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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

Steering complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2018
Steering

KEY DOES NOT SHUT OFF CAR CAN NOT SHIFT GEARS

NHTSA ODI #11064944

120,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Steering

VEHICLES RACK AND PINION RUSTED OFF FROM THE FRONT CRADLE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ONE WITH THE MALIBU'S THAT I HAVE READ.

NHTSA ODI #10823992

90,000 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Steering

UNABLE TO STEER TURN WHEEL RIGHT CAR KEPT GOING FOWARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667304

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE KEY RING IS CARRYING ADDED WEIGHT AND THE VEHICLE MAY GO OFF THE ROAD. *TA ALSO, THE POWER STEERING RACK AND LINES WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10659556

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2014
SteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

I WANTED TO SUBMIT MY COMPLAINT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER ABOUT MY FORMER CAR. IN DECEMBER OF 2013 I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER IT HAD RAINED. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CAR WENT OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR THROUGH STEERING OR BRAKING. WE SLID DOWN THE HILL FISHTAILING. REAR END HIT SIGNS WHI…

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I WANTED TO SUBMIT MY COMPLAINT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER ABOUT MY FORMER CAR. IN DECEMBER OF 2013 I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AFTER IT HAD RAINED. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CAR WENT OFF THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR THROUGH STEERING OR BRAKING. WE SLID DOWN THE HILL FISHTAILING. REAR END HIT SIGNS WHICH SENT ME INTO A SPIN AND SHATTERED THE REAR WINDOW. FRONT OF CAR WAS STOPPED BY SEVERAL TREES- CRACKING WINDSHIELD/CRUSHING FRONT END. DEPLOYING AIR BAGS. CAR WAS TOTALED. MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT HAD SEAT BELT BURN AND CUTS FROM GLASS. I HAD MULTIPLE BRUISES, CUTS, BURN FROM SEAT BELT. HIT HEAD AND BRIEFLY LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. AS A RESULT IT AGGRAVATED MY CHRONIC PAIN CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637477

74,000 miles · Aug 30, 2014
EngineSteering

AS I WAS GETTING OFF AN EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF AND STEERING BECAME HARD. I LET THE CAR ROLL INTO THE RIGHT LANE WHERE I COULD STOP AND TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED IMMEDIATELY, STEERING WAS VERY HARD. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THE FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLA…

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AS I WAS GETTING OFF AN EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SHUT OFF AND STEERING BECAME HARD. I LET THE CAR ROLL INTO THE RIGHT LANE WHERE I COULD STOP AND TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED IMMEDIATELY, STEERING WAS VERY HARD. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THE FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE RACK N PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER I DROVE THE CAR TO GO TO THE BEACH WITH MY DAD AND AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SEEMED FINE. WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN I DROVE TO THE MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND WHEN HE PUT THE COMPUTER TO THE CAR IT SHOWED THAT THE #4 COIL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THANKFUL THAT I AM CAREFUL AND DEFENSIVE DRIVER. THIS SITUATIONS ARE QUITE SCARY. I OWNED A KIA SEPHIA FOR SINCE 2005 AND NEVER DID I EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH THIS MALIBU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629620

136,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT MAY STALL,(AND IT HAS MANY TIMES) WHICH CAUSES FAILURE OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CAR ALSO WON'T ALWAYS START. YOU CAN TURN THE KEY BUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON,IF THEY DON'T THE CAR WILL NOT START. ALSO THE BATTERY WON'T KEEP A CHARGE, UNLESS YOU START THE CAR AND LET IT RUN AT LEAST EV…

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WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT MAY STALL,(AND IT HAS MANY TIMES) WHICH CAUSES FAILURE OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CAR ALSO WON'T ALWAYS START. YOU CAN TURN THE KEY BUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DON'T COME ON,IF THEY DON'T THE CAR WILL NOT START. ALSO THE BATTERY WON'T KEEP A CHARGE, UNLESS YOU START THE CAR AND LET IT RUN AT LEAST EVERY 2 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628338

