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.
Equipment, May 7, 2007
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FREQUENTLY PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING THE CAR.*AK
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2007
THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE THEFTLOCK KEY PASS SENSOR KEEPS FAILING AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE VEHICLE. TO CORRECT THIS THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE THEFTLOCK FEATURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2007
(1) 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. 3100 V6 ENGINE. GASKET FAILURE/FACTORY DEFAULT. (2) ONLY 22,200 MILES, AND INTAKE GASKET HAS FAILED. (3) WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, IS A GM FACTORY RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2007
TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. I TRIED TO FIND A RECALL BUT THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAS A RECALL FOR CHEVY MALIBU'S UP TO THE YEAR 2001. I HAVE REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND THE IGNITION SWITCH STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. *JB
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
Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Electrical system, Apr 11, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 142,000. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON A DRY NIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHECKED EXTERIOR LIGHTS. THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT WOULD WORK WERE THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE, BUT THE FUSE BLEW INSTANTLY. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2007
GM V6 DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO DISAPPEAR THROUGH ENGINE OR INTO ENGINE OIL. CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, AND POSSIBLE SEVER INTERNAL DAMAGE. LAST FAILURE WAS ON 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AT 39000 MILES,IT FAILED 2 TIMES ON 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA UNDER 80000 MILES, FAILED 2 TIMES ON 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE UNDER 80000 MILES. FAILED 1 TIME ON 2002 MALIBU. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF DEFECT, BUT DID NOT TELL CUSTOMER. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 2, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU, WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON 02/28/2007, AND WORKED WELL UNTIL 03/16/2007 WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. ON 03/23/2007 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON SINCE THAT TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,667. *AK
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2007
I OWN A CAR RENTAL COMPANY AND THE PRIMARY VEHICLE IN MY FLEET IS THE 01-03 CHEVY MALIBU. OVER THE PAST 14 MONTHS THE IGNITION ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS LEFT MY CUSTOMERS STRANDED AND FRUSTRATED. ONE CUSTOMER WAS STRANDED AT NIGHT IN A WAL-MART PARKING LOT WITH HER SMALL KID WHILE SITTING THROUGH A HEAVY RAIN STORM. ALL OF OUR KEYS/SPARES ARE ORIGINAL AND PURCHASED FROM GM DEALERS BUT THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. *JB
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2007
DRIVING CAR AND IT WOULD DIE. FIRST OCCURANCE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER. DEALER SAID FUEL PUMP WAS BAD AND REPLACED PUMP. SAME PROBLEM OCURRED OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE GAGES AND LIGHTS ON DASH ALSO QUIT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I COULD HIT THE KEY AND THEY WOULD COME BACK ON, AND THE CAR WOULD RESTART. DEALT WITH THIS FOR ABOUT 2 YRS BECAUSE THE COST OF A NEW SWITCH WAS MORE THAN I COULD AFFORD AT THE TIME.FINNALLY DISSASSEMBLED THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN PROBLEM GOT TOO BAD. DISCOVERED THAT GM HAD NOT USED THE NORMAL HEAVY WIPER STYLE CONTACTS THAT MOST IGNITION SWITCHES HAVE. THEY USED A PLASTIC CAM THAT PUSHES PINS THAT OPERATE VERY LIGHT SPRING STYLE CONTACTS. I FOUND THAT THE CONTACTS HAD ARCED AND WERE NOT MAKING GOOD CONTACT. USED VERY FINE EMERY CLOTH TO CLEAN CONTACTS, REASSEMBLED SWITCH, AND PROBLEM WAS SOLVED.CAR STARTS AND RUNS FINE FOR NOW, BUT AS SOON AS CONTACTS ARC ENOUGH, PROBLEM WILL RETURN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING THEM THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SECURITY SYSTEM. WELL ITS NOT. ANYONE WHO HAS A MINOR AMOUNT OF MECHANICAL ABILITY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM IN ABOUT AN HOUR. BE SURE AND CONSULT A REPAIR MANUAL ON THE PROPER REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM THE DASH. ITS NOT HARD, BUT THERE IS A TRCK TO IT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 14, 2007
ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. I REPLACED 1/2 GALLON OF COOLANT. AT MY NEXT OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED AN ORANGE GEL ON MY OIL CAP. I FIGURED IT WAS AN INTERNAL COOLANT LEAK; THEREFORE, IT WAS PROBABLY A HEAD GASKET LEAK. I TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED IT WAS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. IF THE GASKET WAS NOT REPLACED PROMPTLY, THE ENGINE OIL WOULD FAIL TO LUBRICATE THE ENGINE PROPERLY. THE RESULT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. 8JB
Exterior lighting, Mar 1, 2007
MY BLINKERS ON MY CHEVY MALIBU 2002 WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I NEED TO TURN THE BLINKER TO THE LEFT TO TURN ON MY CAR AS A SAFETY PROCEDURE INSTALLED BY THE PRODUCER. IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN I DRIVE I HAVE TO CHANGE LANES AND EVEN THOUGH I TURN MY BLINKERS ON THEY DO NOT WORK SO I AM CUTTING PEOPLE OFF ALL THE TIME. I TRIED TAKING IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. IT IS GETTING VERY ANNOYING AND TODAY I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO TURN MY CAR ON WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME MONEY FROM THE ATM. IT IS ANNOYING BECAUSE IF THE LEFT BLINKER DOES NOT TURN ON AND I START MY CAR IT DOES NOT START AND THE HORN SOUNDS. PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT ME FUNNY BECAUSE THE HORN SOUNDED LIKE 30 TIMES. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 20, 2007
