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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

63 reports
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40,000 miles · Nov 20, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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......LE…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10292973

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE GASKET WENT IN CAR COST $740.00 TO FIX,THE COOLANT WAS MIXING WITH OIL. I DIDN'T HAVE HEAT COULDN'T SEE OUT BACK WINDOW. THE SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT,THE REAR DEFROSTER DON'T WORK,MY HUSBAND HAS FIXED IT 2X AND PUT IN SHOP,STILL DON'T WORK. MY CAR GETS SERVICE WHEN ITS TIME. THERE'S A SOUND IN THE DASHBOARD SOUND LIKE …

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INTAKE GASKET WENT IN CAR COST $740.00 TO FIX,THE COOLANT WAS MIXING WITH OIL. I DIDN'T HAVE HEAT COULDN'T SEE OUT BACK WINDOW. THE SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT,THE REAR DEFROSTER DON'T WORK,MY HUSBAND HAS FIXED IT 2X AND PUT IN SHOP,STILL DON'T WORK. MY CAR GETS SERVICE WHEN ITS TIME. THERE'S A SOUND IN THE DASHBOARD SOUND LIKE WIRES RUBBING TOGETHER AND YOU GET A LITTLE SHOCK WHEN YOU GET OUT CAR. I HOPE I DON'T BE DRIVING AND MY CAR CATCH ON FIRE WITH ME IN IT. I THINK MY CAR WAS IN THE BAD BATCH SECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265346

1,800 miles · Apr 13, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RED LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE IS LOW. ANTI-FREEZE WOULD LEAK OUT THE TANK AND D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RED LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE IS LOW. ANTI-FREEZE WOULD LEAK OUT THE TANK AND DAMAGE THE WATER PUMP AND BALANCER. THE CONTACT WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT THE FAULTY TANK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.

NHTSA ODI #10265097

155,540 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2002 CHEVY MALIBU WON'T START OCCASIONALLY PASSLODE PROBLEM DIAG AT LOCAL DEALER IGNITION REPLACED AND KEYS REPROGRAMMED COST $398.60 .STILL HAVE PROBLEM THAT WE TOOK CAR TO DEALER IN FIRST PLACE FOR. DEALER CAN NOT FIX PROBLEM WHAT DO WE DO THIS IS UNSAFE FOR WIFE AND YOUNG CHILD TO BECOME STRANDED ON A DAILY BASES. I HAVE DON…

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2002 CHEVY MALIBU WON'T START OCCASIONALLY PASSLODE PROBLEM DIAG AT LOCAL DEALER IGNITION REPLACED AND KEYS REPROGRAMMED COST $398.60 .STILL HAVE PROBLEM THAT WE TOOK CAR TO DEALER IN FIRST PLACE FOR. DEALER CAN NOT FIX PROBLEM WHAT DO WE DO THIS IS UNSAFE FOR WIFE AND YOUNG CHILD TO BECOME STRANDED ON A DAILY BASES. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEMS FROM GM. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND HAVE SENSE LEARNED ABOUT THE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE DEXCOOL COOLANT CAUSING GASKET FAILURE .WE NEED HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264026

74,000 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

LOW COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. HAD THIS CHECKED DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND OIL WAS FOUND IN THE COOLANT. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED FOR THE 2ND TIME. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. STARTING IN THE SPRING/SUMMER OF 2008 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORKING…

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LOW COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. HAD THIS CHECKED DURING AN OIL CHANGE AND OIL WAS FOUND IN THE COOLANT. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED FOR THE 2ND TIME. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. STARTING IN THE SPRING/SUMMER OF 2008 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORKING PART OF THE TIME. THIS WAS CHECKED AT A DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE SIGNALS SEEMED TO WORK FINE FOR THEM AND THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE REPRODUCED THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG TO BE ABLE TO FIX IT. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263296

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR HAS AN ANTI-FREEZE LEAK AND I HAVE TO FILL IT ONCE A WEEK. I WENT TO CHEVY AND HAD A TEST DOWN ON IT. THE TEST SHOWED THAT MY LOW INTAKE GASKETS ARE BAD. CHEVY QUOTED ME $900.00 FOR FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255294

30,000 miles · Jan 6, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE LEAVING THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE LEAVING THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER HEAD GASKET SEAL, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER OF 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,300.

NHTSA ODI #10253988

55,000 miles · Dec 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS GM/ CHEVY MALIBU WAS DIAGNOSED TO REQUIRE A HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THE COOLANT LEAKED INSIDE THE ENGINE. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252108

62,300 miles · Dec 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT STEADILY ON; INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS W/ENGINE COOLANT GOING INTO ENGINE. WAS NOTIFIED OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHEVROLET FOR MALIBU HAVING THIS PROBLEM, BUT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN SERVICE, THE OWNER MUST HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM AND INCURRED EXPENSE IN OBTAINING REIMBURSEMENT. T…

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2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT STEADILY ON; INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS W/ENGINE COOLANT GOING INTO ENGINE. WAS NOTIFIED OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHEVROLET FOR MALIBU HAVING THIS PROBLEM, BUT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN SERVICE, THE OWNER MUST HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM AND INCURRED EXPENSE IN OBTAINING REIMBURSEMENT. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS IS $1500. RESEARCH ON INTERNET INDICATES MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250522

125,312 miles · Oct 21, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CAR CONTINUE TO RUN HOT I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIX I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE WATER PUMP AND THE ENGINE. THE WATER COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE ON TO THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246212

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.