IllustrationIGNITION LOCK NOT WORKING RIGHT . PROBLEM CREATING BATTERY PROBLEMS KILLING BATTERY. CREATING PROBLEM WITH ALARM SYSTEM. LOCK DOSE NOT GO TO OFF POSITION WITH OUT PUSHING FLOOR SHIFTER FORWARD. ALSO KEY SEAMS LIKE IT DOSE NOT WANT TO GO TO RIGHT POSITION FEELS WEIRD WHEN TURNING. *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
What owners actually said
567 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT BE ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SIGNAL SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT BE ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SIGNAL SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED FOR THE THIRD TIME. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. HE TRIED CRANKING THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TO A LOC…
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2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED FOR THE THIRD TIME. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. HE TRIED CRANKING THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GARAGE. *JB THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, DATED SEPTEMBER 2014. UPDATED 10/15/14. *JB
A FEW MONTHS AGO MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU WOULD NOT START. I RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD COME ON SPORADICALLY AND THEN EVENTUALLY STAY ON. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE CHANGED OUT. SHORTLY…
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A FEW MONTHS AGO MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU WOULD NOT START. I RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD COME ON SPORADICALLY AND THEN EVENTUALLY STAY ON. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS TO BE CHANGED OUT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT I HEARD ABOUT THE GM RECALL BUT FOR SOME REASON THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU IS NOT INCLUDED. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE ONLINE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 84,500 ON IT. I TAKE EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF IT. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO COLLEGE AND I AM AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION RECALL AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN 3 TIMES. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB
PURCHASED 2002 CHEVY MALIBU BACK IN 2005 WITH 26000 MILES ON IT .WE HAD IT SERVICED TWICE A YEAR AND FOR MINOR ISSUES ,2009 MANIFOLD GASKET STARTED LEAKING REPLACED AND WAS REPAIRED.IN 2010 STARTED NOTICING WHEN STARTING ABS AND THEFT LIGHT CAME ON TURNING KEY OFF AND TURNING KEY ON AND NOT STARTING LETTING ON FOR ABOUT 15 MINUE…
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PURCHASED 2002 CHEVY MALIBU BACK IN 2005 WITH 26000 MILES ON IT .WE HAD IT SERVICED TWICE A YEAR AND FOR MINOR ISSUES ,2009 MANIFOLD GASKET STARTED LEAKING REPLACED AND WAS REPAIRED.IN 2010 STARTED NOTICING WHEN STARTING ABS AND THEFT LIGHT CAME ON TURNING KEY OFF AND TURNING KEY ON AND NOT STARTING LETTING ON FOR ABOUT 15 MINUETS THAN TURNING OFF AND STARTING CAR LIGHTS WENT OFF. THIS NEEDED DONE EVERY TIME THIS HAPPEN .ASKED AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN MY SWITCH BUT NO ONE STEPPED UP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.THIS CAR LEFT ME SIT FIVE TIMES FROM SHUT OFF AND WILL NOT START. HAD IT TOWED AND THEY DID WORK ON EVERY THING ELSE THINKING IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM .HAD CAR STOP RUNNING ALL LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING .I THINK THIS ISSUE STARTED BACK IN 2001 AND ALL THESE YEARS THEY KNEW ABOUT IT AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT .NOW THEY ARE SAYING THIS IS NOT IN THEIR RECALL. *TR
MY HANDICAPPED MOTHER HAS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT IGNITION RELATED ISSUES AS THOSE IN THE CURRENT MASSIVE GM RECALL. ON MORE THAN TWO OCCASIONS THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THIS HAS RESULTED IN TWO SIGNIFICANT REPEAT REPAIRS, ONE IN 20…
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MY HANDICAPPED MOTHER HAS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT IGNITION RELATED ISSUES AS THOSE IN THE CURRENT MASSIVE GM RECALL. ON MORE THAN TWO OCCASIONS THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THIS HAS RESULTED IN TWO SIGNIFICANT REPEAT REPAIRS, ONE IN 2010 AND ONE THIS WEEK. IN BOTH CASES THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP DESCRIBES THE ISSUE AS AN IGNITION PASS LOCK SENSOR THAT FAILS DUE TO KEY POSITIONING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. LUCKILY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN INJURY BUT EASILY COULD HAVE IN THE VERY CONGESTED METRO DC AREA THAT SHE LIVES IN. WHY IS THE MALIBU NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND RECALLS? *TR
CAR SHOWS THEFT LIGHT COMES ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, MOTOR SHUT OFF, GAS GAUGE SAID EMPTY ALL LIGHTS SHOWS UP ON DASH , AAA TOW TO PEP BOYS LANCASTER PA. FRUITVILLE PIKE STORE .THEY INSTALLED NEW ALTERNATOR AND NEW SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER . ALSO EIGHT MONTH PRIER SAME ISSUE ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR STOPPED AND NE…
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CAR SHOWS THEFT LIGHT COMES ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, MOTOR SHUT OFF, GAS GAUGE SAID EMPTY ALL LIGHTS SHOWS UP ON DASH , AAA TOW TO PEP BOYS LANCASTER PA. FRUITVILLE PIKE STORE .THEY INSTALLED NEW ALTERNATOR AND NEW SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER . ALSO EIGHT MONTH PRIER SAME ISSUE ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR STOPPED AND NEEDED TOWED THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP . I HAVE SEEN DOCUMENTS THAT POINTED OUT THAT KEY NEEDS PUSHED IN BEFORE TURNING ON TRIED IT AND STILL LIGHTS ABS, THEFT LIGHT ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL KEEPS COMING ON . THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AND TAKEN CARE OF .TODAY 03/13/2014 TAKEN WIFE TO TRAIN STATION LIGHTS CAME ON ONCE MORE.IN THE PASS TWO YEARS INVESTED OVER $ 1500.00 IN PARTS AND LABOR AND STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYSTEMS. READ ON RECALL AND FEEL THIS IS WHAT PROBLEM IS . *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT 35 MPH WHEN I WENT OVER A SMALL POT HOLE ON FATHER HURLEY BLVD. MY RIGHT KNEE SMASHED AGAINST MY KEY RING ON THE FRONT DASH AREA. THEE CAR LOST IMMEDIATE POWER. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR STEER MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO SLOWLY COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLES ARO…
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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT 35 MPH WHEN I WENT OVER A SMALL POT HOLE ON FATHER HURLEY BLVD. MY RIGHT KNEE SMASHED AGAINST MY KEY RING ON THE FRONT DASH AREA. THEE CAR LOST IMMEDIATE POWER. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR STEER MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO SLOWLY COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLES AROUND ME HAD A DIFFICULT TIME AVOIDING ME SINCE THIS EVENT HAPPENED AS I WAS APPROACHING A LANE MERGING WITH MINE AS THEY EXITED A MAJOR FREEWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY STOPPED I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND PUT IT IN PARK. I NOTICED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT FULLY ENGAGED IN THE IGNITION SO I PUSHED IT ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNED THE KEY OVER. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED UP AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME AN EVENT LIKE THIS (WHERE MY KNEE HAS BUMPED UP AGAINST THE KEY RING AND THE CAR LOST POWER) HAS HAPPENED IN MY HISTORY OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE. *TR
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK. DID ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND SAME INCIDENTS. NO RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH/THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT. GM KNOWS OF AN ISSUE AND WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *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.