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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

What owners actually said

567 reports
55,000 miles · Oct 17, 2006
Electrical System

THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS TRIGGERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. LAST TIME I WAS CHARGED ABOUT $65 TO RE-SET THE IMMOBILIZER. THIS TIME (A DIFFERENT MECHANIC) I WAS CHARGED $570 TO REPLACE THE KEY AND IGNITION CYLINDER,…

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THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS TRIGGERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. LAST TIME I WAS CHARGED ABOUT $65 TO RE-SET THE IMMOBILIZER. THIS TIME (A DIFFERENT MECHANIC) I WAS CHARGED $570 TO REPLACE THE KEY AND IGNITION CYLINDER, AFTER HE WAS UNABLE TO RE-SET THE IMMOBILIZER. I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN WILL A RECALL BE IMPOSED? THE CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171118

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2006
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL BEGAN TO ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE EVERYTIME I DRIVE. MOST OF THE TIME, I AM DRIVING WITHOUT A TURN SIGNAL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170939

85,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY CAR IS A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I AM EXPERIENCING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AND HAZARDOUS EMERGENCY LIGHT FAILURE THE TURN SIGNAL WORKS ON OCCASION ONLY. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL ( MANY OCCASIONS ). AN AVERAGE % OF HOW OFTEN IT WORKS IS ABOUT 5 %, THE OTHER 95 % OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. MY EMERGENCY LIGH…

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MY CAR IS A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I AM EXPERIENCING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AND HAZARDOUS EMERGENCY LIGHT FAILURE THE TURN SIGNAL WORKS ON OCCASION ONLY. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL ( MANY OCCASIONS ). AN AVERAGE % OF HOW OFTEN IT WORKS IS ABOUT 5 %, THE OTHER 95 % OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS WON'T COME ON SOMETIMES. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE BEING HEARD WITHIN THE CAR ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME. THE SOUND APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE HAZARD EMERGENCY LIGHT SWITCH. ALSO, MY REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY IS NOT WORKING. IT WON'T UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS OR THE TRUNK. I HAVE TO PRESS IT AT CLOSE RANGE AT LEAST ABOUT 10 TIMES MAYBE MORE BEFORE IT WILL UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS OR OPEN THE TRUNK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170363

100,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES, EMERGENCY SIGNAL FAILURE & THEFT SYSTEM MY CAR'S SIGNALS WORK OFF AND ON. WHEN I GO TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WORK SOMETIMES IT DOES. WHAT I USUALLY HAVE TO DO IS ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNAL AND THEN HOLD DOWN THE EMERGENCY HAZARD BUTTON WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT ACTIVATE MY SIGNAL TO WORK. IF I…

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TURN SIGNAL FAILURES, EMERGENCY SIGNAL FAILURE & THEFT SYSTEM MY CAR'S SIGNALS WORK OFF AND ON. WHEN I GO TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WORK SOMETIMES IT DOES. WHAT I USUALLY HAVE TO DO IS ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNAL AND THEN HOLD DOWN THE EMERGENCY HAZARD BUTTON WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT ACTIVATE MY SIGNAL TO WORK. IF I CAN NOT GET THIS TO WORK THEN I AM UNABLE TO USE MY SIGNALS AT ALL. THE THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON THE CAR CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START UNTIL I ALLOW IT TO SIT FOR 10 MINUTES TO CORRECT ITS SELF. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART AFTER THE 10 MINUTES THAT THE MANUAL SAYS TO WAIT. MY CAR IS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170362

72,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES WORKS, SOMETIMES DOESN'T, RADIO CUTS OFF, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALL ON FILE FOR MY VIN NUMBER, DESPITE THE EXACT ISSUE, TURN SIGNAL CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, BEING WRITTEN ON THE SERVICE CARD. …

