What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2002 Chevrolet Malibu

Typical pattern

3.6% of complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2002 vehicle — around the middle of the 230 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (270 complaints), typically at 8.5 yr or about 78,000 miles.

Complaints
747
Median age at failure
6.4 yr
Median mileage
68,961 n=509
Crash / fire / tow
4.7% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
270 reports · 78,000 mi
8.5 yr
1.9%
Exterior lighting
164 reports · 60,000 mi
4.3 yr
1.8%
Engine cooling
67 reports · 62,300 mi
5.3 yr
0%
Service brakes, hydraulic
49 reports · 29,000 mi
2.8 yr
2%
Fuel system
22 reports · 69,140 mi
5.3 yr
9.1%
Engine
22 reports · 107,332 mi
12.9 yr
0%
Air bags
18 reports · 109,000 mi
8.3 yr
66.7%
Other
18 reports · 124,500 mi
13.9 yr
11.1%
Suspension
15 reports · 57,705 mi
4.0 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14V400000 2014-07-03
Electrical system:ignition

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In the

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07E021000 2007-03-12
Fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

02V107000 2002-04-10
Exterior lighting:headlights

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP THAT DOES NOT MEET THE PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

LIGHT INTENSITIES BELOW THE MINIMUM INTENSITY REQUIREMENTS CAUSE REDUCTION IN VISIBILITY DOWN THE ROAD FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND INTENSITIES ABOVE THE MAXIMUM INTENSITY REQUIREMENTS CAUSE INCREASE IN GLARE FOR DRIVERS AHEAD OF, OR APPROACHING, THE VEHICLE.

In owners’ own words

Suspension mileage not reported 5 mo in service
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT STEER ITSELF STRAIGHT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM DEALER WAS UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO FIX, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WILL BE TRADED SOON. TT *SLC
Suspension 31,000 mi 1.6 yr in service
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MADE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE. *JB
Suspension mileage not reported 2.5 yr in service
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT THE BUSHINGS ON THE FRONT STRUTS OF THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU RATTLE AND SQUEAK STARTING AROUND 30K MILES AND GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL UNIT TENDS TO GO BAD. BOTH ARE RATHER COSTLY TO FIX PROBLEMS DIDN'T SURFACE TILL AFTER THE 3/36 WARRANTY WAS UP. *JB
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 10 mo in service crash / fire / tow
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY DIDN'T HOLD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE.CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Other Malibu model years

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