NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
567 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 23, 2017
Unknown Or Other
HAVE A 2002 MALIBU, AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE RADIO, TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO ACC, WAIT 10 - 15 MINUTES FOR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING AND "DISAPPEAR", THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, WAIT ANOTHER 5 - 10 MINUTES. THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE START POSITION FOR THE CAR …
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HAVE A 2002 MALIBU, AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE RADIO, TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO ACC, WAIT 10 - 15 MINUTES FOR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING AND "DISAPPEAR", THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, WAIT ANOTHER 5 - 10 MINUTES. THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE START POSITION FOR THE CAR TO CRANK. THE WHOLE PROCESS CAN TAKE APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. I NEVER KNOW WHEN I GET IN MY CAR IF THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR, WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN OR WHERE I WILL BE WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS YESTERDAY 3/22/17.
NHTSA ODI #10968140
74,000 miles · Mar 11, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED SUCH AS COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN TO NEGOTIATE TURNS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE VISIBILITY IS COMPROMISED DURING NIGHT DRIVING. IT IS VERY EASY TO MISS TURNS, EXIT RAMPS, AND ROAD SIGNS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO GM SERVICE CENTER, AND WAS TOLD THIS OPERATION IS NORMAL. BATT…
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HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED SUCH AS COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN TO NEGOTIATE TURNS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE VISIBILITY IS COMPROMISED DURING NIGHT DRIVING. IT IS VERY EASY TO MISS TURNS, EXIT RAMPS, AND ROAD SIGNS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO GM SERVICE CENTER, AND WAS TOLD THIS OPERATION IS NORMAL. BATTERY, AND CHARGING SYSTEM NO PROBLEMS FOUND. NEW HEADLIGHT BULBS INSTALLED NO DIFFERENCE. VEHICLE IS LIKE NEW CONDITION; ALWAYS GARAGED. NO DAMAGE, RUST, OR MODIFICATIONS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE IS A TSB #02-06-03-008A CONCERNING THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10960123
10,112 miles · Feb 13, 2017
Electrical System
INTERMITTEN ON RIGHT AND LEFT HAND TURNS THE CAR WILL STALL AND STOP. REPLACED MODULE ASMELEK/IGNITION CONTROL AND MY SAME PROBLEM PERSISTED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THEY REPLACED THE MODULE AND SWTICH AND MY PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. MY CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW AS OF JAN. 26, 2017.
NHTSA ODI #10954194
36,000 miles · Sep 15, 2016
Exterior Lighting
TURN SIGNALS WORK ON OCCASION THIS CAR ONLY HAS 42,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT AND TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM BEGAN AT 36,000
NHTSA ODI #10906774
168,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY FAILED TO TURN FROM THE OFF POSITION. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY FAILED TO TURN FROM THE OFF POSITION. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
NHTSA ODI #10894436
60,000 miles · Aug 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other
I PURCHASED MY USED CAR IN THE FALL OF 2015. SINCE THEN, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS - NOW OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY - IN WHICH MY CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM BELIEVES I AM TRYING TO STEAL IT. WHEN I TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WILL NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT STARTS BLINKING. I…
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I PURCHASED MY USED CAR IN THE FALL OF 2015. SINCE THEN, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS - NOW OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY - IN WHICH MY CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM BELIEVES I AM TRYING TO STEAL IT. WHEN I TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR WILL NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT STARTS BLINKING. I MUST WAIT EXACTLY 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR THE LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING. THEN I CAN RESTART THE CAR AND IT WORKS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE FOR SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT NUMEROUS MALIBU OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN DARK PARKING LOTS MULTIPLE TIMES, AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE KNOWING THAT MY VEHICLE REGULARLY WILL NOT START WITHOUT A TEN MINUTE DELAY.
NHTSA ODI #10893836
140,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10888771
124,500 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Unknown Or Other
I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON 11-26-14 FOR 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. NOW THE CHIP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH KEEPS GOING IN TO …
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I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON 11-26-14 FOR 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. NOW THE CHIP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH KEEPS GOING IN TO TAMPER MODE. THE CAR WILL NOT START AND THE COMPUTER HAS TO BE RESET TO MAKE IT START. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 8 DAYS! SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY OVER $500.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACED! THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL! THE KEY FIX DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS ONLY 124 THOUSAND MILES ON IT! PROSTROLLO MOTOR CO. IN MADISON, SD 570472 605-256-9111 IS THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRING IT AND SAID MANY OTHER CARS LIKE MINE HAVE HAD TO DO THIS ALSO!!! WHAT A RIP OFF!
NHTSA ODI #10883038
185,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BRAKE REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT PROCEED WITH THE BRAKE WORK, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BRAKE REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT PROCEED WITH THE BRAKE WORK, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
NHTSA ODI #10875669
140,000 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Engine
PURCHASED VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. OVER HEATING ISSUES BEGAN WITHIN 3 MONTHS. HAD THERMOSTAT REPLACED. ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE TO BE ADDING WATER AS THE RESERVOIR WAS LOW OR THE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON. 18 MONTHS LATER OVER HEATING ISSUES RETURNED WHILE DRIVING HOME ON HIGHWAY. WHEN VEHICLE COULD NO LONGER RUN, W…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. OVER HEATING ISSUES BEGAN WITHIN 3 MONTHS. HAD THERMOSTAT REPLACED. ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE TO BE ADDING WATER AS THE RESERVOIR WAS LOW OR THE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON. 18 MONTHS LATER OVER HEATING ISSUES RETURNED WHILE DRIVING HOME ON HIGHWAY. WHEN VEHICLE COULD NO LONGER RUN, WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. HAVE NOW REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP. ISSUE REMAINS, BUT WORSE. LOW WATER AND NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ARE ON. ALL INDICATIONS SUGGEST HEAD GASKET ISSUES WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. AS SUCH, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN AND REMAINS PARKED. NO SUCH ISSUES WERE DISCLOSED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ONLY LEARNED EXTENT OF PROBLEM AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE ONLINE TO FIND MANY, MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEMS. CHEVROLET SHOWED LITTLE CONCERN WHEN CONTACTED. REPRESENTATIVE APOLOGIZED, BUT AS THERE IS NO RECALL WOULD ONLY SUGGEST TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. OWNER IS A DISABLED VETERAN ON A FIXED INCOME. CHEVROLET'S SUGGESTION IS SIMPLY NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE AND LEAVES THE OWNER WITHOUT RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM APPOINTMENTS. HE CANNOT USE THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH IT WAS INTENDED. FURTHERMORE, ONLINE REPORTS ALSO SUGGEST THE PROBLEM REMAINS OR RETURNS EVEN AFTER LENGTHY AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS ARE MADE. ONCE AGAIN, CREATING CONSIDERABLE HARDSHIP TO THIS OWNER WHO NOW FEELS AS THOUGH HE WAS ROBBED FIRST BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR THEIR NONDISCLOSURE AND NOW BY CHEVROLET FOR THEIR NEGLIGENT DESIGN, QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP AS WELL AS THEIR COMPLETE LACK OF DESIRE TO REMEDY THIS YEARS OLD DEFECT. INSTEAD SHIFTING THE FINANCIAL BURDEN FROM ONE UNSUSPECTING OWNER TO THE NEXT AND THE NEXT AFTER THAT.
NHTSA ODI #10872461
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
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 ↗