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, Jan 11, 2003
WHEN IT RAINS THE BRAKES WILL NOT GRAB AND HOLD. LOUD HOWLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. THE WHOLE CAR SHUDDERS HARD AS IF IT WILL FALL OFF OF IT'S FRAME. PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN A YEAR. DEALER WON'T CHECK ANYTHING ELSE AND SAYS GM WON'T AUTHORIZE THE WARRANTY WORK! TS
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 7, 2002
THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS. TWICE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT 70-75 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, RESULTING IN A STRUGGLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ONTO A SIDE LANE OF THE FREEWAY (ONCE I WAS GOING 30 MPH, IN CITY STREETS AND WAS AGAIN BARELY ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY STRUGGLING TO TURN THE CAR INTO A SIDE STREET WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER). ON EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS, I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR A TIME PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, THE STARTER WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. THE THREE INCIDENTS ALL OCCURRED ON THE SAME DAY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE IN TO GM TO REVIEW AND THEY STATED NOTHING WRONG AND GAVE MY CAR BACK UNFIXED. 3 WEEKS LATER, I WAS GOING TO START MY CAR AND AGAIN THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. UPON TAKING IT BACK TO GM, THEY DISCOVERED THE FUEL FILTER WAS BAD AND BURNT OUT THE PUMP. THEY REPLACED BOTH. I FURTHER LEARNED THE SAME SERVICE STATION HAD TO REPLACE SIMILAR PARTS ON ANOTHER 2002 MALIBU WITHIN THE PAST WEEK. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 29, 2002, crash
I WAS IN A WRECK LAST MONDAY NIGHT WHILE DRIVING A COMPANY VAN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN YOU SET IT AT A SPEED THEN GO DOWN A HILL IT WOULD GET 15-20 MILES FASTER. ANY HOW THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT DOWN AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT OF THE VAN A FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY BY MY LEFT FOOT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNTIL THE FIRE GOT TO THEM. THE VAN ROLLED OVER ONCE AND LANDED ON ITS WHEELS THE DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN I ROLLED DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND GOT OUT THAT WAY AND THE ABS BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WHEN YOU HAVE TO GET ON THEM REAL HARD. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 22, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONSUMER APPLY HER BRAKES AND THERE WAS A LOUD STREAKING NOISE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Visibility, Oct 22, 2002
THE CONSUMER SAID THAT SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE PASSENGER WINDOW BLEW OUT, FOR NO REASON. THE FLYING GLASS NICKED AND GOUGED THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE WINDOW OR THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. *SCC
Visibility, Seat belts, Oct 7, 2002
I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 CHEVY MALIBU ON AUGUST 1, 2002. FOUR DAYS AND 250 MILES LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW "EXPLODED" WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ALONE DOWN I-90 AT 75 MILES AN HOUR. I FEEL THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE WINDOW OR THE CAR ITSELF TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN FOR "NO APPARENT " REASON. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR WINDOW REPLACD AND THE RIGHT EXTERIOR OF THE CAR REPAINTED FROM THE FLYING GLASS NICKING AND GOUGING THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I HAD BROKEN GLASS IN BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK SEATS. THE WINDOW AND PAINTING WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP FROM GETTING IT REPAIRED I NOTICED THEY (BODYSHOP) HAD SNAPPED BOTH REAR SEATBELTS. WHEN I GOT THE CAR HOME, I UNSNAPPED THE SEAT BELTS AND NOTICED THEY WOULD NOT RETRACTED BACK IN, BUT INSTEAD, JUST HUNG DOWN ONTO THE SEAT. I CALLED CORY PETERSON, HEAD OF SALES, AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THE SEATBELTS, AND HE TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR IN THE NEXT DAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH, TO HAVE THEM CHECKED. MY HUSBAND AND I TOOK IT IN, AND DAVE HALLAND LOOKED AT BOTH SEAT BELTS AND SAID, "THEY ARE WORN OUT." I SAID "WORN OUT! THE CAR IS A MONTH OLD!" HE DID NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT THAT TIME AND SAID HE WOULD ORDER THEM AND SET US UP FOR AN SEPTEMBER 20TH APPOINTMENT. I TOOK IT BACK ON THAT DATE, AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT IN. HE HAD ANOTHER MAN CHECK OUT THE SEAT BELTS AT THIS TIME AND HE SAID THE "RETRACTORS" WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE ENTIRE SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. DAVE HALLAND AGAIN TOLD ME HE WOULD HAVE THE PARTS OVER NIGHT EXPRESSED AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY WERE IN. I WAITED AND WAITED AND FINALLY CALLED FOR DAVE ON SEPTEMBER 30TH AND OCTOBER 1, 2002. AND LEFT A MESSAGE FOR A CALL BACK. AFTER NO WORD, I CALLED A REQUESTED TO TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I WAS TURNED OVER TO TERRY, AND HE TOLD ME THE PARTS HAD BEEN THERE FOR OVER A WEEK. I TOLD HIM I WANTED THE PARTS WHEN THEY WERE REMOVED AND HE TOLD ME I COULD NOT HAVE THEM. I SAID, "I BOUGHT THIS CAR, DIDN'T I?" HE SAID"
Tires, Sep 30, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SWERVE OFF THE RAOD AND STRIKING A MEDIAN WALL, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. NO OTHER TIRE INFO GIVEN. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-90-494)*JB
Structure, Sep 24, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE & VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FRAME WAS CRACK. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 3, 2002
