RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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.
0
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 24, 2014

What this page shows

Our database holds 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–16 of 16

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
Electrical
Filed Dec 22, 2014

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. DRIVER RECEIVED CAR AS GIFT AND FRIEND HAS SAME CAR WITH A RECALL ISSUED. CONSUMER HAS YET TO RECEIVE ONE. *TA RECALL # 14V400000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10660620
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Electrical
Filed Dec 18, 2014

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *CN

NHTSA ID
10659586
Incident
May 20, 2013
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2014

TRANSMISSION STICKS WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN GEAR CAUSING IT TO STALL AND JERK. BACK DOOR LOCK CONSTANTLY LOCKS AND UNLOCKS EVEN WHEN NOT IN USE. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY IRRITATING. THE GLASS HATCH UNLOCKS AND OPENS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. THE GLASS HATCH GOES UP WITHOUT WARNING AND SOMETIMES ENDS UP SLAMMING DOWN WHEN DRIVER HITS THEIR BRAKES OR SOMETHING, CAUSING THE GLASS TO SCATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662727
Incident
Dec 8, 2014
Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE KEY WAS TURN INTO THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE REPEATEDLY JIGGLED IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY INDICATED THAT ONLY THE KEY WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10659809
Incident
Nov 20, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 19, 2014

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL. *TGW THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10653306
Incident
Aug 27, 2014
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 6, 2014

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC ENGINE FAILS TO START. GM PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES, AND STAYS LIT. VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START AND STRANDED DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. KEY FEELS LOOSE IN IGNITION. TRIM SURROUNDING IGNITION REMAINS LOOSE FROM MULTIPLE SWITCH REPLACEMENTS. SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BEFORE. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND DOCUMENTED AT GM SERVICE CENTER AS HAVING A FAILED IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE SECOND TIME. VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED 2 TIMES AT OWNER'S EXPENSE FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF OVER $1200. ALL PARTS AND REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT THE SAME GENUINE GM SERVICE CENTER. RECOMMEND IGNITION SWITCH RECALL FOR SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUES. FIRST REPLACEMENT OCCURRED IN 2008. SECOND SWITCH REPLACEMENT REQUIRED IN 2014. VEHICLE PART OF RECENT GM RECALL #:N140350 FOR UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION. REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON THE DAY OF IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT NUMBER 2; WHICH INCLUDED "INSERTS" FOR THE KEY RING SO THAT IT GOES FROM A "SLOT" DESIGN TO A HOLE DESIGN AND 2 SMALL 13 MM RINGS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS IS A FAILED REMEDY THAT CAN BE FOUND IN GENERAL MOTORS TSB # 05-02-35-007A AND WAS PERFORMED ON SIMILAR MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS SOLUTION OR REMEDY FROM ENGINEERING DID NOT ULTIMATELY PROTECT DRIVERS AND OPERATORS FROM UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION. THIS SO CALLED RECALL REMEDY IS A PREVIOUSLY KNOWN FAILURE AND CAN BE FOUND IN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS CONCERNING GM IGNITION SWITCH LITIGATION. WHY IS GM ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT A FAILED DESIGN WHEN IT COMES TO HANDLING THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALLS. IF IT DOESN'T WORK IN 6 DIFFERENT GM VEHICLES, THEN WHY WOULD IT WORK IN THE 1997-2005MY CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC? THIS IS DECEPTIVE AND A CLEAR INDICATION THAT GM DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10653221
Incident
Oct 28, 2014
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10643503
Incident
Sep 6, 2014
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 24, 2014

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS SEDAN PRESENTED HAS NOTICEABLY WEAK AND INEFFICIENT HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS POSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN MILDLY FOGGY DRIVING CONDITIONS AT ALL. IN FACT DUE TO SUCH POOR PERFORMANCE, IT IS QUITE DIFFICULT TO DISCERN WHETHER OR NOT THE FOG LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE IS POOR WITH MARKEDLY DECREASED LIGHTING EFFICIENCY IN CITY DRIVING AND ON WET ROADS. THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS DIM AND OR FLICKER WHEN THE DRIVER DEPRESSES THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. CONCERN THAT ON COMING TRAFFIC CAN'T DISCERN BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW BEAMS OR A CONFUSION FROM THE UNINTENDED DIMMING/FLICKERING. VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN CHECKED WITH NO PROBLEMS FOUND. ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR CHECK OK, NEW BATTERY CHECK OK, SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEYS CHECK OK, ALL BULBS, FUSES, AND FUSIBLE LINKS CHECK OK. NEW BULBS TRIED, BUT NO INCREASE IN LIGHTING OUTPUT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO GM SERVICE CENTER IN ZANESVILLE, OHIO. SERVICE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH CUSTOMER PRESENT. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PERFORMANCE ISSUE WAS BASICALLY "NORMAL" AND A COMMON CONCERN AMONG MANY CUSTOMERS. SERVICE TECH. WENT ON TO SAY THAT BRAND NEW GM VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, IN FACT HE STATED THAT THEY ARE WORSE. 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS LIGHTING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. VEHICLE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE LIGHTING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615974
Incident
Jul 19, 2014
Mileage
69,300 mi

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.

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