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.
CHEVROLET MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS" BEGINS TO LEAK ANYWHERE AROUND 80,000 MILES OF DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO LEAK COOLANT, TO OVERHEAT, AND MOTOR WILL LOCK, BURN OUT. THIS CAR WAS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD, AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAD THIS WORK DONE OF THEIR CARS COSTING $500.00 TO $700.00 I FELT AS THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO IMPROVE THIS GASKET AND REPLACE THE CARS THAT ALREADY HAD THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *AK
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU, WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON 02/28/2007, AND WORKED WELL UNTIL 03/16/2007 WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. ON 03/23/2007 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO TURN ON SINCE THAT TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,667. *AK
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. BOUGHT THE CAR 1 YEAR AGO. FIRST HAPPENED IN AUGUST 06. HAPPENED AGAIN IN JANUARY. NOW IN FEBRUARY IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK. CAR WILL NOT START, HAVE TO RESET THE KEY AND I HAVE FOUND NO ONE WHO HAS TAKEN THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER HAVE IT COMPLETELY FIXED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON MALIBU'S STARTING WITH 99-04 MODELS. NOW LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY, MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. GM WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS, BUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVE. "QUICK FIX" SOLUTIONS ARE NOW GOING AROUND THE INTERNET TELLING PEOPLE TO CUT WIRES IN THEIR DASH TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE CUTS THE WRONG WIRE AND KILLS SOMEONE IN RESULT TO FIXING GM SCREW UP. *JB
GM V6 DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO DISAPPEAR THROUGH ENGINE OR INTO ENGINE OIL. CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, AND POSSIBLE SEVER INTERNAL DAMAGE. LAST FAILURE WAS ON 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU AT 39000 MILES,IT FAILED 2 TIMES ON 1998 PONTIAC MONTANA UNDER 80000 MILES, FAILED 2 TIMES ON 2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE UNDER 80000 MILES. FAILED 1 TIME ON 2002 MALIBU. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF DEFECT, BUT DID NOT TELL CUSTOMER. *AK
CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE "THEFT DETERRENT" SYSTEM, RESULTING IN FAILURE TO START. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SAME PART THREE TIMES. LAST TIME THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN, AND CHARGED ME FOR THE TOW TO GET THE CAR BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX TIMES NOW IN THE PAST YEAR. *NM
FIRST INCIDENT OF LEAKING HAPPENED AFTER DEALERSHIP WORKED ON CAR. ARRIVED HOME COOLANT POURED OUT ON GROUND TOWED BACK. DEALERSHIP SAID RESERVOIR CAP SEAL. 10/2006 OR 11/2006, PICKING UP AT SCHOOL AND SMELLED NOT ENGINE. PARKED SAW COOLANT ON GROUND. NO ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT NEEDLE WAS PAST MIDDLE. FAMILY BROUGHT COOLANT FILLED IT UP AND WENT 5 BLOCKS TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. YESTERDAY, 1/9/2007 CAR OVERHEATED IN THE SCHOOL LINE. ADDED COOLANT. I BROUGHT IT TO A NON DEALERSHIP RADIATOR SHOP OWNER THINKS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. CAR AT DEALERSHIP. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS BUT BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED FEEL DEALERSHIP WILL TELL ME IT IS A NEW PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST EVENT SO I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE. AT LEAST TWO ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL & 5 SETS OF PADS. REPORTED TO GM THEY CLAIM IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE! A NON DEALERSHIP TIRE COMPANY HAD THE PADS REPLACED WITH A GOOD BRAND. 1 1/2 YEARS SINCE I HAD TO HAVE PADS. PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS. CAR IS RUNNING AND THE DRIVER GETS OUT LEAVING CAR ON AND THEN THE PASSENGER TURNS OFF THE CAR AND GETS OUT, LOCKS CAR, THE RADIO STAYS ON. I WENT INSIDE THE STORE AND CAME OUT AND THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING. WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE CAR BUT ENTER ONLY THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND THEN CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY, THE CAR LOCKS ITSELF. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD NOT PLACED THE KEYS ON THE SEAT OF THE CAR AND SHUT THE DOOR OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT. I REPORTED THIS BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE. RADIO WAS REPLACED FOR LEFT BUTTON PAINT (NOT SURE IF IT IS PAINT OR COVER ON BUTTON) RUBS OFF. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED.. I TRANSPORT GRANDCHILDREN AND I NEED A SAFE CAR. *JB
THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THEN CAR WOULDN'T START LAST NIGHT. CAR WENT TO MECHANIC AND THEY REPLACED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION SWITCH. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *NM
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEM IN MALIBU. CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS KEY IS LEFT IN THE IGNITION FOR 10 MINS. HAPPENS ABOUT 3 TIMES A DAY. *TR
PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS AWFUL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE MECHANIC CHANGED AN UNSPECIFIED PART. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE REPAIR SHOP. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A GMC DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
2002 CHEVY MALIBU (85,000 MILES) = APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO ENGINE OVERHEATED AND "NEED COOLANT" LIGHT CAME ON. OWNER REFILLED COOLANT. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER "COOLANT" LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND OWNER REFILLED COOLANT. NO VISIBLE LEAK OF COOLANT WAS NOTICED UNDER VEHICLE. AT NEXT OIL CHANGE OWNER ASKED TECHNICIAN TO CHECK COOLANT AND TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE, NO DISCERNIBLE LEAK. JULY 2006 ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON, OWNER REFILLED, THIS OCCURRED AGAIN IN LATE AUGUST AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER. DECEMBER 22, 2006, OWNER HAD OIL CHANGE AND ASKED TECHNICIAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT CHEVROLETS REGULARLY GET AIR BUBBLES IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND OFTEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH COOLANT BECAUSE OF IT. HE CHECKED THE COOLANT PRESSURE, HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND SUGGESTED TO DO A FLUSH AND FILL, THE OWNER AGREED. ON DEC. 26, 2006, THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE OWNER ADDED ADDITIONAL COOLANT. ON DEC. 29, 2006, OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE CENTER. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A DAMAGED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THE CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER PERFORMED THE SERVICE AND REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON DEC. 30, 2006. *NM
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. *NM
BRAKE ROTORS ON 2002 MALIBU FAILING EVERY 18000 TO 20000 MILES. (3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS) I HAD THE ROTORS AND BRAKES CHECKED 7 MONTHS AFTER THE LATEST REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF VIOLENT SHIMMING IN THE FRONT END AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITH MY ROTORS AND BRAKES. NOW 5 MONTHS LATER(AFTER THE PARTS WARRANTY EXPIRED) I AM TOLD I NEED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKES. GM KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. I HAVE HAD 5 NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENT SHIM WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. ALL THE DEALERSHIP WILL SAY IS THEY CAN "SEE A PATTERN". I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY DEATHS WERE CAUSED BY THIS PATTERN! *NM
AT 62,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT WAS ON. I FILLED THE COOLANT. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND I FILLED IT A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT THE LEAK. THEN, I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH MY 2002 CHEVY IMPALA. THE HEAD GASKETS NEEDED REPLACED. I WAS LEAKING WATER INTO MY ENGINE. CAN YOU IMAGINE BUYING TWO NEW CHEVY AUTOMOBILES IN THE SAME YEAR AND 4 YEARS LATER HAVING BOTH ENGINES FAIL FOR THE SAME REASON. SEEMS LIKE CHEVY IS HIDING A MAJOR PROBLEM. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ON THE INTERNET. I DID NOT CONTACT CHEVY SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NOW, BECAUSE OF MY INTERNET RESEARCH AND THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY IMPALA, I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SO, I TOOK MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AT 62,000 MILES TO THE SAME GARAGE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS AND GIVE ME A PRICE BREAK AND FIXED IT FOR $252.00. BOO TO CHEVY. *NM
CAR FAILS TO START DUE TO FAULTY ANTI THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. COMPONENTS OF SYSTEM INCLUDING IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND HOUSING, BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND KEY REPLACED IN 11/06. SAME SYMPTOMS RECURRED IN 07/07. *AK
