RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Jul 6, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and exterior lighting categories. 66 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1161.1%
  • Engine316.7%
  • Exterior lighting316.7%
  • Powertrain (other)15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 6, 2018

MY 2002 CHEVROLET CLASSIC HAS A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHERE THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE CONDITION IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS CREATED SURPRISE UNSAFE SITUATIONS WHEN MAKING LANE CHANGES AND LEFT AND RIGHT HAND TURNS. CHEVROLET KNOWS ABOUT THE FAULTY TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS HOWEVER NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE. IN APRIL 2006 CHEVROLET SENT A SOMEWHAT DISMISSIVE LETTER ABOUT THE CONDITION. HOWEVER THE LETTER CLEARLY STATES THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. AT THAT TIME MY 2002 CHEVROLET CLASSIC DID NOT HAVE THE CONDITION DESCRIBED IN THE LETTER. I FEEL THE LANGUAGE AND INTENT OF THE LETTER WAS CONFUSING AND CREATED OPPORTUNITY FOR CHEVROLET TO DISREGARD THE CUSTOMER.

NHTSA ID
11109889
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
89,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL AND EMERGENCY LIGHT INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN MODULE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ID
11104056
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
113,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 16, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO GILDNER DODGE-CHRYSLER-JEEP INC (1451 N 10TH ST, ARKADELPHIA, AR 71923 (870) 246-6800), BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CALL BACK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,378.

NHTSA ID
11046619
Incident
Mar 27, 2017
Mileage
99,378 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MAILBU CLASSIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSOOBSERVED AN ABNORMAL NOISE DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS UNLOCKED AND LOCKED WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED AND THE GAUGE LEVELS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER VARIOUS ATTEMPTS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SERVICED PER A RECALL, BUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10892083
Incident
Jul 6, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 3, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10787935
Incident
May 9, 2006
Mileage
20,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2015

WENT TO FAULKNER LANCASTER PA. FOR INSPECTION TELLING ME I NEED A IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER IN THIS VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION . THEY DID OVERALL TEST AND CHARGED ME $ 298.00 FOR THIS INFO .I HAVE BEEN CHEATED FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS EVERY TIME I WOULD TAKE THIS IN FOR INSPECTION. THREE CATALYTIC CONVERTER LATER OVER A THREE YEAR STRETCH .THEY DID NOTHING TO HELP THEY JUST TAKE MY MONEY AND SAY THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER ON THIS VEHICLE. BUT NOW THEY WANT TO REPLACE IT AT MY EXPENSES. I HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF AND FEEL THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT MY CAR. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2004 WITH 30000 MILES AND KEPT IT SERVICED .

NHTSA ID
10733251
Incident
Jun 17, 2015
Mileage
181,161 mi
Filed Jun 25, 2015

A/C GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAS GONE ON SINCE 2008. OTHERS WHO ALSO OWN MALIBUS HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NOT TOO GOOD IN SUMMER!!!

NHTSA ID
10730446
Incident
Jun 16, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 30, 2014

CHEVROLET MALIBU CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. *JB CONSUMER FOLLOW-UP. UPDATED 01/28/15.*JB

NHTSA ID
10660607
Incident
Aug 27, 2008

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

18-NA-099

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

24-NA-098

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Malibu Classic by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008210035.5
2007150027.9
2005921039.2
20041161144.8
2003160035.0
2002Viewing160028.7
2001130030.0
2000110037.4
1999400
1998500
1997300
1978010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.