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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 8, 2004
PULSATING AND GRINDING NOISES AT 10,000. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS UNDER WARRANTY. SAME THING AT 21,000. NOW AT 31,000, SAME PROBLEM. NOW DEALER SAYS THEY CAN ONLY TURN ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR PADS AND LABOR. REPLACING ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS EVERY 10,000 MILES IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THESE CARS. GM NEEDS TO FIX THE ROOT OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE MALIBU.*AK
Service brakes, Air, Apr 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *MR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 5, 2004
THE VEHICLE HAS A NONCONFORMITY, THE FRONT BRAKES. (NAR) *PH PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS CAUSED THE ROTOR TO WARP. DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS MALFUNCTION, BUT FAILED. *CB *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2004
CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT WHILE TRAVELING 500 MILES FROM HOME. MILEAGE WAS ONLY 60000 MILES. WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT PART WAS ON NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE RENTAL OR TOWING. WE WERE STUCK FOR TWO EXTRA DAYS WHILE SOMEONE TOOK COVERTER OFF AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT IT. THEN I WAS INFORMED BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I HAD VOIDED WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO GET COVERTER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ONLY AFTER A HUGE FIT WAS THROWN ON MY BEHALF. SECOND, GAS CAP SEAL IS BAD; AFTER FILL UP SOMETIMES HAVE TO RESTART CAR BECAUSE EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON. THIRD, AT 80000 MILES THE INTAKE AIR GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST OF $1200. FOURTH, WHILE TRYING TO INSTALL AFTER MARKET CD PLAYER DISCOVERED THAT YOU HAVE TO BUY $100 WIRE HARNESS AND NEW FRONT SPEAKER IN ORDER FOR STEREO TO WORK, THE WAY CHEVY MADE IT TO BE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 20, 2004
BRAKES ON 2002 MALIBU PADS WEAR UNEVEN ROTORS WORN UNEVEN CALALIPERS ARE NOT WORKING RIGHT. CHEVY WON'T TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2004
CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE BLACK SPOTS WHEN USING THE HEADLIGHTS. AS A RESULT VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. *AK RECALL#2V107000 *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 10, 2004
OVER HEATING PROBLEMS AND COOLANT LEAKS DUE TO A FAULTY INTAKE GASKET. DEALERSHIP WANTS $660.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM NEEDS TO DO RECALL. VEHICLE INFO 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU V6 ENGINE.*AK THIS PROBLEM LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY HWY
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 15, 2004
BRAKE ROTORS WERE SO THIN AFTER LESS THAN 30K COMMUTER MILE THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP JUST TOLD ME THAT ROTORS WERE CONSUMABLES.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
THE ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE WARPED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AND CONTINUE TO WARP EVERY TWO TO FOUR MONTHS. THIS IS CAUSING WEAR ON THE BRAKES WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 21338 MILES AT MY COST AND AGAIN AT 31474 MILES AT THE DEALERS COST.
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2003
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 4, 2003
THE BRAKES FAILED AT 13000 MILES CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY. THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AND WORN DOWN TO NOTHING, CREATING AN UNSAFE STOPPING CONDITION FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY. *NLM
Visibility, Oct 18, 2003
MANY MAKES OF CARS NOW HAVE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID COMING OUT OF SMALL RUBBER TUBES ATTACHED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE IN JANUARY THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID FROZE WITHIN THE TUBES AND WOULD NOT COME OUT. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH ROAD SALT SPLASHED FROM OTHER CARS FAIRLY QUICKLY BUILDS UP ON YOUR WINDSHIELD AND YOU CAN HARDLY SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING OVER 60 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE DAY WAS COLD, PERHAPS 14 DEGREES, BUT NOT EXTREMELY COLD AND THIS WAS PENNSYLVANIA NOT MINNESOTA NOR CANADA. MY GUESS IS THAT THE 14 DEGREES WEATHER PLUS DRIVING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR CREATES A WINDCHILL THAT IS BELOW THE -20 DEGREES THAT THE WASHER FLUID IS GOOD FOR. BUT IT IS ON COLD WINTER DAYS THAT YOU SPECIFICALLY NEED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID BECAUSE OF THE SALT LEFT ON THE ROAD. THE FLUID BEGAN TO FLOW AGAIN WHEN I GOT INTO SLIGHTLY WARMER TEMPERATURES IN MARYLAND. I NEVER DILUTED THE WINDSHIELD FLUID WITH WATER. FOR THIS WINTER I HAVE BOUGHT WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID THAT IS GOOD TO MINUS 38 DEGREES AND HAVE ALSO BOUGHT AN ALCOHOL ADDITIVE FOR THE FLUID THAT WILL MAKE IT GOOD TO ABOUT MINUS 40 DEGREES AND I WILL SEE IF THAT WORKS. BUT MANY DRIVERS WON'T KNOW AHEAD OF TIME TO DO THAT, AND ALMOST ALL GAS STATIONS ONLY SELL THE STANDARD -20 FLUID. I THINK THAT CAR MANUFACTURERS IN DESIGNING FUTURE MODELS SHOULD GO BACK TO THE OLD SYSTEM OF WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID COMING OUT OF SLITS IN THE HOOD INSTEAD OF COMING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *LA
Air bags, Oct 14, 2003
FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. *AK
Tires, Aug 2, 2003
PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU 07-04-03 WITH 4500 MILES. NOTICED THE TIRES HAD CRACKS BETWEEN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALLS. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE TIRES. FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT TIRE AT NO CHARGE, STATED IT LOOKED LIKE PREMATURE DRY ROT. FIRESTONE AFFINITY, DOT 8XMWAAA4501, P215/60R15. *AK
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, AND WILL NOT RESTART. *AK
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2003
PROBLEMS GETTING DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR RECALL REPAIR. *MR THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE MILEAGE NEEDED TO BE BETWEEN 43K-45K MILES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED HER MONEY BACK. *SCC *JB
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
Child seat, Jun 16, 2003
CONSUMER APPRECIATED SERVICE TO SHOW WHETHER OR NOT CAR SEAT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY. *MR PH
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 11, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING RPMS WOULD IDLE HIGH, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT TO GAINING SPEED OR CHANGING INTO PASSING GEAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED SIX TIMES FOR PROBLEM. *AK
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
Suspension, May 8, 2003
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MADE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Equipment, Mar 5, 2003
AT 15,000 MILES I HAD A PISTON KNOCK DEVELOP. PISTONS WERE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. GAS CAP SEAL BAD AT SAME TIME. DECK LID NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. AT 25,000 THE REAR LEFT SPEAKER WAS REPLACED DUE NOT WORKING AND THE TORQUE CLUTCH CONVERTER WAS COMING APART AND STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. FIRST PROBLEM WAS NOTED IN 2002.*JB
Air bags, Feb 7, 2003, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, BUT NONE OF THE AIR DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. DRIVER SUSTAIN SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PLEASE PUT THE CORRECT MODEL. PH
Visibility, Jan 29, 2003
THE FRONT GLASS TINT IS TO BRIGHT, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PH THE FRONT GLASS TINT IS TO BRIGHT, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *MR