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU SUFFERS FROM SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MOST OF THE ARTICLES I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET STATE THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE RESULTS. ON MY CAR, I CAN REPRODUCE THE RESULTS ANYTIME. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE I HAD PRESSED THE GAS INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE, BUT I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT EVEN AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. FORTUNATELY, FOR ME, THERE WERE NO CARS ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS PULLING INTO A GAS STATION AND HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR WHILE IT WAS STILL MOVING TO KILL THE ENGINE. THE THIRD TIME, I WAS IN THE CITY AND I KNOW THAT I MUST HAVE REALLY WORN OUT MY BRAKES. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND I HAVE CALLED GM TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT IT. THEY OFFERED LITTLE HELP AND ONLY SUGGESTED ME THAT I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THAT TOO, THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CHECK-UP. I WOULD LIKE SOME FEEDBACK AS WHAT I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER AND ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RESOLUTION, IF ANY, IN CASES THAT WERE SIMILAR TO MINE. *JB
TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU INTERMITTENT TO NOT WORKING FOR PERIODS OF TIME. UPON PUSHING THE HAZARD FLASHER BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES TURN SIGNALS EVENTUALLY WOULD WORK FOR AWHILE. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS TOLD PARTS WOULD COST $31.00 AND TOTAL WITH LABOR WOULD BE $75.00. FOUND ON NHTSA WEB SITE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055 WHICH IS THE EXACT TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE FROM GM AS STATED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055 AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALER I CALLED FOR SERVICE. I FORWARDED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055. *NM
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FLOOR MAT CURLED ON THE TOP OF THE GAS PEDAL AND AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CAUSED THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD AND HIT THE GARAGE**NAR**CC *JB
THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES AND PREVENTS CAR FROM STARTING. *JB
THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE WAS TRIGGERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. LAST TIME I WAS CHARGED ABOUT $65 TO RE-SET THE IMMOBILIZER. THIS TIME (A DIFFERENT MECHANIC) I WAS CHARGED $570 TO REPLACE THE KEY AND IGNITION CYLINDER, AFTER HE WAS UNABLE TO RE-SET THE IMMOBILIZER. I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN WILL A RECALL BE IMPOSED? THE CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON IT. *NM
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES, EMERGENCY SIGNAL FAILURE & THEFT SYSTEM MY CAR'S SIGNALS WORK OFF AND ON. WHEN I GO TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT WORK SOMETIMES IT DOES. WHAT I USUALLY HAVE TO DO IS ACTIVATE THE TURN SIGNAL AND THEN HOLD DOWN THE EMERGENCY HAZARD BUTTON WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT ACTIVATE MY SIGNAL TO WORK. IF I CAN NOT GET THIS TO WORK THEN I AM UNABLE TO USE MY SIGNALS AT ALL. THE THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON THE CAR CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START UNTIL I ALLOW IT TO SIT FOR 10 MINUTES TO CORRECT ITS SELF. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART AFTER THE 10 MINUTES THAT THE MANUAL SAYS TO WAIT. MY CAR IS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. *NM
CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES BY ITSELF AT ANY GIVEN SPEED AFTER DRIVING A MILE OR SO. THEN I HIT RESUME, KICKS ON AND AFTER A WHILE, DISENGAGES BY ITSELF AGAIN. LAST NIGHT IT DISCONNECTED 21 TIMES IN A 16 MILE STRETCH OF ON HIGHWAY I-4. THIS AFTER TAKEN IT TO DEALER COURTESY CHEVROLET WHOM I REPORTED THE CONDITION AND THEY REPLACED SOME PARTS. BUT STILL DOING THE SAME. *JB
ON SEPT. 5, 2006, MY HUSBAND, 2 CHILDREN, AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN A 55 MPH HIGHWAY, WHEN I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND MY CAR JUST DECIDED IT WAS ONLY GOING TO GO 35-45 MPH! LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME. I HAD TIME TO PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND GET THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD TO THE MECHANIC. I WAS ON A CAR COMPLAINT WEBSITE TRYING TO DISCOVER WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR WHEN I FOUND OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. AT WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU THERE ARE ABOUT 9 PEOPLE DISCUSSING HOW THEIR ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. LIKE ME, AT FIRST IT EITHER DIDN'T SHOW THE LEAK, OR IT WAS MINIMAL, AND NOT WORRISOME, WE THOUGHT; HOWEVER, WE (MECHANICS THAT WE ARE NOT) WERE WRONG. SOMEONE SAID THIS REPLACEMENT PART IS $1200+. DEALERS AREN'T HELPING. MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M GOING TO DO. I'M 38 YEARS OLD WITH A HEART CONDITION AND I NEED MY CAR, BUT I CAN'T DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS, NOR CAN I AFFORD TO FIX IT. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CRACKED WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE AUTO BODY SHOP STATED THE LEAK COULD LEAD TO THE ENGINE GETTING LOCKED.
