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
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2008
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND FINALLY THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITION COMP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND FINALLY THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR. PREVIOUSLY, THE ENGINE GASKET WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RIDING ROUGHLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10232386
41,600 miles · Jun 20, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TURN INDICATORS INTERMITTENTLY QUIT WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231819
78,500 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Equipment
COMPONENT: AIR CONDITIONER DETAILS: I AM BASICALLY HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY AIR CONDITIONING. IT WILL KICK OFF. THE AIR RECIRCULATION WILL ALSO KICK OFF AND CHANGE TO FRESH AIR. IT IS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. I LIVE IN GEORGIA AND NOT HAVING AN AIR CONDITIONER IS AWFUL, BUT TO HAVE ONE THAT WILL WORK SOMETIMES, IS AWFUL…
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COMPONENT: AIR CONDITIONER DETAILS: I AM BASICALLY HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY AIR CONDITIONING. IT WILL KICK OFF. THE AIR RECIRCULATION WILL ALSO KICK OFF AND CHANGE TO FRESH AIR. IT IS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. I LIVE IN GEORGIA AND NOT HAVING AN AIR CONDITIONER IS AWFUL, BUT TO HAVE ONE THAT WILL WORK SOMETIMES, IS AWFUL. I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM IN 2005. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALER WROTE: C/S AC WILL SWITCH FROM RECIRCULATION TO FRESH AIR BY ITSELF. ALSO SAID AT TIME IT FEELS LIKE THE A/C IS ON WHEN IT'S NOT. HEATER CONTROL HEAD HAS INTERNAL SHORT CAUSING IT TO SWITCH BY ITSELF. INSPECT AND REPLACE HEATER/AC CONTROL HEAD. PARTS $157.48, LABOR $142.50, TAX $11.02. TOTAL $311.80. THIS TIME I ONLY HAD TO PAY $100 DEDUCTIBLE. THIS WAS DONE ON 7/28/05, INVOICE CVCS51146 AT CARTERSVILLE CHEVROLET IN CARTERSVILLE, GA. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT FAILS EVERY 3 YEARS!! IT IS A 2002 AND FAILED THE FIRST TIME IN 2005 AND AGAIN NOW IN 2008!!! WILL CHEVROLET PAY FOR THIS??? THEY SHOULD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231181
133,365 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THAT LOCKS ON ME BECAUSE OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON. SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START AT ALL. I USED TO WAIT FOR THE 10 MINUTES TO RESTART THE SYSTEM BUT NOW THE LIGHT JUST STAYS ON. I HAVE TO TAKE A BABY BACK AND FORTH EVERYDAY AND CAN…
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I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THAT LOCKS ON ME BECAUSE OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON. SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START AT ALL. I USED TO WAIT FOR THE 10 MINUTES TO RESTART THE SYSTEM BUT NOW THE LIGHT JUST STAYS ON. I HAVE TO TAKE A BABY BACK AND FORTH EVERYDAY AND CAN NOT HAVE MY CAR CUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET LIKE THAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231100
70,000 miles · Jun 9, 2008
Exterior Lighting
THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK INTERNITTANTLY ON THIS AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230345
68,961 miles · Jun 3, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM FAILED. THE TURN SIGNAL HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,961.
NHTSA ODI #10229799
60,000 miles · May 16, 2008
Electrical System
RAN SEVERAL ERRANDS AND THE CAR STARTED FINE THREE TIMES THAT MORNING. THE FOURTH TIME IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. LET IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN. SAME PROBLEM. LET IT SIT FOR 4 HOURS. SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, CAR MAKING RANDOM TURN SIGNAL NOISES FOR THE PAST MONTH. MECHANICS ARE NOW REPLACING IGNITION CYLINDER AND S…
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RAN SEVERAL ERRANDS AND THE CAR STARTED FINE THREE TIMES THAT MORNING. THE FOURTH TIME IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. LET IT SIT FOR 30 MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN. SAME PROBLEM. LET IT SIT FOR 4 HOURS. SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, CAR MAKING RANDOM TURN SIGNAL NOISES FOR THE PAST MONTH. MECHANICS ARE NOW REPLACING IGNITION CYLINDER AND SWITCH TO THE TUNE OF $600. WISH I WOULD'VE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLINE TO TRY OTHER SOLUTIONS FIRST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228019
90,000 miles · May 7, 2008
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. IT HAS THE TURN SIGNAL/FLASHER PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED IN PE05055. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE NEW FLASHER PER THE SERVICE LETTER BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALER WANTS $94 TO DIAGNOSE THE REAL PROBLEM PLUS POSSIBLY HUNDREDS TO FIX IT. CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL I PAY …
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I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. IT HAS THE TURN SIGNAL/FLASHER PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED IN PE05055. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE NEW FLASHER PER THE SERVICE LETTER BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALER WANTS $94 TO DIAGNOSE THE REAL PROBLEM PLUS POSSIBLY HUNDREDS TO FIX IT. CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL I PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, EVEN THEN THEY WILL NOT GIVE ANY ASSURANCES. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I THINK THAT YOU CLOSED YOUR INVESTIGATION PREMATURELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226971
66,000 miles · Mar 25, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING,CAUSING CONTAMINATION OF ANTIFREEZE AND MOTOR OIL. REPAIRS COST MR $770 DOLLARS. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222266
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2008
Suspension
WHEN DRIVING FASTER THAN 40 MILES AN HOUR THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES LIKE THE WHEELS ARE OUT OF ALIGNMENT OR THE TIRES HAVE A BROKEN BELT. THE FASTER YOU DRIVE, THE MORE PRONOUNCED THE VIBRATION BECOMES. I GOT NEW TIRES, NOT SAME AS OEM, AND IT'S BETTER, BUT STILL VERY NOTICEABLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *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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