2002 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability
776 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 31/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 70,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2002 sits among all Malibu years
What owners report
“Failure of turn signals on 2002 chevy malibu probably due to faulty hazard switch”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Malibu
“I have had a problem start with the anti theft system going off and having to wait ten minutes for light to go out and start vehicle.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Malibu
“Brake rotors were so thin after less than 30k commuter mile that they had to be replaced. Dealership just told me that rotors were consumables.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Malibu
“Anti theft device caused car to be unable to start even with correct key. Stationary. Computer had to.be reprogrammed.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Malibu
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 522 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 69,220 miles. Half of those reports fall between 43,000 and 100,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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.…
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.…
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…
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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…
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP AND REPLACE IT IF IT DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON…
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
394 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2002 Malibu TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
The 2002 Chevrolet Malibu drew 776 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 31/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu are electrical (451 complaints), engine (92), and brakes & stability (63).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems around 69,220 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 43,000 and 100,000 miles.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.