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, Sep 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RESET APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2014
MY CAR IS PART OF THE GM RECALL #14350. MY CAR SPECIFICALLY HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE PASS LOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE STARTED. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I TOOK IT TO SUPERIOR CHEVROLET AND AT THAT TIME THEY TOLD ME THE PASS LOCK WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THEY COULD FIX IT BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY FIXED. I PAID OVER 500.00 DOLLARS AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. 2 OR 3 YEARS LATER. SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO AGAIN RETURN TO A DEALER AND THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE FIX. I TOOK MY CAR TO TOM GILL CHEVROLET. THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMED ME THE PASS LOCK WAS THE PROBLEM AND FOR ANOTHER 500.00 DOLLARS THEY COULD REPAIR IT. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION GM WAS GOING TO PAY FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THE GM REPRESENTATIVE DECLINED THE REPAIRS. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER AND HAD IT RECHECKED. AGAIN THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AGAIN TO THE TUNE OF 500.00. I JUST RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER AND I CALLED JEFF WYLER FLORENCE BUICK GMC TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS. I ASK WHAT WAS GOING TO BE THE SOLUTION AND IF THE REPAIRS WOULD FIX THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT. THEY SAID NO. IF I WANTED THAT FIXED IT WAS 94.50. FOR A NEW DIAGNOSTIC PLUS PARTS. REALLY. I NEED THE ANTI-THEFT PASS LOCK SYSTEM FIXED IN MY CAR. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL. WAITING TO HEAR SOME GOOD NEWS. PLEASE. MY CAR NOW HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT. I TYPICALLY HAVE TO WALK TO OR FROM WORK BECAUSE IT WILL NOT START WHEN I NEED IT TO. PASS LOCK SHUTS OFF THE FUEL AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT RESETS. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS. THANKS *TR
Air bags, Sep 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND TRAVELING LESS THAN 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO SCHEDULED AN INSPECTOR TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE INSPECTOR COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Engine, Sep 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40-80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE JERKING BECAME MORE FREQUENT. DUE TO THE JERKING GAS MILEAGE IS EXTREMELY POOR. UPDATED 7/27/2015 *JS
Steering, Suspension, Sep 19, 2014, crash
I WANTED TO SUBMIT MY COMPLAINT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER ABOUT MY FORMER CAR. IN DECEMBER OF 2013 I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER IT HAD RAINED. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CAR WENT OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR THROUGH STEERING OR BRAKING. WE SLID DOWN THE HILL FISHTAILING. REAR END HIT SIGNS WHICH SENT ME INTO A SPIN AND SHATTERED THE REAR WINDOW. FRONT OF CAR WAS STOPPED BY SEVERAL TREES- CRACKING WINDSHIELD/CRUSHING FRONT END. DEPLOYING AIR BAGS. CAR WAS TOTALED. MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT HAD SEAT BELT BURN AND CUTS FROM GLASS. I HAD MULTIPLE BRUISES, CUTS, BURN FROM SEAT BELT. HIT HEAD AND BRIEFLY LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. AS A RESULT IT AGGRAVATED MY CHRONIC PAIN CONDITION. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED WAS NOT THE ONE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,664.