ROTORS HAVE WARPED ALREADY WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 13, 2002
VEHICLE HESITATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65-70 MPH).*AK
Air bags, Aug 12, 2002
AUTO WAS RENTED FROM AVIS AT THE AIRPORT IN ORLANDO. WHILE PROCEEDING NORTH ON ROUTE 436 FROM THE AIRPORT AND SLOWING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT HANGING MOSS DR., THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG PREMATURELY DEPLOYED AFTER THE DRIVER HEARD A BRIEF SOUND LIKE A "HSST". THE DEPLOYMENT STARTLED MY WIFE, THE DRIVER AND WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, OBSCURING HER VISION. BEFORE SHE COULD BRAKE TO A STOP SHE IMPACTED AN OLD PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER WHO WAS ALSO SLOWING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED BY THE MALIBU BUT NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED BY THE PICKUP TRUCK. MY WIFE CALLED FOR THE POLICE AFTER BOTH THE PICKUP AND SHE MOVED THE VEHICLES TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID IMPEDING TRAFFIC. THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP PROCEEDED TO LEAVE THE SCENE WHILE MY WIFE WAITED FOR OVER 2 HOURS FOR THE POLICE TO ARRIVE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE POLICE AND WITH AVIS ABOUT THE PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS BUT WITH NO "OTHER VEHICLE PRESENT" THE POLICE COULD DO NOTHING BUT FILE A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT. MY WIFE WAS NOT CITED. AVIS IGNORED THE PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT ISSUE AND CHARGED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY THE $2,600. FOR REPAIRS AS IF A COLLISION CAUSED THE PROBLEM. MY WIFE SUSTAINED A MINOR BURN MARK ON HER ARM FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.*AK
Steering, Aug 7, 2002
AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, APPLIED GAS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. CONTACTED DEALER. TIE ROD BOLT HAD FALLEN OFF.*AKCONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANUEVER THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. THE WORKER AT THE SERVICE STATION NOTICED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS TURNED SIDEWAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER ASKED FOR A REPLACEMENT BUT WAS TOLD THE ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO REPAIR IT. *JG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2002, crash
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY DIDN'T HOLD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE.CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Air bags, Jul 11, 2002, crash
IN A FRONTAL COLLISON NONE OF AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Tires, Jun 25, 2002
THE CAR JERKS AT 70 MPH, DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION WHEN STARTING THE CAR (WAS NOT ACTIVATED), DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE AND SHACKS AT 50+ MPH (SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE TIRE PRESSURE HAS NOT BEEN ADJUSTED), THE DEALER SAID THE TIRE WAS OVER INFLATED, TIRE PRESSURE WAS CORRECTED, BUT THE SHACKING HAS BECOME WORSE.
Engine and engine cooling, May 23, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATES BETWEEN 65-70 MPH. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 30, 2002
NEW CAR WITH 13136 MILES. TRIP TO FL. BRAKES GROUND WHEN CAUGHT IN SLOW X-WAY TRAFFIC IN LOUISVILLE KY. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS, TURN ROTORS AT CHV DLR. COST $242. WARRANTY NO GOOD. THEY BLAMED IT ON LIVING (1 MILE) DOWN A DIRT ROAD WHICH PREVENTED BRAKES FROM WORKING. REPORTED COMPLAINT TO HOME DLR. THEN NEEDED ROTORS TURNED AGAIN AT 16000 MILES. THE SAID THAT BRAKES DON'T ALWAYS LAST LONG, BUT WERE ABLE TO GET SRV. REP. TO REFUND $185. DLR AGREED TO REPLACE ROTORS IF I HAD MORE TROUBLE W/ BRAKES IN NEXT 10,000 MI. THAT MEANS I COULD HAVE A WHOLE BRAKE JOB AT 28,000 AT MY EXPENSE. I AM NOT HAPPY. A COMMONLY HELD IDEA IS THAT BRAKES SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. I DON'T RIDE MY BRAKES AND TRAVEL TO WORK ON PAVED RURAL ROADS WITHOUT MUCH TRAFFIC. I DO LOTS OF X-WAY DRIVING AND DON'T TAILGATE. TRADED IN A 1998 MALIBU DUE TO TROUBLE WITH MANIFOLD GASKET, AIR-CON ODOR. PREVIOUSLY HAD WARPED ROTORS AND A NEED TO REPLACE BRAKES MUCH MORE OFTEN THAN 6 PREV. CARS ON SAME DIRT ROAD. HAVE SINCE READ THAT MALIBU BRAKES HAVE A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS. I THINK GM IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD RE-ENGINEER THE BRAKES AND GIVE CONSUMERS A QUALITY PRODUCT.*AK
Suspension, Apr 19, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT STEER ITSELF STRAIGHT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM DEALER WAS UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO FIX, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WILL BE TRADED SOON. TT *SLC
Visibility, Apr 15, 2002
WHEN DRIVING REARVIEW INTERIOR MIRROR WOULD VIBRATE, CAUSING A VISIBLE DISTORTION. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD MIRROR TIGHTENED, BUT NOT REPLACED. ALSO, THIS HAPPENS WHEN RADIO IS TURNED ON. OUTSIDE EXTERIOR MIRRORS DO NOT VIBRATE. MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM IS NORMAL.*AK DEALER SWITCHED MIRRORS, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TT
Tires, Dec 13, 2001
TIRES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES IN FRONT HAD DEVELOPED WEAR OUT IN MIDDLE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT STATE WHAT HAD CAUSED WEAR JUST ON FRONT. FIRESTONE, P-215/60R15. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Seat belts, Nov 5, 2001
WHEN INSTALLING CAR SEAT AND PUTTING SEAT AROUND VEHICLE BUCKLES WOULD LOCK INTO SEAT BELT. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHILD CAR SEAT DOES NOT FIT WITH THE VEHICLE'S NEW LATCH SYSTEM AND THE REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. *YH