Major Problems with 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Derived from Complaints & Recalls

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Worst 3 complaints of 2002 Chevrolet Malibu

2002 Chevrolet Malibu AIR BAGS Victims: 3

2002 Chevrolet Malibu STEERING Victims: 3

2002 Chevrolet Malibu AIR BAGS Victims: 2

Browse 2002 Chevrolet Malibu complaints by category

Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CONTROL MODULE and EXTERIOR LIGHTING are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Chevrolet Malibu owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM problems with vehicle's radio equipment. *mr the vehicle would lose the time and the radio would lose stations when the...	179 ~ 67064 miles
CONTROL MODULE > ANTI-THEFT > IGNITION dt: vehicle would not started due to the anti-theft system failure. when put the key in ignition it would not...	62 ~ 54452 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING i bought my chevrolet 2002 malibu brand new and have owned it for three years just two months ago it...	48 ~ 60609 miles
TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2002 chevrolet malibu. turn signal switch operates intermittently -- symptoms are identical to 2000-2001 my which was recalled at 03v327000.	40 ~ 42771 miles
SWITCH > HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the turn signals worked intermittently.the consumer stated there was a recall on a previously owned vehicle same make and model	36 ~ 51849 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING problems with vehicle's radio equipment. *mr the vehicle would lose the time and the radio would lose stations when the...	28 ~ 50600 miles
ENGINE as i was driving down the road i signaled for a left turn. when i signaled the turn there was...	21 ~ 82374 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER problems getting dealership to pay for recall repair. *mr the dealer stated the vehicle mileage needed to be between 43k-45k	19 ~ 58144 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING over heating problems and coolant leaks due to a faulty intake gasket. dealership wants $660.00 to repair. this is a...	17 ~ 39622 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS rotors have warped already within a few months of purchase. contacted dealer and the dealer was not willing to do	15 ~ 6330 miles
SWITCH > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING while turning the turn signal failed to come on. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and mechanic determined	13 ~ 22231 miles
STEERING hearing popping noise in the front suspension whenever you make a turn in the vehicle and the rear stabilizing bar	12 ~ 59250 miles
AIR BAGS front air bags inadvertently deployed without impact while driving 30 mph. *ak...	12 ~ 44917 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ignition switch locked up making it impossible to turn the vehicle on. *ak ...	11 ~ 41047 miles
SERVICE BRAKES as i was driving down the road i signaled for a left turn. when i signaled the turn there was...	10 ~ 79131 miles
FLASHER UNIT > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the turn signals and the hazard lights worked intermittently. dealer stated it was not covered under warranty.*ak...	10 ~ 36387 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC while traveling on the highway the consumer apply her brakes and there was a loud streaking noise and vibration coming	10 ~ 23175 miles
HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING turn light does not function sometimes. there is a recall for vehicles make year 2000 and 2001. i have 2002	9 ~ 32272 miles
TIRES while driving the left front tire blew out causing consumer to swerve off the raod and striking a median wall	9 ~ 35954 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC new car with 13136 miles. trip to fl. brakes ground when caught in slow x-way traffic in louisville ky. had...	9 ~ 16418 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS brakes on 2002 malibu pads wear uneven rotors worn uneven calalipers are not working right. chevy won't take care of	8 ~ 16573 miles
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE when trying to start the vehicle consumer felt that fuel was not flowing to the engine properly. consumer took vehicle...	8 ~ 26875 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. while idling at a traffic light the vehicle stalled without warning. the contact...	8 ~ 54299 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING at 15 000 miles i had a piston knock develop. pistons were replaced and was told this was a common...	7 ~ 46980 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM i walked out the door ready to go to work got in the car turned the key it would not...	6 ~ 111032 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while traveling on the highway and without prior warning vehicle will shut down and will not restart. *ak...	6 ~ 39572 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT 2002 chevrolet malibu anti-theft system frequently prevents me from starting the car.*ak...	5 ~ 72531 miles
STRUCTURE when driving 60 mph vehicle produces a loud whistling noise coming from the windshield. *ak the dealer replaced the seal	5 ~ 9620 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT this is not a safety hazard but the bushings on the front struts of the 2002 chevy malibu rattle and...	5 ~ 25700 miles
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING catalytic converter went out while traveling 500 miles from home. mileage was only 60000 miles. was under warranty but part...	5 ~ 25640 miles
