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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2009
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT AT ABOUT 104,000 MILES BUT I AM SURE THAT IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WELL BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE OF THE LOW PRICE I PAID FOR IT, BUT I NEEDED A CAR BADLY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR AND USUALLY WOULD HAVE TO TURN IT ON TO MAKE SURE ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON, NOT JUST THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT. IF ONLY THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON, ITS GUARANTEED TO NOT START. AT EXACTLY 111,111 MILES MY CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I TOOK THE KEY OUT AND PUT IT BACK IN. IT KEPT FLASHING THE ANTI-THEFT AT ME! I REPLACED THE IDOL SPEED MOTOR AND FOR SOME REASON IT STARTED. A WEEK LATER IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I READ ABOUT TRICKS ONLINE TO GET THE CAR TO START BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROMINENT PROBLEM WITH 2002'S. I FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I WAS STILL ABLE TO USE MY BREAKS, THANK GOD, BUT HAD TO SIT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO START MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I KEEP THINKING WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN MY 2-YEAR-OLD IS WITH ME? WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE DARK AND SOMEONE REAR ENDS ME BECAUSE MY LIGHTS GO OUT? I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP CHECKED, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE IDLE SPEED MOTOR REPLACED EVERY TIME I REPLACE SOMETHING IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS THEN IT STARTS TO ACT UP AGAIN. THE POINT IS THAT THE PROBLEM ALWAYS COMES BACK AND IT SEEMS TO GET WORST, AND HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WITH EVERY FAILURE. THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WITCH IS WHAT I AM HAVING FIXED NEXT, BUT I HAVE ACQUAINTANCES THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT COME BACK EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION CYLINDER. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS HAVING EVERYTHING DIE AGAIN WHILE I AM DRIVING BECAUSE ITS NOT JUST A INCONVENIENCE ANYMORE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHEVY NEEDS TO ADDRESS BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS AND OR SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 14, 2009
INTAKE GASKET WENT IN CAR COST $740.00 TO FIX,THE COOLANT WAS MIXING WITH OIL. I DIDN'T HAVE HEAT COULDN'T SEE OUT BACK WINDOW. THE SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT,THE REAR DEFROSTER DON'T WORK,MY HUSBAND HAS FIXED IT 2X AND PUT IN SHOP,STILL DON'T WORK. MY CAR GETS SERVICE WHEN ITS TIME. THERE'S A SOUND IN THE DASHBOARD SOUND LIKE WIRES RUBBING TOGETHER AND YOU GET A LITTLE SHOCK WHEN YOU GET OUT CAR. I HOPE I DON'T BE DRIVING AND MY CAR CATCH ON FIRE WITH ME IN IT. I THINK MY CAR WAS IN THE BAD BATCH SECTION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 13, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RED LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE IS LOW. ANTI-FREEZE WOULD LEAK OUT THE TANK AND DAMAGE THE WATER PUMP AND BALANCER. THE CONTACT WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT THE FAULTY TANK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Apr 2, 2009
2002 CHEVY MALIBU WON'T START OCCASIONALLY PASSLODE PROBLEM DIAG AT LOCAL DEALER IGNITION REPLACED AND KEYS REPROGRAMMED COST $398.60 .STILL HAVE PROBLEM THAT WE TOOK CAR TO DEALER IN FIRST PLACE FOR. DEALER CAN NOT FIX PROBLEM WHAT DO WE DO THIS IS UNSAFE FOR WIFE AND YOUNG CHILD TO BECOME STRANDED ON A DAILY BASES. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEMS FROM GM. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND HAVE SENSE LEARNED ABOUT THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE DEXCOOL COOLANT CAUSING GASKET FAILURE .WE NEED HELP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Mar 27, 2009
LOW COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. HAD THIS CHECKED DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND OIL WAS FOUND IN THE COOLANT. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED FOR THE 2ND TIME. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. STARTING IN THE SPRING/SUMMER OF 2008 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORKING PART OF THE TIME. THIS WAS CHECKED AT A DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE SIGNALS SEEMED TO WORK FINE FOR THEM AND THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE REPRODUCED THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG TO BE ABLE TO FIX IT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START FOR A WEEK AND WAS TOWED. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KEPT ACTIVATING. SHE HAD TO WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING IT TO STALL. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ONE WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 03-27-09 *BF UPDATED 03/31/09. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2009
CAR WILL CONTINUE TO TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES NOW. AFTER TALKING WITH A MECHANIC AND INTERNET RESEARCH DETERMINED THAT PROBLEM IS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2009