TURN SIGNAL BEGAN TO ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE EVERYTIME I DRIVE. MOST OF THE TIME, I AM DRIVING WITHOUT A TURN SIGNAL. *NM
I OWN A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, THE LEFT REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY LEAKS WATER, CONSEQUENTLY LEADING TO THE EROSION OF THE ASSEMBLY AND CAUSING IT TO NEED REPLACING. THIS WAS A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $200, AND NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO LEAK SINCE THE SEAL AROUND THE ASSEMBLY IS WORN. *TR
MY CAR IS PART OF THE GM RECALL #14350. MY CAR SPECIFICALLY HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE PASS LOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ALLOWING THE CAR TO BE STARTED. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I TOOK IT TO SUPERIOR CHEVROLET AND AT THAT TIME THEY TOLD ME THE PASS LOCK WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THEY COULD FIX IT BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY FIXED. I PAID OVER 500.00 DOLLARS AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. 2 OR 3 YEARS LATER. SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO AGAIN RETURN TO A DEALER AND THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE FIX. I TOOK MY CAR TO TOM GILL CHEVROLET. THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMED ME THE PASS LOCK WAS THE PROBLEM AND FOR ANOTHER 500.00 DOLLARS THEY COULD REPAIR IT. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION GM WAS GOING TO PAY FOR REPAIR. THEY SAID THE GM REPRESENTATIVE DECLINED THE REPAIRS. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER AND HAD IT RECHECKED. AGAIN THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AGAIN TO THE TUNE OF 500.00. I JUST RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER AND I CALLED JEFF WYLER FLORENCE BUICK GMC TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS. I ASK WHAT WAS GOING TO BE THE SOLUTION AND IF THE REPAIRS WOULD FIX THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT. THEY SAID NO. IF I WANTED THAT FIXED IT WAS 94.50. FOR A NEW DIAGNOSTIC PLUS PARTS. REALLY. I NEED THE ANTI-THEFT PASS LOCK SYSTEM FIXED IN MY CAR. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL. WAITING TO HEAR SOME GOOD NEWS. PLEASE. MY CAR NOW HAS 92,000 MILES ON IT. I TYPICALLY HAVE TO WALK TO OR FROM WORK BECAUSE IT WILL NOT START WHEN I NEED IT TO. PASS LOCK SHUTS OFF THE FUEL AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT RESETS. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS. THANKS *TR
MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DOWN AN INCLINE WHICH LEADS TO A ROTARY. ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY WERE LOST. THE CAR KEPT GAINING SPEED AS IT DROVE DOWN THE INCLINE. I HAD TO FORCE THE CAR INTO PARK AND USE THE FOOT EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT AFTER IT ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND UNTO THE ROTARY. *JB
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE TURN SIGNALS/EMERGENCY FLASHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. YOUR WEB SITE CARRIES A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 RELATED TO 2002 MALIBU'S BUT WHEN I CALLED RELIABLE CHEVROLET IN ALBUQUERQUE NM TO SCHEDULE TO GET MY REPLACEMENT SWITCH, I WAS TOLD IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY. *NM
THE HAZARD/ TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU FAILED, AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS EFFECTIVELY. *JB
MY BLINKERS ON MY CHEVY MALIBU 2002 WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE I NEED TO TURN THE BLINKER TO THE LEFT TO TURN ON MY CAR AS A SAFETY PROCEDURE INSTALLED BY THE PRODUCER. IT IS ALSO A PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN I DRIVE I HAVE TO CHANGE LANES AND EVEN THOUGH I TURN MY BLINKERS ON THEY DO NOT WORK SO I AM CUTTING PEOPLE OFF ALL THE TIME. I TRIED TAKING IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. IT IS GETTING VERY ANNOYING AND TODAY I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO TURN MY CAR ON WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME MONEY FROM THE ATM. IT IS ANNOYING BECAUSE IF THE LEFT BLINKER DOES NOT TURN ON AND I START MY CAR IT DOES NOT START AND THE HORN SOUNDS. PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT ME FUNNY BECAUSE THE HORN SOUNDED LIKE 30 TIMES. *JB
