NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Equipment complaints
13 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Air BagsEquipmentExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR WOULD ONLY FUNCTION WHEN SET ON HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR WOULD ONLY FUNCTION WHEN SET ON HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10407466
90,000 miles · Nov 14, 2010
EquipmentExterior Lighting
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU WHICH I HAVE OWNED SINCE 2003. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS (STARTING AROUND APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES) I'VE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHT INDICATORS. THE MALFUNCTION LEADS TO TOTAL FAILURE OR FLICKERING OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THE INDI…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU WHICH I HAVE OWNED SINCE 2003. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS (STARTING AROUND APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES) I'VE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHT INDICATORS. THE MALFUNCTION LEADS TO TOTAL FAILURE OR FLICKERING OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MALFUNCTION WILL OCCUR AT ANY TIME - SUNNY, RAINY, DRY, HUMID, SNOWY, HOT OR COLD WEATHER; DAYTIME OR NIGHTTIME; WHETHER THE ENGINE IS HOT OR COLD. OCCASIONALLY THE INDICATORS WILL WORK FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BUT THEN THE MALFUNCTION WILL OCCUR AGAIN. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION TO BEGIN. THE ORIGINAL MALFUNCTIONING PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AS THEY ARE CURRENTLY STILL INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER SWITCH IN MY CAR. A RATTLE TYPE NOISE IN THE HEATER FAN ASSEMBLY WAS THE FIRST INDICATION THAT I NOTICED AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. THAT STOPPED WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AFTER I RAN OVER A TRUCK TIRE TREAD THAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE SWITCH WORKED FOR A WHILE THEN I LOST THE NUMBER ONE AND TWO SPEEDS. EVENTUALLY THE NUMBER THREE SPEED WENT OUT. I CURRENTLY CAN RUN THE HEATER ON SPEEDS NUMBER FOUR AND FIVE; HOWEVER, THE OUTPUT IS LESS THAT WHAT IT SHOULD BE FOR THE TWO HIGHEST FAN SPEEDS. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS CURRENTLY STILL INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365639
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 · Jun 26, 2008
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND FINALLY THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITION COMP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND FINALLY THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR. PREVIOUSLY, THE ENGINE GASKET WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RIDING ROUGHLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10232386
78,500 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Equipment
COMPONENT: AIR CONDITIONER DETAILS: I AM BASICALLY HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY AIR CONDITIONING. IT WILL KICK OFF. THE AIR RECIRCULATION WILL ALSO KICK OFF AND CHANGE TO FRESH AIR. IT IS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. I LIVE IN GEORGIA AND NOT HAVING AN AIR CONDITIONER IS AWFUL, BUT TO HAVE ONE THAT WILL WORK SOMETIMES, IS AWFUL…
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COMPONENT: AIR CONDITIONER DETAILS: I AM BASICALLY HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY AIR CONDITIONING. IT WILL KICK OFF. THE AIR RECIRCULATION WILL ALSO KICK OFF AND CHANGE TO FRESH AIR. IT IS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. I LIVE IN GEORGIA AND NOT HAVING AN AIR CONDITIONER IS AWFUL, BUT TO HAVE ONE THAT WILL WORK SOMETIMES, IS AWFUL. I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM IN 2005. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALER WROTE: C/S AC WILL SWITCH FROM RECIRCULATION TO FRESH AIR BY ITSELF. ALSO SAID AT TIME IT FEELS LIKE THE A/C IS ON WHEN IT'S NOT. HEATER CONTROL HEAD HAS INTERNAL SHORT CAUSING IT TO SWITCH BY ITSELF. INSPECT AND REPLACE HEATER/AC CONTROL HEAD. PARTS $157.48, LABOR $142.50, TAX $11.02. TOTAL $311.80. THIS TIME I ONLY HAD TO PAY $100 DEDUCTIBLE. THIS WAS DONE ON 7/28/05, INVOICE CVCS51146 AT CARTERSVILLE CHEVROLET IN CARTERSVILLE, GA. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT FAILS EVERY 3 YEARS!! IT IS A 2002 AND FAILED THE FIRST TIME IN 2005 AND AGAIN NOW IN 2008!!! WILL CHEVROLET PAY FOR THIS??? THEY SHOULD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231181
