IllustrationFROM THE FIRST DAY I HAD THIS CAR, THE BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY IN THE FIRST FEW USES OF THE BRAKES, ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR MISSES OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES NOT ENGAGING AND SOMETIMES NOT RELEASING-A THUMPING SOUND IS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKE CYLINDER PISTON RELEASES. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. THEY BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, BUT WERE BLINKING VERY FAST. CURRENTLY, THE HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V107000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) AND INVESTIGATION NUMBER …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED. THEY BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, BUT WERE BLINKING VERY FAST. CURRENTLY, THE HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V107000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS) AND INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE05055 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED BULBS AND FUSES IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM
THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEMS- FAILURE , IGNITION PROBLEMS, REPLACEMENT, FAILURE TO START. *TR
THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH MY HAZARD SWITCH AND BLINKERS ON MY CAR. THEY WORK BASICALLY WHEN THEY WANT TO. I HAD BROUGHT IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALER OVER A YEAR AGO AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS REFERRING TO. IT SEEMS AS IF ITS A DEFECT WITH THE CAR AND I'M NOT SURE BOUT FINDING OUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. *TR
I FOUND OUT THAT MY INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING AND THAT GM KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 02 MALIBU. WHEN I CALLED TO ASK ABOUT IT THEY SAID THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT/PASSLOCK SYSTEM OF MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT HE REPORTED THAT ONE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. THE CAR EITHER SELECTIVELY WON'T START, AND THE THEFT LIGHT COMES O…
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THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-THEFT/PASSLOCK SYSTEM OF MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT HE REPORTED THAT ONE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. THE CAR EITHER SELECTIVELY WON'T START, AND THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE TO LET THE KEY SIT IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MIN, AND THEN IT USUALLY STARTS. ONCE THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, AND THE THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF ON ME AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 40 MINUTES. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERS ARE GIVING ME A RUN-AROUND. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION SWITCH, TOTALING OVER $1100, AND THE CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEN AFTER TALKING TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER, I DISCOVERED THAT HE HAD THE SAME 2 THINGS REPLACED WHEN HE OWNED THE CAR, ONLY 3-4 YEARS AGO. I TALKED TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY ARE GIVING ME A HARD TIME, AND I DON'T TRUST THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM THIS TIME EITHER, LET ALONE FREE OF CHARGE. I ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY, BUT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE VERY HELPFUL. I HAVE COME ACROSS SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE ON THE INTERNET AND FROM OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CARS. I'M WONDERING WHY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL. PLEASE HELP!!! I'M OUT OF MONEY FOR MORE REPAIRS, AND I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT FEAR OF IT STOPPING OR NOT STARTING ON ME. *TR
WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET OR SNOWY, AND THERE IS POSSIBLE SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD, THE ABS IS ENGAGED EVEN WHEN YOU ARE PULLING UP SLOWLY TO THE STOP SIGN, OR SLOWING DOWN TO ARRIVE HOME, OR EVEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY... WHAT HAPPENS, IS WHEN DOING THOSE THINGS IN WEATHER AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IF YOU ATTEMPT TO PUT THE BREAKS…
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WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET OR SNOWY, AND THERE IS POSSIBLE SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD, THE ABS IS ENGAGED EVEN WHEN YOU ARE PULLING UP SLOWLY TO THE STOP SIGN, OR SLOWING DOWN TO ARRIVE HOME, OR EVEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY... WHAT HAPPENS, IS WHEN DOING THOSE THINGS IN WEATHER AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IF YOU ATTEMPT TO PUT THE BREAKS ON IT MAKES AN AWFUL GRINDING SOUND AND PUSHED BACK ON YOU SO YOU CANT BREAK... THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES JUST BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY... I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN BEHIND SOMEONE THIS IS RIGHT ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET SO I WAS NOT SPEEDING AT ALL, IT WAS A RAINY DAY BUT THE RAIN WAS LIGHT, I HAVE BRAND NEW TIRES ON MY CAR TOO. AS I PULLED UP BEHIND MY NEIGHBORS CAR TO THE STOP SIGN, I WAS BARELY PUSHING DOWN MY BREAK PEDDLE WHEN IT PUSHED BACK AT ME AND MADE T HIS DEEP SOUND I COULDN'T STOP AND I ALMOST HIT MY NEIGHBOR. I WENT TO MY LONG TIME MECHANIC AND HE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE ON A CLEAR DAY.... HE TOOK IT ON SOME GRAVEL AND STOPPED HARD WELL THE BREAKS DID THE SAME THING. HE SAID IT WAS THE ABS EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T LOOK AT THEM. I THINK IT IS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER VEHICLES IN MY LIFE AND NON OF THEM DID THAT TO ME ON WET OR SNOWY DAYS! I KNOW IT ISN'T NORMAL AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND IF THE ABS ARE GOING TO BE THAT STINGY THEN MY CHANCES OF CRASHING WILL BE 99% HIGHER! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY 25% OF THE COST FOR A NEW ENGINE. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH HER YEAR, MAKE,…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY 25% OF THE COST FOR A NEW ENGINE. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. GENERAL MOTORS ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER INSTEAD OF HAVING IT TOWED, EVEN THOUGH IT COULD CATCH FIRE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
I HAVE HAD MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2002. AFTER RUNNING FINE FOR A FEW YEARS, IT BEGAN TO DEVELOP RECURRING PROBLEMS. THE WHEEL BEARINGS (BOTH FRONT) HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ALONG WITH THE CALIPERS. *TR
I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAD THE THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COME ON AND PAID $700 TO FIX THAT. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD...$500. I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK AND PAID $800 TO FIX THAT. EVERY TIME I GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED TOO, UNTIL THE LAST TIME WHEN THE CALIBERS HAD…
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I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAD THE THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COME ON AND PAID $700 TO FIX THAT. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD...$500. I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK AND PAID $800 TO FIX THAT. EVERY TIME I GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED TOO, UNTIL THE LAST TIME WHEN THE CALIBERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL $900. NOW I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING MY PIECE OF JUNK. *TR
Official recalls
214V400000 · 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
1PE05055 · 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.