2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 755 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 35.8% of them — the clear leader, ahead of exterior lighting at 21.9%.
Complaints755
Crashes28
Fires1
Injuries32
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 35.8% · 270
Exterior lighting 21.9% · 165
Engine and engine cooling 8.9% · 67
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.5% · 49
Engine 2.9% · 22
Fuel system, gasoline 2.9% · 22
Unknown or other 2.5% · 19
Air bags 2.4% · 18
Severity
Of those complaints, 28 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 32 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 27 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu in this data, 2002 sits 19th by complaint volume. 2009 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 24 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 68,753 miles.
In owners' own words
While vehicle is on some power is lost while vehicle is still running. Motor is on but a/c , dashboard gauges, power windows, power locks, windshield wipers do not operate. I recently had vehicle serviced for recent recall #14350. I have noticed on inspecting vehicle that if key is slightly adjar or moved these loses happen. When contacting gm dealership I was informed that it had nothing to do with ignition. Electrical system · reported at 78,000 miles
I own a car rental company and the primary vehicle in my fleet is the 01-03 chevy Malibu. Over the past 14 months the ignition anti-theft system has left my customers stranded and frustrated. One customer was stranded at night in a wal-mart parking lot with her small kid while sitting through a heavy rain storm. All of our keys/spares are original and purchased from gm dealers but the problems remains. Electrical system
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the key failed to move in the ignition, which prevented the vehicle from starting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician replaced the ignition switch. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable. Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…