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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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62,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY ABS SYSTEM OR BRAKES WHATEVER IT MIGHT OF BEEN MADE THE CAR EASILY HYDROPLAN. THE TIRES MADE A VIBRATING SOUND ALONG WITH VIBRATION THROUGH THE CAR. DUE TO THE FACT THAT IM A DECENT DRIVER I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CAR VERY WELL AT TIMES MOST WOULDN'T. FURTHERMORE MY CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AT TIMES, MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE …

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MY ABS SYSTEM OR BRAKES WHATEVER IT MIGHT OF BEEN MADE THE CAR EASILY HYDROPLAN. THE TIRES MADE A VIBRATING SOUND ALONG WITH VIBRATION THROUGH THE CAR. DUE TO THE FACT THAT IM A DECENT DRIVER I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CAR VERY WELL AT TIMES MOST WOULDN'T. FURTHERMORE MY CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AT TIMES, MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE WITH WHOLE SYSTEM FAILURE LEADING UP TO THE LASTS DAY I DROVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241859

85,000 miles · Jul 3, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. WAS INFORMED BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233144

66,000 miles · Mar 25, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING,CAUSING CONTAMINATION OF ANTIFREEZE AND MOTOR OIL. REPAIRS COST MR $770 DOLLARS. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222266

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I FOUND OUT THAT MY INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING AND THAT GM KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 02 MALIBU. WHEN I CALLED TO ASK ABOUT IT THEY SAID THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217619

74,000 miles · Feb 5, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY 25% OF THE COST FOR A NEW ENGINE. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH HER YEAR, MAKE,…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY 25% OF THE COST FOR A NEW ENGINE. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. GENERAL MOTORS ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER INSTEAD OF HAVING IT TOWED, EVEN THOUGH IT COULD CATCH FIRE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10216973

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAD THE THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COME ON AND PAID $700 TO FIX THAT. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD...$500. I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK AND PAID $800 TO FIX THAT. EVERY TIME I GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED TOO, UNTIL THE LAST TIME WHEN THE CALIBERS HAD…

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I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAD THE THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COME ON AND PAID $700 TO FIX THAT. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD...$500. I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK AND PAID $800 TO FIX THAT. EVERY TIME I GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED TOO, UNTIL THE LAST TIME WHEN THE CALIBERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL $900. NOW I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING MY PIECE OF JUNK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216269

54,085 miles · Jan 13, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON AUGUST 10, 2004. THE MILEAGE WAS 45,281. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. 1.GM DEX-COOL/INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. 2.ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER CAR HAS BEEN STOPPED, THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART AGAIN. WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 1 ABOVE, I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A…

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I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON AUGUST 10, 2004. THE MILEAGE WAS 45,281. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. 1.GM DEX-COOL/INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. 2.ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER CAR HAS BEEN STOPPED, THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART AGAIN. WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 1 ABOVE, I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING. WITH REGARD TO ITEM NUMBER 2 ABOVE, THESE ARE THE CIRCUMSTANCES CONCERNING MY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER 2006 I HAD TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF MY CAR NOT STARTING. IT WAS TOWED 4 TIMES, THE FIRST 3 TIMES AND ALL THE DEALERSHIP SAID WAS THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE CHARGED. ON THE LAST TIME, OCTOBER 13, 2006 THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEIR ?EDUCATED GUESS? WAS THE NEED TO CHANGE THE STARTER SWITCH AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FOR WHICH THEY CHARGED ME FOR A STARTER SWITCH - $96.15, AN IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER - $154.79, RECODE THE LOCK CYLINDER - $15.00, AND $46.00 TO CORRECT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR DATA, PLUS A $10.00 ENVIRONMENTAL DISPOSAL FEE. MY SON LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SAME MODEL CAR. IT APPEARS QUITE A FEW OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE ANTI-THEFT PROBLEM FIX WAS TO ALLOW THE CAR TO SIT FOR 10 MINUTES, AND THEN TRY TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN, AND IT WORKED, SOMETIMES AFTER 2-3 ATTEMPTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ALSO SAID TO TRY THE SAME FIX PROCEDURE, IT MIGHT WORK. IT APPEARS THAT GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT THIS TWO PROBLEM, AND IS ONLY ADDRESSING THE GM DEX COOL INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD RECALL TO FIX BOTH PROBLEMS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE EITHER OF THESE TWO ITEMS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAUSES A LOSS OF LIFE OR LIMB. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,340. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214642

45,000 miles · Oct 30, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ANTIFREEZE IS GOING BAD AT LOW MILEAGE (75,000 MILES BELOW LIFE EXPECTANCY), BECOMING CAUSTIC, AND CAUSING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS TO DISSOLVE CAUSING A LEAK, ALSO CAUSING HEAD GASKETS TO LEAK LEADING TO MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE. THIS LEADS TO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT BEST AND ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT WORST. THE ANTI FREEZE IS OBVIOUSL…

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ANTIFREEZE IS GOING BAD AT LOW MILEAGE (75,000 MILES BELOW LIFE EXPECTANCY), BECOMING CAUSTIC, AND CAUSING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS TO DISSOLVE CAUSING A LEAK, ALSO CAUSING HEAD GASKETS TO LEAK LEADING TO MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE. THIS LEADS TO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT BEST AND ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT WORST. THE ANTI FREEZE IS OBVIOUSLY A BAD FORMULATION AND/OR INTERACTS WITH COMPONENTS TO BECAME CAUSTIC. THIS IS A DEFECT AND REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET HOW PREVALENT THIS PROBLEM IS. NO NOTICE TO OWNERS WAS EVER SENT TO REPLACE THE ANTIFREEZE BEFORE IT BECAME CAUSTIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207426

68,200 miles · Sep 27, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ANTI-FREEZE HOLDING TANK KEEPS GETTING AN OIL RESIDUE IN IT AND THE ANTI-FREEZE KEEPS DISAPPEARING INTO THE ENGINE AND HAS TO KEEP BEING REFILLED. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS FAILING. THE A/C SWITCH ALSO TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN. ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE …

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THE ANTI-FREEZE HOLDING TANK KEEPS GETTING AN OIL RESIDUE IN IT AND THE ANTI-FREEZE KEEPS DISAPPEARING INTO THE ENGINE AND HAS TO KEEP BEING REFILLED. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS FAILING. THE A/C SWITCH ALSO TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN. ROTORS AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204311

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHEVROLET MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS" BEGINS TO LEAK ANYWHERE AROUND 80,000 MILES OF DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO LEAK COOLANT, TO OVERHEAT, AND MOTOR WILL LOCK, BURN OUT. THIS CAR WAS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD, AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAD THIS WORK DONE OF THEIR CARS COSTING $500.00 TO $700.00 I…

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CHEVROLET MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS" BEGINS TO LEAK ANYWHERE AROUND 80,000 MILES OF DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO LEAK COOLANT, TO OVERHEAT, AND MOTOR WILL LOCK, BURN OUT. THIS CAR WAS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD, AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAD THIS WORK DONE OF THEIR CARS COSTING $500.00 TO $700.00 I FELT AS THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO IMPROVE THIS GASKET AND REPLACE THE CARS THAT ALREADY HAD THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10195568

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.