ON JULY 28 2006 MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, WITH THE A/C RUNNING, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE SAT OVER NIGHT IN OUR GARAGE, AND THE NEXT MORNING MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK. AS SOON AS SHE GOT TO WORK SHE CALLED ME SAYING THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING. SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE HAZARD LIGHTS, AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK EITHER. WE CALLED THE AUTO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THEY HAD US BRING THE CAR TO THEM. AFTER DRIVING MY VAN FOR 45 MINUTES, WITH NO WORKING A/C, I ARRIVED AT HER PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY KEPT IT OVER NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING THEY CALLED AND SAID THE CAR WAS READY FOR PICKUP. I AGAIN DROVE 45 MINUTES IN 100 DEGREE TEMPERATURE TO PICKUP THE CAR. EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. SO I AGAIN DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME. THIS TIME WITH NO A/C. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE TURN TO MY STREET I MOVED THE TURN INDICATION LEVER DOWN FOR A LEFT HAND TURN. NOTHING HAPPENED. THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK AGAIN. A LARGE TRUCK WAS BEHIND ME AND ALMOST SLAMMED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I MADE THE TURN, ONLY TO BE PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER. THE OFFICER ASKED WHY I DID NOT USE MY SIGNAL. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING AGAIN. THE OFFICER DID NOT CITE ME, BUT TOLD ME IF IT WAS NOT CORRECTED I WOULD FACE A CITATION THE NEXT TIME. I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO THE HOUSE, AND DID SOME INVESTIGATION OF MY OWN ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE READ OVER 300 DIFFERENT REPORTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER 2002 MALIBU OWNERS. THE TURN LIGHTS AND HAZARD INDICATOR BUTTON HAVE NOT WORKED CORRECTLY SINCE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED. CHEVROLET DID A RECALL ON THE 2001 MODEL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THE SOLDERING OF THE CIRCUIT IN THE HAZARD INDICATOR BUTTON ON THE 2001 MODEL WAS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF OR FOUND A RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL. *JB
TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES WORKS, SOMETIMES DOESN'T, RADIO CUTS OFF, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT, TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALL ON FILE FOR MY VIN NUMBER, DESPITE THE EXACT ISSUE, TURN SIGNAL CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES, BEING WRITTEN ON THE SERVICE CARD. *NM
HAD MANY INCIDENTS AND ALMOST CRASHED WHERE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I HAD CHANGE MY IGNITION AT THE GM DEALERSHIP TWICE AND MY CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I SPECIAL ORDER MY CAR FEB 2002 AND HAD BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR TO PRESENT. GM DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN NOTES: - ON JANUARY 16 2007, 7,879 MILES. MY CAR WOULD NOT START. PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE GAUGES WENT UP ABOUT HALF WAY AND STAYED THERE UNTIL DOORS AUTO LOCKED, THEN THE GAUGES DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN. TRIED TO START AND IT CRANKED BUT WILL NOT START. USUALLY YOU CAN HEAR THE PUMP PRIMING BUT DID NOT. THIS STILL HAPPENS TO THIS DATE. AFTER 20 MINUTES OR SO CAR DID START AND DROVE FOR A WHILE. IT DIED AT A STOP AND WOULD NOT RESTART. WHEN TRIED TO RESTART GAUGES STILL MOVED WITH THE LOCKS. BUT ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ON THE GAUGES DID NOT COME UP. TECHNICIAN VERIFIED CONCERN. CAR DID START AND DROVE INTO THE SHOP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR DID NOT START. TESTING FOUND LOSS OF IGNITION 1 VOLTAGE. TECHNICIAN ISOLATED TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. TECHNICIAN REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER A FEW MOTHS I HAD THE PROBLEM COME AND GO AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. - ON NOVEMBER 24, 2012, 47,906 MILES. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN OVER AT TIMES, AND ALSO WILL SET OFF ALARM WHEN KEY IS TURNED AT TIMES. TECHNICIAN FOUND CODE B2960, IGNITION PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILING. TECHNICIAN REPLACED LOCK CYLINDER AND KEY, SYSTEM OPERATED AS DESIGNED. BUT ON DECEMBER 17, 2012 VEHICLE LOSE POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN WHILE TEST DRIVING IT. DEALERSHIP DID NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE AND TURNED ME AWAY SAYING MY CAR IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO BE FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP. CAR STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND VERY CONCERNED AND SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *TR
DT*: 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 DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE DETACHMENT WAS DUE TO HITTING A POTHOLE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT DID NOT OBSERVE ANY POTHOLES IN THE VICINITY. UPDATED 7/18/2006 - *NM
MALIBU 2002 PURCHASED ON MAY 18, 2003 WITH 33,000 MILES . ON JULY 15, 2003 THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND CAR OVERHEATED. ACCORDING TO DEALER CAR WAS FIXED. ON JUNE 1, 2004 THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. JUNE 27, 2006 WITH 72, 000 MILES, THERE IS OIL IN COOLANT RESERVOIR AND A COOLANT LEAK. THERE WAS A LOWER INTAKE LEAK AND LEAK AT WATER PUMP. THE LOWER INTAKE AND WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT ON JULY 17, 2006 THE SAME PROBLEM CAME AGAIN. JULY 17, 2006 ONLY A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE PROBLEM WITH OIL IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. *JB
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU, TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING. THE FUSE IS GOOD FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, LIGHT BULBS FOR TURN SIGNALS ARE GOOD AND HAZARDS WORK. *NM
PURCHASED THIS 2002 MALIBU USED FROM LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. FIRST INCIDENT, AFTER A BRIEF STOP AT A GAS STATION THE CAR WOULDN'T RESTART. TURNED OVER BUT NO FIRE. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE THEFT-DETERRENT SYSTEM WAS STOPPING THE CAR FROM STARTING. THEY EXPLAINED THAT ONLY A DEALER CAN PROCESS OR RECYCLE THIS PROBLEM. THEY DID A TEMPORARY "RECYCLE" OF THE SYSTEM AND THE CAR STARTED BACK UP. I PLANNED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO FOLLOW UP, BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AT A STORE, CRANKED NO FIRE, THEFT LIGHT FLASHING, SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS. I WAS TOLD AT THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. THEY CHARGED ME $70.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TIME SPENT, AND I WAS THANKFUL THAT THE CAR WOULD AT LEAST START. NOW IT'S STUCK IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS TOWN AND I CAN'T EVEN GET IT TOWED (NO TOW COVERAGE). MY FEAR IS THIS HAPPENING REPEATEDLY. FIRST EVENT WAS ON JUNE 19, SECOND ON JUNE 30. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT "TRICKS" I AM HEARING ABOUT TO BYPASS THE SYSTEM AND GET THE CAR TO START. ONE SAID I SHOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL QUICKLY SIDE TO SIDE WHILE APPLYING MY FOOT TO THE ACCELERATOR, AND TURN THE IGNITION, ANOTHER SAID TO TRY SWITCHING KEYS, (WHICH I DID TRY BUT IT DIDN'T WORK). ANY OTHER IDEAS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! IF I COULD GET IT TO START THEN I COULD AT LEAST GET IT TO THE DEALER - I AM A SINGLE MOM, VERY BROKE, NO RESOURCES TO FALL BACK ON FOR THIS REPEAT EVENT SO SOON. I HAVEN'T EVEN MENTIONED THE CONSTANT BURNED OUT BRAKE LIGHTS- I REPLACE THE BULBS AND THEY BLOW WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS...NO VISIBLE ELECTRICAL LINE DAMAGE, EITHER...*NM
WOULD NOT START. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK AT APPROXIMATELY 13000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. UPDATED 07/05/06. *JB
MY FAMILY'S 2002 CHEVY MALIBU'S TURN SIGNAL FLASHERS ARE INTERMITENTLY FAILING. THE PROBLEM BEGAN YESTERDAY, 7 JUNE 2006, AND REOCCURED TODAY, THE 8TH OF JUNE, 2006. I NOTICE THAT NHTSA HAD A RECALL PENDING ON THIS EXACT ISSUE, BUT IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CLOSED. WHY, AND WHAT IS NHTSA DOING ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN LIEU THEREOF? *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER HUB AND SPEED SENSOR. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. THE VEHICLE IS A MALIBU. *AK