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. BOUGHT THE CAR 1 YEAR AGO. FIRST HAPPENED IN AUGUST 06. HAPPENED AGAIN IN JANUARY. NOW IN FEBRUARY IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK. CAR WILL NOT START, HAVE TO RESET THE KEY AND I HAVE FOUND NO ONE WHO HAS TAKEN THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER HAVE IT COMPLETELY FIXED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON MALIBU'S STARTING WITH 99-04 MODELS. NOW LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY, MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS, BUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVE. "QUICK FIX" SOLUTIONS ARE NOW GOING AROUND THE INTERNET TELLING PEOPLE TO CUT WIRES IN THEIR DASH TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE CUTS THE WRONG WIRE AND KILLS SOMEONE IN RESULT TO FIXING GM SCREW UP. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2007
CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE "THEFT DETERRENT" SYSTEM, RESULTING IN FAILURE TO START. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SAME PART THREE TIMES. LAST TIME THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN, AND CHARGED ME FOR THE TOW TO GET THE CAR BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX TIMES NOW IN THE PAST YEAR. *NM
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
Vehicle speed control, Jan 5, 2007
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU SUFFERS FROM SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MOST OF THE ARTICLES I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET STATE THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE RESULTS. ON MY CAR, I CAN REPRODUCE THE RESULTS ANYTIME. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE I HAD PRESSED THE GAS INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE, BUT I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT EVEN AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. FORTUNATELY, FOR ME, THERE WERE NO CARS ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION AND HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS STILL MOVING TO KILL THE ENGINE. THE THIRD TIME, I WAS IN THE CITY AND I KNOW THAT I MUST HAVE REALLY WORN OUT MY BRAKES. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND I HAVE CALLED GM TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT IT. THEY OFFERED LITTLE HELP AND ONLY SUGGESTED ME THAT I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THAT TOO, THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CHECK-UP. I WOULD LIKE SOME FEEDBACK AS WHAT I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER AND ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RESOLUTION, IF ANY, IN CASES THAT WERE SIMILAR TO MINE. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 5, 2007
THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THEN CAR WOULDN'T START LAST NIGHT. CAR WENT TO MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 30, 2006
2002 CHEVY MALIBU (85,000 MILES) = APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO ENGINE OVERHEATED AND "NEED COOLANT" LIGHT CAME ON. OWNER REFILLED COOLANT. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER "COOLANT" LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND OWNER REFILLED COOLANT. NO VISIBLE LEAK OF COOLANT WAS NOTICED UNDER VEHICLE. AT NEXT OIL CHANGE OWNER ASKED TECHNICIAN TO CHECK COOLANT AND TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE, NO DISCERNIBLE LEAK. JULY 2006 ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, OWNER REFILLED, THIS OCCURRED AGAIN IN LATE AUGUST AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER. DECEMBER 22, 2006, OWNER HAD OIL CHANGE AND ASKED TECHNICIAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT CHEVROLETS REGULARLY GET AIR BUBBLES IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND OFTEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH COOLANT BECAUSE OF IT. HE CHECKED THE COOLANT PRESSURE, HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND SUGGESTED TO DO A FLUSH AND FILL, THE OWNER AGREED. ON DEC. 26, 2006, THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE OWNER ADDED ADDITIONAL COOLANT. ON DEC. 29, 2006, OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE CENTER. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A DAMAGED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER PERFORMED THE SERVICE AND REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON DEC. 30, 2006. *NM
Electrical system, Dec 27, 2006
THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES AND PREVENTS CAR FROM STARTING. *JB
Exterior lighting, Dec 15, 2006
TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK ONLY OCCASIONALLY. THERE IS NO SET TIME, EVENT, OR WEATHER CONDITION THAT MAKES THEM WORK, OR STOP WORKING. SOMETIMES, THEY WILL WORK WHEN I INITIALLY TURN THEM ON, AND STOP WORKING BEFORE THEY SHOULD TURN OFF. *NM
Exterior lighting, Dec 13, 2006
2002 MALIBU. TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 30, 2006
AT 62,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WAS ON. I FILLED THE COOLANT. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND I FILLED IT A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT THE LEAK. THEN, I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. THE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED REPLACED. I WAS LEAKING WATER INTO MY ENGINE. CAN YOU IMAGINE BUYING TWO NEW CHEVY AUTOMOBILES IN THE SAME YEAR AND 4 YEARS LATER HAVING BOTH ENGINES FAIL FOR THE SAME REASON. SEEMS LIKE CHEVY IS HIDING A MAJOR PROBLEM. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ON THE INTERNET. I DID NOT CONTACT CHEVY SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NOW, BECAUSE OF MY INTERNET RESEARCH AND THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY IMPALA, I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SO, I TOOK MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AT 62,000 MILES TO THE SAME GARAGE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS AND GIVE ME A PRICE BREAK AND FIXED IT FOR $252.00. BOO TO CHEVY. *NM
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
Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2006
TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU INTERMITTENT TO NOT WORKING FOR PERIODS OF TIME. UPON PUSHING THE HAZARD FLASHER BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES TURN SIGNALS EVENTUALLY WOULD WORK FOR AWHILE. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS TOLD PARTS WOULD COST $31.00 AND TOTAL WITH LABOR WOULD BE $75.00. FOUND ON NHTSA WEB SITE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055 WHICH IS THE EXACT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE FROM GM AS STATED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055 AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALER I CALLED FOR SERVICE. I FORWARDED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD ALLOWED OIL TO MIX WITH ANTIFREEZE CAUSING A LEAK. THE ANTIFREEZE MIXTURE ATE THROUGH THE GASKET WHICH RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THIS OCCURRED TWICE IN 10,000 MILES.