CarModelProblems.com

2002 Chevrolet Malibu Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 4.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
566Complaints
4Recalls
18Crashes
1Fires
19Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (32.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Electrical System complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System182 · 32.2%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module62 · 11%RecalledRecall 14V400000
Exterior Lighting49 · 8.7%RecalledRecall 09E012000 · Recall 02V107000
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal40 · 7.1%RecalledRecall 09E012000 · Recall 02V107000
Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch36 · 6.4%RecalledRecall 09E012000 · Recall 02V107000
Engine And Engine Cooling28 · 4.9%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM182 · 32.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28 · 4.9%
ENGINE22 · 3.9%
Unspecified / other19 · 3.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM17 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR15 · 2.7%

Percentages are the share of the 566 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Electrical System:ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 02V107000 · 2002 · reported 04/10/2002

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“DT: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS, THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO AROUND APRIL 15, 2005. THIS…”NHTSA complaint 10128410 — filed 07/12/2005 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“MY TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY MY ,FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 38,000 MILES,COOLENTENT SYSTEM ACTS UP OFF AND ON IT OVERHEATS AND THEN IT MIGHT WORK…”NHTSA complaint 10100434 — filed 11/23/2004 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S RADIO EQUIPMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE THE TIME AND THE RADIO WOULD LOSE STATIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE TEMPERATURE…”NHTSA complaint 10091773 — filed 08/30/2004 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

6720076261200946172011191020139955201518122017842019322021

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 182 of 566 NHTSA complaints (32.2%), followed by electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module (62), exterior lighting (49), exterior lighting:turn signal (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have?

566 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V400000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.