IllustrationI BOUGHT MY 2002 MALIBU IN 2003 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT THE MILEAGE WAS 74000 NOW IT IS AT 109000 KL AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *JB
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 reports3 WEEKS AGO MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU STARTED TO RUN LIKE #@$% (HESITATION BETWEEN 0- 35 MPH AND GOING UP HILL, LOSS IN POWER, AND SLOW AT CATCHING UP TO FREEWAY SPEED). I HAVE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, COILS, AND THE EGR VALVE AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. WELL, AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE, I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME P…
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3 WEEKS AGO MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU STARTED TO RUN LIKE #@$% (HESITATION BETWEEN 0- 35 MPH AND GOING UP HILL, LOSS IN POWER, AND SLOW AT CATCHING UP TO FREEWAY SPEED). I HAVE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, COILS, AND THE EGR VALVE AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. WELL, AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ONLINE, I FOUND OTHER PEOPLE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT THAT IT'S WITH THEIR CAT CONVERTER. I CAN'T EVEN ORDER THE PART ONLINE BECAUSE OF STRICT EMISSION CONTROL IN CALIFORNIA, I NEED A MECHANIC TO DO IT,GET IT STRAIGHT FROM THE DEALER, OR HAVE AUTO ZONE DO A SPECIAL ORDER FOR ME (I FOUND A MECHANIC THAT WILL DO IT FOR $800). NEXT IS MY HEAD GASKET, WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. ON 4-8-06 I GOT AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS OIL IN MY COOLANT RESERVOIR TANK, WHICH MEANS I HAVE AN OIL LEAK. SO NOW I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR IN AND HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED WHICH WON'T BE CHEAP EITHER. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND I CAME UPON THIS WEBSITE WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV , I REALIZED THAT OTHER CONSUMERS ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SO WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHY DOESN'T GM DO RECALLS. NOW I MAY NEED TO FORK OUT A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS IF NOT A THOUSAND OR MORE TO FIX (CORRECT) A FAULTY CAT CONVERTER AND HEAD GASKET. *NM
AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT. *JB
1. VEHICLE IS LOW MILEAGE GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. AN ODOR WAS NOTICEABLE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. DROVE CAR A FEW MILES AND PARKED, WHEN CAME OUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER. 2. STARTED CAR, TRIED TO TURN ON TO DRIVEWAY TO LEAVE AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. SMELLED BAD. 3. THE KEEFERS AUTO SERVICE RELATED THE AC COMPRESS…
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1. VEHICLE IS LOW MILEAGE GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. AN ODOR WAS NOTICEABLE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. DROVE CAR A FEW MILES AND PARKED, WHEN CAME OUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER. 2. STARTED CAR, TRIED TO TURN ON TO DRIVEWAY TO LEAVE AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. SMELLED BAD. 3. THE KEEFERS AUTO SERVICE RELATED THE AC COMPRESSOR CLUTCH HAD FROZEN UP. THEY REPLACED THIS PART AND RECHARGED THE AC SYSTEM ETC. I BELIEVE THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY 11000 MILES, IS VERY SERIOUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS REPAIR WAS JUST COMPLETED TODAY 4/3/6 SO IF YOU INTERESTED IN THE OLD PARTS OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SERVICE PLEASE CONTACT TOM KEEFER AT KEEFER'S AUTO SALES AND SERVICE (717) 334 2923. HE IS VERY NICE AND REPUTABLE. *NM
THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING/OCCURRED IN THE 2000 AND 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S (OF WHICH THERE IS A RECALL) IS OCCURRING IN MY 2002 MALIBU. *NM
FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE VEHICLE DID NOT SPEED AS USUAL AND HAD TO RETURN TO LANE TO AVOID ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE STRUGGLED FROM 0 TO 25 MPH. WHEN GOING UP BRIDGE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 20 MPH. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE MUCH …
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FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE VEHICLE DID NOT SPEED AS USUAL AND HAD TO RETURN TO LANE TO AVOID ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE STRUGGLED FROM 0 TO 25 MPH. WHEN GOING UP BRIDGE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 20 MPH. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE MUCH POWER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND REPLACED SENSORS BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF PROBLEM MECHANIC REALIZED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE. I ENTERED THE WEBSITE TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM (RECOMMENDATION FROM MECHANIC).*JB
ATTEMPTING TO START CAR, THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND DISABLES CAR. HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER TO GET FIXED. NON-DEALER MECHANIC CANNOT FIX. ONLY GM OR CHEVY DEALER. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAD A 98 SAME MODEL THAT DID THE SAME THING AT LEAST 4 TIMES. *JB
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURES OF THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD FLASHERS. THE PROBLEM TENDS TO EXHIBIT ITSELF MORE OFTEN IN WARM AND/OR HUMID CONDITIONS. *NM
SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT LATCH. NO MATTER HOW OFTEN THE BELT TAB IS INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE IT WILL NOT LATCH. THE RELEASE BUTTON IS NOT STUCK IN. ATTEMPTED TO LUBRICATE BUCKLE WITH WD-40, BUT NO LUCK. *AK
INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. AFTER BRIEFLY TURNING ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS, THE TURN SIGNALS WILL SOMETIMES WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BUT INEVITABLY THEY FAIL AGAIN SOON AFTERWARD.
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.