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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

259 reports
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41,000 miles · Oct 29, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I BEGAN TO NOTICE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE TURN INDICATORS ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME, THEY FUNCTION NORMALLY BUT THEY RANDOMLY FAIL AND JUST AS RANDOMLY BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. THE PROBLEM SEEMS UNRELATED TO POWER ON/OFF CYCLES OF THE TURN INDICATOR SYSTEM OR VEHICLE. LIKEW…

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ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I BEGAN TO NOTICE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE TURN INDICATORS ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THE TIME, THEY FUNCTION NORMALLY BUT THEY RANDOMLY FAIL AND JUST AS RANDOMLY BEGIN WORKING AGAIN. THE PROBLEM SEEMS UNRELATED TO POWER ON/OFF CYCLES OF THE TURN INDICATOR SYSTEM OR VEHICLE. LIKEWISE, ROAD VIBRATION INTENSITY DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE CONDITION. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE FOUR WAY HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM STILL FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. THE FAILURE AFFECTS BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. NEITHER DASHBOARD INDICATORS NOR TURN INDICATOR LAMPS FUNCTION DURING THE FAILURE. THE SOUND ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE FLASHER UNIT IS ALSO MISSING DURING FAILURES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FLASHER UNIT AND THE PROBLEM WAS UNAFFECTED. I REINSTALLED THE ORIGINAL FLASHER. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10141208

65,330 miles · Oct 10, 2005
Electrical System

BCM CODE AND ECM CODE FAILURE. ONLY 65000 MILE ON CAR AND THE MAIN COMPUTER OF MALIBU 2002 IS GOING OUT. EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE KEPT. OUT 7,000 DOLLARS BECAUSE OF PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139208

44,900 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Electrical System

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH OR RELAY. THE PART WAS REPLACED BY MY MECHANIC. I KEPT THE DEFECTIVE PART. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138570

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2005
Electrical System

2001 CHEVY MALIBU'S ANTI THEFT LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN VEHICLE ON AND PREVENTS VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. KEY MUST BE LEFT IN THE ON POSITION FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 MINUTES FOR VEHICLE TO START. THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTANCES ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHO HAVE SPENT A LOT …

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2001 CHEVY MALIBU'S ANTI THEFT LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN VEHICLE ON AND PREVENTS VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. KEY MUST BE LEFT IN THE ON POSITION FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 MINUTES FOR VEHICLE TO START. THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTANCES ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHO HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR IN AUSTIN TEXAS AT PHARMACY SCHOOL. SHE GOT CAUGHT IN RISING WATER ONCE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IF FOR SOME REASON THE CAR WAS TO TURN OFF IN TRAFFIC AND NOT TURN ON, I.E. THE EXPRESSWAY THIS WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134339

12,000 miles · Aug 23, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, AirUnknown Or Other

NO INCIDENTS, CRASHES OR INJURY'S WHILE IN MY POSSESSION. THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU I BOUGHT USED IN 2004 ONLY HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A GOVERNMENT USED CAR. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING AND THEN BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THEY NOW WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO WORK. NOW, ALMOST A YEAR LATER AT 41,000 M…

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NO INCIDENTS, CRASHES OR INJURY'S WHILE IN MY POSSESSION. THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU I BOUGHT USED IN 2004 ONLY HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A GOVERNMENT USED CAR. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING AND THEN BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THEY NOW WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO WORK. NOW, ALMOST A YEAR LATER AT 41,000 MILES THE HORN BLOWS A SHORT BEEP ANYTIME. THE CAR MAY BE RUNNING OR NOT, THERE MAY NOT BE ANYONE EVEN IN THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AND NOW THERE IS A BEEPING TONE INSIDE THAT I HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED. IT DOESN'T DO IT CONSTANTLY BUT I NOTICE IT WHEN I START THE CAR. IT IS A SHORT "ALERT" BEEP, KIND OF LIKE AN ALARM. IT BEEPS ONCE, PAUSE, AND THEN ABOUT THREE TIMES PAUSE AND THEN ONCE MORE. JUST WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS AS THE WARRANTY IS NOT IN AFFECT ANY LONGER. IN ADDITION TO THESE THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT THREE OCCASIONS WHERE MY CAR HESTITATED WHEN STARTING KIND OF LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. COULD THIS BE FROM THE HORN BLOWING ALL DAY AND NIGHT? HAVE ALSO REPLACED BRAKES MORE OFTEN THAN I THOUGHT I SHOULD.

NHTSA ODI #10133881

42,000 miles · Aug 13, 2005
Electrical System

TURN SIGNALS ON MY VEHICLE SOMETIMES WORK, SOMETIMES DON'T, HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO - FUSES ARE LOCATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE (PULLED FUSES OUT AND WERE FINE, PUT THEM BACK IN AND BOTH ITEMS WORKED - TEMPORARILY).*JB

NHTSA ODI #10132705

48,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Electrical System

DT: VEHICLE WOULD NOT STARTED DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILURE. WHEN PUT THE KEY IN IGNITION IT WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, THEN HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER . THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 30, 2005. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISAGREED. UPDATED ON 06/0…

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DT: VEHICLE WOULD NOT STARTED DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILURE. WHEN PUT THE KEY IN IGNITION IT WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, THEN HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER . THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 30, 2005. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISAGREED. UPDATED ON 06/05/2006. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10130789

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2005
Electrical System

DT: THE VEHICLE QUIT TWICE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRST TIME IT QUIT WAS AROUND APRIL 1, 2005. NO ONE ELSE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. IT WILL TURN OVER BUT NOT START. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10130432

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

IN 2002, I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. SINCE THEN IT'S BEEN GIVING ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE WATER FOUND IN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS; THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THERE WAS WATER COMING IN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, THE BRAKES, AND THE TORQUE NEEDING TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THEN IT WAS THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AND I GOT …

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IN 2002, I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. SINCE THEN IT'S BEEN GIVING ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE WATER FOUND IN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS; THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THERE WAS WATER COMING IN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, THE BRAKES, AND THE TORQUE NEEDING TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THEN IT WAS THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AND I GOT THEM REPLACED AT A WALMART; MIND YOU, SINCE THE 1ST PROBLEM, NONE OF THIS HAS BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IT'S THE AIRBAG GONE BAD, COOLING SYSTEM GONE BAD, AND THE BRAKES AGAIN, ALONG WITH A FUEL PUMP. THE CALIPERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED STILL, THE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT, AND THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW TO DIAGNOSE WHAT IS WRONG WITHIN THE FUELING SYSTEM THAT MAKES THE CAR NOT START. OH! I ALMOST FORGOT, I PURCHASED A BATTERY 2 WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THAT WENT OUT. I ALWAYS STAY ON TOP OF MY SERVICE FOR THE CAR. THIS CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND I BOUGHT IT NEW OFF THE LOT. IT SUCKS!

NHTSA ODI #10130008

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2005
Electrical System

DT: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS, THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AROUND APRIL 15, 2005. THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE HAPPENING EVERYDAY INSTEAD OF EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE DEALER HASN'T BEEN CONTACTED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WHILE DRIVING…

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DT: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS, THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AROUND APRIL 15, 2005. THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE HAPPENING EVERYDAY INSTEAD OF EVERY NOW AND THEN. THE DEALER HASN'T BEEN CONTACTED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128410

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.