2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 755 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 36% of complaints. After that come lighting (22%) and engine (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 755 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 28 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 32 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 69,000 miles 512 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 36 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 73 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 96 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 119 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 60 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 44 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 39 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 25 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 17 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 512 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 69,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 78,000 miles (201 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 28 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 32 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 17th most-complained-about out of 28 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu with enough data (367 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
My grandson was critically inured while front seat passenger in 2002 chevy malibu, this vehicle cannot sustain impact of 30 MPH or less to front passenger side without causing fatal if not critical injuries to passenger. No side airbag, no protection whatsoever. Rated with three stars...... Ridiculous. My grandson lost one lung and part of his bronchial tube because there is no safety measurements on this vehicle to protect front passenger.
The brakes failed at 13000 miles creating a safety issue for myself and family. They were defective and worn down to nothing, creating an unsafe stopping condition for myself and family. *nlm
The hazard/ turn signal switch in my 2002 chevrolet malibu failed, and I had to replace it in order to be able to use my turn signal and hazard lights effectively.