PASSLOCK II THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM NOT ALLOWING CAR TO START AND SOMETIMES SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 70,000 MILES WITH THE THEFT LIGHT ONCE IN AWHILE COMING ON AND BLINKING ON THE DASHBOARD AND NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO START, UNLESS YOU WAITED 10 MINUTES WITH THE IGNITION KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION UNTIL THE THEFT LIGHT WENT OFF. THEN AROUND 80,000 MILES "ALMOST" EVERY TIME YOU WOULD TRY TO START THE CAR YOU WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND THE FUEL PUMP TO TURN ON BEFORE STARTING THE CAR, WHICH WAS MOST LIKELY A RESULT OF THE PASSLOCK II RESISTORS NOT REGISTERING IN THE IGNITION KEY TUMBLER. THERE WAS ALSO A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND ONCE WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. AFTER READING ABOUT HOW COMMON THE PASSLOCK II PROBLEM WAS ON SOME OF THE GM VEHICLES AND HOW EXPENSIVE IT WAS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT COULD POSSIBLY RETURN ANYWAY, WE DECIDED TO JUST GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE MECHANIC CHANGED AN UNSPECIFIED PART. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE REPAIR SHOP. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A GMC DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED SPORADICALLY. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO NOTIFY OTHER DRIVERS OF HIS INTENTION TO TURN THE VEHICLE, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN ISSUED BY GM. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $400. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 16, 2009
MY CAR HAS AN ANTI-FREEZE LEAK AND I HAVE TO FILL IT ONCE A WEEK. I WENT TO CHEVY AND HAD A TEST DOWN ON IT. THE TEST SHOWED THAT MY LOW INTAKE GASKETS ARE BAD. CHEVY QUOTED ME $900.00 FOR FIX. *TR
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.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE LEAVING THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER HEAD GASKET SEAL, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER OF 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,300.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2008
THIS GM/ CHEVY MALIBU WAS DIAGNOSED TO REQUIRE A HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THE COOLANT LEAKED INSIDE THE ENGINE. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 2, 2008
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT STEADILY ON; INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS W/ENGINE COOLANT GOING INTO ENGINE. WAS NOTIFIED OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHEVROLET FOR MALIBU HAVING THIS PROBLEM, BUT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN SERVICE, THE OWNER MUST HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM AND INCURRED EXPENSE IN OBTAINING REIMBURSEMENT. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS IS $1500. RESEARCH ON INTERNET INDICATES MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. ONCE I DROVE OFF THE LOT THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING FOR ME, THEY WERE WORKING DURING THE TEST DRIVE. AFTER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CONNECTED WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS BOX. WHENEVER IT WAS IN A CERTAIN POSITION THE BLINKERS WOULD WORK OTHERWISE THEY DID NOT. I TRIED FIXING IT WITH SOME RUBBERBANDS AND DUCT TAPE- FOR SOME REASON THAT WORKED FOR AWHILE BUT NOW IT'S ACTING UP AGAIN! HELP! *TR
Electrical system, Nov 28, 2008
2002 MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2008
TURN SIGNALS WORKED FINE UNTIL MID 2007, THEN THEY STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH THE HAZARD BUTTON TO GET THEM TO WORK, THEN THEY ONLY WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE I HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH THE HAZARD BUTTON AGAIN. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT IT IS VERY UNSAFE! NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, I AM TRYING TO WAIT FOR A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IF THAT DOESN'T COME SOON, I WILL HAVE TO REPAIR IT MYSELF AT MY COST! *TR
Electrical system, Nov 5, 2008
MY THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WENT ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR. TWO DAYS LATER WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. *TR
Child seat, Nov 4, 2008
I TOOK THE COVER OFF OF THE CAR SEAT TO WASH IT. WHEN I WAS PUTTING IT BACK ON I GENTLY MOVED THE BOTTOM PART OF THE LATCH SYSTEM COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE CAR SEAT. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2002, MAKE=CHEVROLET, MODEL=MALIBU). *TR
Air bags, Nov 2, 2008, crash
AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU 4D SEDAN DURING A COLLISION BETWEEN THE MALIBU FRONT-END DIRECTLY WITH A SATURN 4D SEDAN IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AT A SPEED OF 50-55 MPH. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 2, 2008
PASS 11 SECURITY SYSTEM - REPLACED AND NOT WORKING AGAIN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2008
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU SEDAN 3.1 V-6 TURN SIGNAL WORK THEN THEY DON'T AT THIS TIME THEY ARE NOT WORKING .JUST CHECKED GOOGLE AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINT'S OF THE SAME ! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2008
THE CAR CONTINUE TO RUN HOT I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIX I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE WATER PUMP AND THE ENGINE. THE WATER COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE ON TO THE ENGINE. *TR