Illustration2002 MALIBU WILL NOT START- ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS SHUT DOWN CAR. FIXED 5 YEARS AGO- OVER RIDE LAST YEAR- WON'T START. ALSO TAIL LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO-MOST THE TIME NOT AT ALL. KEEP HAVING LEAKS IN COOLANT AREA- NEEDS TO BE FIXED YEARLY RUNNING AROUND $900 A YEAR. *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
Electrical System complaints
259 reportsI DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES TO MY SISTERS HOUSE AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO START MY CAR 20 MIN LATER, IT WOULD NOT START. AAA SAID MY KEY HAD TO BE RESET AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $80. HE TOWED MY VEHICLE TO AAA PLUS. THEY ADVISED ME THE NEXT DAY THAT IT WOULD BE $477.29. $302.10 FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH. $42 FOR D…
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I DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES TO MY SISTERS HOUSE AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO START MY CAR 20 MIN LATER, IT WOULD NOT START. AAA SAID MY KEY HAD TO BE RESET AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $80. HE TOWED MY VEHICLE TO AAA PLUS. THEY ADVISED ME THE NEXT DAY THAT IT WOULD BE $477.29. $302.10 FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH. $42 FOR DIA ELECTRICAL LABOR AND $77.70 FOR RR IGNITION SWITCH AND RECODE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD TO REKEY MY CAR, BECAUSE THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE 2002 MALIBU'S. IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN CHEVORLET SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. $477 IS EXTREMELY HIGH FOR SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NO CONTROL OF. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND CAN NOT AFFORD THIS COST NOR CAN I AFFORD TO BE OUT SOMEWHERE WHEN MY VEHICLE STOPS. *TR
I HAVE A 02 CHEVY MALIBU THAT THE PASSLOCK ALARM KEEPS ACTIVATING ALMOST EVERY TIME I TURN OFF THE IGNITION, LEAVING ME STRANDED FOR 10 MINUTES EACH TIME WAITING FOR THE ALARM TO RESET. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING MORE FREQUENT OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS TO WHERE EVERY THIRD CRANK ACTIVATES THE ALARM. THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH…
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I HAVE A 02 CHEVY MALIBU THAT THE PASSLOCK ALARM KEEPS ACTIVATING ALMOST EVERY TIME I TURN OFF THE IGNITION, LEAVING ME STRANDED FOR 10 MINUTES EACH TIME WAITING FOR THE ALARM TO RESET. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING MORE FREQUENT OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS TO WHERE EVERY THIRD CRANK ACTIVATES THE ALARM. THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH NO APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE, BUT I WILL USE TODAY'S DATE. *TR
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU - ENGINE WILL CRANK - NO START, THEFT SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT BLINKING. PREVIOUS FIXES PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN REPLACING IGNITION TUMBLERS AND BCM. ISSUE BEEN RECURRING EVERY 12-16 MONTHS FOR PAST 3 YEARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE UPON THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE LIGHT STOPPED BLINKING BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD SUCCESSFULLY START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE UPON THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE LIGHT STOPPED BLINKING BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD SUCCESSFULLY START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT COMPLETELY TURN OVER. SUDDENLY, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN A FLASHING MOTION FOR TEN MINUTES AND THEN THE ENGINE STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT AND WOULD REQUI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT COMPLETELY TURN OVER. SUDDENLY, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN A FLASHING MOTION FOR TEN MINUTES AND THEN THE ENGINE STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT AND WOULD REQUIRE A TEN MINUTE WAITING PERIOD BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD START. ALSO, SHE STATED THERE HAD BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AFTER THE TEN MINUTES WAITING PERIOD; AND RECOMMENDED DISENGAGING THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
ON 6-24-2008 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, AND I WENT TO TURN ON MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL, 100 FEET BEFORE THE TURNING LANE (SO AS TO WARN THE PERSON BEHIND ME, THAT I WAS GOING TO MOVE INTO THE LEFT HAND TURNING LANE), AND I WENT TO TURN ON MY LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL, AND NOT REALIZING THAT IT WASN'T WORKING, I WENT TO MOVE OVER INTO…
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ON 6-24-2008 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, AND I WENT TO TURN ON MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL, 100 FEET BEFORE THE TURNING LANE (SO AS TO WARN THE PERSON BEHIND ME, THAT I WAS GOING TO MOVE INTO THE LEFT HAND TURNING LANE), AND I WENT TO TURN ON MY LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL, AND NOT REALIZING THAT IT WASN'T WORKING, I WENT TO MOVE OVER INTO THE LEFT HAND TURN LANE, AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR THAT WAS BEHIND ME, BECAUSE AS HE SAID "YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY WARNING THAT YOU WANTED TO GO INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE, WHERE I ALREADY WAS. YOU DIDN'T TURN YOUR SIGNAL ON"! THE GUY WAS REALLY PISSED OFF AT ME. I HAD MY TURN SIGNAL ON WAY AHEAD OF TIME. HOWEVER ,AFTER CAREFUL INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WERE "NO LONGER WORKING AT ALL"! THIS REALLY WORRIED ME, BECAUSE IF THIS GUY HAD GONE TOTALLY CRAZY ON ME, AND HAD A GUN, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HE WOULD HAVE USED IT ON US. I NOTICED THAT THESE TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, ARE SOME HOW INTER CONNECTED TO THE EMERGENCY SIGNAL (I FOUND THIS OUT, AFTER REVIEWING MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU REPAIR BOOK. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, EVERY TIME I GO TO MAKE A TURN. IT'S CAUSED MORE PROBLEM'S THAN MY FAMILY OR I HAVE EVER WANTED. UP UNTIL THIS PROBLEM AROSE, MY FAMILY & I ALWAYS BELIEVED IN CHEVY CAR'S. NOW THOU, I WOULD HAVE TO RECONSIDER EVER BUYING A CHEVY. I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 MALIBU THAT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MORE TIMES THAN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS LOCKED ME OUT MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER CHOOSING TO ACTIVATE ITSELF ON ITS OWN. THE THEFT ENGINE LOCKOUT HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO LEAVE FOR WORK EARLY EVERY DAY CAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO ACTIVAT…
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I HAVE A 2002 MALIBU THAT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MORE TIMES THAN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS LOCKED ME OUT MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER CHOOSING TO ACTIVATE ITSELF ON ITS OWN. THE THEFT ENGINE LOCKOUT HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO LEAVE FOR WORK EARLY EVERY DAY CAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO ACTIVATE. NOW THE KEY LOCKED UP IN THE CYLINDER AND $450 REPAIR BILL LATER, I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF. WHAT A CRAPPY CAR - THE WORST I HAVE EVER OWN. I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT IS TOTALLY UNRELIABLE. THANKS GM - I WONT FORGET. *TR
TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD DO NOT WORK, WINDOWS OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT GO UP/DOWN, AT TIMES CAN SMELL GASOLINE. THE HORN ( AFTER 10 YEARS) JUST BEGAN BEEPING ONCE WHEN EXITING VEHICLE. *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.