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER WAITING, THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2014
THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AT ALL, TOWED TO THE GARAGE HAD TO PUT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH, LOCK CYLINDER WITH PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEMS TOTAL, IGNITION SWITCH $175.68, LOCK CYLINDER WITH PASSKEY SECURITY SYSTEM $230.21 LABOR $152.00 TOTAL $602.52. I CALLED REGARDING THIS RECALL THAT I JUST GOT IN THE MAIL, AND THEY SAID THAT I WILL NOT BE REFUND FOR THIS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE KEYS, WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH THIS, AND FINALLY HAD TO GET IT TO A GARAGE TO FIX IT RATHER THAN BE STRANDED OR IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Sep 15, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE LIP, BRUISING ON THE FOREHEAD, NECK INJURY, AND HER FRONT TEETH WERE LOOSENED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V1400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Electrical system, Sep 15, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE KEY EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DOG HOUSE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Steering, Engine, Aug 30, 2014
AS I WAS GETTING OFF AN EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF AND STEERING BECAME HARD. I LET THE CAR ROLL INTO THE RIGHT LANE WHERE I COULD STOP AND TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED IMMEDIATELY, STEERING WAS VERY HARD. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THE FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE RACK N PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER I DROVE THE CAR TO GO TO THE BEACH WITH MY DAD AND AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SEEMED FINE. WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN I DROVE TO THE MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND WHEN HE PUT THE COMPUTER TO THE CAR IT SHOWED THAT THE #4 COIL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THANKFUL THAT I AM CAREFUL AND DEFENSIVE DRIVER. THIS SITUATIONS ARE QUITE SCARY. I OWNED A KIA SEPHIA FOR SINCE 2005 AND NEVER DID I EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH THIS MALIBU. *TR
Engine, Aug 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES OF WAIT WAS NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Aug 26, 2014
I WAS DRIVING FROM THE MARKET AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN BUT HAD NO BRAKES. NO SIGN OF ME NOT HAVING ANY BRAKES BEFORE HAND.. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK ALSO.THERE WERE NO CARS IN THE CROSSING AND I WENT THROUGH AND CONTINUED HOME. I GOT HOME WHICH IS ABOUT 1.5 MILES AWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY GOING AS SLOW AS I COULD. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE SAID THERE WAS FLUID ALL OVER THE GROUND ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE THE PICTURES OF THE LINES. WHEN HE LOOKED THE BRAKE AND GAS LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH. IF I HAD DRIVEN OVER THE MOUNTAIN TO GET HOME FROM THE DOCTORS I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. I ALSO WAS TOLD IF A CAR HAD HIT ME GAS LINE LIKE THAT IT COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE.YOU NEED TO CHECK GAS AND BRAKE LINE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THE COST TO FIX THIS, AND I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK IS $2550.00. I WANT SOMETHING DONE . I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. I SHOULD BE REFUNDED SOME OR ALL OF THE COST.CHEVY OWNER SINCE 1965. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 26, 2014
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT MAY STALL,(AND IT HAS MANY TIMES) WHICH CAUSES FAILURE OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CAR ALSO WON'T ALWAYS START. YOU CAN TURN THE KEY BUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON,IF THEY DON'T THE CAR WILL NOT START. ALSO THE BATTERY WON'T KEEP A CHARGE, UNLESS YOU START THE CAR AND LET IT RUN AT LEAST EVERY 2 DAYS. *TR
Visibility, Aug 21, 2014
MY HEATER/AC FAN SPEED CONTROL SWITCH HAS 5 SPEEDS ON IT. THEY ALL WORK UP TO NUMBER 4. WHEN I TURN IT ON UP TO 5 IT SHUTS OFF THE FAN MOTOR. NUMBER 4 SPEED IS NOT FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND NOT FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAR COOL WITH THE AC WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SET THIS WAY OR IF IT HAS A FAULTY SWITCH. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT THE STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE IGNITION WITH THE KEY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 8, 2014
ANTITHEFT SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING CAR TO STALL AND FAILS TO RESTART TAIL LIGHTS ARE FAILING FUEL SYSTEM CUTOFF. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 27, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN NEGOTIATING A TURN AND WENT TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL AND IT WOULD NOT WORK. SINCE THEN IT ONLY WORKS A QUARTER OF THE TIME AND OFTEN THE HAZARD RELAY IS CLICKING IN AND OUT VERY FAST LIKE IT IS SHORTING OUT. IF YOU PUSH THE HAZARD BUTTON IN SOMETIMES YOU CAN MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK AND SOMETIMES NOT. AND OFTEN TIMES THE HAZARD WILL NOT WORK EITHER. NO FUSES ARE BLOWN? *JS
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2014