SEAT BELTS while driving at 40 mph a motorist failed to yield and crashed into the front end of consumer's vehicle. upon...	5 ~ 36000 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS in a frontal collison none of air bags deployed on impact.*ak...	5 ~ 42400 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING consumer stated there were black spots when using the headlights. as a result visibility was impaired. ak recall#2v107000 sc ...	5 ~ 48429 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE my chevrolet malibu is a 2002 and in the back panels near the rear doors the paint is starting to	4 ~ 90000 miles
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM catalytic converter went out while traveling 500 miles from home. mileage was only 60000 miles. was under warranty but part...	4 ~ 52325 miles
CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS inside disc pads wore out at 21000 miles. had pads replaced and rotors checked. caliper is now sticking again and	4 ~ 27002 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL the car jerks at 70 mph dealer could not find the problem. the cruise control was stuck in the on...	4 ~ 45250 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle hesitates at highway speeds (65-70 mph).*ak...	4 ~ 30623 miles
SUSPENSION consumer states that the steering wheel will not steer itself straight. the dealer has been notified. nlm dealer was unable	4 ~ 36263 miles
EQUIPMENT when it rains the brakes will not grab and hold. loud howling noise from the front brakes. the whole car...	4 ~ 51550 miles
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION dt: in august 2004 consumer had right and left wheel bearing and hub assemblies replaced. now the abs activates at...	3 ~ 9667 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN at 15 000 miles i had a piston knock develop. pistons were replaced and was told this was a common...	3
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE consumer states that the vehicle would shake & vibrate while driving. dealer notified and inspected the vehicle and determined the	3 ~ 23333 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY the consumer said that she was driving down the interstate when the passenger window blew out for no reason. the...	3
POWER TRAIN i walked out the door ready to go to work got in the car turned the key it would not...	2 ~ 114045 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT i first purchased this malibu 2002 in feb 2002. nov 02 ( 9 mos later) i had to have my...	2 ~ 41246 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the radio sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. after 7 trips it was determined the problem was the amplifier. the radio...	2 ~ 1500 miles
DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE car coughs/hesitates when driving between 65-75 mph. began doing when i moved to arizona. did not do it in fl...	2 ~ 42058 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL problems with vehicle's radio equipment. *mr the vehicle would lose the time and the radio would lose stations when the...	2 ~ 36000 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION this is not a safety hazard but the bushings on the front struts of the 2002 chevy malibu rattle and...	2
TREAD/BELT > TIRES purchased a 2002 chevrolet malibu 07-04-03 with 4500 miles. noticed the tires had cracks between the tread and sidewalls. dealer...	2 ~ 17500 miles
LOWER ARM > CONTROL ARM > FRONT the lower control arm made a noise while driving which caused the steering wheel to shake. *jb...	2 ~ 33000 miles
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT at 15 000 miles i had a piston knock develop. pistons were replaced and was told this was a common...	2 ~ 12000 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY the front glass tint is to bright obstructing the drivers view. dealer has inspected the vehicle and could not duplicate...	2 ~ 27225 miles
VISIBILITY many makes of cars now have the windshield washer fluid coming out of small rubber tubes attached to the windshield...	2 ~ 34250 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the car died while driving on three separate occassions. twice i was on the freeway at 70-75 mph when the...	2
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS when installing car seat and putting seat around vehicle buckles would lock into seat belt. contacted dealer and the dealer...	2 ~ 23000 miles
CHILD SEAT consumer appreciated service to show whether or not car seat was installed correctly. *mr ph...	2
VISIBILITY/WIPER factory power sunroof switch has premature intermittent failure causing the window to stop midway or open partially. closure is also...	1 ~ 40000 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY my heater/ac fan speed control switch has 5 speeds on it. they all work up to number 4. when i...	1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL my anti-theft light was on for a couple of days then one morning after getting off of work (11-7am) i...	1
LATCH CONNECTOR/CLIP > CHILD SEAT i took the cover off of the car seat to wash it. when i was putting it back on i...	1
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the car continue to run hot i am in the process of getting it fix i was told that there...	1 ~ 125312 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT i am the owner of a 2002 chevy malibu which i have owned since 2003. for the last two years...	1 ~ 90000 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING tl*- the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu with a current and failure mileage of 142 000. the contact was...	1 ~ 142000 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl*- the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu with a current and failure mileage of 142 000. the contact was...	1 ~ 142000 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl*- the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu with a current and failure mileage of 142 000. the contact was...	1 ~ 142000 miles
