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
64,000 miles · Nov 2, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. OCCASIONALLY EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. IF SHE TURNS THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THEN PUSH ON THE LOWER LEFT CORNER, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. OCCASIONALLY EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF THE TURN SIGNALS WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. IF SHE TURNS THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THEN PUSH ON THE LOWER LEFT CORNER, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64000. UPDATED 01/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/19/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10290702
96,000 miles · Oct 26, 2009
Electrical System
THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2002 MODEL MALIBU HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILD TO BE "STUCK" AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AWAY FROM HOME. THE SYSTEM EVEN FAILED DURING HER DRIVING ONE DAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION FOR HER AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AS …
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THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON MY 2002 MODEL MALIBU HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDCHILD TO BE "STUCK" AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AWAY FROM HOME. THE SYSTEM EVEN FAILED DURING HER DRIVING ONE DAY WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION FOR HER AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AS IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME THE FUSE BOX HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO RAIN (?) AS WELL AS THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS SCREWED UP. ANYWAY, OVER THE COURSE OF 1 YEAR, I SPENT A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY $1700.00 IN SO CALLED REPAIRS UNTIL I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE 10 MINUTE TRICK. NEVERTHELESS, THE 10 MINUTE TRICK TURNED OUT TO BE A 1 HOUR TRICK JUST YESTERDAY. AND CHEVROLET WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM?!?!?! THIS IS A NUISANCE AND DANGEROUS AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289781
55,000 miles · Oct 25, 2009
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-ANTI-THEFT/PASSLOCKSYSTEM. THE SITUATION ARISES WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS, I INSERT MY ORIGINAL GM KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM GOES INTO THEFT MODE (AS IF I AM STEALING MY OWN CAR). THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AND THE CAR …
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-ANTI-THEFT/PASSLOCKSYSTEM. THE SITUATION ARISES WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS, I INSERT MY ORIGINAL GM KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM GOES INTO THEFT MODE (AS IF I AM STEALING MY OWN CAR). THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE ENGINE TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR SWITCHED ON FOR 10 MINUTES (WHILE DRAINING THE BATTERY) UNTIL THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT QUITS FLASHING AND STAYS ON STEADY. AT THAT POINT I MUST TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF AND THEN TRY STARTING THE CAR AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TIMES SINCE I REACHED 55000 MILES. THE LAST TIME WAS LAST WEEK AND I AM NOW AT 76000 MILES. DEALER PRETENDED THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS AND HAD NOT DEALT WITH ANY OTHER PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. I SEE AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH THAT THIS WAS A TOTAL LIE ON THEIR PART. THEY SUPPOSEDLY TRIED TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, AT WHICH POINT I COULD HAVE IT TOWED THERE AND THEY QUOTED ME $650+ TO REPLACE IGNITION ASSEMBLY (WHAT THEY CONSIDERED THE "LIKELY" CAUSE). CAR ALSO MAKES OUTSIDE HORN NOISES RANDOMLY AND THE INSIDE ALARM CHIMES RANDOMLY. I'VE READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS, EVEN ONE WOMAN WHOSE CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THIS ANTITHEFFT SYSTEM PROBLEM. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT NEEDING RECALL AND OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS ON MANY LEVELS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON AUTO COMPLAINT SITES (IE., AUTOFORUM) AND I CAN SEE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AS WELL. WHY AREN'T YOU DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT?! PLEASE RESPOND!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289722
38,790 miles · Oct 17, 2009
Electrical System
I DROVE MY 2002CHEVY MALIBU TO WORK AND WHEN I GOT IN TO START IT , THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. IT COST ME A TOW BILL AND $278 TO HAVE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RESET. NOW I AM READING THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AS LONG AS I OWN THE CAR! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS TO BE FIXED PERMANE…
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I DROVE MY 2002CHEVY MALIBU TO WORK AND WHEN I GOT IN TO START IT , THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. IT COST ME A TOW BILL AND $278 TO HAVE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RESET. NOW I AM READING THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AS LONG AS I OWN THE CAR! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS TO BE FIXED PERMANENTLY. MY DAUGHTER ALSO HAS THE SAME MODEL AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO HER TWICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288802
90,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Exterior Lighting
2002 CHEVY MALIBU TURN SIGNAL FLICKERS OR DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. NOV 08, $1000 PAID TO FIX MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND HAZARD SWITCH FOR CAR TO PASS INSPECTION THAT ONLY WORKED FOR A MONTH. 11 SEP 09, $144 FINE PAID FOR IMPROPER LANE CHANGE BECAUSE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK. SEP 09, $36 DOLLAR FOR OWNER TO REPLACE HAZARD SW…
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2002 CHEVY MALIBU TURN SIGNAL FLICKERS OR DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. NOV 08, $1000 PAID TO FIX MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND HAZARD SWITCH FOR CAR TO PASS INSPECTION THAT ONLY WORKED FOR A MONTH. 11 SEP 09, $144 FINE PAID FOR IMPROPER LANE CHANGE BECAUSE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK. SEP 09, $36 DOLLAR FOR OWNER TO REPLACE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. OWNER IS UNWILLING TO PAY $240 FOR ANOTHER MULTIFUNCTION FUNCTION SWITCH. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287456
75,000 miles · Oct 4, 2009
Electrical System
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW CAR TO START EVEN THOUGH I AM USING THE FACTORY KEY THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. THIS OCCURS APPROXIMATELY EVERY TEN TO FIFTEEN TIMES I TRY TO START THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286217
80,000 miles · Oct 1, 2009
Exterior Lighting
AT 80,000 MILES MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU'S TURN SIGNALS STOP FLASHING. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND IS DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286032
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2009
Electrical System
MY MOTHER OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT SOMETIMES WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM GETS A FALSE READING AND SHUTS OFF POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP. PLACING THE IGNITION KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES WILL USUALLY RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO US SEVERAL TIMES. I DID AN ONLINE SEARC…
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MY MOTHER OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT SOMETIMES WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM GETS A FALSE READING AND SHUTS OFF POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP. PLACING THE IGNITION KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES WILL USUALLY RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO US SEVERAL TIMES. I DID AN ONLINE SEARCH AND FOUND WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CAN GM BE FORCED TO CORRECT THIS. NOW THAT WE THE PEOPLE OWN A MAJORITY STAKE IN THE COMPANY, IT SEEMS A PERFECT TIME TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED. YOU KNOW THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PASSLOCK PROBLEM, BUT IN THEIR ARROGANCE AND GREED, WOULD NOT CORRECT IT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL JAMES MCDONALD. ALSO, IF YOU WANT TO SEE OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINS DO A GOOGLE SEARCH OF CHEVROLET MALIBU THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM PROBLEM AND YOU WILL SEE THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. IF THIS CANNOT BE CORRECTED WITH YOUR INTERVENTION, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283684
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2009
Electrical System
CHEVY PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ALWAYS MALFUNCTIONING. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO START CAR AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283375
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2009
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE TURN SIGNALS WILL QUIT WORKING AT ANY TIME WITH OUT WARNING AND START WORKING ON THEIR OWN. *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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