2002 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 754 complaints
754
Total Complaints
68,607mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
28
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
41,800
25th Percentile
68,607
Median Mileage
99,699
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Electrical System
182
Control Module
62
Exterior Lighting
49
Turn Signal
40
Switch
36
Engine And Engine Cooling
28
Engine
22
Unknown Or Other
19
Cooling System
17
Rotor
15
Severity Assessment
28
Crashes
1
Fires
32
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"WHEN INSTALLING CAR SEAT AND PUTTING SEAT AROUND VEHICLE BUCKLES WOULD LOCK INTO SEAT BELT. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHILD CAR SEAT DOES NOT FIT WITH THE VEHICLE'S NEW LATCH SYSTEM AND THE REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. *YH"
"TIRES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES IN FRONT HAD DEVELOPED WEAR OUT IN MIDDLE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT STATE WHAT HAD CAUSED WEAR JUST ON FRONT. FIRESTONE, P-215/60R15. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK"
"WHEN DRIVING REARVIEW INTERIOR MIRROR WOULD VIBRATE, CAUSING A VISIBLE DISTORTION. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD MIRROR TIGHTENED, BUT NOT REPLACED. ALSO, THIS HAPPENS WHEN RADIO IS TURNED ON. OUTSIDE EXTERIOR MIRRORS DO NOT VIBRATE. MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM IS NORMAL.*A..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Electrical System
182 complaints
25th: 55,613 mi
Median: 85,000 mi
75th: 119,000 mi
Control Module
62 complaints
25th: 51,565 mi
Median: 69,996 mi
75th: 85,500 mi
Exterior Lighting
49 complaints
25th: 40,000 mi
Median: 74,000 mi
75th: 90,000 mi
Turn Signal
40 complaints
25th: 39,810 mi
Median: 55,514 mi
75th: 67,720 mi
Switch
36 complaints
25th: 40,850 mi
Median: 58,300 mi
75th: 66,318 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
OH: 68
PA: 59
NY: 50
IL: 43
CA: 42
FL: 42
GA: 36
TX: 34
MI: 34
MD: 33
Who Files Complaints?
20%
Original Owners
80%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Ignition
Campaign 14V400000 | 03/07/2014
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.
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.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Pressure Relief Devices
Campaign 07E021000 | 12/03/2007
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Headlights
Campaign 02V107000 | 10/04/2002
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.
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 CONTA
Maintain Your Electrical System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
- Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
- Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
- Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28