8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$610
Average Mileage:
81,450 miles
Total Complaints:
119 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (46 reports)
  2. leave ignition on for 10 minutes and restart (30 reports)
  3. have GM research and fix their problem!!! (18 reports)
  4. had ignition module and harness replaced (5 reports)
  5. had the ignition cylinder(where key is inserted)replaced (5 reports)
  6. replacing sensors for anti-theft (3 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #99

Dec 152011

Malibu LS 3100

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

Can't believe GM let me down, I have been a GM enthusiast my entire life, Drag Racing and auto restoration, so I promote the CHEVY thing to my three sons who all eat breathe and survive by breathing CHEVY. That was until my daughter in law purchased a 2002 Chevy Malibu with low mileage and clean as a pin and garage kept by the original owner. She was coming home from work after picking up my grandbabies and the car died, so i did my typical diagnostics Air, Fuel and Spark, it lead me in the direction of a fuel problem, turns out that GM has this "BULLSHIT" passlock system built into this PIECE OF SH*T!!! that disables the fuel injectors, after scanning the web for a diagnosis i came to the conclusion that all of the so called resistor tricks don't work so I am currently waiting on a NEW ROCKIES pro vats bypass, not sure what kind of let down this will be, so I am not getting my hopes up by any means, one thing is for sure General Motors Corp. will no longer live in my families domain, the 1969 Camaro can stay but the rest of this sh*t is out of here! and that includes a 2008 Silverado, 1996 GMC Sonoma pickup, 2002 Tahoe " TOTAL POS" they are all up for sale and i am not kidding!! just purchased a KIA with a 10 year 100000 mile warranty, GM should have went under when they needed a bailout, they would not be missed at all, i have enough antique Chevys to keep the good memories alive! BYE BYE General Motors Inc.

- Rusty P., Norfolk, VA, US

problem #98

Dec 082011

Malibu 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

this bullshit has been going on for 4 months the wait 10 minutes has worked in the past. but now twice it hasn't worked I'm a person that travels and takes care of the elderly. i have missed many of my clients due to this bullshit. Ive chatted with a lady from gmc and she claimed she hasn't heard anything about this. her name was laura, i told her she needs to get on some of the sites and read the complaints that there are plenty of them. gmc was bailed out because of their incompetence & now they want to screw us and not stand behind there crappy product. what will i have to do to get this problem solved? get robbed or raped while waiting for this piece of sh*t to start? so will there be a recall or a class action lawsuit? well i'm going back to my car now which is 40 miles away to see if it will start. doubt it i will. definitely will sell this piece of sh*t and go get a real car. you go FORD, gmc can shove this up there asses dont buy a bailed out gmc product...

- Cathy Y., Monmouth, IL, US

problem #97

Aug 142011

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,383 miles

i have a 2002 chevy malibu and the anti theft light is on again alredy replaced the key switch for the 3 rd time i am about to take the car back and say NO more 02 malibu that i will own I think that they NEED to make this one of the MAJOR recalls for this part that needs to be looked at and why this is an on going thing for ALL the 2002 malibu i did do the key to the start position for 10 minutes and then tried to start it and NOTHING happened if i got to replace this switch AGAIN i will NOT get another car like this one again

- Gary B., Easton, PA, US

problem #96

Jan 152009

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

Anti-theft & passlock sensor problem, 110,000 intake head gasket replaced due to leaking antifreeze, hazard light ticking noise on and off hen turn signals used repetitively, and currently both fans will come on dropping heating temperature to 90 degree averages. I' m glad I'm out of the colder climate of Eastern Nevada and in the warmer climate of California.

General Motors should either compensate majorly or replace the vehicles.

- padrigs, Oroville, CA, US

problem #95

Jul 142011

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I've noticed and read several complaints about the anti-theft system on chevy malibu's so I thought I would add my input. On Thursday I was leaving work and started my car. I had to try 2 times before it turned over. I wasn't to concerned and didn't think to much of it. I put it in drive and got about 200 yards before the car turned itself off. Luckily I was in an area where I could coast to the side walk and park the car. I tried to start it again and I had to wait about 15 minutes before it decided to turn over. I brought myself home. On Friday I started the car for work from my home and it started. It took me to work no problem. I initally thought maybe the battery was going out but thought that the car started, so if it was a battery it would have been dead over night. I left work, went outside and the car started. I was happy! Got a block from my home and in shut itself off while I was driving. I had to coast to the side of the road. I waited a few minutes and it started.

