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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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94,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE SECURITY ALERT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE SECURITY ALERT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10750149

40,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

FACTORY POWER SUNROOF SWITCH HAS PREMATURE INTERMITTENT FAILURE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO STOP MIDWAY OR OPEN PARTIALLY. CLOSURE IS ALSO PARTIAL OR STOPPING MIDPOINT. THE SWITCH FAILURE REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN AND OR CLOSE THE GLASS. ALL OTHER POWER ACCESSORIES WORK AS INTENDED INCLUDING OTHER POWER WINDOW SWITCHES. VEHIC…

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FACTORY POWER SUNROOF SWITCH HAS PREMATURE INTERMITTENT FAILURE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO STOP MIDWAY OR OPEN PARTIALLY. CLOSURE IS ALSO PARTIAL OR STOPPING MIDPOINT. THE SWITCH FAILURE REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN AND OR CLOSE THE GLASS. ALL OTHER POWER ACCESSORIES WORK AS INTENDED INCLUDING OTHER POWER WINDOW SWITCHES. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN MODIFIED OR OR DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI #10748013

44,000 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON WHILE THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THEY KEY HAD TO BE JIGGLE SEVERAL TIMES TO BE ABLE TO START THE EN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON WHILE THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THEY KEY HAD TO BE JIGGLE SEVERAL TIMES TO BE ABLE TO START THE ENGINE UP, AND ONCE THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE REMAINED ON. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10747751

43,500 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED FAILURE WITH THE ANTI-THEFT PASS LOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED FAILURE WITH THE ANTI-THEFT PASS LOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10744551

101,435 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Electrical System

CAR WILL NOT START. AFTER REVIEWING MAKE & MODEL WITH SAME ISSUE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP. WHO HAS TIME TO WAIT 10 MINS WHEN NEEDING TO GET TP EMERGENCY ROOM OR DOCTOR & WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD AMBULATORY SERVICES. YOU PPL KNOW IT SHOULD BE A EMERGENCY RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10735392

126,000 miles · Jul 4, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED BY A DEALER (DIMMITT CHEVROLET, CLEARWATER, FL) BECAUSE MY KEY WAS STUCK IN IT. THE SAME DEALER ALSO REPLACED MY KEY AND KEY CASING BECAUSE OF A RECALL. AFTER THAT I STARTING NOTICING THAT MY CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF FORCING ME TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART. I THOUGHT IT MAY BE A CLOG…

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I HAD AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED BY A DEALER (DIMMITT CHEVROLET, CLEARWATER, FL) BECAUSE MY KEY WAS STUCK IN IT. THE SAME DEALER ALSO REPLACED MY KEY AND KEY CASING BECAUSE OF A RECALL. AFTER THAT I STARTING NOTICING THAT MY CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF FORCING ME TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART. I THOUGHT IT MAY BE A CLOGGED FUEL FILTER AND HAD THAT REPLACED. THE ISSUE STILL EXISTS AND IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO ME AND MY FAMILY NOT KNOWING WHEN MY CAR WILL JUST STOP RUNNING, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I CHECKED AND DO NOT SEE A GM RECALL ON MY MODEL FOR SOME REASON.

NHTSA ODI #10731943

32,000 miles · Jun 27, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

AFTER READING OTHER COMMENTS, I HAVE TO LAUGH. WHY CAN'T THEY FIX THIS WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS. THE TURN SIGNALS JUST STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY. THREE DAYS LATER THEY WORKED. THEN A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT THEY STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AND THEN JUST SEEMED TO WORK WHEN THEY WANTED TO. TOOK IT IN TO JIMMIE JOHNSON CHEVROLET WHEN THE SIGN…

