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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

Seat Belts complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2016
Seat Belts

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT LOCK WHEN STRESSED. THE PASSENGER ONE DOES. CHEVROLET WILL NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. A FRIEND HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND IT DIDN'T LOCK IN AN ACCIDENT. SHE SMASHED HER FACE OFF THE STEERING WHEEL. WE DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN TO OUR DAUGHTER.

NHTSA ODI #10860806

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

MY MOM AND SISTER WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A AUTO ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED CRITICAL INJURIES. MY MOM REAR ENDED A SEMI TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELTS LOCK CAUSING MY MOM TO CRUSH HER FACE. MY SISTER RECIEVED 2 VERTEBRA FRACTURES AND 3 RIB FRACTURES. THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED MY MOM TO HAVE TO H…

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MY MOM AND SISTER WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A AUTO ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED CRITICAL INJURIES. MY MOM REAR ENDED A SEMI TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELTS LOCK CAUSING MY MOM TO CRUSH HER FACE. MY SISTER RECIEVED 2 VERTEBRA FRACTURES AND 3 RIB FRACTURES. THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT CAUSED MY MOM TO HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY ON HER FACE AND IS STILL IN THE UT HOSPITAL. IF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED THEN IT COULD HAVE SAVED HER FACE MORE THAN IT DID.

NHTSA ODI #10717225

110,000 miles · Feb 7, 2013
Seat Belts

THE SEAT BELT LOCKS UP AND CANNOT BE RELEASED SO THE BELT CANT BE USED TO SECURE PASSENGER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR OVER A YEAR. NORMALLY AFTER JIGGLING AND TUGGING AND TWISTING IT WILL FINALLY RELEASE SO IT CAN BE USED. HOWEVER TODAY FEBRUARY 7, 2013 THE SEATBELT IS LOCKED TIGHTLY AND CANNOT BE RELEASED. THERE IS A…

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THE SEAT BELT LOCKS UP AND CANNOT BE RELEASED SO THE BELT CANT BE USED TO SECURE PASSENGER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR OVER A YEAR. NORMALLY AFTER JIGGLING AND TUGGING AND TWISTING IT WILL FINALLY RELEASE SO IT CAN BE USED. HOWEVER TODAY FEBRUARY 7, 2013 THE SEATBELT IS LOCKED TIGHTLY AND CANNOT BE RELEASED. THERE IS AN $85.00 FINE IN MY STATE OF RHODE ISLAND FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. CAN YOU OFFER ME A SOLUTION. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496715

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2009
Air BagsSeat BeltsStructureCrashInjury

MY GRANDSON WAS CRITICALLY INURED WHILE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, THIS VEHICLE CANNOT SUSTAIN IMPACT OF 30 MPH OR LESS TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING FATAL IF NOT CRITICAL INJURIES TO PASSENGER. NO SIDE AIRBAG, NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER. RATED WITH THREE STARS...... RIDICULOUS. MY GRANDSON LOST ONE LUN…

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MY GRANDSON WAS CRITICALLY INURED WHILE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, THIS VEHICLE CANNOT SUSTAIN IMPACT OF 30 MPH OR LESS TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING FATAL IF NOT CRITICAL INJURIES TO PASSENGER. NO SIDE AIRBAG, NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER. RATED WITH THREE STARS...... RIDICULOUS. MY GRANDSON LOST ONE LUNG AND PART OF HIS BRONCHIAL TUBE BECAUSE THERE IS NO SAFETY MEASUREMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE TO PROTECT FRONT PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268828

46,000 miles · Jan 30, 2006
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT LATCH. NO MATTER HOW OFTEN THE BELT TAB IS INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE IT WILL NOT LATCH. THE RELEASE BUTTON IS NOT STUCK IN. ATTEMPTED TO LUBRICATE BUCKLE WITH WD-40, BUT NO LUCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10148996

70,000 miles · May 24, 2004
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH A MOTORIST FAILED TO YIELD AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON THE ROOF, AND SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074094

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2002
Seat BeltsVisibility

THE CONSUMER SAID THAT SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE PASSENGER WINDOW BLEW OUT, FOR NO REASON. THE FLYING GLASS NICKED AND GOUGED THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE WINDOW OR THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #567921

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2002
Seat BeltsVisibility

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 CHEVY MALIBU ON AUGUST 1, 2002. FOUR DAYS AND 250 MILES LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW "EXPLODED" WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ALONE DOWN I-90 AT 75 MILES AN HOUR. I FEEL THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE WINDOW OR THE CAR ITSELF TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN FOR "NO APPARENT " REASON. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR WINDOW REPLACD AND …

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 CHEVY MALIBU ON AUGUST 1, 2002. FOUR DAYS AND 250 MILES LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW "EXPLODED" WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ALONE DOWN I-90 AT 75 MILES AN HOUR. I FEEL THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE WINDOW OR THE CAR ITSELF TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN FOR "NO APPARENT " REASON. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR WINDOW REPLACD AND THE RIGHT EXTERIOR OF THE CAR REPAINTED FROM THE FLYING GLASS NICKING AND GOUGING THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I HAD BROKEN GLASS IN BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK SEATS. THE WINDOW AND PAINTING WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP FROM GETTING IT REPAIRED I NOTICED THEY (BODYSHOP) HAD SNAPPED BOTH REAR SEATBELTS. WHEN I GOT THE CAR HOME, I UNSNAPPED THE SEAT BELTS AND NOTICED THEY WOULD NOT RETRACTED BACK IN, BUT INSTEAD, JUST HUNG DOWN ONTO THE SEAT. I CALLED CORY PETERSON, HEAD OF SALES, AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THE SEATBELTS, AND HE TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR IN THE NEXT DAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH, TO HAVE THEM CHECKED. MY HUSBAND AND I TOOK IT IN, AND DAVE HALLAND LOOKED AT BOTH SEAT BELTS AND SAID, "THEY ARE WORN OUT." I SAID "WORN OUT! THE CAR IS A MONTH OLD!" HE DID NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT THAT TIME AND SAID HE WOULD ORDER THEM AND SET US UP FOR AN SEPTEMBER 20TH APPOINTMENT. I TOOK IT BACK ON THAT DATE, AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT IN. HE HAD ANOTHER MAN CHECK OUT THE SEAT BELTS AT THIS TIME AND HE SAID THE "RETRACTORS" WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE ENTIRE SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. DAVE HALLAND AGAIN TOLD ME HE WOULD HAVE THE PARTS OVER NIGHT EXPRESSED AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY WERE IN. I WAITED AND WAITED AND FINALLY CALLED FOR DAVE ON SEPTEMBER 30TH AND OCTOBER 1, 2002. AND LEFT A MESSAGE FOR A CALL BACK. AFTER NO WORD, I CALLED A REQUESTED TO TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I WAS TURNED OVER TO TERRY, AND HE TOLD ME THE PARTS HAD BEEN THERE FOR OVER A WEEK. I TOLD HIM I WANTED THE PARTS WHEN THEY WERE REMOVED AND HE TOLD ME I COULD NOT HAVE THEM. I SAID, "I BOUGHT THIS CAR, DIDN'T I?" HE SAID"

NHTSA ODI #768199

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
Seat Belts

WHEN INSTALLING CAR SEAT AND PUTTING SEAT AROUND VEHICLE BUCKLES WOULD LOCK INTO SEAT BELT. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHILD CAR SEAT DOES NOT FIT WITH THE VEHICLE'S NEW LATCH SYSTEM AND THE REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. *YH

NHTSA ODI #898724

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.