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 reports
16,000 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 MALIBU. ROTORS AND PADS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES AND PADS ALONE ONCE IN 35000 MILES. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S AND GRAND AM'S. BRAKES WILL BE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED FOR 2004. WHY …
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2002 MALIBU. ROTORS AND PADS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES AND PADS ALONE ONCE IN 35000 MILES. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S AND GRAND AM'S. BRAKES WILL BE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED FOR 2004. WHY REDESIGN IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM?? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023672
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2003
Child Seat
CONSUMER APPRECIATED SERVICE TO SHOW WHETHER OR NOT CAR SEAT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY. *MR PH
NHTSA ODI #10024185
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2003
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING RPMS WOULD IDLE HIGH, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT TO GAINING SPEED OR CHANGING INTO PASSING GEAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED SIX TIMES FOR PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022841
20,045 miles · May 19, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THERE WAS A SEVERE PULSATION EVERY TIME I USED THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 20133 MILES ON IT. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE ROTORS TO BE WARPED AND I KNOW THAT PADS LAST A LOT LONGER THAN 20000 MILES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10018955
31,000 miles · May 8, 2003
Suspension
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MADE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10019455
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
AT 15,000 MILES I HAD A PISTON KNOCK DEVELOP. PISTONS WERE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. GAS CAP SEAL BAD AT SAME TIME. DECK LID NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. AT 25,000 THE REAR LEFT SPEAKER WAS REPLACED DUE NOT WORKING AND THE TORQUE CLUTCH CONVERTER WAS COMING APART AND STUCK…
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AT 15,000 MILES I HAD A PISTON KNOCK DEVELOP. PISTONS WERE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. GAS CAP SEAL BAD AT SAME TIME. DECK LID NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. AT 25,000 THE REAR LEFT SPEAKER WAS REPLACED DUE NOT WORKING AND THE TORQUE CLUTCH CONVERTER WAS COMING APART AND STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. FIRST PROBLEM WAS NOTED IN 2002.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008437
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2003
Visibility
THE FRONT GLASS TINT IS TO BRIGHT, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PH THE FRONT GLASS TINT IS TO BRIGHT, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVERS VIEW. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *MR
NHTSA ODI #10005937
150 miles · Jan 11, 2003
Equipment
WHEN IT RAINS THE BRAKES WILL NOT GRAB AND HOLD. LOUD HOWLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. THE WHOLE CAR SHUDDERS HARD AS IF IT WILL FALL OFF OF IT'S FRAME. PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN A YEAR. DEALER WON'T CHECK ANYTHING ELSE AND SAYS GM WON'T AUTHORIZE THE WARRANTY WORK! TS
NHTSA ODI #10000960
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS. TWICE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT 70-75 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, RESULTING IN A STRUGGLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ONTO A SIDE LANE OF THE FREEWAY (ONCE I WAS GOING 30 MPH, IN CITY STREETS AND WAS AGAIN BARELY ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY STRUGGLING TO TURN THE CAR INTO A …
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THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS. TWICE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT 70-75 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, RESULTING IN A STRUGGLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ONTO A SIDE LANE OF THE FREEWAY (ONCE I WAS GOING 30 MPH, IN CITY STREETS AND WAS AGAIN BARELY ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY STRUGGLING TO TURN THE CAR INTO A SIDE STREET WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER). ON EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS, I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR A TIME PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, THE STARTER WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. THE THREE INCIDENTS ALL OCCURRED ON THE SAME DAY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE IN TO GM TO REVIEW AND THEY STATED NOTHING WRONG AND GAVE MY CAR BACK UNFIXED. 3 WEEKS LATER, I WAS GOING TO START MY CAR AND AGAIN THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. UPON TAKING IT BACK TO GM, THEY DISCOVERED THE FUEL FILTER WAS BAD AND BURNT OUT THE PUMP. THEY REPLACED BOTH. I FURTHER LEARNED THE SAME SERVICE STATION HAD TO REPLACE SIMILAR PARTS ON ANOTHER 2002 MALIBU WITHIN THE PAST WEEK. DT
NHTSA ODI #770576
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONSUMER APPLY HER BRAKES AND THERE WAS A LOUD STREAKING NOISE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
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.
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 ↗
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.
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.
2002 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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