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, Oct 25, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-ANTI-THEFT/PASSLOCKSYSTEM. THE SITUATION ARISES WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS, I INSERT MY ORIGINAL GM KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM GOES INTO THEFT MODE (AS IF I AM STEALING MY OWN CAR). THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE ENGINE TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR SWITCHED ON FOR 10 MINUTES (WHILE DRAINING THE BATTERY) UNTIL THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT QUITS FLASHING AND STAYS ON STEADY. AT THAT POINT I MUST TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF AND THEN TRY STARTING THE CAR AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TIMES SINCE I REACHED 55000 MILES. THE LAST TIME WAS LAST WEEK AND I AM NOW AT 76000 MILES. DEALER PRETENDED THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS AND HAD NOT DEALT WITH ANY OTHER PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. I SEE AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH THAT THIS WAS A TOTAL LIE ON THEIR PART. THEY SUPPOSEDLY TRIED TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AT WHICH POINT I COULD HAVE IT TOWED THERE AND THEY QUOTED ME $650+ TO REPLACE IGNITION ASSEMBLY (WHAT THEY CONSIDERED THE "LIKELY" CAUSE). CAR ALSO MAKES OUTSIDE HORN NOISES RANDOMLY AND THE INSIDE ALARM CHIMES RANDOMLY. I'VE READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS, EVEN ONE WOMAN WHOSE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THIS ANTITHEFFT SYSTEM PROBLEM. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT NEEDING RECALL AND OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS ON MANY LEVELS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON AUTO COMPLAINT SITES (IE., AUTOFORUM) AND I CAN SEE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AS WELL. WHY AREN'T YOU DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT?! PLEASE RESPOND!!! *TR
Electrical system, Oct 17, 2009
I DROVE MY 2002CHEVY MALIBU TO WORK AND WHEN I GOT IN TO START IT , THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. IT COST ME A TOW BILL AND $278 TO HAVE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RESET. NOW I AM READING THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AS LONG AS I OWN THE CAR! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS TO BE FIXED PERMANENTLY. MY DAUGHTER ALSO HAS THE SAME MODEL AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO HER TWICE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2009
2002 CHEVY MALIBU TURN SIGNAL FLICKERS OR DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. NOV 08, $1000 PAID TO FIX MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND HAZARD SWITCH FOR CAR TO PASS INSPECTION THAT ONLY WORKED FOR A MONTH. 11 SEP 09, $144 FINE PAID FOR IMPROPER LANE CHANGE BECAUSE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK. SEP 09, $36 DOLLAR FOR OWNER TO REPLACE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. OWNER IS UNWILLING TO PAY $240 FOR ANOTHER MULTIFUNCTION FUNCTION SWITCH. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2009
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW CAR TO START EVEN THOUGH I AM USING THE FACTORY KEY THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. THIS OCCURS APPROXIMATELY EVERY TEN TO FIFTEEN TIMES I TRY TO START THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2009
AT 80,000 MILES MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU'S TURN SIGNALS STOP FLASHING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND IS DANGEROUS. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 11, 2009
MY MOTHER OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT SOMETIMES WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM GETS A FALSE READING AND SHUTS OFF POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP. PLACING THE IGNITION KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES WILL USUALLY RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO US SEVERAL TIMES. I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH AND FOUND WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CAN GM BE FORCED TO CORRECT THIS. NOW THAT WE THE PEOPLE OWN A MAJORITY STAKE IN THE COMPANY, IT SEEMS A PERFECT TIME TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED. YOU KNOW THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PASSLOCK PROBLEM, BUT IN THEIR ARROGANCE AND GREED, WOULD NOT CORRECT IT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL JAMES MCDONALD. ALSO, IF YOU WANT TO SEE OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINS DO A GOOGLE SEARCH OF CHEVROLET MALIBU THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM PROBLEM AND YOU WILL SEE THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. IF THIS CANNOT BE CORRECTED WITH YOUR INTERVENTION, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 9, 2009
CHEVY PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ALWAYS MALFUNCTIONING. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO START CAR AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE TURN SIGNALS WILL QUIT WORKING AT ANY TIME WITH OUT WARNING AND START WORKING ON THEIR OWN. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 2, 2009
TRIED TO START MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU LS AND WOULD NOT START. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. THE FAILURE SEEMS TO BE THE PASSLOCK TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE COMPUTER CAN BE RESET BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IT IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. APPARENTLY THERE IS NOT A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AT ALL. IT WILL JUST KEEP HAPPENING AS LONG AS YOU OWN THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN LUCK THAT IT'S ONLY DONE THIS WHILE PARKED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM COULD KICK IN AT ANYTIME AND SHUT OFF THE CAR EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THIS TO ME SEEMS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 2, 2009
