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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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60,000 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE MECHANIC CHANGED AN UNSPECIFIED PART. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, B…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE MECHANIC CHANGED AN UNSPECIFIED PART. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE REPAIR SHOP. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A GMC DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10256467

30,000 miles · Jan 6, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE LEAVING THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE LEAVING THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER HEAD GASKET SEAL, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER OF 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,300.

NHTSA ODI #10253988

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. ONCE I DROVE OFF THE LOT THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING FOR ME, THEY WERE WORKING DURING THE TEST DRIVE. AFTER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CONNECTED WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS BOX. WHENEVER IT WAS IN A CERTAIN POSITION THE BLINKERS WOULD WOR…

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I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP. ONCE I DROVE OFF THE LOT THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING FOR ME, THEY WERE WORKING DURING THE TEST DRIVE. AFTER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON I FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CONNECTED WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS BOX. WHENEVER IT WAS IN A CERTAIN POSITION THE BLINKERS WOULD WORK OTHERWISE THEY DID NOT. I TRIED FIXING IT WITH SOME RUBBERBANDS AND DUCT TAPE- FOR SOME REASON THAT WORKED FOR AWHILE BUT NOW IT'S ACTING UP AGAIN! HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250517

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2008
Electrical System

2002 MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250036

63,000 miles · Nov 5, 2008
Electrical System

MY THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WENT ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR. TWO DAYS LATER WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247716

160,000 miles · Nov 2, 2008
Electrical System

PASS 11 SECURITY SYSTEM - REPLACED AND NOT WORKING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247449

123,000 miles · Sep 25, 2008
Electrical System

THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ON THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU DOES NOT ALLOW THE OWNER TO START CAR AND HAVE TO SIT IN A PARKING LOT FOR 10 MINUTES FOR IT TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY, NOT SAFE FOR A FEMALE AND TEEN GIRL DRIVERS. THIS OCCURS EVERY 10 STARTS AND CHEVY WILL FIX FOR 500 DOLLARS, WITH NO GUARANTEE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243479

114,600 miles · Sep 22, 2008
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF IT REFUSED TO START AGAIN. I HAD HEARD THAT IF YOU TURN THE KEY FORWARD FOR TEN MINUTES THAT IT WOULD RESET AND THE CAR WOULD THEN START AGAIN. IN MY CASE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT PUT ON A TESTE…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF IT REFUSED TO START AGAIN. I HAD HEARD THAT IF YOU TURN THE KEY FORWARD FOR TEN MINUTES THAT IT WOULD RESET AND THE CAR WOULD THEN START AGAIN. IN MY CASE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT PUT ON A TESTER. THEY THEN INFORMED ME THAT THE CARS BCM HAD GONE OUT THE WHOLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THEREFORE IT COST ME 1,250.00 DOLLARS. I FIND THAT TO BE CRAZY. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE PARTS ON THIS CAR I COULD HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR FOR THAT AMOUNT!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243139

86,000 miles · Sep 21, 2008
Electrical System

I OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND FOR ABOUT A MONTH THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND GOING OFF. SEPT. 18 I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I RESET THE SYSTEM AND IT IS STARTING BUT THE LIGHT STAYS ON NOW. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I SMELL COOLANT WHEN I AM DRIVING…

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I OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND FOR ABOUT A MONTH THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND GOING OFF. SEPT. 18 I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I RESET THE SYSTEM AND IT IS STARTING BUT THE LIGHT STAYS ON NOW. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I SMELL COOLANT WHEN I AM DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243012

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2008
Electrical System

PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS AWFUL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240488

Official recalls

2

14V400000 · 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

1

PE05055 · 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.