Total Complaints
754 filings
CHEVROLET MALIBU · model year
754 NHTSA complaints, 28 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002CHEVROLETMALIBU carries 754 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 28 crashes, 1 fire, 32 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 MALIBU is electrical system with 182 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module (62) and exterior lighting (49). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2002 MALIBU, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
754 filings
Crashes Reported
28 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 182 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE | 62 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 49 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | 40 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH | 36 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 28 |
| ENGINE | 22 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 19 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 17 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 15 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH | 13 |
| AIR BAGS | 12 |
| STEERING | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 11 |
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 agen
The anti-theft/ passlock system fault in this generation of GM vehicles is very widespread and effects a large percentage of vehicles in this generation. I am sure there have been hundreds if not thousands of complaints about same issue and GM refuses to fix the problem. The problem causes the car to randomly shut off due to anti theft fault and can happen on interstate, highway or in town driving. This is a very dangerous fault and very expensive for owners especially when dealerships themselves don't even know what they are dealing with. They will throw parts at the problem with no real knowledge. GM needs to be held accountable. Currently the ignition the BCM have been replaced and now the car will not start at all and I have no lights or gauges on my cluster.
The anti-theft/ passlock system fault in this generation of GM vehicles is very widespread and effects a large percentage of vehicles in this generation. I am sure there have been hundreds if not thousands of complaints about same issue and GM refuses to fix the problem. The problem causes the car to randomly shut off due to anti theft fault and can happen on interstate, highway or in town driving. This is a very dangerous fault and very expensive for owners especially when dealerships themselves don't even know what they are dealing with. They will throw parts at the problem with no real knowledge. GM needs to be held accountable. Currently the ignition the BCM have been replaced and now the car will not start at all and I have no lights or gauges on my cluster.
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.
Mileage: 137,800
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.
Mileage: 137,800
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.
Mileage: 42,000
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE ENGINE JUST DIES RANDOMLY. WHEN THE ENGINE DIES, I NOTED THE GAUGES ALL INDICATED THE KEY WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, EVEN THOUGH THE KEY HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED. THEY BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND WIGGLING IT ONLY AFTER BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUTTING THE GEAR SHIFT IN THE PARK POSITION, COULD I GET THE CAR TO START AND BE ON MY WAY. THIS SAME CONDITION HAPPENS AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY; AT 0 MPH; 5 MPH; APPROACHING A STOP SIGN; SLOWING THE VEHICLE, AND OTHER CONDITION WHILE DRIVING THAT YOU CAN THINK OF TYPE DRIVING CONDITIONS . I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACE TWICE AND THAT HAS NOT CURED THE PROBLEM.
Mileage: 131,652
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATED WHEN STARTED. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING BECAME VERY DIM AND THE DATA ON THE SCREEN WAS NOT VISIBLE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE WINDOWS FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT JUMPED THE BATTERY AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED. LATER, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. THE MECHANIC WAS CURRENTLY PERFORMING A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,786.
Mileage: 46,786
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATED WHEN STARTED. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING BECAME VERY DIM AND THE DATA ON THE SCREEN WAS NOT VISIBLE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE WINDOWS FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT JUMPED THE BATTERY AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED. LATER, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. THE MECHANIC WAS CURRENTLY PERFORMING A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,786.
Mileage: 46,786
PASSLOCK CENSOR IN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER FAILING. SECURITY RELEARN NEEDED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Mileage: 154,000
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.
Mileage: 107,490
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.
Mileage: 92,000
MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME AND IT WAS SHUT OFF MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME IT WILL SHUT OFF WELL DRIVING ILL PULL OVER AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND I WILL PULL OUT THE FUEL FUSE AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND WILL PUT IT BACK AND IT WILL START AGAIN AFTER A WEEK IT SHUT OFF ON ME AND WOULD NOT START HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC HE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND MARJORAM WORKED FOR 5DAYS THEN THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN CHANGED THE SENSORS WORKED OK FOR 2DAYS AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN SO I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER ALL FUSES STILL NOTHING ITS BEEN SITTING FOR 3 TO 4 MONTHS NOW I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM I CHANGED EVERYTHING U CAN THING OF NOW THE CHECK ENGINE AND TEST SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON
MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME AND IT WAS SHUT OFF MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME IT WILL SHUT OFF WELL DRIVING ILL PULL OVER AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND I WILL PULL OUT THE FUEL FUSE AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND WILL PUT IT BACK AND IT WILL START AGAIN AFTER A WEEK IT SHUT OFF ON ME AND WOULD NOT START HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC HE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND MARJORAM WORKED FOR 5DAYS THEN THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN CHANGED THE SENSORS WORKED OK FOR 2DAYS AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN SO I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER ALL FUSES STILL NOTHING ITS BEEN SITTING FOR 3 TO 4 MONTHS NOW I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM I CHANGED EVERYTHING U CAN THING OF NOW THE CHECK ENGINE AND TEST SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON
MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME AND IT WAS SHUT OFF MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME IT WILL SHUT OFF WELL DRIVING ILL PULL OVER AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND I WILL PULL OUT THE FUEL FUSE AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND WILL PUT IT BACK AND IT WILL START AGAIN AFTER A WEEK IT SHUT OFF ON ME AND WOULD NOT START HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC HE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND MARJORAM WORKED FOR 5DAYS THEN THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN CHANGED THE SENSORS WORKED OK FOR 2DAYS AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN SO I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER ALL FUSES STILL NOTHING ITS BEEN SITTING FOR 3 TO 4 MONTHS NOW I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM I CHANGED EVERYTHING U CAN THING OF NOW THE CHECK ENGINE AND TEST SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON
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.
Mileage: 155,263
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.
Mileage: 155,263
KEY DOES NOT SHUT OFF CAR CAN NOT SHIFT GEARS
ANTI-THEFT LOCKING DEVICE MAKE CAR STOP AND CAN'T START EVEN IN EMERGENCY SITUATION. HAD GONE TO BANK AND WHEN TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND WOULDN'T START. CLIENT IS 88 YEARS OLD AND HAD TO GO OUT ON STREET SEEKING HELP TO GET CAR FIXED. (FORGOT CELL PHONE AT HOME) WALKED SOME DISTANCE AND WAS HAVING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS WHEN SHE REACHED AN AUTO SHOP. MECHANIC WENT TO CAR TO HELP AND FIXED PROBLEM. SAID IT WAS ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM. THIS SAME THING HAS HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS ANTI-THEFT LOCKING DEVICE. RESEARCHING MATTER ON INTERNET AND FIND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CHEVROLETS EXHIBITING THE SAME DEFECT. WHY ISN'T CHEVROLET REQUIRED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME DIES AS A RESULT. WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL CIRCUMSTANCES OF BEING STRANDED, WHERE WHEN HOW ETC., AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE ON FIXED INCOME THEY CAN'T KEEP GOING TO DEALER AND HAVE $108 DIAGNOSIS TO DETE
Mileage: 46,000
ANTI THEFT DEVICE CAUSED CAR TO BE UNABLE TO START EVEN WITH CORRECT KEY. STATIONARY. COMPUTER HAD TO.BE REPROGRAMMED.
CAR WILL NOT START
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.