10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,144 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu:

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

problem #19

Mar 122018

Malibu

  • miles
My vehicle is messing up on me and it was shut off my vehicle is messing up on me it will shut off well driving ill pull over and wait a couple mins and I will pull out the fuel fuse and wait a couple mins and will put it back and it will start again after a week it shut off on me and would not start had to have it towed took it to a mechanic he changed the fuel pump and marjoram worked for 5days then the same problem again changed the sensors worked ok for 2days and the problem came back again so I changed the spark plugs fuel filter all fuses still nothing its been sitting for 3 to 4 months now I can't seem to find the problem I changed everything U can thing of now the check engine and test system light is

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #18

Apr 252018

Malibu

  • 155,263 miles
My car cuts off and goes into the anti-theft system while I'm going down the road when this happens my car has to be pushed off the roadway and then I have to sit with my driver side door open and my key turned on for 10 minutes until it resets itself this is very dangerous and it scared me because I was in the middle of highway 150 in danville Kentucky. Plusmy heating system is messed up I can't get it to bleed out the air in the system.

- Danville, KY, USA

problem #17

Nov 052017

Malibu

  • 46,000 miles
Anti-theft locking device make car stop and can't start even in emergency situation. Had gone to bank and when tried to start vehicle and wouldn't start. Client is 88 years old and had to go out on street seeking help to get car fixed. (forgot cell phone at home) walked some distance and was having respiratory problems when she reached an auto shop. Mechanic went to car to help and fixed problem. Said it was anti-theft mechanism. This same thing has happened before when car had to be towed and was diagnosed as anti-theft locking device. Researching matter on internet and find there are thousands of Chevrolet exhibiting the same defect. Why isn't Chevrolet required to fix this problem before some dies as a result. We can't always control circumstances of being stranded, where when how etc., and this is absolutely a safety problem for the driver. Please help with this problem. When individuals are on fixed income they can't keep going to dealer and have $108 diagnosis to determine problem (when they already know what it is) and then charging big bucks to fix a minor fix. Thank you for your attention.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #16

Oct 122017

Malibu

  • miles
Anti theft device caused car to be unable to start even with correct key. Stationary. Computer had to.be reprogrammed.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #15

Mar 222017

Malibu

  • miles
Have a 2002 Malibu, and the theft system light keeps coming on and I have to turn off the radio, turn the ignition key to acc, wait 10 - 15 minutes for the theft system light to stop blinking and "disappear", then turn the key to the off position, wait another 5 - 10 minutes. Then turn the key to the start position for the car to crank. The whole process can take approximately 25 minutes to start the car. I never know when I get in my car if the problem will occur, when it will happen or where I will be when it happens. The most recent time was yesterday 3/22/17.

- Ruston, LA, USA

problem #14

Aug 032016

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
I purchased my used car in the fall of 2015. Since then, I have experienced several incidents - now occurring more frequently - in which my car will not start because the anti-theft system believes I am trying to steal it. When I turn the key in the ignition, the car will not start and the anti-theft light starts blinking. I must wait exactly 10 minutes with the key in the "on" position for the light to stop blinking. Then I can restart the car and it works fine. This has happened several times in the past few weeks. I have looked online for solutions to this problem, and have discovered that numerous Malibu owners have experienced the exact same problem. I have been stranded in dark parking lots multiple times, and do not feel safe knowing that my vehicle regularly will not start without a ten minute delay.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

problem #13

Jul 052016

Malibu

  • 124,500 miles
I had the recall done on 11-26-14 for 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. GM's number for this recall is 14350. Now the chip in the ignition switch keeps going in to tamper mode. The car will not start and the computer has to be reset to make it start. I have had to have it towed 2 times in the last 8 days! so now I have to pay over $500 to have it replaced! this should be covered under the recall! the key fix did not fix the problem. The car has only 124 thousand miles on it! prostrollo motor co. In madison, sd 570472 605-256-9111 is the dealership repairing it and said many other cars like mine have had to do this also!!! what a rip off!

- Madison, SD, USA

problem #12

Sep 142015

Malibu

  • 137,551 miles
The theft system light appears on dash when key is put into the ignition, upon turning the ignition, car won't start, due to the theft system light, why does my car not recognize my key? this is a defect in the manufacturing. The car shouldn't "think" the owner is trying to steal it. Had to get car towed to dealership, they told me the ignition cylinder needs to be replaced, quoted me 613$ plus tax. I am forced to get it replaced. The service adviser said upon replacement, they would need to reprogram the computer to recognize a new key! again, this is defective manufacturing, this isn't just a bad battery, or bad alternator, this is a computer glitch that has nothing to do with the motor, but a faulty built in theft system. The computer failing in a vehicle programmed by its manufacturer needs to be recalled and fixed. This isn't the consumers fault. I am lucky my motor didn't cut off while driving, because previous to not starting up at all, the theft system light would go on while driving down the road.

