NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NO INCIDENTS, CRASHES OR INJURY'S WHILE IN MY POSSESSION. THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU I BOUGHT USED IN 2004 ONLY HAD 11,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A GOVERNMENT USED CAR. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR THE BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING AND THEN BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THEY NOW WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO WORK. NOW, ALMOST A YEAR LATER AT 41,000 MILES THE HORN BLOWS A SHORT BEEP ANYTIME. THE CAR MAY BE RUNNING OR NOT, THERE MAY NOT BE ANYONE EVEN IN THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AND NOW THERE IS A BEEPING TONE INSIDE THAT I HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED. IT DOESN'T DO IT CONSTANTLY BUT I NOTICE IT WHEN I START THE CAR. IT IS A SHORT "ALERT" BEEP, KIND OF LIKE AN ALARM. IT BEEPS ONCE, PAUSE, AND THEN ABOUT THREE TIMES PAUSE AND THEN ONCE MORE. JUST WONDERING IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS AS THE WARRANTY IS NOT IN AFFECT ANY LONGER. IN ADDITION TO THESE THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT THREE OCCASIONS WHERE MY CAR HESTITATED WHEN STARTING KIND OF LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. COULD THIS BE FROM THE HORN BLOWING ALL DAY AND NIGHT? HAVE ALSO REPLACED BRAKES MORE OFTEN THAN I THOUGHT I SHOULD.
CAR COUGHS/HESITATES WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 65-75 MPH. BEGAN DOING WHEN I MOVED TO ARIZONA. DID NOT DO IT IN FL USING REGULAR GRADE GAS. DEALER SAID MY FUEL FILTER WAS ALL CLOGGED AND DIRTY AND THE FUEL WAS GETTING DARK COLORED. SAID I NEED TO USE CHEVRON OR ARCO GAS AS THEY PUT A DETERGENT IN THEIR GAS THAT GMC IS RECOMMENDING FOR ALL THEIR CARS. DEALER CHANGED FUEL FILTERS AND AIR FILTER. I TRIED REGULAR GRADE GAS FROM ARCO. NO DIFFERENCE. AM TAKING IT BACK TO SERVICE AT DEALER AGAIN.*AK
WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE WOULD START. UT WHEN CONSUMER TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY IT WOULD NOT COME OUT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS CSTUCK IN THE IGNITION CONSUMER COULD SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC MAINTAINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED WITH THE KEY'S FAILURE TO COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. BUT THE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WAS DUPLICATED AND REPAIRED. *AK THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. WHEN THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION THE CAR WILL COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TC
THE TURN SIGNALS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON A PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLE, SAME MAKE AND MODEL, FOR THE EXISTING PROBLEM. *JB THE RECALL WAS FOR HEADLIGHTS. *TC
THE CONSUMER STATEED THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
DT: IN AUGUST 2004 CONSUMER HAD RIGHT AND LEFT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLIES REPLACED. NOW THE ABS ACTIVATES AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. NOW CONSUMER IS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY SAID THE PART THEY PUT IN LAST AUGUST WAS UNDER A 12 MONTH OR 12000 MILE WARRANTY AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. *TT
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIO EQUIPMENT. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE THE TIME AND THE RADIO WOULD LOSE STATIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ ABOVE NORMAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD CUT OFF AND WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD THERE WOULD BE A HESITATION. *SC
THE SIGNAL INDICATORS AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER FAILED. *AK THE RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED HARD. THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON IT'S THIRD REPAIR FOR BRAKE ROTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB
BRAKES 2001 MALIBU CHEV. 35,000 MILES BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED 4 TIMES. *LA
TURN LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION SOMETIMES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR VEHICLES MAKE YEAR 2000 AND 2001. I HAVE 2002 MAKE CAR.*AK
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT COMPLETELY STOP. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING STOPPING PROBLEMS. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED. THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. THUS FAR, THE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TEN TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED OR DIAGNOSED. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB
THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, (ABS) BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED ABS BRAKE MONITOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
WHILE DECREASING THE SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIME BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
A TRASH BAG HAD WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE OF A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU RESULTING IN THE BRAKE HOSE RIPPING. *MR *SC THE CV BOOT WAS ALSO CRUSHED DUE TO THE CONSUMER RUNNING OVER A LARGE TRASH BAG. *JB
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START. CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TURN SIGNAL SWITCH OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY -- SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO 2000-2001 MY, WHICH WAS RECALLED AT 03V327000. HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE.*AK ABS LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME.
