Page 5 of 12 · complaints 201–250 of 567

2002 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 17, 2010IN

TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARDS WORK INTERMITTENT. AT FIRST IT WAS ONLY AFTER A RAIN NOW IM LUCKY IF THE WORK AT ALL. IT HAS COME CLOSE MANY OF TIMES TO CAUSE A WRECK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 16, 201045,000 milesME

WOULD NOT START. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 16, 2010110,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE ECM WAS REPAIRED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 201068,607 milesWV

OWN 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. THE SECURITY INTERLOCK KICKS IN FREQUENTLY. I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES WHILE THE CAR RESETS, ONLY THEN MAY I START THE CAR. (KINDA SIMILAR TO THE FUEL PUMP SHUTTING OFF IF A REAR END BUMP OCCURS-SAFETY). STRANGELY TOO, I HEAR AN ELECTRICAL SIZZLING SOUND JUST OVER AND BEHIND THE RADIO. THIS IS AFFECTING MY TURN SIGNALS FROM WORKING. I HIT THE SAFETY FLASHER BUTTON AND THE SIZZLING NOISE STOPS, AND THE TURN SIGNALS MAY OR MAY NOT OPERATE. SOMEHOW THE RADIO, THE SECURITY SYSTEM, AND THE TURN SIGNALS ARE "WIRED" TOGETHER, AND THE CAR THINKS SOMEONE IS STEALING MY RADIO, CAUSING THE SECURITY INTERLOCK TO KICK IN. THAT'S WHEN I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO ON, THAN WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO RESET. ONLY AFTER 10 MINUTES MAY I RESTART THE CAR (THIS IS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL). THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I THINK THERE MAY BE A LINK IN HERE SOMEWHERE THE MY CAR BATTERY IS DRAINING WHILE THE CAR SITS. SOMETHING RELATING TO MY RADIO(SO IT DOESN'T GET STOLEN), AND SECURITY SYSTEM ARE CAUSING THE "NO START" INTERLOCK TO KICK IN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 2, 201055,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY SIX TIMES WHERE THREE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS ALONG WITH TWO OTHER UNKNOWN SENSORS WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 29, 2010109,000 milesPA

PASSLOCK - THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO START THE CAR IT OCCURS 2-3 TIMES A WEEK TOOK IT TO GARAGE - THEY RESET THE SYSTEM - STILL DOES THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER - DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 20, 2010KY

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS AND THE PASSLOCK/ ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS KEPT MY CAR FROM STARTING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IN RE-SEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE I'VE FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. IF THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT, IT MAKES SENSE THAT GM SHOULD HAVE TO COVER THE EXPENSES THE FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 14, 201072,000 milesCA

I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. IT ONLY HAD 72,000 MILES ON IT SO I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A GREAT DEAL. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT IT WOULD LEAVE ME SITTING, NOT STARTING, ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH! NOW I FIND OUT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO FOUND THE WORK AROUND OF LETTING YOUR CAR SIT IN THE ON POSITION FOR TEN MINUTES. IF CHEVY KNOWS THIS, WHY DON'T THEY FIX IT? I MAY NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I'M TIRED OF STRESSING EVERY TIME I GO SOME PLACE AND SHUT MY CAR OFF, WONDERING IF IT'S GOING TO START. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 7, 2010OH

OWN A 2002 MALIBU WITH 95K MILES. SINCE DECEMBER OF 2009 THE CAR DOES NOT START ALL THE TIME. ONCE YOU TURN THE CAR OFF THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART. YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR AT LEAST A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE CAR WILL START AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH SINCE DECEMBER AND IN JUNE IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY MECHANIC THREE TIMES AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM REALLY WAS UNTIL VIEWING ALL THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 18, 201063,500 milesCA

CHEVY MALIBU 2002 V6 - COOLANT LEAK PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 15, 2010104,500 milesCA

PASSIVE ALARM SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THEFT ALARM LED COMES "ON" WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE REPORTS OF CAR DYING WHILE DRIVING, SEE THE LINK HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM. CONSUMERS SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE NOT KNOWING WHY THE CARS DOES NOT START OR STOPPED RUNNING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 30, 2010MS

