← New search

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
91,800 miles · Sep 26, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35MPH WHEN THE CAR JUST STARTED SMOKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477099

128,090 miles · Sep 8, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I WALKED OUT THE DOOR READY TO GO TO WORK GOT IN THE CAR TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT START. SO FIRST I HAD TO WAKE SOMEONE UP WITH A PHONE CALL BECAUSE THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR. GOT A RIDE TO WORK LATE AND CALLED THE PLACE WHERE I AM BUYING THIS CAR FOR THEM TO TOW IT TWO MILES TO THERE SHOP AND CHARGE ME SEVENTY EIGHT DOLLARS. I GE…

Read full complaint

I WALKED OUT THE DOOR READY TO GO TO WORK GOT IN THE CAR TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT START. SO FIRST I HAD TO WAKE SOMEONE UP WITH A PHONE CALL BECAUSE THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR. GOT A RIDE TO WORK LATE AND CALLED THE PLACE WHERE I AM BUYING THIS CAR FOR THEM TO TOW IT TWO MILES TO THERE SHOP AND CHARGE ME SEVENTY EIGHT DOLLARS. I GET THE CALL FROM THEM SAYING ITS THE FUEL PUMP(ANOTHER COMMON UNNECESSARY FIX THAT YOU HERE REPEAT OVER AND OVER. HE ALSO SAID THE ANTITHEFT LIGHT WAS ON AND THAT I SOMEHOW DEMAGNITIZED THE KEY(WASN'T POSSIBLE BECAUSE I WAS GIVEN A ALL SILVER KEY NO CHIP IN IT) SO THAT COST ALMOST A EXTRA HUNDRED FOR THE KEY.SO AFTER IM RIDING ALMOST FINE TORQUE COULD BE MORE V6ISH BUT I DIGRESS TUESDAY SEP 4 2012 NOT A MONTH LATER IT DOESN'T START AGAIN, AND AGAIN ON MY WAY TO WORK. THIS TIME I HAD IT TOWED AND BY THE TIME IT MADE IT TO THE MECHANIC ITS WAS STARTING FINE. I DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO CONTINUOUSLY WORRY ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES MADE FROM 99-05. IF WHOEVER READS THIS TYPES IN MY CAR WONT START 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, AND JUST READ THE DIFFERENT PEOPLES STORY'S AND SEE VIDEOS. IN CONCLUSION GM MUST RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS. IM A LONG TIME GM SUPPORTER OF THERE AMERICAN MADE CARS AND TRUCKS. I'VE OWNED A 1989 CADILLAC BIARITZ, 1999 CHEVY SURBURBAN,AND NOW THIS 2002 CHEVEY MALIBU.IVE BEEN LUCKY I READ ABOUT A GUY WHOSE ANTITHEFT ACTED UP WHILE HE WAS DRIVING WITH HIS CHILD. RECALL AND SAVE LIVES AND HEADACHES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474322

70,000 miles · Aug 28, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT FAILED TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT FAILED TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472813

120,000 miles · Aug 22, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START AFTER BEING OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE, THE TUMBLER AND THE IGNITION…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START AFTER BEING OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE, THE TUMBLER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE HORN AND THE TURNING SIGNALS ALSO TURN ON INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471843

72,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Unknown Or Other

SOMETIMES THE CAR STARTS SOMETIMES IT DON'T IT GIVES YOU NO NOTICE THAT IT NOT GOING TO START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469361

279,000 miles · Jul 11, 2012
Electrical System

HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. IT WILL CRANK, BUT WON'T START. THEN HOURS LATER IT STARTS. *TR UPDATED 7/18/12 *CN UPDATED 07/25/12

NHTSA ODI #10465238

55,600 miles · May 16, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I SIGNALED FOR A LEFT TURN. WHEN I SIGNALED THE TURN, THERE WAS A BUZZING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY, I WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, ALBEIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I N…

Read full complaint

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I SIGNALED FOR A LEFT TURN. WHEN I SIGNALED THE TURN, THERE WAS A BUZZING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY, I WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, ALBEIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ON. THE CAR RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND I DROVE IT 1/2 BLOCK TO A PARKING SPACE. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE CAR TO FH DAILEY, THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) THAT HAD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. THEY ARE REPLACING THE BCM. THEY DID NOT SEEM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND MY IMPRESSION IS IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THEM TO ENCOUNTER IT. I AM CONCERNED THAT, HAD I BEEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, ON THE HIGHWAY, OR ON A CURVING ROAD, THE ENGINE FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT INJURY OR FATALITY TO MYSELF OR OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI #10458631

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALMOST SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN 2004. IN 2010 I EXPERIENCED A SCARY NEW TWIST: MY BLINKERS WON'T ALWAYS WORK. IT HAPPENED MAYBE THREE TIMES TOTAL OVER THE NEXT 12-18 MONTHS, BUT IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN, AND I AM NOW DOING MUCH MORE AROUND-TOWN DRIVING. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WHERE S…

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALMOST SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN 2004. IN 2010 I EXPERIENCED A SCARY NEW TWIST: MY BLINKERS WON'T ALWAYS WORK. IT HAPPENED MAYBE THREE TIMES TOTAL OVER THE NEXT 12-18 MONTHS, BUT IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN, AND I AM NOW DOING MUCH MORE AROUND-TOWN DRIVING. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WHERE SOME OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE BLINKERS WORKING AGAIN BY TOGGLING THE HAZARD LIGHTS, BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH MY CAR. I TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND THE BLINKERS WILL WORK THE FIRST TIME I USE THEM, THEN NOT AGAIN FOR THE REST OF MY TRIP (OR IN SOME CASES, THE REST OF THE DAY). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457865

77,000 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10454074

120,000 miles · Mar 18, 2012
Electrical System

BOUGHT MY MALIBU NEW, HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL AFTER 100,000 MILES. WAS AT A YELLOW LIGHT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND WENT ON. I SAY ABOUT 5 MONTHS LATER WE WENT OUT OF TOWN FOR 3 DAY CAME BACK WENT TO THE CAR TRIED TO START IT. IT WOULD START AND SHUT OFF IT WOULD KEEP DOING IT…

Read full complaint

BOUGHT MY MALIBU NEW, HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL AFTER 100,000 MILES. WAS AT A YELLOW LIGHT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND WENT ON. I SAY ABOUT 5 MONTHS LATER WE WENT OUT OF TOWN FOR 3 DAY CAME BACK WENT TO THE CAR TRIED TO START IT. IT WOULD START AND SHUT OFF IT WOULD KEEP DOING IT. TOOK TO THE SHOP THEY HAD FOR OVER A MONTH PULL BACK SEAT OUT THINKING THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT WAS BAD. THEN CHECK A LOT OF OTHER STUFF THEN HE SAID IT WAS THE KEY SWITCH AND REPLACED IT GOT IT GOING. CALLED USE UP TO PICK THE CAR UP AND IT WOULDN'T START. HE REPLACE THAT ONE WITH ANOTHER SWITCH CALLED US UP TO PICK IT UP AND IT WOULD NOT START. THEN HE BY PASSED IT WITH A TOGGLE SWITCH IT WORKED FOR ONE DAY AND STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. IT IS THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452087

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.