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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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Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE KEY RING IS CARRYING ADDED WEIGHT AND THE VEHICLE MAY GO OFF THE ROAD. *TA ALSO, THE POWER STEERING RACK AND LINES WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10659556

108,923 miles · Dec 14, 2014
Electrical System

I HAD IGNITION RECALL SERVICED ON 10/15/2014 AT CHEVROLET DEALER. TWO DAYS LATER, KEY WOULD NOT OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR (MANUAL LOCKS), ALSO STEREO AND HEAT WOULD NOT COME ON UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF. PROBLEM HAS JUST GOTTEN WORSE, NOW DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I AM FORCED TO CRAWL ACROSS FRONT SEAT TO PASS…

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I HAD IGNITION RECALL SERVICED ON 10/15/2014 AT CHEVROLET DEALER. TWO DAYS LATER, KEY WOULD NOT OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR (MANUAL LOCKS), ALSO STEREO AND HEAT WOULD NOT COME ON UNTIL CAR WAS TURNED OFF. PROBLEM HAS JUST GOTTEN WORSE, NOW DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I AM FORCED TO CRAWL ACROSS FRONT SEAT TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET IN AND OUT. ALSO, NOW STEREO STAYS ON WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF, PARKED AND LOCKED UP. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET DEALER AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE, THEY SAID IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM SHAVING THE KEY DOWN AND THEY WOULD GLADLY CHECK MY CAR FOR $149.00. I CALLED GM AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PEOPLE ONLINE AND IN PERSON WHO ALSO OWN CHEVROLETS AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THE CHEVY DEALER AND GM DROPPED THE BALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664138

78,000 miles · Dec 9, 2014
Electrical System

WHILE VEHICLE IS ON SOME POWER IS LOST WHILE VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING. MOTOR IS ON BUT A/C , DASHBOARD GAUGES, POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE. I RECENTLY HAD VEHICLE SERVICED FOR RECENT RECALL #14350. I HAVE NOTICED ON INSPECTING VEHICLE THAT IF KEY IS SLIGHTLY ADJAR OR MOVED THESE LOSES HAPPEN. W…

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WHILE VEHICLE IS ON SOME POWER IS LOST WHILE VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING. MOTOR IS ON BUT A/C , DASHBOARD GAUGES, POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE. I RECENTLY HAD VEHICLE SERVICED FOR RECENT RECALL #14350. I HAVE NOTICED ON INSPECTING VEHICLE THAT IF KEY IS SLIGHTLY ADJAR OR MOVED THESE LOSES HAPPEN. WHEN CONTACTING GM DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663272

143,543 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,543.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,543. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10660861

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2014
Electrical System

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU IGNITION PROBLEM, FAULTY SWITCH AND CAR CAN INCORRECTLY TELL THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM THAT THE CAR IS BEING STOLEN. THEREFORE, THE CAR WONT START*CW THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10653323

120,522 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Electrical System

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND STEERING, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10653293

115,700 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Electrical System

UPDATE - FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH/LOCK CYLINDER FAILURE: IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. GEAR WAS IN PARK AND BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED (WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER). COULD NOT TURN THE KEY OR START THE VEHICLE. TRIED EVERYTHING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STS IN EWING NJ. THEY WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND WERE ABLE TO FRE…

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UPDATE - FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH/LOCK CYLINDER FAILURE: IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. GEAR WAS IN PARK AND BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED (WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER). COULD NOT TURN THE KEY OR START THE VEHICLE. TRIED EVERYTHING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STS IN EWING NJ. THEY WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND WERE ABLE TO FREE UP THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, HOWEVER WHEN THEY REINSERTED THE KEY THEY COULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION/ START THE CAR. THE BRAKE STAYED DEPRESSED AND THEY COULD NOT GET THE GEAR OUT OF PARK. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE IGNITION UNIT, INCLUDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, AS THE LOCK CYLINDER WASN'T WORKING. THEY ORDERED THE PARTS AND RECEIVED THE CODE FROM A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER. TOTAL COST TO REPLACE PARTS AND REPAIR WAS $689.75. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND OTHER GM VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM (14113C PART OF 14092). THERE WAS ALSO A RECENT RECALL (14350) AS THE DEALER HAD TO INSTALL A KEY INSERT AND KEY RINGS TO PREVENT AN UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION. I BELIEVE MY CURRENT IGNITION PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THESE RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654895

116,000 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Electrical System

IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. GEAR WAS IN PARK AND BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED (WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER). COULD NOT TURN THE KEY OR START THE VEHICLE. TRIED EVERYTHING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STS IN EWING NJ. THEY ARE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT, INCLUDING THE IGN…

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IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. GEAR WAS IN PARK AND BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED (WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER). COULD NOT TURN THE KEY OR START THE VEHICLE. TRIED EVERYTHING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STS IN EWING NJ. THEY ARE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT, INCLUDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, AS THE LOCK CYLINDER ISN'T WORKING. THEY WILL NEED TO GET THE CODES FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL (14350) AS THE DEALER HAD TO INSTALL A KEY INSERT AND KEY RINGS TO PREVENT AN UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION. I BELIEVE MY CURRENT IGNITION PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THAT RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654213

75,000 miles · Nov 10, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I TURN THE KEY TO START MY CAR. I DRIVE TO THE CORNER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE MAIN STREET. THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE. I THEN TURN ON THE TURN SIGNALS LEFT TO CHANGE LANES AND MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE SIGNALS DON'T WORK AGAIN. THEN I COME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE HORN GOES OF ON ITS OWN…

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I TURN THE KEY TO START MY CAR. I DRIVE TO THE CORNER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE MAIN STREET. THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE. I THEN TURN ON THE TURN SIGNALS LEFT TO CHANGE LANES AND MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE SIGNALS DON'T WORK AGAIN. THEN I COME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE HORN GOES OF ON ITS OWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TRIED TO STOP THE HORN BY TURNING OFF THE CAR. THE HORN IS STILL GOING. I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND THE HORN IS STILL GOING AND THE LIGHTS STILL ARE NOT WORKING. I HIT WITH AN OPEN HAND THE HORN TWICE AND IT STOPS, BUT THE TURN SIGNALS STILL DOESN'T WORK. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. THE WHEEL THAT ADJUSTS THE LIGHTS FROM BRIGHT TO DIM DOESN'T WORK. YOU CANNOT ADJUST THE LIGHTS AND IF YOU TRY, ALL THE LIGHTS, INSIDE AND OUT GO OUT. ALSO THE TURN SIGNALS ON BOTH SIDES(LEFT AND RIGHT) WORK WHEN THEY WANT AND I DON'T HAVE A HORN. ONCE A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE LIGHTS WERE BLINKING AND THE HORN WAS GOING OFF IN MY CAR WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. HELP ME!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653779

148,452 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE KEY RELEASED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE KEY RELEASED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,452.

NHTSA ODI #10652372

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.