NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
259 reportsClear category filter133,000 miles · May 24, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY SON'S 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PASS LOCK SENSOR ISSUE. THE KEY NEEDS TO BE IN THE ON POSITION FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES (UNTIL THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT GOES OFF), THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITI…
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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY SON'S 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PASS LOCK SENSOR ISSUE. THE KEY NEEDS TO BE IN THE ON POSITION FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES (UNTIL THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT GOES OFF), THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, TAKE THE KEY OUT, THEN PUT THE KEY BACK IN, AND IT WILL START. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND CAN BE REFERENCED ON NUMEROUS ONLINE SITES, SO THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD NOT BE A RECALL ISSUE. MECHANICS WILL TELL YOU IT IS THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL LINES, OR THE IGNITION, AND YOU CAN SPEND A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY WITHOUT SOLVING THE ISSUE. AT $300-$450 (ESTIMATES) YOU CAN HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, BUT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST. I DO NOT WANT MY TEENAGE SON STRANDED FOR SOMETHING THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT AND SHOULD REPLACE.
NHTSA ODI #10721266
84,000 miles · May 18, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM START WITH THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM GOING OFF AND HAVING TO WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR LIGHT TO GO OUT AND START VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10717120
25,000 miles · Apr 30, 2015
Electrical System
THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE 10 MINUTE DELAY IS NORMALLY BECAUSE THE PASSLOCK SENSOR DETECTED AN IMPROPER KEY AND WILL TIME OUT FOR 10 MINUTES EVEN IF YOU USE THE RIGHT KEY NEXT. THERE ARE VARIOUS FIXES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT WORK, INCLUDING GETTING COPIES OF YOUR KEY MADE AND TRYING A DIFFERENT KEY, R…
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THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE 10 MINUTE DELAY IS NORMALLY BECAUSE THE PASSLOCK SENSOR DETECTED AN IMPROPER KEY AND WILL TIME OUT FOR 10 MINUTES EVEN IF YOU USE THE RIGHT KEY NEXT. THERE ARE VARIOUS FIXES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT WORK, INCLUDING GETTING COPIES OF YOUR KEY MADE AND TRYING A DIFFERENT KEY, REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR, AND A COMMON FIX IS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713720
77,000 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF THE REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10713628
166,600 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT I HAVE HAD TO MAKE ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I WENT TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND INSTEAD WOULD JUST CRANK. AFTER READING IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL THAT THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN THE CAR NEEDED TO BE RESET, I HAD TO SIT WITH MY CAR KEY IN THE ON POSITION F…
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THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT I HAVE HAD TO MAKE ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I WENT TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND INSTEAD WOULD JUST CRANK. AFTER READING IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL THAT THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN THE CAR NEEDED TO BE RESET, I HAD TO SIT WITH MY CAR KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES; THEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND MY CAR STARTED FINE. I JUST HAD MY CAR TOWED LAST WEEK TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU DO A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH ANYONE CAN SEE THIS IS A FLAW IN THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND OTHER YEARS OF THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE TIME TO WAIT THE 10 MINUTES TO RESET THIS PROBLEM AND AM AFRAID IT IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE AND WORSE. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY WHAT WOULD I DO IF MY CAR WOULDN'T START AND I HAD TO GET SOMEWHERE URGENTLY. I WISH THIS ORGANIZATION WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR PROBLEM BECAUSE SOME HARD WORKING AMERICANS CANNOT AFFORD TO BE LATE OR MISS WORK BECAUSE OF A FLAW IN OUR CAR'S DESIGN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10706629
166,500 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I TRIED TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY MORNING AFTER HAVING IT ONLY SIT FOR AN HOUR WHEN THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR WAS NOT GETTING FUEL AND LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP FIXED ON IT BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE. AS I STATED BEFORE, THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOC…
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I TRIED TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY MORNING AFTER HAVING IT ONLY SIT FOR AN HOUR WHEN THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR WAS NOT GETTING FUEL AND LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP FIXED ON IT BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE. AS I STATED BEFORE, THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND HAD IT STARTING AND RUNNING EVERY TIME THEY TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY MALIBU'S AS IT DEALS WITH AN ERROR IN THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR THE CAR AND DEALS WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE FOR OWNERS OF CHEVY MALIBU'S AND IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10706184
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2015
Electrical System
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER STATING THE IGNITION KEY WOULD BE MODIFIED, INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 06/17/15.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10683311
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WON'T CRANK, INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICK ON AND OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693455
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2015
Electrical System
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2014. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, TO KEEP THE IGNITION ON A RING BY ITSELF. ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014 WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS DETERMINED THE IGNITION KEY C…
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2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER FOR NOVEMBER 7, 2014. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, TO KEEP THE IGNITION ON A RING BY ITSELF. ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014 WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS DETERMINED THE IGNITION KEY CAUSED THE STARTER TO JAM. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10692446
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2015
Electrical System
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN GOODLATTE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2002 MALIBU RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *JB THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 04/08/15, *JB
NHTSA ODI #10690386
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
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 ↗