CAR STARTED LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON ENGINE AT 45000 MILES. WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $900.00 FOR THIS REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. THIS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE AND OVERHEATING ENGINE FAILURE. *NM
HEARING POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHENEVER YOU MAKE A TURN IN THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR STABILIZING BAR IS BAD. BACK END SWINGS. *NM
I AM BASICALLY HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE WITH MY BLOWER. SPEEDS 1, 2 AND 3 DO NOT WORK, BUT MY AIR CONDITIONING WILL KICK OFF. THE AIR RECIRCULATION WILL ALSO KICK OFF AND CHANGE TO FRESH AIR. IT IS DRIVING ME UP A WALL. I LIVE IN TEXAS AND NOT HAVING AN AIR CONDITIONER IS AWFUL, BUT TO HAVE ONE THAT WILL WORK SOMETIMES, IS AWFUL. *NM
CAR HAS FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL US WHY. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. OUR WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH. OUR HEAT ONLY WORKS ON NUMBER 4 AND 5. WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR WITH MY BABY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, THE CAR JUST DECIDED TO DIE ON ME. I HAD TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE PASSING LANE, SO THAT I COULD PULL OFF OF THE ROAD. MY RADIO AND HEAT STILL WORKED, BUT CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. MY OIL AND BATTERY AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS WERE ON (I HAD NOT EVEN USED THE CRUISE CONTROL) AND MY CAR JUST WOULD NOT START. IT TOOK ME AN HOUR TO GET MY CAR TO START AGAIN, NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANY DISTANCE FOR FEAR OF BEING STRANDED. *JB
MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU LS WOULD NOT START AND NEEDED TOWED HOME. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN REGULARLY TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WITH NO RECALL FROM GM YET. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD AND WIFE THAT DRIVE USE THE CAR MOSTLY AND AM WORRIED OF THEIR SAFETY IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUITTING DURING A RAINSTORM. I CONTACTED GM AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND ALL REPAIRS WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *NM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR AND IGNITION CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD FLASHING LIGHT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #03V327000, REGARDING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS: SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
3 WEEKS AGO MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU STARTED TO RUN LIKE #@$% (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 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT THAT IT'S WITH THEIR CAT CONVERTER. I CAN'T EVEN ORDER THE PART ONLINE BECAUSE OF STRICT EMISSION CONTROL IN CALIFORNIA, I NEED A MECHANIC TO DO IT,GET IT STRAIGHT FROM THE DEALER, OR HAVE AUTO ZONE DO A SPECIAL ORDER FOR ME (I FOUND A MECHANIC THAT WILL DO IT FOR $800). NEXT IS MY HEAD GASKET, WHICH LOOKS LIKE IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. ON 4-8-06 I GOT AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS OIL IN MY COOLANT RESERVOIR TANK, WHICH MEANS I HAVE AN OIL LEAK. SO NOW I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR IN AND HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED WHICH WON'T BE CHEAP EITHER. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND I CAME UPON THIS WEBSITE WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV , I REALIZED THAT OTHER CONSUMERS ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SO WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHY DOESN'T GM DO RECALLS. NOW I MAY NEED TO FORK OUT A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS IF NOT A THOUSAND OR MORE TO FIX (CORRECT) A FAULTY CAT CONVERTER AND HEAD GASKET. *NM
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026