Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
12
Latest Jun 21, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 567 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3
What this page shows
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming body or structure
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Body & structure
Filed Jun 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BRAKE REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT PROCEED WITH THE BRAKE WORK, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
NHTSA ID
10875669
Incident
May 21, 2016
Mileage
185,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Nov 13, 2014
THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. UPON INSPECTION THE GM MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE UNDER BODY THAT HAVE A LOT OF CORROSION. THERE IS POTENTIAL RISK OF FAILURE WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES ON IT, IS GARAGE KEPT AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS AND ACCIDENTS RELATING TO THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE ON GM VEHICLES. DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, IT WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL DEALER TO WORKOUT A METHOD OF PAYMENT BUT GM WAS ESSENTIALLY NOT GOING TO BE OF ANY HELP. THE LOCAL DEALER CLEARLY HAS NO INCENTIVE TO TO BARE THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THIS IS A ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE OEM. OTHER VEHICLES BY GM HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THIS ISSUE IS PRESENT. OTHER OEM HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND QUICKLY ADDRESSED IT HAS A FREE REPAIR/RECALL TO THE THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10654712
Incident
Jun 3, 2014
Mileage
95,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureSeat belts
Filed May 15, 2009
Crash reported3 injuries reported
MY GRANDSON WAS CRITICALLY INURED WHILE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, THIS VEHICLE CANNOT SUSTAIN IMPACT OF 30 MPH OR LESS TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING FATAL IF NOT CRITICAL INJURIES TO PASSENGER. NO SIDE AIRBAG, NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER. RATED WITH THREE STARS...... RIDICULOUS. MY GRANDSON LOST ONE LUNG AND PART OF HIS BRONCHIAL TUBE BECAUSE THERE IS NO SAFETY MEASUREMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE TO PROTECT FRONT PASSENGER. *TR
NHTSA ID
10268828
Incident
Feb 17, 2008
Body & structure
Filed Oct 12, 2008
BUBBLING AND RUST ON THE BACK PANEL OF THE CAR WHERE THE GAS COVER AND TANK IS. IT HAS RUST AND ALL KINDS OF BUBBLES ONLY ON THAT PANEL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10245188
Incident
Mar 15, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Aug 2, 2008
HEARD NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING. WAS TOLD THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS ALMOST RUSTED ON R SIDE AND 2 STABILIZER LINKS WERE NO LONGER CONNECTED. 2002 CHEVY MALIBU - INQUIRED ABOUT WARRANTY FROM DEALER AND DEALER CLAIMED THESE ITEMS ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10236729
Incident
Jul 28, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 18, 2008
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
NHTSA ID
10234876
Incident
Sep 1, 2006
Mileage
30,102 mi
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Dec 10, 2007
THE SEAL ON THE BACK LIGHTS GETS BAD AND ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET IN AND SHORT OUT THE BRAKE, TURN SIGNAL AND BACK UP LIGHTS. REPAIRS ARE OVER $200 AND THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WILL NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE LIGHTING HOUSING IS REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, BECAUSE LIVING NEAR ATLANTA, BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE WORKING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. COME ON GM, MAKE DRIVERS OF YOUR VEHICLES SAFE!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ID
10211407
Incident
Dec 10, 2007
Body & structure
Filed May 12, 2007
I HAVE OWN MY 2002 MALIBU SINCE DECEMBER 2001 HAVE CHANGED THE A/C CONTROL SWITCH 3 TIMES. IT IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY FOR THE SAME REASON. AFTER ONLY TWO MONTHS SINCE THE LAST NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED, THE A/C WILL CHANGE FROM BLOWING OUT AIR CONDITIONING TO JUST BLOWING AIR. MY HUSBAND TELLS ME THAT THIS LAST TIME THE AIR CIRCULATION CHANGED FROM INSIDE AIR TO OUTSIDE AIR. THIS WAS A GREAT VEHICLE, BUT AN EXTREMELY ANNOYING PROBLEM. IS THERE SOME KIND OF DEFECT THAT WE ARE NOT AWARE OFF? *AK
NHTSA ID
10190567
Incident
Mar 10, 2007
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Apr 15, 2007
FOUND CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES AND MASTER CYLINDER, AND OTHER LINES THAT ARE LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY CORROSION PLATE. THE BATTERY CORROSION PLATE WAS A GOOD IDEA. HOWEVER, PUTTING BRAKE LINES & OTHER COMPONENTS UNDER WERE ARE NOT A GOOD DESIGN. IT'S FLAWED, FOR IF THE BATTERY PLATE BECOMES CORRODED, THEN IT LEAKS ONTO THE LINES BELOW AND CAUSES DAMAGE AS IN MY VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
10187979
Incident
Apr 15, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Mar 22, 2005
MY CHEVROLET, MALIBU IS A 2002 AND IN THE BACK PANELS NEAR THE REAR DOORS THE PAINT IS STARTING TO PEAL OFF.*AK
NHTSA ID
10114471
Incident
Mar 9, 2005
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 6, 2004
WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE PRODUCES A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAL AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. *NM
NHTSA ID
10071814
Incident
Apr 28, 2004
Mileage
18,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 24, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE & VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FRAME WAS CRACK. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA ID
8019387
Incident
Aug 15, 2002
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own