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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.

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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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52,000 miles · May 26, 2005
Electrical System

STOP AT POSTOFFICE CAR WOULD NOT START, SECOND TIME AT HOME AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN, THIRD TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME THE CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START, THE FIRST TWO TIME I TOOK IT TO DEALER AN WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGINATION PROLBLEM AND IT WAS FIXED AND THEN IT HAPPEN AGAIN, HAD THE CAR IN THE DEALER SERVICES CENTER FOR 10 DA…

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STOP AT POSTOFFICE CAR WOULD NOT START, SECOND TIME AT HOME AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN, THIRD TIME WHILE DRIVING HOME THE CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START, THE FIRST TWO TIME I TOOK IT TO DEALER AN WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGINATION PROLBLEM AND IT WAS FIXED AND THEN IT HAPPEN AGAIN, HAD THE CAR IN THE DEALER SERVICES CENTER FOR 10 DAYS AN WAS TOLD IT WAS FUEL PUMP AND CHARGED 300.00 TO FIX, CAR STALLED WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGE WAS BRING IT OUT TO ME AND WOULD NOT START FOR THEM, KEEP THE THE FOR ANOTHER 8 DAYS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND WAS FIXED

NHTSA ODI #10122185

3,000 miles · Apr 25, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE RADIO SOMETIMES WORKED AND SOMETIMES DIDN'T. AFTER 7 TRIPS, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AMPLIFIER. THE RADIO WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NOW IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW SWITCH. I DID NOT GET ONE AS YET, B…

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THE RADIO SOMETIMES WORKED AND SOMETIMES DIDN'T. AFTER 7 TRIPS, IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AMPLIFIER. THE RADIO WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NOW IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW SWITCH. I DID NOT GET ONE AS YET, BUT SEE WHERE OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL, NOR DID THE DEALER INFORM ME OF THE ISSUE. I INITIALLY HAD TROUBLE WITH THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS BUT THEY DID REMEDY THAT. I GET SHOCKED (ELECTRICALLY) MANY TIMES WHEN I EXIT THE CAR AS DO SOME OF MY PASSENGERS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118371

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

MY TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY MY ,FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 38,000 MILES,COOLENTENT SYSTEM ACTS UP OFF AND ON IT OVERHEATS AND THEN IT MIGHT WORK JUST FINE,HEAD GASKET STARTING LEAKING AT 39,000 MILES,MOTOR IS VERY LOUD AND NOISY WHEN IT FIRST STARTS, IT MISSES OUT WHILE RUNNING BUT PARKED, GAS GAGE DOESN'T READ PROPERLY IT BOUN…

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MY TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY MY ,FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 38,000 MILES,COOLENTENT SYSTEM ACTS UP OFF AND ON IT OVERHEATS AND THEN IT MIGHT WORK JUST FINE,HEAD GASKET STARTING LEAKING AT 39,000 MILES,MOTOR IS VERY LOUD AND NOISY WHEN IT FIRST STARTS, IT MISSES OUT WHILE RUNNING BUT PARKED, GAS GAGE DOESN'T READ PROPERLY IT BOUNCES ALL OVER THE PLACE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100434

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2004
Electrical System

WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE WOULD START. UT WHEN CONSUMER TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY IT WOULD NOT COME OUT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS CSTUCK IN THE IGNITION CONSUMER COULD SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK THE…

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WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE WOULD START. UT WHEN CONSUMER TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY IT WOULD NOT COME OUT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS CSTUCK IN THE IGNITION CONSUMER COULD SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC MAINTAINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED WITH THE KEY'S FAILURE TO COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. BUT THE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WAS DUPLICATED AND REPAIRED. *AK THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. WHEN THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION THE CAR WILL COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10089784

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIO EQUIPMENT. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE THE TIME AND THE RADIO WOULD LOSE STATIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ ABOVE NORMAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD CUT OFF AND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD THERE WOULD BE A HESITATION. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10091773

59,000 miles · Aug 13, 2004
Electrical System

UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNING IT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO MOVE. THE REMEDY WAS TO HAVE THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. FIVE MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING RECURRED, AND AGAIN THE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10087835

63,429 miles · Jun 23, 2004
Electrical System

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START. CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10079752

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2003
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050502

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, AND WILL NOT RESTART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10031273

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.