I OWN A CHEVY MALIBU 2002. THE PROBLEM IS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL INJECTORS AND THE CAR WON'T START. I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE COMPUTER. SOMETIMES THIS WILL TAKE MORE THAN 1 ATTEMPT. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR NO REASON. THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. ALSO MANY AFTER MARKET PARTS CLAIMING TO DISABLE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM TO TRY TO SATISFY CUSTOMERS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2001 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. I ONLY WISH I HAD FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE SOONER TO VOICE MY CONCERNS. PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH. THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO FIX THIS ISSUE THAN TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 10, 201085,000 milesIL

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY WORKING/NOT WORKING. THIS SITUATION POSES A SAFETY RISK WHEN NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 24, 201012,000 milesMD

TURNING SIGNALS AND FLASHERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. SOMETIMES CUT OFF WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN OR WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 24, 201016,000 milesMD

I DRIVE MY CAR AND IT CUTS OFF. TRY TO START IT BUT CRANKS NO START. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY NO START. SMELL FUEL. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 24, 201089,500 milesWA

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY WORKING/NOT WORKING. IS THERE OR IS THERE NOT A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM? *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 13, 2010MD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH HER DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. NOW THE CONTACTS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT IS CRACKED AND THE AIR BAG SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE; THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 90,094. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB

Electrical System
Filed Apr 5, 201050,955 milesSD

2002 CHEVY MALIBU, FAILURE TO START. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOW, DETERMINED IT IS A BAD ANTI-THEFT SENSOR THAT IS PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING MY OWN CAR, USING OFFICIAL CHEVY KEY, BUT NOT STARTING. COST 575.00 TO TOW AND REPAIR. SCAM. WHY IS CHEVY PUTTING SUCH A DEVICE IN THE CAR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND SERVES NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER EXPECT TO SCAM PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MONEY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 22, 201090,000 milesWI

I HAD TO GET THE "IGNITION LOCKING SYSTEM" FIXED 2 TIMES IN THE SAME YEAR AT $600.00 EACH TIME. MY CAR WOULD NOT START SO I WOULD GET IT TOWED THEN WHEN IT GOT TO THE AUTO PLACE IT WOULD START RIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY HAD TO BRING IT TO THE PLACE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAVE IT PUT ON THE MACHINE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED 13 MON. LATER AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS MORE THAN 12 MON. I CALLED THE RECALL PLACE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON IT BUT I STILL THINK IT DEFINITELY IS A RECALL. THIS CAR HAS COST ME ALOT OF $ IN REPAIRS. *DT

Electrical System
Filed Mar 19, 2010CA

THE THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS TURNING ON AND I CANT FIND OUT WHAT IS TRIGGERING IT AND IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 9, 201033,359 milesGA

WITHOUT WARNING, CAR SUDDENLY WILL NOT START. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE WHEN TRYING TO START CAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE IGNITION DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE CAR KEY. SEEMS IT THINKS SOMEONE IS TRYING TO STILL THE CAR. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2009. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON 3/7/2010. IN BOTH CASES THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE FIRST SHOP WAS AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THE SECOND SHOP WAS THE DEALER. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE IGNITION SYSTEM. THEN, THEY REPLACED THE BCM UNIT AND THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER. I'VE DONE SOME BACKGROUND CHECKING ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. MANY, MANY OWNERS OF THIS MAKE & MODEL (CHEVY MALIBU) HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 15, 201031,000 milesMD

2002 CHEVY MALIBU. TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT UNTIL YOU TRY THEM. OF COURSE IF A MECHANIC HAS THE CAR ALL DAY THE SIGNALS WORK FINE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jan 19, 2010109,000 milesLA

PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILS PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYTIME I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. THE CAR CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT IS THE ONLY THING THAT LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 8, 2010102,000 milesPA