UNIT > HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING turn signals and hazard lights work only occasionally. there is no set time event or weather condition that makes them...	1 ~ 60000 miles
RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING on sept. 5 2006 my husband 2 children and i were driving down a 55 mph highway when i pushed...	1 ~ 81000 miles
COIL SPRINGS > SPRINGS > FRONT dt*: the contact stated that while backing out of a parking space at 5 mph the front passenger side shock...	1 ~ 57705 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION hearing popping noise in the front suspension whenever you make a turn in the vehicle and the rear stabilizing bar	1 ~ 98000 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY car has failed to start on numerous occasions and no one has been able to tell us why. we have...	1 ~ 45000 miles
MOTOR > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY my 2002 chevy malibu ls would not start and needed towed home. this is the first time this has happened...	1 ~ 50130 miles
MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM attempting to start car theft system light comes on and disables car. have to have it towed to dealer to...	1 ~ 105000 miles
CABLES > 12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i own a car rental company and the primary vehicle in my fleet is the 01-03 chevy malibu. over the...	1
SWITCH > BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING i first purchased this malibu 2002 in feb 2002. nov 02 ( 9 mos later) i had to have my...	1 ~ 62492 miles
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM intermittent failure of the emergency flasher/turn signal switch or relay. the part was replaced by my mechanic. i kept the	1 ~ 44900 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY i purchased my 2002 malibu new and have had the brakes replaced four times and am on my third set...	1
CONTROL ARM > FRONT > SUSPENSION i purchased my 2002 malibu new and have had the brakes replaced four times and am on my third set...	1
CALIPER > DISC > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR in 2002 i bought a 2002 chevy malibu. since then it's been giving me a lot of problems. the first...	1
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER in 2002 i bought a 2002 chevy malibu. since then it's been giving me a lot of problems. the first...	1
MACPHERSON STRUT > FRONT > SUSPENSION 2002 chevrolet malibu 6 cylinder. front struts were not functioning properly and required replacement (at my cost). car mileage was...	1 ~ 23250 miles
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM stop at postoffice car would not start second time at home and the same thing happen third time while driving...	1 ~ 52000 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE dt: consumer stated: had a fire under the hood fuel evaporation hose which melted caused the fire. chevrolet stated hoses...	1 ~ 56000 miles
FAN/MOTOR > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY i own an '02 chevy malibu (since 2/28/02). i had the same hazard switch problem w/my '02 malibu that the...	1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR no incidents crashes or injury's while in my possession. the 2002 chevy malibu i bought used in 2004 only had...	1 ~ 12000 miles
HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM no incidents crashes or injury's while in my possession. the 2002 chevy malibu i bought used in 2004 only had...	1 ~ 12000 miles
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2002 chevrolet malibu. turn signal switch operates intermittently -- symptoms are identical to 2000-2001 my which was recalled at 03v327000.	1 ~ 37000 miles
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2002 malibu. rotors and pads have had to be replaced 3 times and pads alone once in 35000 miles. chevrolet...	1 ~ 16000 miles
FILLER PIPE AND CAP > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE at 15 000 miles i had a piston knock develop. pistons were replaced and was told this was a common...	1
WHEELS the rotors on this vehicle warped within the first year and continue to warp every two to four months. this...	1 ~ 21338 miles
ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS i purchased a new 2002 chevy malibu on august 1 2002. four days and 250 miles later the front passenger...	1
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS the consumer said that she was driving down the interstate when the passenger window blew out for no reason. the...	1
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS auto was rented from avis at the airport in orlando. while proceeding north on route 436 from the airport and...	1
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC new car with 13136 miles. trip to fl. brakes ground when caught in slow x-way traffic in louisville ky. had...	1
INTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY when driving rearview interior mirror would vibrate causing a visible distortion. have taken vehicle to dealership several times and had...	1
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING after coming to a complete stop applied gas vehicle would not accelerate. contacted dealer. tie rod bolt had fallen off.*akconsumer...	1
ROTOR > DISC > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR while driving at any speed the vehicle vibrates. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the dealer informed	1 ~ 5300 miles

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