2002 Chevrolet Malibu

Above average

Owners filed 567 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

390 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System159
100
Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module57
000
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal33
000
Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch31
100
Exterior Lighting30
100
Engine and Engine Cooling22
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System16
000
Engine13
000
Unknown or Other11
101
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch11
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V400000
Filed Jul 3, 20145,877,718 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights02V107000
Filed Apr 10, 200210,168 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Jul 15, 2026105,000 milesAR

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who reported the mileage at 105,000. The key was stuck in the ignition, but was replaced. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. The seller provided the VIN from the title and a Carfax report that the vehicle had only two previous owners. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 49,500. Upon research, the Good Car report indicated that there were several owners of the vehicle. The contact stated the seller was possibly deceiving buyers. A Carfax report was not provided. There were no other agencies contacted.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 18, 2021KS

The anti-theft/ passlock system fault in this generation of GM vehicles is very widespread and effects a large percentage of vehicles in this generation. I am sure there have been hundreds if not thousands of complaints about same issue and GM refuses to fix the problem. The problem causes the car to randomly shut off due to anti theft fault and can happen on interstate, highway or in town driving. This is a very dangerous fault and very expensive for owners especially when dealerships themselves don't even know what they are dealing with. They will throw parts at the problem with no real knowledge. GM needs to be held accountable. Currently the ignition the BCM have been replaced and now the car will not start at all and I have no lights or gauges on my cluster.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 13, 2020137,800 milesMT

THE TURN SIGNALS WORK SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T WORK. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEAMS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR MAKE. IF THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS THERE SHOULD BE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY TEENAGE SON.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 202042,000 milesNJ

THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR CORRODED AND QUICKLY LEAKED FLUID OUT SO THE BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE FLUID LEAKED OUT WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE NIGHT BEFORE. IF THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATESTOPHIC MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVYS. I SAVED SOME OF THE BRAKE LINES HE HAD TO REMOVE.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 22, 2019131,652 milesCA

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE ENGINE JUST DIES RANDOMLY. WHEN THE ENGINE DIES, I NOTED THE GAUGES ALL INDICATED THE KEY WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, EVEN THOUGH THE KEY HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED. THEY BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND WIGGLING IT ONLY AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUTTING THE GEAR SHIFT IN THE PARK POSITION, COULD I GET THE CAR TO START AND BE ON MY WAY. THIS SAME CONDITION HAPPENS AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY; AT 0 MPH; 5 MPH; APPROACHING A STOP SIGN; SLOWING THE VEHICLE, AND OTHER CONDITION WHILE DRIVING THAT YOU CAN THINK OF TYPE DRIVING CONDITIONS . I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACE TWICE AND THAT HAS NOT CURED THE PROBLEM.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jun 19, 201946,786 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATED WHEN STARTED. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING BECAME VERY DIM AND THE DATA ON THE SCREEN WAS NOT VISIBLE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE WINDOWS FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT JUMPED THE BATTERY AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED. LATER, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. THE MECHANIC WAS CURRENTLY PERFORMING A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,786.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 18, 2019154,000 milesIN

PASSLOCK CENSOR IN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILING. SECURITY RELEARN NEEDED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 15, 2018107,490 milesOH

CAR WOULD NOT START, HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR. ONE WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM, HAD A MECHANIC CHECK IT NOW SAYING ITS THE BATTERY SO REPLACED THAT. WAS STARTING OK THEN IT WOULDN'T START SO WE WIGGLED KEY AROUND AND IT STARTED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SEVERAL DAYS DOING THIS BUT THEN IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN I LOOKED THIS UP I SEE THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH. GM CARS ARE CRAP!!! I CANT AFFORD TO FIX THIS I AM ON VERY LIMITED BUDGET SO MY CAR BEEN SITING FOR OVER MONTH NOW. GM NEEDS TO FIX FOR FREE.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jul 30, 201892,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY FELT HOT WHILE IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 15, 2018CA

MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME AND IT WAS SHUT OFF MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME IT WILL SHUT OFF WELL DRIVING ILL PULL OVER AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND I WILL PULL OUT THE FUEL FUSE AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND WILL PUT IT BACK AND IT WILL START AGAIN AFTER A WEEK IT SHUT OFF ON ME AND WOULD NOT START HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC HE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND MARJORAM WORKED FOR 5DAYS THEN THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN CHANGED THE SENSORS WORKED OK FOR 2DAYS AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN SO I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER ALL FUSES STILL NOTHING ITS BEEN SITTING FOR 3 TO 4 MONTHS NOW I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM I CHANGED EVERYTHING U CAN THING OF NOW THE CHECK ENGINE AND TEST SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON

Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2018155,263 milesKY

MY CAR CUTS OFF AND GOES INTO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WHILE I'M GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY CAR HAS TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROADWAY AND THEN I HAVE TO SIT WITH MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN AND MY KEY TURNED ON FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL IT RESETS ITSELF THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT SCARED ME BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 150 IN DANVILLE KENTUCKY. PLUSMY HEATING SYSTEM IS MESSED UP I CAN'T GET IT TO BLEED OUT THE AIR IN THE SYSTEM.

Steering
Filed Jan 25, 2018NJ

KEY DOES NOT SHUT OFF CAR CAN NOT SHIFT GEARS

Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Nov 9, 201746,000 milesNC

ANTI-THEFT LOCKING DEVICE MAKE CAR STOP AND CAN'T START EVEN IN EMERGENCY SITUATION. HAD GONE TO BANK AND WHEN TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND WOULDN'T START. CLIENT IS 88 YEARS OLD AND HAD TO GO OUT ON STREET SEEKING HELP TO GET CAR FIXED. (FORGOT CELL PHONE AT HOME) WALKED SOME DISTANCE AND WAS HAVING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS WHEN SHE REACHED AN AUTO SHOP. MECHANIC WENT TO CAR TO HELP AND FIXED PROBLEM. SAID IT WAS ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM. THIS SAME THING HAS HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS ANTI-THEFT LOCKING DEVICE. RESEARCHING MATTER ON INTERNET AND FIND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CHEVROLETS EXHIBITING THE SAME DEFECT. WHY ISN'T CHEVROLET REQUIRED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME DIES AS A RESULT. WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL CIRCUMSTANCES OF BEING STRANDED, WHERE WHEN HOW ETC., AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE ON FIXED INCOME THEY CAN'T KEEP GOING TO DEALER AND HAVE $108 DIAGNOSIS TO DETERMINE PROBLEM (WHEN THEY ALREADY KNOW WHAT IT IS) AND THEN CHARGING BIG BUCKS TO FIX A MINOR FIX. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 13, 2017OK

ANTI THEFT DEVICE CAUSED CAR TO BE UNABLE TO START EVEN WITH CORRECT KEY. STATIONARY. COMPUTER HAD TO.BE REPROGRAMMED.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 21, 2017CA

CAR WILL NOT START

Electrical System
Filed Jun 15, 201739,800 milesCA

MY CAR DIES RUNNING AND IT SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANTS TO START DUE TO A SWITCH PROBLEM THE SAME I HAD IN OTHER MALIBU THAT I HAD AND THE DEALER FIXED FOR ME

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jun 14, 2017KY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/06/17*LJ

Engine
Filed Jun 1, 201710,333 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE OURISMAN CHEVROLET DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,333.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 2017100,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHERVOLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 23, 2017LA

HAVE A 2002 MALIBU, AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE RADIO, TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO ACC, WAIT 10 - 15 MINUTES FOR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING AND "DISAPPEAR", THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, WAIT ANOTHER 5 - 10 MINUTES. THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE START POSITION FOR THE CAR TO CRANK. THE WHOLE PROCESS CAN TAKE APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. I NEVER KNOW WHEN I GET IN MY CAR IF THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR, WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN OR WHERE I WILL BE WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS YESTERDAY 3/22/17.

20 of 567 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202511100Routine
202439200Routine
202369210Routine
202296100Routine
202188210Routine
2020198101Fatalities reported
2019190110Routine
2018695640Above average
2017702440Above average
2016837921Fatalities reported
2015270391Fatalities reported
2014351681Fatalities reported
201383510100Above average
20129063130High concern
20119774170Above average
20101,3604140Above average
20091,509693Fatalities reported
2008987552Fatalities reported
2007977620Above average
20061,115960Above average
20059756343Fatalities reported
20041,147970Above average
2003569341Fatalities reported
2002 — this page567410Above average
2001721412Fatalities reported
2000922563Fatalities reported
1999789320Above average
1998976553Fatalities reported
1997443602Fatalities reported

Compare every Malibu year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 3, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.