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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.

About this comparison →
567Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

2Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
789
1999922
2000721
2001567
2002569
20031,147
2004975
2005
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
259Exterior Lighting
143Engine And Engine Cooling
63Service Brakes, Hydraulic
41Engine
22
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
22Unknown Or Other
19Air Bags
18Suspension
14Equipment
13Steering
13Structure
12Visibility
12Service Brakes
11Tires
10Seat Belts
9Fuel/propulsion System
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Power Train
5Service Brakes, Air
3Child Seat
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Fuel System, Other
1Interior Lighting
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

143 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2007
Exterior LightingStructure

THE SEAL ON THE BACK LIGHTS GETS BAD AND ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET IN AND SHORT OUT THE BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL AND BACK UP LIGHTS. REPAIRS ARE OVER $200 AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WILL NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE LIGHTING HOUSING IS REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, BECAUSE LIVING NEAR ATLANTA, BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS ARE VERY IMPOR…

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THE SEAL ON THE BACK LIGHTS GETS BAD AND ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET IN AND SHORT OUT THE BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL AND BACK UP LIGHTS. REPAIRS ARE OVER $200 AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WILL NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE LIGHTING HOUSING IS REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, BECAUSE LIVING NEAR ATLANTA, BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE WORKING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. COME ON GM, MAKE DRIVERS OF YOUR VEHICLES SAFE!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211407

28,000 miles · Nov 25, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS. HAVE HAD CAR THE DEALER - THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I FIND LOTS OF INFORMATION THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN MANY OF THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209827

73,000 miles · Oct 9, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THEN RESTART SO THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD ILLUMINATE. AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,627…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF THEN RESTART SO THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD ILLUMINATE. AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,627 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 10/23/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205266

66,258 miles · Sep 10, 2007
Exterior Lighting

HAZARD LIGHTS AND BLINKERS WILL QUIT WORKING OR NOT WORK AT ALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10202361

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

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2007
Exterior Lighting

HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE ADDITION OF THE 2002 MALIBU TO THE RECALL FOR TURNING LIGHT FAILURE BY DEALERSHIP AS OF THIS DATE .. EVEN AFTER I CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS OR COVERAGE BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196100

62,500 miles · Apr 17, 2007
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. I TRIED TO FIND A RECALL BUT THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAS A RECALL FOR CHEVY MALIBU'S UP TO THE YEAR 2001. I HAVE REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND THE IGNITION SWITCH STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10188179

142,000 miles · Apr 11, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 142,000. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON A DRY NIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHECKED EXTERIOR LIGHTS. THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT WOULD WORK WERE THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT REP…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 142,000. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON A DRY NIGHT WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHECKED EXTERIOR LIGHTS. THE ONLY LIGHTS THAT WOULD WORK WERE THE TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE, BUT THE FUSE BLEW INSTANTLY. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187614

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2007
Exterior Lighting

MY BLINKERS ON MY CHEVY MALIBU 2002 WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I NEED TO TURN THE BLINKER TO THE LEFT TO TURN ON MY CAR AS A SAFETY PROCEDURE INSTALLED BY THE PRODUCER. IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN I DRIVE I HAVE TO CHANGE LANES AND EVEN THOUGH I TURN MY BLINKERS ON THEY DO NOT WORK SO I AM CUTTING PEOPL…

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MY BLINKERS ON MY CHEVY MALIBU 2002 WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I NEED TO TURN THE BLINKER TO THE LEFT TO TURN ON MY CAR AS A SAFETY PROCEDURE INSTALLED BY THE PRODUCER. IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN I DRIVE I HAVE TO CHANGE LANES AND EVEN THOUGH I TURN MY BLINKERS ON THEY DO NOT WORK SO I AM CUTTING PEOPLE OFF ALL THE TIME. I TRIED TAKING IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. IT IS GETTING VERY ANNOYING AND TODAY I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO TURN MY CAR ON WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME MONEY FROM THE ATM. IT IS ANNOYING BECAUSE IF THE LEFT BLINKER DOES NOT TURN ON AND I START MY CAR IT DOES NOT START AND THE HORN SOUNDS. PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT ME FUNNY BECAUSE THE HORN SOUNDED LIKE 30 TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183867

60,000 miles · Dec 15, 2006
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK ONLY OCCASIONALLY. THERE IS NO SET TIME, EVENT, OR WEATHER CONDITION THAT MAKES THEM WORK, OR STOP WORKING. SOMETIMES, THEY WILL WORK WHEN I INITIALLY TURN THEM ON, AND STOP WORKING BEFORE THEY SHOULD TURN OFF. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176202

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.