It is now sitting in my driveway and I am scared to death to drive it. The theft system light comes on. My spouse is trying to work on the car now. It won't start. I researched other complaints and solutions but nothing works. So I guess I am now a member of the Chevy Malibu Anti Theft System Club. I am so annoyed I could spit nails. This is SO unsafe as I could have caused a serious accident had I been in the middle of traffic and my car decides it THINKS someone is stealing it. I have no money for a new vehicle. This one is paid for and my spouse said we've gotten our moneys worth but I don't agree. The car is a piece of sh*t. My a/c doesn't work either. Hasn't in a while and I live in Florida! Today it is 98 degrees!

I will NEVER buy another GM car again. At this point while I'm in tears I am wondering if I just need to buy a bike.

- lafountaine, St. Petersburg, FL, US

problem #94

Jun 062011

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

First I would like to thank all the people who helped me figure out what the ignition problem was about before I went to a dealer. Only to get jacked around. Instantly, I seen the two main problems I was having my anti-theft is all of the sudden not allowing the car to start, and my turn signal is clicking whether it is off or on. I turn the radio up and try to ignore it. Well just tried the sit and wait ten minuet thing and car...started!!! Thank you so much I was ready to light a match to the car and report it stolen. Just kidding-I swear..lol So I just got off the phone with J.D.Byryder where I bought the car two months ago..I told them I was going to bring it up there and park it and get a lawyer, quick. They are going to replace the whole ignition system. THEY SAID IF YOU BUY THE IGNITION SYSTEM STRAIGHT THROUGH GM IT IS, THEN UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL HAVE TO BE IFXED NO MATTER WHAT FOR FREE.Still does not help the hassle and the bull sh*t factor that GM who got bailed out by our taxpaying dollars will not bail out its own people who keep them in business. Yes, people I am on this problem if there is a lawsuite to be had we will all bann together and class action it. This makes you late for work, loose jobs, miss appointments, or kids stuck unsafely for hours in a parking lot at night time. Just like anything else it takes somebody getting hurt or killed before it matters. Fortunately/Unfortunately?? its not deadly but we are stuck with a car that will not start. I paid $10,000 2 months ago (past the 30day lemon law of course) so that I had a car that was dependable tired of breaking down and making myself go broke in the process of being dependable. And this...I will be returning with something for all of us. This will get fixed if I have to hire three attorneys. And they will have to pay for the legal fees too.

Thank you for all of your help atleast I can start the damn thing so I can take the car back and throw it in their face to say fix it. I know the car lot is aware if this sh*t I could tell and sold it to me anyways knowing I am a single mom trying to get my masters, and just wanted to supply their vacation funds for the month. GM SUCKS and I am going to shout it from the top of every mountain top until somebody hears us!!

- sarah29, Sunman, IN, US

problem #93

Aug 142011

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,383 miles

what needs to be done is a recall on this at no charge to the owner of a 2002 malibu, and to see what can be done about this problem

- Gary B., Easton, PA, US

problem #92

Jun 052011

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 163,000 miles

I have recently replaced the ignition module,crank sensor, cam sensor, fuel pump, the actual ignition twice already, and my car won't start. It's getting to be more of a pain in the neck than anything. I'm trying to find out if there is a way to bypass having to reprogram the codes for the ignition switch? Or do I have to pay chevy more money to reprogram this?

- Sarah M., White Bear Lake, MN,USA, US

problem #91

Sep 122005

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

This is not the only problem....leaks antifreeze, engine knocks, blinkers work when they want, This car is UNSAFE!! Should be recalled and blown up~

- janetme, Houlton, ME, US

problem #90

Jan 012008

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

I finally got online today, to research a problem I have been having with my 2002 Malibu....only to find there are many many people having this issue. Yay! And to top it off, I see that nobody can seem to find a solution to the problem.

This is an annoyance as it has made me late to work, appointments, etc.

I agree with one of the complaints that I read, GM should own up to this issue, and come up with a fix. I can say that until they do, I would probably not buy GM/Chevrolet in the future.

Thanks GM for a crappy car!

- s.wol38, Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #89

Mar 172011

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

i am very interested in this anti-theft malfunction. i don't own a Malibu, but my mom does and she is experiencing this same problem. We use the wait 10min thing for now as long as it doesn't get any worse. I specifically told her not to waste her time and money takin it to a shop since i have read so many people doing that and it doing no good. I, too, cannot believe GM wont do anything about it. Actually, i can believe it nowadays but it isn't right. this is bullshit. So i did some careful thinking and wondered what would happen if someone called there local newspaper or news provider. If they will pick up the story and put it on the air, then maybe GM would see it and actually do something about it. Just an idea i want to put out there for those who have lost so much $$ tryin to take care of this problem. i live in Missouri and if my mom does take it to a repairman and loses any money over this and the problem occurs again, then i will be call the "you paid for it" man on my channel 2 news. You have to make this public for it to get results!! The folks at GM aren't on this website reading these complaints but im sure when they get home at night they kick on 5oclock news or start their day off with the morning paper. Just trying help. Good luck!