2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A FAULTY PASSLOCK SYSTEM THAT DISABLES THE VEHICLE ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHEN A VALID KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. SAFETY ISSUE IF PERSON NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION, IF IN DANGEROUS AREA, OR IF CAR NEEDS TO BE STARTED AND REFUSES TO DO SO BECAUSE OF FAULTY PART. I HAVE FOUND A WORKAROUND THAT HAS SEEMED TO WORK FOR ME. PLACE KEY IN IGNITION, TURN TO "ON" POSITION. OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND WAIT UNTIL WARNING CHIME COMES ON. THEN TURN CAR ON AS NORMALLY. SEEMS LIKE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS A HARD TIME REGISTERING IF THERE IS A KEY. ANYWAY, THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE ON GM'S PART AND I SINCERELY BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Dec 23, 200978,000 milesFL

I HAVE A 2002 MALIBU/CHEVY THAT HAS THEFT SYSTEM AND GIVES ME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES THEN ONE MINUTE TO START THE CAR. I AM REALLY SICK AND TIRED OF IT. THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL CHEVY, MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM. THE GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD RECALL THE SITUATION AND FIX IT IN FREE OF CHARGE. THANK YOU. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 6, 2009136,516 milesOR

THE THEFT SYSTEM OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU PERIODICALLY IS TRIGGERED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. IT HAPPENS FAIRLY OFTEN UP TO SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH - MOST RECENTLY TWICE TODAY, 6 DECEMBER 2009. TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE I HAVE TO SET MY CAR IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR TEN MINUTES WHILE THE SYSTEM RESETS. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT (IF I WAS ON MY WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT OR JOB) OR COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS &/OR LIFE THREATENING (TRYING TO GET FAMILY MEMBER TO THE ER OR TRYING TO ESCAPE AN ATTACK OF SOME KIND). CHEVROLET NEEDS TO DO AN INVESTIGATION & RECALL WHATEVER IS CAUSING THIS FAULT IN THEIR CARS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 21, 200972,182 milesCA

INTERMITTENT FAULT IN TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY. MALIBU. NOTHING HAPPENED TO CREATE THIS PROBLEM, THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING. NOW I HAVE TO USE MY HANDS AS TURN SIGNALS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 200940,000 milesNY

2002 CHEVY MALIBU, 80,000 MILES BRAKES ALWAYS NOISY EVEN WHEN NEW..BRAKES AND CALIPERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 2-3 MONTHS WITH MINIMAL USE......HAZARD LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL FAILURE...WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.....IGNITION LOCK-OUT....COULD NOT START CAR OR REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION....LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILURE......LEFT HEADLAMP FIELD OF VISION NARROW AND SHORT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 19, 2009SC

FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, MY CAR HAS HAD A PROBLEM STARTING UP. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM. WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR, IT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE THEFT LIGHT GOES OFF BEFORE THE CAR EVEN STARTS. I THOUGHT THAT SEEMED STRANGE BUT AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ON HAVING THAT PROBLEM. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Nov 11, 200970,000 milesWA

THE TURN SIGNALS ON OUR CAR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. NO EVENT LED UP TO THIS. THEY ARE UNRELIABLE AND DANGEROUS. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch
Filed Nov 2, 200964,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. OCCASIONALLY EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. IF SHE TURNS THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THEN PUSH ON THE LOWER LEFT CORNER, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64000. UPDATED 01/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/19/10.*JB

