MYRModel Year Report

2002 Chevrolet Malibu

● Typical for this model
2002 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
567
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

48% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2002 567 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 836 complaints 2016 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2000 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2002 567 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1986 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 1999 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2002 567 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2007 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2013 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2017 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2019 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025

2002: 567 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002567
2003569
20041,147
2005975
20061,116
2007977
2008987
20091,509
20101,360
2011978
2012907
2013836
2014351
2015270
2016836
2017703
2018697
2019190
2020196
202188
202297
202366
202441
202510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

48% · 270 reports

Most commonly citing control module and switch.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who reported the mileage at 105,000.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-15

Exterior lighting

29% · 165 reports

Most commonly citing switch and turn signal.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

Service brakes

11% · 63 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

In a collision with another vehicle, brakes failed to work, airbag did not deploy. Totaled my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-22

Also filed under Air bags

Engine

4% · 22 reports
Show complaint excerpts

My car cuts off and goes into the anti-theft system while I'm going down the road when this happens my car has to be pushed off the roadway and then I have to sit with my driver side door open and my key turned on for 10 minutes until it resets...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-25

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-05-23Exterior lighting02V107000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2005-09-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-01-13 Turn signal failures
  3. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-09-08Electrical system14V400000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 270 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 165 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 67 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V107000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V400000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.