69,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

VEHICLE FRONT END SHAKES/WOBBLES SEVERELY WHEN UNDER HARD BRAKING SITUATIONS DOWN HILL. LOUD LOW RUMBLE NOISE AND PEDAL VIBRATIONS ARE EVIDENT. SHAKING AND WOBBLING IS PRESENT THROUGH VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRING MORE STRENGTH AND DIRECTIONAL CORRECTIONS TO STEER AND GUIDE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. DOWN HILL BRAKING COULD BE SEV…

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VEHICLE FRONT END SHAKES/WOBBLES SEVERELY WHEN UNDER HARD BRAKING SITUATIONS DOWN HILL. LOUD LOW RUMBLE NOISE AND PEDAL VIBRATIONS ARE EVIDENT. SHAKING AND WOBBLING IS PRESENT THROUGH VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRING MORE STRENGTH AND DIRECTIONAL CORRECTIONS TO STEER AND GUIDE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. DOWN HILL BRAKING COULD BE SEVERELY IMPEDED IN NORMAL DRIVING OR WHILE TOWING A TRAILER. PANIC STOPS AND LIGHT BRAKING SITUATIONS ON LEVEL GROUND ARE NORMAL STRAIGHT AND TRUE. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CHECK OKAY AND IS CLEAN. ABS SYSTEM OPERATING NORMALLY. PARKING BRAKE OPERATING NORMALLY. VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CHECK OKAY. VEHICLE HAS 4 NEW TIRES MOUNTED AND BALANCED ON ORIGINAL FACTORY RIMS. TIRES ARE SIZED AND INFLATED TO VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS. COLD TIRE PRESSURE 29 PSI IN FRONT AND 26 PSI IN REAR. FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT ROTOR SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND WITHIN NORMAL SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AS HAVING WARPED FRONT ROTORS. FRONT ROTORS APPEAR TO WARP PREMATURELY UNDER NORMAL LOAD. VEHICLE HAS HAD FRONT ROTORS REPAIRED AND OR REPLACED 3 TIMES. HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT FRONT ROTORS ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE SIZE AND CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLES WITH THE SIX CYLINDER ENGINE OPTION DISPLACE MORE WEIGHT UPON THE FRONT AXLE CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT AND WEAR ON UNDERSIZED DISC BRAKES. VEHICLE PRESENTED WITH 69,000 ORIGINAL MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607548

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2014
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT 35 MPH WHEN I WENT OVER A SMALL POT HOLE ON FATHER HURLEY BLVD. MY RIGHT KNEE SMASHED AGAINST MY KEY RING ON THE FRONT DASH AREA. THEE CAR LOST IMMEDIATE POWER. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR STEER MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO SLOWLY COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLES ARO…

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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT 35 MPH WHEN I WENT OVER A SMALL POT HOLE ON FATHER HURLEY BLVD. MY RIGHT KNEE SMASHED AGAINST MY KEY RING ON THE FRONT DASH AREA. THEE CAR LOST IMMEDIATE POWER. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR STEER MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO SLOWLY COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLES AROUND ME HAD A DIFFICULT TIME AVOIDING ME SINCE THIS EVENT HAPPENED AS I WAS APPROACHING A LANE MERGING WITH MINE AS THEY EXITED A MAJOR FREEWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY STOPPED I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND PUT IT IN PARK. I NOTICED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT FULLY ENGAGED IN THE IGNITION SO I PUSHED IT ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNED THE KEY OVER. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED UP AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME AN EVENT LIKE THIS (WHERE MY KNEE HAS BUMPED UP AGAINST THE KEY RING AND THE CAR LOST POWER) HAS HAPPENED IN MY HISTORY OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566566

94,000 miles · May 19, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. TWO MECHANICS STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT PUT 18,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWO YEARS. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO HAVE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. TWO MECHANICS STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT PUT 18,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10269359

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.