Electrical System
Filed Oct 26, 200996,000 milesMD

THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2002 MODEL MALIBU HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILD TO BE "STUCK" AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AWAY FROM HOME. THE SYSTEM EVEN FAILED DURING HER DRIVING ONE DAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION FOR HER AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AS IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME THE FUSE BOX HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO RAIN (?) AS WELL AS THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS SCREWED UP. ANYWAY, OVER THE COURSE OF 1 YEAR, I SPENT A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY $1700.00 IN SO CALLED REPAIRS UNTIL I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE 10 MINUTE TRICK. NEVERTHELESS, THE 10 MINUTE TRICK TURNED OUT TO BE A 1 HOUR TRICK JUST YESTERDAY. AND CHEVROLET WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM?!?!?! THIS IS A NUISANCE AND DANGEROUS AS WELL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 25, 200955,000 milesOH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-ANTI-THEFT/PASSLOCKSYSTEM. THE SITUATION ARISES WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS, I INSERT MY ORIGINAL GM KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM GOES INTO THEFT MODE (AS IF I AM STEALING MY OWN CAR). THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE ENGINE TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR SWITCHED ON FOR 10 MINUTES (WHILE DRAINING THE BATTERY) UNTIL THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT QUITS FLASHING AND STAYS ON STEADY. AT THAT POINT I MUST TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF AND THEN TRY STARTING THE CAR AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TIMES SINCE I REACHED 55000 MILES. THE LAST TIME WAS LAST WEEK AND I AM NOW AT 76000 MILES. DEALER PRETENDED THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS AND HAD NOT DEALT WITH ANY OTHER PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. I SEE AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH THAT THIS WAS A TOTAL LIE ON THEIR PART. THEY SUPPOSEDLY TRIED TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AT WHICH POINT I COULD HAVE IT TOWED THERE AND THEY QUOTED ME $650+ TO REPLACE IGNITION ASSEMBLY (WHAT THEY CONSIDERED THE "LIKELY" CAUSE). CAR ALSO MAKES OUTSIDE HORN NOISES RANDOMLY AND THE INSIDE ALARM CHIMES RANDOMLY. I'VE READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS, EVEN ONE WOMAN WHOSE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THIS ANTITHEFFT SYSTEM PROBLEM. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT NEEDING RECA

Electrical System
Filed Oct 17, 200938,790 milesOK

I DROVE MY 2002CHEVY MALIBU TO WORK AND WHEN I GOT IN TO START IT , THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. IT COST ME A TOW BILL AND $278 TO HAVE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RESET. NOW I AM READING THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AS LONG AS I OWN THE CAR! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS TO BE FIXED PERMANENTLY. MY DAUGHTER ALSO HAS THE SAME MODEL AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO HER TWICE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 14, 200990,000 milesOK

2002 CHEVY MALIBU TURN SIGNAL FLICKERS OR DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. NOV 08, $1000 PAID TO FIX MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND HAZARD SWITCH FOR CAR TO PASS INSPECTION THAT ONLY WORKED FOR A MONTH. 11 SEP 09, $144 FINE PAID FOR IMPROPER LANE CHANGE BECAUSE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK. SEP 09, $36 DOLLAR FOR OWNER TO REPLACE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. OWNER IS UNWILLING TO PAY $240 FOR ANOTHER MULTIFUNCTION FUNCTION SWITCH. PLEASE HELP! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 4, 200975,000 milesDE

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW CAR TO START EVEN THOUGH I AM USING THE FACTORY KEY THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. THIS OCCURS APPROXIMATELY EVERY TEN TO FIFTEEN TIMES I TRY TO START THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 1, 200980,000 milesNJ

AT 80,000 MILES MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU'S TURN SIGNALS STOP FLASHING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND IS DANGEROUS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 11, 2009MS

MY MOTHER OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT SOMETIMES WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM GETS A FALSE READING AND SHUTS OFF POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP. PLACING THE IGNITION KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES WILL USUALLY RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO US SEVERAL TIMES. I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH AND FOUND WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CAN GM BE FORCED TO CORRECT THIS. NOW THAT WE THE PEOPLE OWN A MAJORITY STAKE IN THE COMPANY, IT SEEMS A PERFECT TIME TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED. YOU KNOW THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PASSLOCK PROBLEM, BUT IN THEIR ARROGANCE AND GREED, WOULD NOT CORRECT IT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL JAMES MCDONALD. ALSO, IF YOU WANT TO SEE OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINS DO A GOOGLE SEARCH OF CHEVROLET MALIBU THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM PROBLEM AND YOU WILL SEE THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. IF THIS CANNOT BE CORRECTED WITH YOUR INTERVENTION, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Sep 9, 2009IA

CHEVY PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ALWAYS MALFUNCTIONING. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO START CAR AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Sep 3, 2009OH

