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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
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

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES OF WAIT WAS NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES OF WAIT WAS NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10628878

95,239 miles · Aug 26, 2014
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING FROM THE MARKET AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN BUT HAD NO BRAKES. NO SIGN OF ME NOT HAVING ANY BRAKES BEFORE HAND.. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK ALSO.THERE WERE NO CARS IN THE CROSSING AND I WENT THROUGH AND CONTINUED HOME. I GOT HOME WHICH IS ABOUT 1.5 MILES AWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY GOING AS SLO…

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I WAS DRIVING FROM THE MARKET AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN BUT HAD NO BRAKES. NO SIGN OF ME NOT HAVING ANY BRAKES BEFORE HAND.. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK ALSO.THERE WERE NO CARS IN THE CROSSING AND I WENT THROUGH AND CONTINUED HOME. I GOT HOME WHICH IS ABOUT 1.5 MILES AWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY GOING AS SLOW AS I COULD. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE SAID THERE WAS FLUID ALL OVER THE GROUND ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE THE PICTURES OF THE LINES. WHEN HE LOOKED THE BRAKE AND GAS LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH. IF I HAD DRIVEN OVER THE MOUNTAIN TO GET HOME FROM THE DOCTORS I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. I ALSO WAS TOLD IF A CAR HAD HIT ME GAS LINE LIKE THAT IT COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE.YOU NEED TO CHECK GAS AND BRAKE LINE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THE COST TO FIX THIS, AND I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK IS $2550.00. I WANT SOMETHING DONE . I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. I SHOULD BE REFUNDED SOME OR ALL OF THE COST.CHEVY OWNER SINCE 1965. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628616

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2014
Visibility

MY HEATER/AC FAN SPEED CONTROL SWITCH HAS 5 SPEEDS ON IT. THEY ALL WORK UP TO NUMBER 4. WHEN I TURN IT ON UP TO 5 IT SHUTS OFF THE FAN MOTOR. NUMBER 4 SPEED IS NOT FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND NOT FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAR COOL WITH THE AC WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SET THIS WAY OR …

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MY HEATER/AC FAN SPEED CONTROL SWITCH HAS 5 SPEEDS ON IT. THEY ALL WORK UP TO NUMBER 4. WHEN I TURN IT ON UP TO 5 IT SHUTS OFF THE FAN MOTOR. NUMBER 4 SPEED IS NOT FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND NOT FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAR COOL WITH THE AC WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SET THIS WAY OR IF IT HAS A FAULTY SWITCH. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627230

75,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT THE STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE IGNITION WITH THE KEY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT THE STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE IGNITION WITH THE KEY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626807

70,300 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

ANTITHEFT SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING CAR TO STALL AND FAILS TO RESTART TAIL LIGHTS ARE FAILING FUEL SYSTEM CUTOFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620876

122,874 miles · Jul 27, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN NEGOTIATING A TURN AND WENT TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL AND IT WOULD NOT WORK. SINCE THEN IT ONLY WORKS A QUARTER OF THE TIME AND OFTEN THE HAZARD RELAY IS CLICKING IN AND OUT VERY FAST LIKE IT IS SHORTING OUT. IF YOU PUSH THE HAZARD BUTTON IN SOMETIMES YOU CAN MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK AND SOMETI…

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I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN NEGOTIATING A TURN AND WENT TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL AND IT WOULD NOT WORK. SINCE THEN IT ONLY WORKS A QUARTER OF THE TIME AND OFTEN THE HAZARD RELAY IS CLICKING IN AND OUT VERY FAST LIKE IT IS SHORTING OUT. IF YOU PUSH THE HAZARD BUTTON IN SOMETIMES YOU CAN MAKE THE TURN SIGNALS WORK AND SOMETIMES NOT. AND OFTEN TIMES THE HAZARD WILL NOT WORK EITHER. NO FUSES ARE BLOWN? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616613

7,879 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Electrical System

HAD MANY INCIDENTS AND ALMOST CRASHED WHERE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I HAD CHANGE MY IGNITION AT THE GM DEALERSHIP TWICE AND MY CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I SPECIAL ORDER MY CAR FEB 2002 AND HAD BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR TO PRESENT. GM DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN NOTES: - ON JANUARY 16 2007, 7,879 MILES…

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HAD MANY INCIDENTS AND ALMOST CRASHED WHERE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I HAD CHANGE MY IGNITION AT THE GM DEALERSHIP TWICE AND MY CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I SPECIAL ORDER MY CAR FEB 2002 AND HAD BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR TO PRESENT. GM DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN NOTES: - ON JANUARY 16 2007, 7,879 MILES. MY CAR WOULD NOT START. PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE GAUGES WENT UP ABOUT HALF WAY AND STAYED THERE UNTIL DOORS AUTO LOCKED, THEN THE GAUGES DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN. TRIED TO START AND IT CRANKED BUT WILL NOT START. USUALLY YOU CAN HEAR THE PUMP PRIMING BUT DID NOT. THIS STILL HAPPENS TO THIS DATE. AFTER 20 MINUTES OR SO CAR DID START AND DROVE FOR A WHILE. IT DIED AT A STOP AND WOULD NOT RESTART. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART GAUGES STILL MOVED WITH THE LOCKS. BUT ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ON THE GAUGES DID NOT COME UP. TECHNICIAN VERIFIED CONCERN. CAR DID START AND DROVE INTO THE SHOP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR DID NOT START. TESTING FOUND LOSS OF IGNITION 1 VOLTAGE. TECHNICIAN ISOLATED TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. TECHNICIAN REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER A FEW MOTHS I HAD THE PROBLEM COME AND GO AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. - ON NOVEMBER 24, 2012, 47,906 MILES. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OVER AT TIMES, AND ALSO WILL SET OFF ALARM WHEN KEY IS TURNED AT TIMES. TECHNICIAN FOUND CODE B2960, IGNITION PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILING. TECHNICIAN REPLACED LOCK CYLINDER AND KEY, SYSTEM OPERATED AS DESIGNED. BUT ON DECEMBER 17, 2012 VEHICLE LOSE POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN WHILE TEST DRIVING IT. DEALERSHIP DID NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE AND TURNED ME AWAY SAYING MY CAR IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO BE FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP. CAR STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND VERY CONCERNED AND SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616171

140,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, BRAKES FAILED TO WORK, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TOTALED MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615395

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.