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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 →

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

What owners actually said

567 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2014
Air Bags

RAN OVER A MANHOLE THAT WAS COVERED ALL THE SUDDEN AIRBAGS WENT OFF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SMASHED WINDSHIELD .AND SENT DAUGHTER TO HOSPITAL 27 WEEKS PREGNANT THIS VEHICLE HAS LOTS OF PROBLEMS ITS DANGEROUS! WE HAVE DROVE OVER THAT SAME SECTION OF ROAD IN OTHER VEHICLES MANY OF TIMES NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE! THEY SHOULD RECALL T…

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RAN OVER A MANHOLE THAT WAS COVERED ALL THE SUDDEN AIRBAGS WENT OFF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SMASHED WINDSHIELD .AND SENT DAUGHTER TO HOSPITAL 27 WEEKS PREGNANT THIS VEHICLE HAS LOTS OF PROBLEMS ITS DANGEROUS! WE HAVE DROVE OVER THAT SAME SECTION OF ROAD IN OTHER VEHICLES MANY OF TIMES NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE! THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE AIRBAGS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649382

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED GM USED DEX-COOL ENGINE COOLANT WHICH CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP FLUSHED OUT THE DEX-COOL AND REPLACED THE COOLANT, WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF COOLANT. ALSO, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED AT A COST…

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2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED GM USED DEX-COOL ENGINE COOLANT WHICH CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP FLUSHED OUT THE DEX-COOL AND REPLACED THE COOLANT, WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF COOLANT. ALSO, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $477.31. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10648091

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2014
Electrical System

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10644058

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINED A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WENT …

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2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINED A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WENT TO HER LOCAL REPAIR GARAGE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED, THE IGNITION WAS THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE ENTIRE GAS COVER AND CAP CAME OFF IN THE CONSUMERS HANDS, DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10644051

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10644640

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO MOVE IN THE IGNITION, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO MOVE IN THE IGNITION, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10643587

60,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical System

FOR OVER A YEAR NOW I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY 2002 MALIBU NOT STARTING DUE TO A FAULTY ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM IS THE ORIGINAL STOCK MANUFACTURERS THEFT SYSTEM. IT FIRST BEGUN OVER A YEAR AGO, WHERE MY CAR WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME STRANDED. THE CAR SAT FOR NEARLY 4- DAYS, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO! THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MI…

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FOR OVER A YEAR NOW I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY 2002 MALIBU NOT STARTING DUE TO A FAULTY ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM IS THE ORIGINAL STOCK MANUFACTURERS THEFT SYSTEM. IT FIRST BEGUN OVER A YEAR AGO, WHERE MY CAR WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME STRANDED. THE CAR SAT FOR NEARLY 4- DAYS, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO! THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILES, ONLY 60,000 ORIGINAL; DON'T DRIVE MUCH, REALLY ONLY TO AND FROM WORK DAILY AND MAYBE TO THE FOOD STORE HERE AND THERE. ANYWAY, I WOUND UP GOOGLING "2002 CHEVY MALIBU NOT STARTING", PROBLEMS WITH THE PASS LOCK THEFT SYSTEM CAME UP, TELLING ME TO TRY THE 10- MINUTE RESET BY PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNING TO ON W/OUT TURNING THE ENGINE ON FOR 10- MINUTES, REMOVING THE KEY, WAITING 5 SECONDS AND THEN PUTTING THE KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION. FIGURED WHAT THE HECK, IT DOESN'T HURT TO TRY IT!! WELL WHAT DO YOU KNOW, IT WORKED!!! WELL FOR THE PAST YEAR NOW MY CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ROUGHLY 3 - 4 TIMES A MONTH BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. EACH TIME I HAD TO DO THE 10- MINUTE RESET AND IT WOULD THEN START RIGHT UP. I SHOULDN'T EVEN HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS, THIS IS CRAZY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT CHEVY/GM'S EXPENSE, NOT MINE. ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THERE ARE OVER 3,000 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE!!! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WORRY ABOUT MY CAR NOT STARTING BECAUSE OF A FAULTY THEFT SYSTEM THAT WAS BUT IN MY CAR BY GM. CHEVY. ON SEPTEMBER 10TH 2014 I GOT IN MY CAR TO TAKE MY SON TO SCHOOL AND GO TO WORK, CAR WOULD NOT START, TRIED THE 10-MINUTE RESET, THIS TIME IT DID NOT WORK, WAITED 4- HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK, SON MISSED SCHOOL AND I WAS LATE TO WORK! WELL, BECAUSE OF ME HAVING TO KEEP CRANKING MY CAR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BECAUSE OF IT NOT STARTING BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY THEFT SYSTEM BLEW OUT MY STARTER AND BATTERY. WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR A WEEK AND A HALF GOT MY CAR BACK AND THE THEFT SYSTEM ISSUE HAS STARTED AGAIN!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643558

100,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION, COOLING SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE SPARK PLUGS, FU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION, COOLING SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE SPARK PLUGS, FUEL FILTERS, AND HUB KIT WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01/06/15

NHTSA ODI #10643540

31,000 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PARKING AND TURN SIGNAL BLINKER INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LAMP CONTAINED MOISTURE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PARKING AND TURN SIGNAL BLINKER INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LAMP CONTAINED MOISTURE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LAMP WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ODI #10641972

113,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10640571

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.