TURN SIGNALS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES THEY WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T, SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND JUST STOP WHILE BLINKING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 27, 2009
TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING DURING TRAVEL. NO APPARENT CAUSE. SIGNALS WILL WORK DURING THE TRIP, STOP WORKING, AND SOMETIMES START TO WORK AGAIN. SEEMS TO HAPPEN 3-4 TIMES PER WEEK. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2009
I PURCHASED A USED 2002 CHEVY MALIBU IN 2005. IN 2006, I HAD TO HAVE THE PASS LOCK SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO THE CAR NOT STARTING. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON ISSUE IN GM CARS, I'VE SINCE LEARNED. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. TODAY, I TOOK MY CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH. WHILE SITTING THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. THE LIGHTS STAYED ON AND NONE OF THE DASH GAUGES WERE WORKING. I MADE IT HOME, TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED IT, SAME THING. I WAS ADVISED TO ATTEMPT TO RESET THE PASS LOCK SENSOR. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED SO FAR. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY THE PASS LOCK SENSOR OR BCM AGAIN. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A SUPER COMMON ISSUE IN GM CARS FOR THE PASS TWELVE YEARS. IN TOTAL FOR THE TWO REPAIRS ALREADY MENTIONED, I HAVE SPENT ABOUT 1200 DOLLARS. I STRIVE TO MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. IT VERY FRUSTRATING TO KNOW THAT GM HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, YET HAS MADE NO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE IT FOR CAR OWNERS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2009
INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL ON 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. WORKS ONLY IF HAZARD SIGNAL IS PUSHED SLIGHTLY. I MUST HOLD HAZARD SIGNAL WHILE MAKING A TURN. 2001 MALIBUS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHY NOT 2002? PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR THIS YEAR ALSO. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM (ANTI-THEFT) REPLACED ONCE AND NOW AFTER 1-1/2 YEARS AM HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN STUCK SEVERAL TIMES WAITING FOR THE REQUIRED 10 - 15 MINUTES WAITING FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 16, 2009
TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPERATING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2009
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK II / THEFTSYSTEM IN MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE, THAT SEEMS TO HAPPEN 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE, IN THE PAST WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT RESULTS IN ME HAVING TO TURN MY IGNITION TO ON FOR TEN MINUTES, AND WAIT PATIENTLY IN HOPES THIS WILL LET ME START MY OWN CAR. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS A SERIOUS INQUIRY BY SOMEONE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO AVAIL. I AM HOPING SOMEONE WILL HELP THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING STRANDED IN THAT DARK PARKING LOT ALONE AT 3AM. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU THEFTSYSTEM/ PASSLOCK, PLEASE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 9, 2009
TURN SIGNAL /HAZARD SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY INTERMITTENTLY OPERATING. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 8, 2009
I OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THAT WON'T START ABOUT EVERY THIRD TIME. THE CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO GM'S DEFECTIVE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THE PASSLOCK SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUGUST OF 2006. THE SENSOR IS NOW ACTING UP AGAIN AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED ALMOST EVERY YEAR. THOUSANDS OF OTHER MALIBU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 4, 2009
TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. TURNING ON FLASHERS FOR A BIT USUALLY BRINGS THEM BACK. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE DAILY. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2009
THE BODY CONTROL MODULE "MISREAD" VEHICLE IGNITION KEY AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE START. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 26, 2009
THEFT SYSTEM KICKS IN AND WONT LET THE CAR START. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME AND I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPEN TO. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT YOU ALL MAYBE U ALL COULD HELP US GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 19, 2009
TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 15, 2009
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION. *TR
Steering, May 19, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. TWO MECHANICS STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT PUT 18,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, May 15, 2009, crash
MY GRANDSON WAS CRITICALLY INURED WHILE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, THIS VEHICLE CANNOT SUSTAIN IMPACT OF 30 MPH OR LESS TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING FATAL IF NOT CRITICAL INJURIES TO PASSENGER. NO SIDE AIRBAG, NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER. RATED WITH THREE STARS...... RIDICULOUS. MY GRANDSON LOST ONE LUNG AND PART OF HIS BRONCHIAL TUBE BECAUSE THERE IS NO SAFETY MEASUREMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE TO PROTECT FRONT PASSENGER. *TR