2002 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 567 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (41% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 567 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The turn signals work sometimes and sometimes they don't work. I researched this on the internet and it seams to be a serious problem with this car make. If there are no recalls on this there should be. This is a major safety hazard. I just bought this car for my teenage son.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2020
“The hydraulic brake lines between the front and rear of the car corroded and quickly leaked fluid out so the brakes no longer functioned. The fluid leaked out when the car was parked after driving on the highway the night before. If this happened when I was driving the results could have been catestophic my mechanic stated that this is a common problem with chevys. I saved some of the brake lines he had to remove.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2020
“Car would not start, had to replace alternator. One week later same problem, had a mechanic check it now saying its the battery so replaced that. Was starting ok then it wouldn't start so we wiggled key around and it started. Was able to drive several days doing this but then it would not start at all. The mechanic says it is the ignition switch. When I looked this up I see that lots of people having problem with ignition switch. Gm cars are crap!!! I cant afford to fix this I am on very limited budget so my car been siting for over month now. Gm needs to fix for free.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the key felt hot while in the ignition. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 92,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2018
“My car cuts off and goes into the anti-theft system while I'm going down the road when this happens my car has to be pushed off the roadway and then I have to sit with my driver side door open and my key turned on for 10 minutes until it resets itself this is very dangerous and it scared me because I was in the middle of highway 150 in danville kentucky. Plusmy heating system is messed up I can't get it to bleed out the air in the system.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. While turning the ignition switch, the vehicle stalled and the anti-theft warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. Updated 09/06/17*lj”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
“My car dies running and it sometimes doesn't wants to start due to a switch problem the same I had in other malibu that I had and the dealer fixed for me”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator illuminated and anti-freeze was leaking out of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket blew out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The ourisman chevrolet dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 10,333.”Owner report · Engine · May 2017
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Malibu by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
NHTSA has 567 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The most complained-about area is electrical system (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.