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE TURN SIGNALS WILL QUIT WORKING AT ANY TIME WITH OUT WARNING AND START WORKING ON THEIR OWN. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Sep 2, 200979,130 milesIL

TURN SIGNALS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES THEY WORK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T, SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND JUST STOP WHILE BLINKING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 2, 200994,000 milesCA

TRIED TO START MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU LS AND WOULD NOT START. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. THE FAILURE SEEMS TO BE THE PASSLOCK TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE COMPUTER CAN BE RESET BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IT IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. APPARENTLY THERE IS NOT A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AT ALL. IT WILL JUST KEEP HAPPENING AS LONG AS YOU OWN THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN LUCK THAT IT'S ONLY DONE THIS WHILE PARKED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM COULD KICK IN AT ANYTIME AND SHUT OFF THE CAR EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THIS TO ME SEEMS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Aug 27, 200960,000 milesPA

TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING DURING TRAVEL. NO APPARENT CAUSE. SIGNALS WILL WORK DURING THE TRIP, STOP WORKING, AND SOMETIMES START TO WORK AGAIN. SEEMS TO HAPPEN 3-4 TIMES PER WEEK. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 14, 2009164,000 milesKY

I PURCHASED A USED 2002 CHEVY MALIBU IN 2005. IN 2006, I HAD TO HAVE THE PASS LOCK SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO THE CAR NOT STARTING. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON ISSUE IN GM CARS, I'VE SINCE LEARNED. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. TODAY, I TOOK MY CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH. WHILE SITTING THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL CAME ON, BUT THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. THE LIGHTS STAYED ON AND NONE OF THE DASH GAUGES WERE WORKING. I MADE IT HOME, TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED IT, SAME THING. I WAS ADVISED TO ATTEMPT TO RESET THE PASS LOCK SENSOR. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED SO FAR. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY THE PASS LOCK SENSOR OR BCM AGAIN. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A SUPER COMMON ISSUE IN GM CARS FOR THE PASS TWELVE YEARS. IN TOTAL FOR THE TWO REPAIRS ALREADY MENTIONED, I HAVE SPENT ABOUT 1200 DOLLARS. I STRIVE TO MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. IT VERY FRUSTRATING TO KNOW THAT GM HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, YET HAS MADE NO ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE IT FOR CAR OWNERS. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 3, 200961,000 milesNJ

INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL ON 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. WORKS ONLY IF HAZARD SIGNAL IS PUSHED SLIGHTLY. I MUST HOLD HAZARD SIGNAL WHILE MAKING A TURN. 2001 MALIBUS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHY NOT 2002? PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR THIS YEAR ALSO. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jul 17, 200982,036 milesOH

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM (ANTI-THEFT) REPLACED ONCE AND NOW AFTER 1-1/2 YEARS AM HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN STUCK SEVERAL TIMES WAITING FOR THE REQUIRED 10 - 15 MINUTES WAITING FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Jul 16, 200985,000 milesIL

TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPERATING. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 15, 2009130,084 milesFL

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK II / THEFTSYSTEM IN MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE, THAT SEEMS TO HAPPEN 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE, IN THE PAST WEEK IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT RESULTS IN ME HAVING TO TURN MY IGNITION TO ON FOR TEN MINUTES, AND WAIT PATIENTLY IN HOPES THIS WILL LET ME START MY OWN CAR. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS A SERIOUS INQUIRY BY SOMEONE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO AVAIL. I AM HOPING SOMEONE WILL HELP THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING STRANDED IN THAT DARK PARKING LOT ALONE AT 3AM. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU THEFTSYSTEM/ PASSLOCK, PLEASE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 9, 2009150,000 milesMA

TURN SIGNAL /HAZARD SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY INTERMITTENTLY OPERATING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 8, 200965,531 milesIL

I OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THAT WON'T START ABOUT EVERY THIRD TIME. THE CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO GM'S DEFECTIVE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THE PASSLOCK SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUGUST OF 2006. THE SENSOR IS NOW ACTING UP AGAIN AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED ALMOST EVERY YEAR. THOUSANDS OF OTHER MALIBU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu → · Every Malibu year → · How the figures are calculated →