Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
380–25K
8225–50K
10250–75K
7175–100K
73100–150K
25150K+
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
104,500 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Electrical System
PASSIVE ALARM SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THEFT ALARM LED COMES "ON" WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE REPORTS OF CAR DYING WHILE DRIVING, SEE THE LINK HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM. CONSUMERS SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE NOT KNOWING WHY THE CARS DOES NOT START OR STOPPED R…
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PASSIVE ALARM SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THEFT ALARM LED COMES "ON" WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE REPORTS OF CAR DYING WHILE DRIVING, SEE THE LINK HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM. CONSUMERS SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE NOT KNOWING WHY THE CARS DOES NOT START OR STOPPED RUNNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336346
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2010
Electrical System
I OWN A CHEVY MALIBU 2002. THE PROBLEM IS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL INJECTORS AND THE CAR WON'T START. I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE COMPUTER. SOMETIMES THIS WILL TAKE MORE THAN 1 ATTEMPT. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR NO REASON. …
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I OWN A CHEVY MALIBU 2002. THE PROBLEM IS THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL INJECTORS AND THE CAR WON'T START. I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES TO RESET THE COMPUTER. SOMETIMES THIS WILL TAKE MORE THAN 1 ATTEMPT. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR NO REASON. THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. ALSO MANY AFTER MARKET PARTS CLAIMING TO DISABLE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM TO TRY TO SATISFY CUSTOMERS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2001 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. I ONLY WISH I HAD FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE SOONER TO VOICE MY CONCERNS. PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH. THERE SHOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO FIX THIS ISSUE THAN TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10333896
85,000 miles · May 10, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY WORKING/NOT WORKING. THIS SITUATION POSES A SAFETY RISK WHEN NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10329531
89,500 miles · Apr 24, 2010
Exterior Lighting
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY WORKING/NOT WORKING. IS THERE OR IS THERE NOT A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327294
12,000 miles · Apr 24, 2010
Exterior Lighting
TURNING SIGNALS AND FLASHERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. SOMETIMES CUT OFF WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN OR WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327263
16,000 miles · Apr 24, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
I DRIVE MY CAR AND IT CUTS OFF. TRY TO START IT BUT CRANKS NO START. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY NO START. SMELL FUEL. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327262
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH HER DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. NOW THE CONTACTS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT IS CRACKED AND THE AIR BAG…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH HER DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. NOW THE CONTACTS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT IS CRACKED AND THE AIR BAG SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE; THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 90,094. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB
NHTSA ODI #10325522
50,955 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Electrical System
2002 CHEVY MALIBU, FAILURE TO START. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOW, DETERMINED IT IS A BAD ANTI-THEFT SENSOR THAT IS PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING MY OWN CAR, USING OFFICIAL CHEVY KEY, BUT NOT STARTING. COST 575.00 TO TOW AND REPAIR. SCAM. WHY IS CHEVY PUTTING SUCH A DEVICE IN THE CAR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND SERVES NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVE…
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2002 CHEVY MALIBU, FAILURE TO START. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOW, DETERMINED IT IS A BAD ANTI-THEFT SENSOR THAT IS PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING MY OWN CAR, USING OFFICIAL CHEVY KEY, BUT NOT STARTING. COST 575.00 TO TOW AND REPAIR. SCAM. WHY IS CHEVY PUTTING SUCH A DEVICE IN THE CAR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND SERVES NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER EXPECT TO SCAM PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10323918
90,000 miles · Mar 22, 2010
Electrical System
I HAD TO GET THE "IGNITION LOCKING SYSTEM" FIXED 2 TIMES IN THE SAME YEAR AT $600.00 EACH TIME. MY CAR WOULD NOT START SO I WOULD GET IT TOWED THEN WHEN IT GOT TO THE AUTO PLACE IT WOULD START RIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY HAD TO BRING IT TO THE PLACE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAVE IT PUT ON THE MACHINE TO FIND OUT…
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I HAD TO GET THE "IGNITION LOCKING SYSTEM" FIXED 2 TIMES IN THE SAME YEAR AT $600.00 EACH TIME. MY CAR WOULD NOT START SO I WOULD GET IT TOWED THEN WHEN IT GOT TO THE AUTO PLACE IT WOULD START RIGHT UP. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY HAD TO BRING IT TO THE PLACE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAVE IT PUT ON THE MACHINE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED 13 MON. LATER AND IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS MORE THAN 12 MON. I CALLED THE RECALL PLACE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON IT BUT I STILL THINK IT DEFINITELY IS A RECALL. THIS CAR HAS COST ME ALOT OF $ IN REPAIRS. *DT
NHTSA ODI #10321410
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2010
Electrical System
THE THEFT SYSTEM KEEPS TURNING ON AND I CANT FIND OUT WHAT IS TRIGGERING IT AND IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS THE KEY IS IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES. *TR
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.
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 ↗
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.
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.
2002 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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