IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,567.
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 reportsGM HAS A RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH (GM#14350). WE HAD THE WORK DONE AT A GM DEALER FOR THE RECALL. (DEALER PROVIDES 2 KEY RINGS AND A KEY COVER AND CALLS IT FIXED.) APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T WORK. CAR CURRENTLY IN MY LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DURING INSPECTION, MECHANIC FOUND THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW IGNITION SW…
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GM HAS A RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH (GM#14350). WE HAD THE WORK DONE AT A GM DEALER FOR THE RECALL. (DEALER PROVIDES 2 KEY RINGS AND A KEY COVER AND CALLS IT FIXED.) APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T WORK. CAR CURRENTLY IN MY LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DURING INSPECTION, MECHANIC FOUND THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY TO SOLVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MECHANIC SAYS CAR EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNLESS REPLACED. HE TOOK A VIDEO OF MY IGNITION SHOWING THAT JUST TOUCHING THE KEY WHILE IN IGNITION CAUSES CAR TO TURN OFF. (HAVE 20 YR RELATIONSHIP WITH MECHANIC - VERY RELIABLE.) PLEASE INVESTIGATE IF GM IS REALLY DOING THE PROPER WORK FOR THE RECALL OR JUST SUGAR COATING A DANGEROUS DEFECT.
THERE WAS A BREAKDOWN, OF THE UPPER AND LOWER MANIFOLDS, CAUSED BY THE DEX COOLANT, AND POOR ENGINE DESIGN. COOLANT GOT INTO MY ENGINE, AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED OR A REPLACEMENT ENGINE REPLACED. SENDING A PICTURE OF THE OIL CAP WITH FOAM ON IT, AND ITS LIKE THIS INSIDE THE ENGINE AS WELL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND HAD TO BE CHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND HAD TO BE CHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 238,419. UPDATED 1/19/16 LN *CN
AFTER 10 MINS CAR WAS DRIVEN, PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. WENT INSIDE SHOP, AND AFTER 15MINS, CAME BACK AND TRIED TO START THE CAR, AND CAR DID NOT STARTED. ANTI-THEFT SYMBOL WAS BLINKING. TRIED TO JUMP START, DID NOT WORK. TOOK BATTERY TO AUTO ZONE, AND THEN MENTIONED THAT BATTERY IS NOT GOOD. PURCHASED BATTERY, AND INSTALLED. TUR…
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AFTER 10 MINS CAR WAS DRIVEN, PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. WENT INSIDE SHOP, AND AFTER 15MINS, CAME BACK AND TRIED TO START THE CAR, AND CAR DID NOT STARTED. ANTI-THEFT SYMBOL WAS BLINKING. TRIED TO JUMP START, DID NOT WORK. TOOK BATTERY TO AUTO ZONE, AND THEN MENTIONED THAT BATTERY IS NOT GOOD. PURCHASED BATTERY, AND INSTALLED. TURNED CAR KEY IN ON POSITION. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS BLINKING. AFTER ~10MINS, ANTI-SYSTEM STOPPED BLINKING. TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION, AND TURNED TO ON AND START POSITION, AND CAR STARTED.
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION, THE DEALER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY REPLACED THE KEY RING. *JB
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ONE WAY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IS TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR 10-15 MINUTES, MAY HAVE TO REPEAT THIS PROCEDURE THREE TIMES AND IT STILL MAY NOT START. LOOKING AT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS MANY PEOPLE HAVE SPENT UP TO $1500 FOR REPAIRS THAT DON'T ALWAYS FIX THE ISSUE. BEING S…
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ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ONE WAY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IS TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR 10-15 MINUTES, MAY HAVE TO REPEAT THIS PROCEDURE THREE TIMES AND IT STILL MAY NOT START. LOOKING AT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS MANY PEOPLE HAVE SPENT UP TO $1500 FOR REPAIRS THAT DON'T ALWAYS FIX THE ISSUE. BEING STRANDED IN A VEHICLE IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES COULD BE LIFE THREATING. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AND GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS 1998-2012 MALIBUS AND POSSIBLY SOME OTHER MODELS.
THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH WHEN KEY IS PUT INTO THE IGNITION, UPON TURNING THE IGNITION, CAR WON'T START, DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT, WHY DOES MY CAR NOT RECOGNIZE MY KEY? THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING. THE CAR SHOULDN'T "THINK" THE OWNER IS TRYING TO STEAL IT. HAD TO GET CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD…
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THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH WHEN KEY IS PUT INTO THE IGNITION, UPON TURNING THE IGNITION, CAR WON'T START, DUE TO THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT, WHY DOES MY CAR NOT RECOGNIZE MY KEY? THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING. THE CAR SHOULDN'T "THINK" THE OWNER IS TRYING TO STEAL IT. HAD TO GET CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, QUOTED ME 613$ PLUS TAX. I AM FORCED TO GET IT REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISER SAID UPON REPLACEMENT, THEY WOULD NEED TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER TO RECOGNIZE A NEW KEY! AGAIN, THIS IS DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING, THIS ISN'T JUST A BAD BATTERY, OR BAD ALTERNATOR, THIS IS A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MOTOR, BUT A FAULTY BUILT IN THEFT SYSTEM. THE COMPUTER FAILING IN A VEHICLE PROGRAMMED BY ITS MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. THIS ISN'T THE CONSUMERS FAULT. I AM LUCKY MY MOTOR DIDN'T CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, BECAUSE PREVIOUS TO NOT STARTING UP AT ALL, THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD GO ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE IN DEPENDANT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE IN DEPENDANT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SENSOR, TRIPPED THE ALARM LOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
VERY OFTEN MY CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO THE ANTI LOCK DEFECT WHICH IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND DANGEROUS IN PERSONAL SITUATIONS. I'M SEARCHING ON HOW TO LOOK UP THE RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I'M SEARCHING FOR HELP HOW TO GET THIS FIXED AND RESOLVED PLEASE I WOULD GREATLY A…
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VERY OFTEN MY CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO THE ANTI LOCK DEFECT WHICH IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND DANGEROUS IN PERSONAL SITUATIONS. I'M SEARCHING ON HOW TO LOOK UP THE RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I'M SEARCHING FOR HELP HOW TO GET THIS FIXED AND RESOLVED PLEASE I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP THANK YOU *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.