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TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES WORKS, SOMETIMES DOESN'T, RADIO CUTS OFF, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALL ON FILE FOR MY VIN NUMBER, DESPITE THE EXACT ISSUE, TURN SIGNAL CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, BEING WRITTEN ON THE SERVICE CARD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170326

72,000 miles · Oct 7, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES BY ITSELF AT ANY GIVEN SPEED AFTER DRIVING A MILE OR SO. THEN I HIT RESUME, KICKS ON AND AFTER A WHILE, DISENGAGES BY ITSELF AGAIN. LAST NIGHT IT DISCONNECTED 21 TIMES IN A 16 MILE STRETCH OF ON HIGHWAY I-4. THIS AFTER TAKEN IT TO DEALER COURTESY CHEVROLET WHOM I REPORTED THE CONDITION AND THEY REPLACED…

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CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES BY ITSELF AT ANY GIVEN SPEED AFTER DRIVING A MILE OR SO. THEN I HIT RESUME, KICKS ON AND AFTER A WHILE, DISENGAGES BY ITSELF AGAIN. LAST NIGHT IT DISCONNECTED 21 TIMES IN A 16 MILE STRETCH OF ON HIGHWAY I-4. THIS AFTER TAKEN IT TO DEALER COURTESY CHEVROLET WHOM I REPORTED THE CONDITION AND THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS. BUT STILL DOING THE SAME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170187

86,514 miles · Oct 4, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CRACKED WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE AUTO BODY SHOP STATED THE LEAK COULD LEAD TO THE ENGINE GETTING LOCKED.

NHTSA ODI #10169965

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2006
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE TURN SIGNALS/EMERGENCY FLASHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. YOUR WEB SITE CARRIES A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 RELATED TO 2002 MALIBU'S BUT WHEN I CALLED RELIABLE CHEVROLET IN ALBUQUERQUE NM TO SCHEDULE TO GET MY REPLACEMENT SWITCH, I WAS TOLD IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT U…

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I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE TURN SIGNALS/EMERGENCY FLASHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. YOUR WEB SITE CARRIES A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 RELATED TO 2002 MALIBU'S BUT WHEN I CALLED RELIABLE CHEVROLET IN ALBUQUERQUE NM TO SCHEDULE TO GET MY REPLACEMENT SWITCH, I WAS TOLD IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10168256

81,000 miles · Sep 5, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON SEPT. 5, 2006, MY HUSBAND, 2 CHILDREN, AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN A 55 MPH HIGHWAY, WHEN I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND MY CAR JUST DECIDED IT WAS ONLY GOING TO GO 35-45 MPH! LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. I HAD TIME TO PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND GET THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD TO THE MECHANIC. I WAS ON A CAR COMPLAINT WEBSITE …

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ON SEPT. 5, 2006, MY HUSBAND, 2 CHILDREN, AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN A 55 MPH HIGHWAY, WHEN I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND MY CAR JUST DECIDED IT WAS ONLY GOING TO GO 35-45 MPH! LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. I HAD TIME TO PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND GET THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD TO THE MECHANIC. I WAS ON A CAR COMPLAINT WEBSITE TRYING TO DISCOVER WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR WHEN I FOUND OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. AT WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THERE ARE ABOUT 9 PEOPLE DISCUSSING HOW THEIR ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. LIKE ME, AT FIRST IT EITHER DIDN'T SHOW THE LEAK, OR IT WAS MINIMAL, AND NOT WORRISOME, WE THOUGHT; HOWEVER, WE (MECHANICS THAT WE ARE NOT) WERE WRONG. SOMEONE SAID THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS $1200+. DEALERS AREN'T HELPING. MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M GOING TO DO. I'M 38 YEARS OLD WITH A HEART CONDITION AND I NEED MY CAR, BUT I CAN'T DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS, NOR CAN I AFFORD TO FIX IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167368

82,000 miles · Aug 28, 2006
Exterior Lighting

THE HAZARD/ TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU FAILED, AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS EFFECTIVELY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166734

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.