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AFTER READING OTHER COMMENTS, I HAVE TO LAUGH. WHY CAN'T THEY FIX THIS WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS. THE TURN SIGNALS JUST STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY. THREE DAYS LATER THEY WORKED. THEN A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT THEY STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AND THEN JUST SEEMED TO WORK WHEN THEY WANTED TO. TOOK IT IN TO JIMMIE JOHNSON CHEVROLET WHEN THE SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING. PICKED UP THE CAR TO HEAR THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH THE SIGNALS WERE WORKING. THAT LASTED ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. SINCE THEN, TWO MORE TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH PRETTY MUCH THE SAME RESULT EACH TIME. NOW I NOTICE IF THE WEATHER IS VERY WARM, THE TURN SIGNALS WORK MORE PART TIME AND WHILE IT IS COOL THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL. NOW, I HAVE READ YOUR COMMENTS HERE AND BEGAN PLAYING WITH THE HAZARD FLASHING BUTTON. IF I PRESS THE BUTTON ON THE UPPER RIGHT, THE TURN SIGNALS WORK. I NOW HAVE AT LEAST A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION TO TAKE TO JIMMIE JOHNSON CHEVROLET. MAYBE THIS WILL STRIKE SOME SORT OF RECOGNITION TO THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR WRITING YOUR COMMENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10730782

106,000 miles · Jun 25, 2015
Electrical System

TOOK CAR IN FOR THE IGNITION KEY RECALL #14350, TO DEALERSHIP. HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS IN RELATIONS TO THE IGNITON, BUT TO BE SAFE TOOK CAR IN TO DEALER. AFTER GOT CAR BACK, STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTING RIGHT AWAY. AT TIMES, THE CAR SEEM TO WANT TO TURN OFF. THIS CAUSE THE A/C UNIT TO TURN OFF AND N…

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TOOK CAR IN FOR THE IGNITION KEY RECALL #14350, TO DEALERSHIP. HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS IN RELATIONS TO THE IGNITON, BUT TO BE SAFE TOOK CAR IN TO DEALER. AFTER GOT CAR BACK, STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTING RIGHT AWAY. AT TIMES, THE CAR SEEM TO WANT TO TURN OFF. THIS CAUSE THE A/C UNIT TO TURN OFF AND NOT BE AT THE CORRECT COLD TEMPERATURE. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND MENTION HAD EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL FROM OTHER CLIENTS. ORDER NEW IGNITION KEY, HAD REPLACED BY MECHANIC AND CARS WORKS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AND A/C UNIT WORKS AS NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #10730301

170,248 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Electrical System

THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME I NEED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND HOUSING AND A PASS LOCK SENSOR . JUST FOR THIS THEY CHARGED ME $282.07 LABOR NO PARTS THEY DID NOTHING TO HELP THIS MATTER . PURCHASED THIS CHEVY MALBU IN 2004 WITH 31000 MILES ON IT GARAGED KEPT AND MAINTAIN RECORDS . BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION REPLACED CATALYTI…

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THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME I NEED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND HOUSING AND A PASS LOCK SENSOR . JUST FOR THIS THEY CHARGED ME $282.07 LABOR NO PARTS THEY DID NOTHING TO HELP THIS MATTER . PURCHASED THIS CHEVY MALBU IN 2004 WITH 31000 MILES ON IT GARAGED KEPT AND MAINTAIN RECORDS . BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOUR TIMES EACH TIME WAS NOT NECESSARY . SENSORS ISSUE AND MISSED DIAGNOSIS ON SERVICE AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM .ALL THEY DID FOR MY CAR WAS TO FILL IN THE SLOT ON MY KEY .NO HELP AT ALL I NEVER HAD HAD WEIGHT ON MY KEY RING . JUST THE KEY AND PLASTIC DOOR LOCK SENSOR. I KNOW THIS ALL STARTED TOO SHOW UP EIGHT YEARS AGO .I HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS WITH UNNECESSARY PARTS AND LABOR. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GM PROBLEM NOT MINE. FAULKNER CHEVROLET LANCASTER PA. JUST ANOTHER SERVICES SCAMMING CUSTOMERS ON THIS MATTER. WANTED OVER $ 2300.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10726022

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, IT FAILED TO PREVENT THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM TURNING OFF. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE REPAIR SCHEDULED BY THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, IT FAILED TO PREVENT THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM TURNING OFF. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE REPAIR SCHEDULED BY THE MANUFACTURER FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10721436

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.