2002 Chevrolet MALIBU CLASSIC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
79,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 16 complaints (68.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 18.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 18.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Electrical System: 11; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve): 1; Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
2014: 9; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10615974 · 2014-07-24 (July 24, 2014)
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS SEDAN PRESENTED HAS NOTICEABLY WEAK AND INEFFICIENT HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS POSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN MILDLY FOGGY DRIVING CONDITIONS AT ALL. IN FACT DUE TO SUCH POOR PERFORMANCE, IT IS QUITE DIFFICULT TO DISCERN WHETHER OR NOT THE FOG LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE IS POOR WITH MARKEDLY DECREASED LIGHTING EFFICIENCY IN CITY DRIVING AND ON WET ROADS. THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS DIM AND OR FLICKER WHEN THE DRIVER DEPRESSES THE BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10643503 · 2014-10-09 (October 9, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10643503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10653221 · 2014-11-06 (November 6, 2014)
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC ENGINE FAILS TO START. GM PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES, AND STAYS LIT. VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START AND STRANDED DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. KEY FEELS LOOSE IN IGNITION. TRIM SURROUNDING IGNITION REMAINS LOOSE FROM MULTIPLE SWITCH REPLACEMENTS. SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BEFORE. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND DOCUMENTED AT GM SERVICE CENTER AS HAVING A FAILED IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE SECOND TIME. VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED 2 TIMES AT OWNER'S EXPENSE FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF OVER $1200. ALL PARTS A…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10653221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10653306 · 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL. *TGW THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10653306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10659586 · 2014-12-18 (December 18, 2014)
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *CN
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10659586 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10659809 · 2014-11-20 (November 20, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE KEY WAS TURN INTO THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE REPEATEDLY JIGGLED IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY IND…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10659809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660607 · 2014-12-30 (December 30, 2014)
CHEVROLET MALIBU CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. *JB CONSUMER FOLLOW-UP. UPDATED 01/28/15.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10660607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660620 · 2014-12-22 (December 22, 2014)
2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. DRIVER RECEIVED CAR AS GIFT AND FRIEND HAS SAME CAR WITH A RECALL ISSUED. CONSUMER HAS YET TO RECEIVE ONE. *TA RECALL # 14V400000. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10660620 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.