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2002 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 567 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the electrical (46% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 17th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Electrical
259 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Anti theft keeps shutting off my car. My car sits outside all the time. It was -4 this morning, went to start car and anti theft keeps shutting down engine. I have not encountered this problem since buying used in sept 06.
Anti-theft system prevented from being able to start on the car. I was able to reset it by turning the key on and waied 15 to 20 minutes. Once this started happening all the time I had to replace the ignition.
Lights
143 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, hazard flashing warning lights, headlights, brake lights.
Turn signals and hazard lights work only occasionally. There is no set time, event, or weather condition that makes them work, or stop working. Sometimes, they will work when I initially turn them on, and stop working before they should turn off.
On 06-12-2005 my blinkers started working intermittantly. They may not work for a few minutes or for longer periods of time and with no warning. They don't work right away even if you restart the vehicle. I've saw this was a common problem with previous models. This is not a problem to be over looked especially if we…
Engine
85 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
3 weeks ago my 2002 chevy Malibu started to run like [email] (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…
I 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.
Brakes
55 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc.
My 2002 chevy Malibu (3 yrs old, just our of factory warranty) with 33,000 miles had the front left brake seize up. I limped it to the dealer, half a mile away from my house. By the time I got there, the front left brakes were smoking. I was told that the caliper seized up because the pads were too worn. Also that the…
Pulsating and grinding noises at 10,000. Dealer replaced rotors and pads under warranty. Same thing at 21,000. Now at 31,000, same problem. Now dealer says they can only turn rotors under warranty and I have to pay for pads and labor. Replacing rotors and brake pads every 10,000 miles is not normal wear and tear.…
Fuel system
29 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system, storage.
: the contact stated that the check engine light illuminated intermittently which was accompanied by the smell of gasoline. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer several times. The first 6 times, the dealer was unable to determine the problem. On the seventh visit, the dealer determined that there was a gas leak…
My 2002 Chevrolet Malibu ls left me stranded at a busy fueling station. The car refused to start due to the faulty passlock ignition switch system. These parts were replaced at an authorized gm service center at approximately 47,000 miles due to the same issue of refusing to start. Now at around 21,000 miles later the…
Other or unspecified
19 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
I purchased my used car in the fall of 2015. Since then, I have experienced several incidents - now occurring more frequently - in which my car will not start because the anti-theft system believes I am trying to steal it. When I turn the key in the ignition, the car will not start and the anti-theft light starts…
Problems getting dealership to pay for recall repair. The dealer stated the vehicle mileage needed to be between 43k-45k miles. The consumer requested her money back.
Air bags
18 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained a cut to the lip, bruising on the forehead, neck injury, and her front teeth were…
The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle causing the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle…
Suspension
14 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The lower control arm produces a popping sound when turning in either direction. A recall was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
: the contact stated that while backing out of a parking space at 5 MPH, the front passenger side shock absorber detached and punctured the tire causing the vehicle to stop completely. The detachment also broke the tie rod and the strut on the passenger side. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where it was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: headlights
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Turn signal failures
Summary
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 o
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (259 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); lights (143 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles); engine (85 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
- It is 17th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints, with 567 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.