- Lake Hughes, CA, USA

problem #11

Aug 112015

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles
Factory power sunroof switch has premature intermittent failure causing the window to stop midway or open partially. Closure is also partial or stopping midpoint. The switch failure requires multiple attempts to open and or close the glass. All other power accessories work as intended including other power window switches. Vehicle has never been modified or or damaged.

- Corning, OH, USA

problem #10

Jul 012015

Malibu

  • 126,000 miles
I had an ignition switch replaced by a dealer (dimmitt Chevrolet, clearwater, fl) because my key was stuck in it. The same dealer also replaced my key and key casing because of a recall. After that I starting noticing that my car would intermittently cut off forcing me to put in neutral and restart. I thought it may be a clogged fuel filter and had that replaced. The issue still exists and it is a dangerous situation to me and my family not knowing when my car will just stop running, especially while driving at highway speeds. I checked and do not see a GM recall on my model for some reason.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #9

May 242015

Malibu

  • 133,000 miles
When attempting to start my son's 2002 Chevy Malibu the anti-theft light came on, and the car would crank but not start. I looked online and found that this is a common pass lock sensor issue. The key needs to be in the on position for at least 10 minutes (until the anti-theft light goes off), then turn the key to the off position, take the key out, then put the key back in, and it will start. This is a known issue and can be referenced on numerous online sites, so there is no reason this should not be a recall issue. Mechanics will tell you it is the fuel pump, fuel lines, or the ignition, and you can spend a great deal of money without solving the issue. At $300-$450 (estimates) you can have the ignition switch replaced, but this is a known issue and should be on the recall list. I do not want my teenage son stranded for something that GM knows about and should replace.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

problem #8

Feb 282014

Malibu

  • miles
I was driving my vehicle at 35 mph when I went over a small pot hole on father hurley blvd. My right knee smashed against my key ring on the front dash area. Thee car lost immediate power. I could not accelerate or steer my vehicle. I had to slowly coast over to the side of the road until I came to a complete stop. Vehicles around me had a difficult time avoiding me since this event happened as I was approaching a lane merging with mine as they exited a major freeway. When the vehicle had completely stopped I put on my hazard lights and put it in park. I noticed that the key was not fully engaged in the ignition so I pushed it all the way back into the ignition and turned the key over. The car immediately started up and I was able to drive home safely. This is the 3rd time an event like this (where my knee has bumped up against the key ring and the car lost power) has happened in my history of owning this vehicle.

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #7

Jul 142010

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
Sometimes the car starts sometimes it don't it gives you no notice that it not going to start.

- Paradis, LA, USA

problem #6

Jul 142009

Malibu

  • 130,084 miles
I have had several problems with the passlock II / theftsystem in my 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. This is a recurring issue, that seems to happen 2 to 3 times a week, sometimes more, in the past week it has happened twice. When this happens it results in me having to turn my ignition to on for ten minutes, and wait patiently in hopes this will let me start my own car. I think this is something that needs a serious inquiry by someone. I have contacted the dealership with no avail. I am hoping someone will help the people who are being stranded in that dark parking lot alone at 3am. Please do something about the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu theftsystem/ passlock, please.

- Melbourne , FL, USA

problem #5

Nov 072006

Malibu

  • miles
2002 Chevrolet Malibu customer states that the floor mat curled on the top of the gas pedal and as she applied the brake, the gas pedal was depressed and caused the car to lurch forward and hit the garage**

- Conshohocken, PA, USA

problem #4

Sep 032004

Malibu

  • 12,000 miles
No incidents, crashes or injury's while in my possession. The 2002 Chevy Malibu I bought used in 2004 only had 11,000 miles on it. It was a government used car. Several months after buying the car the blinkers stopped working and then began working again. They now work when they want to work. Now, almost a year later at 41,000 miles the horn blows a short beep anytime. The car may be running or not, there may not be anyone even in the car. This has been going on for about a month and a half and now there is a beeping tone inside that I have not identified. It doesn't do it constantly but I notice it when I start the car. It is a short "alert" beep, kind of like an alarm. It beeps once, pause, and then about three times pause and then once more. Just wondering if there were any recalls for this as the warranty is not in affect any longer. In addition to these there has been about three occasions where my car hestitated when starting kind of like the battery was drained. Could this be from the horn blowing all day and night? have also replaced brakes more often than I thought I should.

- Tucker, AR, USA

problem #3

May 252004

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
A trash bag had wrapped around the axle of a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu resulting in the brake hose ripping. The cv boot was also crushed due to the consumer running over a large trash bag.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #2

Feb 152003

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,338 miles
The rotors on this vehicle warped within the first year and continue to warp every two to four months. This is causing wear on the brakes which had to be replaced at 21338 miles at my cost and again at 31474 miles at the dealers cost.

- Athens, NY, USA

problem #1

Jul 252003

(reported on)

Malibu

  • 47,000 miles
Problems getting dealership to pay for recall repair. The dealer stated the vehicle mileage needed to be between 43K-45K miles. The consumer requested her money back.

- Suffern, NY, USA