Model year record

2002 Chevrolet Malibu

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 756 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component: Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected: 5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-07-03
Owners notified: 2014-09-08

Defect description

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Safety risk

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V107000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component: Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 10,168
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-04-10
Owners notified: 2002-05-23

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP THAT DOES NOT MEET THE PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Safety risk

LIGHT INTENSITIES BELOW THE MINIMUM INTENSITY REQUIREMENTS CAUSE REDUCTION IN VISIBILITY DOWN THE ROAD FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND INTENSITIES ABOVE THE MAXIMUM INTENSITY REQUIREMENTS CAUSE INCREASE IN GLARE FOR DRIVERS AHEAD OF, OR APPROACHING, THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP AND REPLACE IT IF IT DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	182	85,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	62	69,996 mi
Exterior lighting	49	74,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	40	55,029 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch	36	59,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	28	62,240 mi
Engine	22	84,000 mi
Unknown or other	19	72,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	17	54,085 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	15	29,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	13	59,000 mi
Air bags	12	97,000 mi
Steering	12	90,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	11	78,400 mi
Service brakes	11	69,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	10	60,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	10	30,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	9	34,207 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	9	29,000 mi
Tires	9	35,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	8	69,140 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	8	43,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	8	29,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	7	57,560 mi
Electrical system: ignition	6	52,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	128,090 mi
Air bags: frontal	5	70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	5	60,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	5	50,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	5	28,000 mi
Seat belts	5	70,000 mi
Structure	5	18,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	4	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	4	69,300 mi
Equipment	4	40,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	4	24,000 mi
Structure: body	4	95,000 mi
Suspension	4	69,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	4	84,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	3	—
Structure: frame and members	3	—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	3	29,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	3	—
Child seat	2	—
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	2	105,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	3,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices	2	31,500 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	2	24,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	2	13,136 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	2	—
Power train	2	100,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	46,000 mi
Suspension: front	2	—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	2	31,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	72,000 mi
Visibility	2	68,500 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	2	54,450 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	142,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables	1	—
Electrical system: horn	1	12,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	1	105,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	1	52,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	44,900 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	81,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	125,312 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	1	62,492 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit	1	60,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	142,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	56,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	1	—
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Interior lighting	1	142,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage	1	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	—
Service brakes, air	1	12,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper	1	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	5,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	37,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	16,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	1	—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm	1	—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	1	23,250 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	1	57,705 mi
Suspension: rear	1	98,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	1	—
Visibility/wiper	1	40,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	1	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	1	45,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	50,130 mi
Wheels	1	21,338 mi

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.