76,051 miles · Feb 5, 2008
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET OR SNOWY, AND THERE IS POSSIBLE SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD, THE ABS IS ENGAGED EVEN WHEN YOU ARE PULLING UP SLOWLY TO THE STOP SIGN, OR SLOWING DOWN TO ARRIVE HOME, OR EVEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY... WHAT HAPPENS, IS WHEN DOING THOSE THINGS IN WEATHER AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IF YOU ATTEMPT TO PUT THE BREAKS…
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WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET OR SNOWY, AND THERE IS POSSIBLE SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD, THE ABS IS ENGAGED EVEN WHEN YOU ARE PULLING UP SLOWLY TO THE STOP SIGN, OR SLOWING DOWN TO ARRIVE HOME, OR EVEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY... WHAT HAPPENS, IS WHEN DOING THOSE THINGS IN WEATHER AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IF YOU ATTEMPT TO PUT THE BREAKS ON IT MAKES AN AWFUL GRINDING SOUND AND PUSHED BACK ON YOU SO YOU CANT BREAK... THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES JUST BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY... I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN BEHIND SOMEONE THIS IS RIGHT ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET SO I WAS NOT SPEEDING AT ALL, IT WAS A RAINY DAY BUT THE RAIN WAS LIGHT, I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES ON MY CAR TOO. AS I PULLED UP BEHIND MY NEIGHBORS CAR TO THE STOP SIGN, I WAS BARELY PUSHING DOWN MY BREAK PEDDLE WHEN IT PUSHED BACK AT ME AND MADE T HIS DEEP SOUND I COULDN'T STOP AND I ALMOST HIT MY NEIGHBOR. I WENT TO MY LONG TIME MECHANIC AND HE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE ON A CLEAR DAY.... HE TOOK IT ON SOME GRAVEL AND STOPPED HARD WELL THE BREAKS DID THE SAME THING. HE SAID IT WAS THE ABS EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T LOOK AT THEM. I THINK IT IS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND NON OF THEM DID THAT TO ME ON WET OR SNOWY DAYS! I KNOW IT ISN'T NORMAL AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND IF THE ABS ARE GOING TO BE THAT STINGY THEN MY CHANCES OF CRASHING WILL BE 99% HIGHER! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217026
56,000 miles · Jul 11, 2007
EquipmentExterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE TURN SIGNALS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES WERE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,0…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE TURN SIGNALS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES WERE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10196130
31,500 miles · May 7, 2007
Equipment
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FREQUENTLY PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING THE CAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10189957
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2006
Equipment
I AM BASICALLY HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY BLOWER. SPEEDS 1, 2 AND 3 DO NOT WORK, BUT MY AIR CONDITIONING WILL KICK OFF. THE AIR RECIRCULATION WILL ALSO KICK OFF AND CHANGE TO FRESH AIR. IT IS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. I LIVE IN TEXAS AND NOT HAVING AN AIR CONDITIONER IS AWFUL, BUT TO HAVE ONE THAT WILL WORK SOMETIMES, IS AWF…
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I AM BASICALLY HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY BLOWER. SPEEDS 1, 2 AND 3 DO NOT WORK, BUT MY AIR CONDITIONING WILL KICK OFF. THE AIR RECIRCULATION WILL ALSO KICK OFF AND CHANGE TO FRESH AIR. IT IS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. I LIVE IN TEXAS AND NOT HAVING AN AIR CONDITIONER IS AWFUL, BUT TO HAVE ONE THAT WILL WORK SOMETIMES, IS AWFUL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171282
24,000 miles · Aug 31, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER FAILED. *AK THE RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10087165
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 ↗