HAD MANY INCIDENTS AND ALMOST CRASHED WHERE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I HAD CHANGE MY IGNITION AT THE GM DEALERSHIP TWICE AND MY CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I SPECIAL ORDER MY CAR FEB 2002 AND HAD BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR TO PRESENT. GM DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN NOTES: - ON JANUARY 16 2007, 7,879 MILES. MY CAR WOULD NOT START. PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE GAUGES WENT UP ABOUT HALF WAY AND STAYED THERE UNTIL DOORS AUTO LOCKED, THEN THE GAUGES DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN. TRIED TO START AND IT CRANKED BUT WILL NOT START. USUALLY YOU CAN HEAR THE PUMP PRIMING BUT DID NOT. THIS STILL HAPPENS TO THIS DATE. AFTER 20 MINUTES OR SO CAR DID START AND DROVE FOR A WHILE. IT DIED AT A STOP AND WOULD NOT RESTART. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART GAUGES STILL MOVED WITH THE LOCKS. BUT ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ON THE GAUGES DID NOT COME UP. TECHNICIAN VERIFIED CONCERN. CAR DID START AND DROVE INTO THE SHOP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR DID NOT START. TESTING FOUND LOSS OF IGNITION 1 VOLTAGE. TECHNICIAN ISOLATED TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. TECHNICIAN REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER A FEW MOTHS I HAD THE PROBLEM COME AND GO AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. - ON NOVEMBER 24, 2012, 47,906 MILES. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OVER AT TIMES, AND ALSO WILL SET OFF ALARM WHEN KEY IS TURNED AT TIMES. TECHNICIAN FOUND CODE B2960, IGNITION PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILING. TECHNICIAN REPLACED LOCK CYLINDER AND KEY, SYSTEM OPERATED AS DESIGNED. BUT ON DECEMBER 17, 2012 VEHICLE LOSE POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN WHILE TEST DRIVING IT. DEALERSHIP DID NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE AND TURNED ME AWAY SAYING MY CAR IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO BE FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP. CAR STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND VERY CONCERNED AND SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 24, 2014
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS SEDAN PRESENTED HAS NOTICEABLY WEAK AND INEFFICIENT HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS POSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN MILDLY FOGGY DRIVING CONDITIONS AT ALL. IN FACT DUE TO SUCH POOR PERFORMANCE, IT IS QUITE DIFFICULT TO DISCERN WHETHER OR NOT THE FOG LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE IS POOR WITH MARKEDLY DECREASED LIGHTING EFFICIENCY IN CITY DRIVING AND ON WET ROADS. THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS DIM AND OR FLICKER WHEN THE DRIVER DEPRESSES THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. CONCERN THAT ON COMING TRAFFIC CAN'T DISCERN BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW BEAMS OR A CONFUSION FROM THE UNINTENDED DIMMING/FLICKERING. VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED WITH NO PROBLEMS FOUND. ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR CHECK OK, NEW BATTERY CHECK OK, SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEYS CHECK OK, ALL BULBS, FUSES, AND FUSIBLE LINKS CHECK OK. NEW BULBS TRIED, BUT NO INCREASE IN LIGHTING OUTPUT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO GM SERVICE CENTER IN ZANESVILLE, OHIO. SERVICE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH CUSTOMER PRESENT. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PERFORMANCE ISSUE WAS BASICALLY "NORMAL" AND A COMMON CONCERN AMONG MANY CUSTOMERS. SERVICE TECH. WENT ON TO SAY THAT BRAND NEW GM VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, IN FACT HE STATED THAT THEY ARE WORSE. 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS LIGHTING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. VEHICLE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE LIGHTING. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Jul 22, 2014, crash
IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, BRAKES FAILED TO WORK, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TOTALED MY VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 15, 2014
I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING ANY KEY TO TURN THE CAR ON. IT SEEMS LIKE THE WHOLE WHERE THE KEY GOES INTO IS VERY LOOSE. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO TRY TO TURN IT UP TO TEN TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WILL START,I HAVE TRIED BOTH KEYS THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AND EVEN GOT NEW ONES AND NOTHING WORKS, IF I EVER HAVE TO START IN AN EMERGENCY I WON'T BE ABLE TO DO IT. MY TURN SIGNALS ALSO CLICK WHEN NOT IN USE, I DID HAVE A RECALL ON THIS YEARS AGO, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK, I 'M AFRAID THAT ONE DAY THEY MAY NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 15, 2014
MAY 2013: CAR HARD TO START; MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS BEFORE ENGINE STARTED MAY 2013: HAD NEW KEY MADE AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER DECEMBER 2013: CONTINUED PROBLEMS STARTING CAR; REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH JULY 1, 2014: GM ANNOUNCES EXPANDED RECALL TO INCLUDE 2002 MALIBU; CALLED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER; THEY SAID WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE LETTER FROM GM; DEALER DID NOT KNOW ABOUT EXPANDED RECALL JULY 14, 2014: CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING JULY 15, 2014: CALLED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AGAIN; STILL KNEW NOTHING ABOUT EXPANDED RECALL; COULDN'T ADVISE AS TO WHETHER CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2014
I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES IT WILL START RIGHT AWAY, AND THEN OTHER TIMES IT WILL TAKE 3 - 9 TRIES!! ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S REALLY HOT OUTSIDE 90+ DEGREES. WHAT'S CAUSING THIS. I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY SO THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM!! *TR