- Tanya G., Desoto, MO, US

problem #88

Feb 142009

Malibu LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

When you get a 2002 Malibu it WILL have the anti-theft problem, but I have figured out that when you insert the key just turn it over (do not start it yet) but in the on position and let the computer read your key it will help with the anti - theft problem I have been doing this for about 3 months now and haven't had it happen since before it was happening a couple of times a week!!

- Dara G., Lee's Summit, MO, US

problem #87

Dec 072010

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,847 miles

Well you can add me to the club of this piece of crap "anti-theft" problem. I purchased a 2002 chevy malibu from a private party a week ago and up until a few days the car ran fine. Then one day I noticed the it didn't want to start up right away and finally it started and I didn't think anything of it. I get home park then later get in the car to go out again and the damn car won't start. So was told to get a new battery, I did and the problem still did not fix. Then the next day my car starts and then after that wouldn't start again. I get on the internet and see all these complaints about gms "anti-theft" system and I am appalled. Now my car is at a gm dealership and today they call and tell me the car has been starting w/o any damn problem wtf! I told them that they need to fix it. The 10min wait thing doesn't always work and I don't have time to go through a ritual just to start my own car. I either have to get a new ignition cylinder/switch or whatever; if anyone out there has had a successful repair please inform me. I am upset because gm knows damn well about this problem and will not own up, they should be ashamed. There needs to be a recall and refund for all unnecessary repairs. I am ready to join with whoever in getting gms attention even if it means a lawsuit. I am a college student getting my education and thought that I was doing good buying an American car, guess I was wrong. Gm shouldn't be able to take advantage of people like this. All owners who have had this problem or still do, we all need to unite or they will suck us dry with all these unnecessary repairs.

- nikit, Merced, CA, US

problem #86

Sep 082010

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,684 miles

car will not start unless i turn the key to on and sit untiil the thief light goes out which takes 5 to 10 min. It has happened 3x so far.

- azel, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

problem #85

Sep 012009

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Well, temp fix is turn the ignition on for 10min to reset, then start car, but this in no way fixes the problem and of course next time the car won't start will be when your wife is in labor or something. I believe that the ignition cylinder must be replaced, but I haven't gotten around to that yet, something about the magnet not recognizing the key or something???

- mwhitney, Troy, MI, US

problem #84

Jan 012010

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles

About 40,000 miles car started acting up would not start sometimes. Had it towed 5 times thought was fixed until it happened again this past weekend. It seems like alot of people have same problem but still no recall. Why is Chevy doing anything to help its customers

- Tiffany V., Walkill, NY, US

problem #83

Nov 012010

Malibu LS 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,568 miles

I have been dealing with the anti-theft system problem for over a year. When I first experienced the problem, an auto technician at a Firestone gave me instructions on how to reset the anti-theft system. To avoid the problem, I have learned to make sure to crank the engine long enough for the ignition to start. Unfortunately, this would not always work and I would have to set for 10 minutes with the ignition on for the car to reset. Pain in the butt!!! I have reported the problem to GM but they will not do anything about it. I hope everyone on this web site has reported the problem to the National Transportation Safety Board. Every time I have a problem with my Malibu, I look online and see where other people have had the same problem (ie., cracked head gasket, intermittent turn signal malfunction). I and my father have always bought American cars but now I am starting to reconsider my belief in GM products.

- millsoh, Pataskala, OH, US

problem #82

Aug 132009

Malibu

  • 79,816 miles

Please call this number and get a claim number. We have to report it to the direct office or else no recall will be established. Please tell everyone you know with this problem to please report it so we can get our money back. Also report it online at gmownercenter.com. They said all these sites mean nothing, but if we report it on their site, then it counts. Please spread the word!! I got my claim number today!

Customer Assistance Center

Chevrolet Motor Division, General Motors Corp.

PO Box 33170

Detroit, MI 48232-5170

Toll free: 1-800-222-1020

- kconron, Morris, CT, US

problem #81

Oct 282010

Malibu LS 3.1

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

Car is not dependable with this no start safety feature.I leave it for a while and then go and put the key on the on position for 10 minutes and then it will start.When i turn it off again it will not start, very annoying.

- gerryg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

problem #80

Oct 252010

Malibu

  • 201,946 miles

check out this website on how to bypass the lock - http://en.allexperts.com/q/Auto-Theft-Prevention-2384/2002-Chevy-Malibu-wont.htm

- chiefmtn, Raymond, AB, Canada

Read the next 20 complaints »