VEHICLE STARTED PRODUCING A HIGH PITCHED SQEAK/SQUEAL WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT AFTER 26000 MI. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPOLACED AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WENT DUE TO MY DRIVING HABITS, HOWEVER NONE OF THE OTHER NEW VEHICLES I'VE OWNED IN THE PAST 10 YEARS HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED UNTIL AT LEAST 50000 MI. DEALER DISAGREED AND TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE JOB, I ARGUAED AGAIN AND FINALLY GOT THE DEALER TO AT LEAST PAY FOR THE TURNING OF THE ROTORS. WORK HAS NOT BEEN DONE YET DUE TO SCHEDULING PROBLEM.*AK
WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE PRODUCES A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAL AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. *NM
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. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THESE CARS. GM NEEDS TO FIX THE ROOT OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE MALIBU.*AK
THE VEHICLE HAS A NONCONFORMITY, THE FRONT BRAKES. (NAR) *PH PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS CAUSED THE ROTOR TO WARP. DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS MALFUNCTION, BUT FAILED. *CB *JB
UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNING IT IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO MOVE. THE REMEDY WAS TO HAVE THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. FIVE MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING RECURRED, AND AGAIN THE SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT THE BUSHINGS ON THE FRONT STRUTS OF THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU RATTLE AND SQUEAK STARTING AROUND 30K MILES AND GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL UNIT TENDS TO GO BAD. BOTH ARE RATHER COSTLY TO FIX PROBLEMS DIDN'T SURFACE TILL AFTER THE 3/36 WARRANTY WAS UP. *JB
ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU LS THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD BUTTON HAS BECOME INOPERATIVE AT RANDOM DRIVING TIMES. BASICALLY IT MIMMICKS THE EXACT RECALL OF THE 2001 MALIBUS. I HAD SOMEONE WHO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MALIBU STATE THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MORE TIMES THAN NOT, THE SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. *NM
OVER HEATING PROBLEMS AND COOLANT LEAKS DUE TO A FAULTY INTAKE GASKET. DEALERSHIP WANTS $660.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM NEEDS TO DO RECALL. VEHICLE INFO 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU V6 ENGINE.*AK THIS PROBLEM LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY HWY
THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR SOMETIMES DID NOT WORK AT ALL. RECALL 03V327000 CONCERNING HAZARD WARNING SWITCH WAS ISSUED. CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SHE CAME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT. *AK
DT: THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONSUMER HEARD NOISES AND THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS NOT GOING TO STOP. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. THE DEALER WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE GENERAL STATE INSPECTORS OFFICE. *AK THE NOISE REMAINED THE SAME. THE VEHICLE FELT UNSAFE DURING EXTREME WET WEATHER. *SC *JB
BRAKES ON 2002 MALIBU PADS WEAR UNEVEN ROTORS WORN UNEVEN CALALIPERS ARE NOT WORKING RIGHT. CHEVY WON'T TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RED LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE IS LOW. ANTI-FREEZE WOULD LEAK OUT THE TANK AND DAMAGE THE WATER PUMP AND BALANCER. THE CONTACT WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT THE FAULTY TANK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.
THE BRAKES FAILED AT 13000 MILES CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY. THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AND WORN DOWN TO NOTHING, CREATING AN UNSAFE STOPPING CONDITION FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY. *NLM
BRAKE ROTORS WERE SO THIN AFTER LESS THAN 30K COMMUTER MILE THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP JUST TOLD ME THAT ROTORS WERE CONSUMABLES.
FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. *AK
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. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, AND WILL NOT RESTART. *AK
CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT WHILE TRAVELING 500 MILES FROM HOME. MILEAGE WAS ONLY 60000 MILES. WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT PART WAS ON NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE RENTAL OR TOWING. WE WERE STUCK FOR TWO EXTRA DAYS WHILE SOMEONE TOOK COVERTER OFF AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT IT. THEN I WAS INFORMED BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I HAD VOIDED WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO GET COVERTER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ONLY AFTER A HUGE FIT WAS THROWN ON MY BEHALF. SECOND, GAS CAP SEAL IS BAD; AFTER FILL UP SOMETIMES HAVE TO RESTART CAR BECAUSE EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON. THIRD, AT 80000 MILES THE INTAKE AIR GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST OF $1200. FOURTH, WHILE TRYING TO INSTALL AFTER MARKET CD PLAYER DISCOVERED THAT YOU HAVE TO BUY $100 WIRE HARNESS AND NEW FRONT SPEAKER IN ORDER FOR STEREO TO WORK, THE WAY CHEVY MADE IT TO BE.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE TURN SIGNALS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE USED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES WERE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU 07-04-03 WITH 4500 MILES. NOTICED THE TIRES HAD CRACKS BETWEEN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALLS. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE TIRES. FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT TIRE AT NO CHARGE, STATED IT LOOKED LIKE PREMATURE DRY ROT. FIRESTONE AFFINITY, DOT 8XMWAAA4501, P215/60R15. *AK
INSIDE DISC PADS WORE OUT AT 21000 MILES. HAD PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS CHECKED. CALIPER IS NOW STICKING AGAIN AND INSIDE PAD IS RUBBING*AK
2002 MALIBU. ROTORS AND PADS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES AND PADS ALONE ONCE IN 35000 MILES. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S AND GRAND AM'S. BRAKES WILL BE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED FOR 2004. WHY REDESIGN IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM?? *JB
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE CONSUMER FELT THAT FUEL WAS NOT FLOWING TO THE ENGINE PROPERLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. EACH TIME DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH THEN MALFUNCTIONED SOON AFTER WARDS.*AK
THERE WAS A SEVERE PULSATION EVERY TIME I USED THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 20133 MILES ON IT. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE ROTORS TO BE WARPED AND I KNOW THAT PADS LAST A LOT LONGER THAN 20000 MILES. *JB
IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON. *AK
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MADE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE. *JB
PREMATURE BRAKE AND ROTOR WEAR ON 2002 MALIBU , FRONT BRAKES REPLACED TWICE IN 2 YEARS AT ABOUT 17,000 AND 34,000 MILES. *JB
AT 15,000 MILES I HAD A PISTON KNOCK DEVELOP. PISTONS WERE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. GAS CAP SEAL BAD AT SAME TIME. DECK LID NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. AT 25,000 THE REAR LEFT SPEAKER WAS REPLACED DUE NOT WORKING AND THE TORQUE CLUTCH CONVERTER WAS COMING APART AND STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. FIRST PROBLEM WAS NOTED IN 2002.*JB
THE ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE WARPED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AND CONTINUE TO WARP EVERY TWO TO FOUR MONTHS. THIS IS CAUSING WEAR ON THE BRAKES WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 21338 MILES AT MY COST AND AGAIN AT 31474 MILES AT THE DEALERS COST.
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH A MOTORIST FAILED TO YIELD AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON THE ROOF, AND SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. *AK