROBLEM IS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL INJECTORS AND THE CAR WON'T START. I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE COMPUTER. SOMETIMES THIS WILL TAKE MORE THAN 1 ATTEMPT. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR NO REASON. THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. ALSO MANY AFTER MARKET PARTS CLAIMING TO DISABLE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM TO TRY TO SATISFY CUSTOMERS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2001 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. I ONLY WISH I HAD FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE SOONER TO VOICE MY CONCERNS. PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH. THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO FIX THIS ISSUE THAN TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM. *TR
Electrical system, May 20, 2010
THIS IS A GENERAL POINT OF INFORMATION MESSAGE: FOR THE LAST DECADE OR MORE, GM VEHICLES HAVE A PROPENSITY TO BURN OUT THEIR LAMPS DUE TO AN OVERCHARGE CONDITION (CAUSE UNKNOWN TO ME); THIS CONDITION CAN AFFECT ANY OF THE LAMPS OR BULBS, MOST NOTICABLY HEADLAMPS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND RUNNING (PARKING) LAMPS. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ELECTRICAL DEFECT IN ALL GM VEHICLES.*TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 10, 2010
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY WORKING/NOT WORKING. THIS SITUATION POSES A SAFETY RISK WHEN NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2010
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY WORKING/NOT WORKING. IS THERE OR IS THERE NOT A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM? *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 24, 2010
TURNING SIGNALS AND FLASHERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. SOMETIMES CUT OFF WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN OR WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Apr 24, 2010
I DRIVE MY CAR AND IT CUTS OFF. TRY TO START IT BUT CRANKS NO START. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY NO START. SMELL FUEL. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR
Air bags, Apr 13, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH HER DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. NOW THE CONTACTS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT IS CRACKED AND THE AIR BAG SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE; THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 90,094. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB
Electrical system, Apr 5, 2010
2002 CHEVY MALIBU, FAILURE TO START. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOW, DETERMINED IT IS A BAD ANTI-THEFT SENSOR THAT IS PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING MY OWN CAR, USING OFFICIAL CHEVY KEY, BUT NOT STARTING. COST 575.00 TO TOW AND REPAIR. SCAM. WHY IS CHEVY PUTTING SUCH A DEVICE IN THE CAR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND SERVES NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER EXPECT TO SCAM PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MONEY. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2010
I HAD TO GET THE "IGNITION LOCKING SYSTEM" FIXED 2 TIMES IN THE SAME YEAR AT $600.00 EACH TIME. MY CAR WOULD NOT START SO I WOULD GET IT TOWED THEN WHEN IT GOT TO THE AUTO PLACE IT WOULD START RIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY HAD TO BRING IT TO THE PLACE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAVE IT PUT ON THE MACHINE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED 13 MON. LATER AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS MORE THAN 12 MON. I CALLED THE RECALL PLACE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON IT BUT I STILL THINK IT DEFINITELY IS A RECALL. THIS CAR HAS COST ME ALOT OF $ IN REPAIRS. *DT
Electrical system, Mar 19, 2010
THE THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS TURNING ON AND I CANT FIND OUT WHAT IS TRIGGERING IT AND IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2010
WITHOUT WARNING, CAR SUDDENLY WILL NOT START. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE WHEN TRYING TO START CAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE IGNITION DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE CAR KEY. SEEMS IT THINKS SOMEONE IS TRYING TO STILL THE CAR. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2009. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON 3/7/2010. IN BOTH CASES THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE FIRST SHOP WAS AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE SECOND SHOP WAS THE DEALER. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THEN, THEY REPLACED THE BCM UNIT AND THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER. I'VE DONE SOME BACKGROUND CHECKING ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. MANY, MANY OWNERS OF THIS MAKE & MODEL (CHEVY MALIBU) HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2010
2002 CHEVY MALIBU. TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT UNTIL YOU TRY THEM. OF COURSE IF A MECHANIC HAS THE CAR ALL DAY THE SIGNALS WORK FINE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 19, 2010
PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILS PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYTIME I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. THE CAR CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT IS THE ONLY THING THAT LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2010
2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT DISABLES THE VEHICLE ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHEN A VALID KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. SAFETY ISSUE IF PERSON NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION, IF IN DANGEROUS AREA, OR IF CAR NEEDS TO BE STARTED AND REFUSES TO DO SO BECAUSE OF FAULTY PART. I HAVE FOUND A WORKAROUND THAT HAS SEEMED TO WORK FOR ME. PLACE KEY IN IGNITION, TURN TO "ON" POSITION. OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND WAIT UNTIL WARNING CHIME COMES ON. THEN TURN CAR ON AS NORMALLY. SEEMS LIKE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS A HARD TIME REGISTERING IF THERE IS A KEY. ANYWAY, THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE ON GM'S PART AND I SINCERELY BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 MALIBU/CHEVY THAT HAS THEFT SYSTEM AND GIVES ME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES THEN ONE MINUTE TO START THE CAR. I AM REALLY SICK AND TIRED OF IT. THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL CHEVY, MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM. THE GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD RECALL THE SITUATION AND FIX IT IN FREE OF CHARGE. THANK YOU. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2009
THE THEFT SYSTEM OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU PERIODICALLY IS TRIGGERED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. IT HAPPENS FAIRLY OFTEN UP TO SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH - MOST RECENTLY TWICE TODAY, 6 DECEMBER 2009. TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE I HAVE TO SET MY CAR IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR TEN MINUTES WHILE THE SYSTEM RESETS. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT (IF I WAS ON MY WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT OR JOB) OR COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS &/OR LIFE THREATENING (TRYING TO GET FAMILY MEMBER TO THE ER OR TRYING TO ESCAPE AN ATTACK OF SOME KIND). CHEVROLET NEEDS TO DO AN INVESTIGATION & RECALL WHATEVER IS CAUSING THIS FAULT IN THEIR CARS. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 21, 2009
INTERMITTENT FAULT IN TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY. MALIBU. NOTHING HAPPENED TO CREATE THIS PROBLEM, THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING. NOW I HAVE TO USE MY HANDS AS TURN SIGNALS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Nov 20, 2009
2002 CHEVY MALIBU, 80,000 MILES BRAKES ALWAYS NOISY EVEN WHEN NEW..BRAKES AND CALIPERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 2-3 MONTHS WITH MINIMAL USE......HAZARD LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL FAILURE...WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.....IGNITION LOCK-OUT....COULD NOT START CAR OR REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION....LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE......LEFT HEADLAMP FIELD OF VISION NARROW AND SHORT. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2009
FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, MY CAR HAS HAD A PROBLEM STARTING UP. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM. WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR, IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE THEFT LIGHT GOES OFF BEFORE THE CAR EVEN STARTS. I THOUGHT THAT SEEMED STRANGE BUT AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ON HAVING THAT PROBLEM. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2009
THE TURN SIGNALS ON OUR CAR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. NO EVENT LED UP TO THIS. THEY ARE UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. OCCASIONALLY EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. IF SHE TURNS THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THEN PUSH ON THE LOWER LEFT CORNER, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64000. UPDATED 01/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/19/10.*JB
Electrical system, Oct 26, 2009
THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2002 MODEL MALIBU HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILD TO BE "STUCK" AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AWAY FROM HOME. THE SYSTEM EVEN FAILED DURING HER DRIVING ONE DAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION FOR HER AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AS IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME THE FUSE BOX HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO RAIN (?) AS WELL AS THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS SCREWED UP. ANYWAY, OVER THE COURSE OF 1 YEAR, I SPENT A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY $1700.00 IN SO CALLED REPAIRS UNTIL I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE 10 MINUTE TRICK. NEVERTHELESS, THE 10 MINUTE TRICK TURNED OUT TO BE A 1 HOUR TRICK JUST YESTERDAY. AND CHEVROLET WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM?!?!?! THIS IS A NUISANCE AND DANGEROUS AS WELL. *TR