IllustrationI DRIVE MY CAR AND IT CUTS OFF. TRY TO START IT BUT CRANKS NO START. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY NO START. SMELL FUEL. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR
2002 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
380–25K
8225–50K
10250–75K
7175–100K
73100–150K
25150K+
391 reports with mileage · 176 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 259 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports1 fire reports13 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
259 reports2002 CHEVY MALIBU, FAILURE TO START. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOW, DETERMINED IT IS A BAD ANTI-THEFT SENSOR THAT IS PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING MY OWN CAR, USING OFFICIAL CHEVY KEY, BUT NOT STARTING. COST 575.00 TO TOW AND REPAIR. SCAM. WHY IS CHEVY PUTTING SUCH A DEVICE IN THE CAR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND SERVES NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVE…
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2002 CHEVY MALIBU, FAILURE TO START. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOW, DETERMINED IT IS A BAD ANTI-THEFT SENSOR THAT IS PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING MY OWN CAR, USING OFFICIAL CHEVY KEY, BUT NOT STARTING. COST 575.00 TO TOW AND REPAIR. SCAM. WHY IS CHEVY PUTTING SUCH A DEVICE IN THE CAR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND SERVES NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER EXPECT TO SCAM PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MONEY. *TR
I HAD TO GET THE "IGNITION LOCKING SYSTEM" FIXED 2 TIMES IN THE SAME YEAR AT $600.00 EACH TIME. MY CAR WOULD NOT START SO I WOULD GET IT TOWED THEN WHEN IT GOT TO THE AUTO PLACE IT WOULD START RIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY HAD TO BRING IT TO THE PLACE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAVE IT PUT ON THE MACHINE TO FIND OUT…
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I HAD TO GET THE "IGNITION LOCKING SYSTEM" FIXED 2 TIMES IN THE SAME YEAR AT $600.00 EACH TIME. MY CAR WOULD NOT START SO I WOULD GET IT TOWED THEN WHEN IT GOT TO THE AUTO PLACE IT WOULD START RIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY HAD TO BRING IT TO THE PLACE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAVE IT PUT ON THE MACHINE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED 13 MON. LATER AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS MORE THAN 12 MON. I CALLED THE RECALL PLACE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON IT BUT I STILL THINK IT DEFINITELY IS A RECALL. THIS CAR HAS COST ME ALOT OF $ IN REPAIRS. *DT
THE THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS TURNING ON AND I CANT FIND OUT WHAT IS TRIGGERING IT AND IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES. *TR
WITHOUT WARNING, CAR SUDDENLY WILL NOT START. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE WHEN TRYING TO START CAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE IGNITION DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE CAR KEY. SEEMS IT THINKS SOMEONE IS TRYING TO STILL THE CAR. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2009. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON 3/7/2010. IN BOTH CASES THE CAR HAD TO BE TO…
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WITHOUT WARNING, CAR SUDDENLY WILL NOT START. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE WHEN TRYING TO START CAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE IGNITION DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE CAR KEY. SEEMS IT THINKS SOMEONE IS TRYING TO STILL THE CAR. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2009. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON 3/7/2010. IN BOTH CASES THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE FIRST SHOP WAS AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE SECOND SHOP WAS THE DEALER. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THEN, THEY REPLACED THE BCM UNIT AND THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER. I'VE DONE SOME BACKGROUND CHECKING ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. MANY, MANY OWNERS OF THIS MAKE & MODEL (CHEVY MALIBU) HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILS PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYTIME I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. THE CAR CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT IS THE ONLY THING THAT LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH. *TR
2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT DISABLES THE VEHICLE ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHEN A VALID KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. SAFETY ISSUE IF PERSON NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION, IF IN DANGEROUS AREA, OR IF CAR NEEDS TO BE STARTED AND REFUSES TO DO SO BECAUSE OF FAULTY PART. I HAVE FOUND A WORKAROUND THAT HAS SEEMED TO…
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2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT DISABLES THE VEHICLE ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHEN A VALID KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. SAFETY ISSUE IF PERSON NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION, IF IN DANGEROUS AREA, OR IF CAR NEEDS TO BE STARTED AND REFUSES TO DO SO BECAUSE OF FAULTY PART. I HAVE FOUND A WORKAROUND THAT HAS SEEMED TO WORK FOR ME. PLACE KEY IN IGNITION, TURN TO "ON" POSITION. OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND WAIT UNTIL WARNING CHIME COMES ON. THEN TURN CAR ON AS NORMALLY. SEEMS LIKE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS A HARD TIME REGISTERING IF THERE IS A KEY. ANYWAY, THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE ON GM'S PART AND I SINCERELY BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 MALIBU/CHEVY THAT HAS THEFT SYSTEM AND GIVES ME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES THEN ONE MINUTE TO START THE CAR. I AM REALLY SICK AND TIRED OF IT. THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL CHEVY, MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM. THE GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD RECALL THE SITUATION AND FIX IT IN FREE OF CHARGE. THAN…
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I HAVE A 2002 MALIBU/CHEVY THAT HAS THEFT SYSTEM AND GIVES ME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES THEN ONE MINUTE TO START THE CAR. I AM REALLY SICK AND TIRED OF IT. THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL CHEVY, MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM. THE GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD RECALL THE SITUATION AND FIX IT IN FREE OF CHARGE. THANK YOU. *TR
THE THEFT SYSTEM OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU PERIODICALLY IS TRIGGERED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. IT HAPPENS FAIRLY OFTEN UP TO SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH - MOST RECENTLY TWICE TODAY, 6 DECEMBER 2009. TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE I HAVE TO SET MY CAR IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR TEN MINUTES WHILE THE SYSTEM RESETS. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT (IF I W…
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THE THEFT SYSTEM OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU PERIODICALLY IS TRIGGERED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. IT HAPPENS FAIRLY OFTEN UP TO SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH - MOST RECENTLY TWICE TODAY, 6 DECEMBER 2009. TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE I HAVE TO SET MY CAR IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR TEN MINUTES WHILE THE SYSTEM RESETS. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT (IF I WAS ON MY WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT OR JOB) OR COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS &/OR LIFE THREATENING (TRYING TO GET FAMILY MEMBER TO THE ER OR TRYING TO ESCAPE AN ATTACK OF SOME KIND). CHEVROLET NEEDS TO DO AN INVESTIGATION & RECALL WHATEVER IS CAUSING THIS FAULT IN THEIR CARS. *TR
INTERMITTENT FAULT IN TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY. MALIBU. NOTHING HAPPENED TO CREATE THIS PROBLEM, THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING. NOW I HAVE TO USE MY HANDS AS TURN SIGNALS. *TR
Official recalls
214V400000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
02V107000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Apr 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE05055 · Turn Signal Failures
Opened Sep 27, 2005 · Closed Jan 13, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch
IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.