2002 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System Problems
- 179
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 179 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- ignition switch · 43 records
- anti theft · 24 records
- theft system · 24 records
- failure mileage · 23 records
- notified failure · 18 records
- electrical system · 17 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 42 |
| 100–150k mi | 38 |
| 30–60k mi | 30 |
| 150–400k mi | 15 |
| 1–30k mi | 11 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Control Module · Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated the anti-theft system warning light illuminated preventing the vehicle from starting. The contact mentioned that the anti-theft system reset approximately ten minutes after shutting off the vehicle and then the vehicle was able to start. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not…
ODI 10640147
Electrical System
2002 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to a faulty ignition switch. *tgw the consumer stated the ignition switch was replaced twice. The consumer is seeking reimbursement. *jb
ODI 10644058
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
I walked out the door ready to go to work got in the car turned the key it would not start. So first i had to wake someone up with a phone call because this is our only car. Got a ride to work late and called the place where i am buying this car for them to tow it two miles to there shop and charge me seventy eight dollars. I get the call from them saying its the fuel pump(another common unnecessary fix that you…
ODI 10474322
Electrical System
My car started shutting off out of nowhere. The theft light comes on and it locks me out for ten minutes. This has been going on for a year. I backed out of a one way street, the car shut off and the theft light locked me out for ten minutes on a one way street where traffic could not get around me. Since, there has been a constant ding in my dash. I changed the emergency relay switch in the dash with no luck. Now…
ODI 10523694
Electrical System
Having problems with the car not starting. It will crank, but won't start. Then hours later it starts. *tr updated 7/18/12 *cn updated 07/25/12
ODI 10465238
Electrical System · Engine · Service Brakes
As i was driving down the road, i signaled for a left turn. When i signaled the turn, there was a buzzing noise in the steering column and the engine turned off, resulting in a complete loss of power to steering and brakes. Luckily, i was going about 10 mph and was able to stop the car, albeit in the middle of the street. I noticed the dashboard lights were on. The car restarted immediately and i drove it 1/2 block…
ODI 10458631
Electrical System · Engine
1.car keeps overheating. Put antifreeze it and run for a while and it will overheat again. No antifreeze on ground but keeps losing the antifreeze. Took vehicle to mechanic and was told that the antifreeze is mixing with the oil that it has a cracked manifold gasket. Recommendation was replace engine. 2.took vehicle to the dealer and they said that the on board computer chip thing needs to be replaced and they…
ODI 10492205
Electrical System
I purchased my chevrolet malibu from a private part and the vehicle was running fine but sometimes it does not want to start. Bought a new battery and replaced the ignition switch and still have the starting problem. Seems that this type of vehicle has a history of anti theft system problems i called a chevrolet dealership to ask if it could be repaired and was told i need to take it in at a cost of 80.00 dollars to…
ODI 10450430
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle had trouble starting and would stall without warning. The vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle continued to stall and exhibited issues starting after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of…
ODI 10837798
Electrical System
Bought my malibu new, had no problems with it until after 100,000 miles. Was at a yellow light and the car shut off turned key to off position and restarted the car and went on. I say about 5 months later we went out of town for 3 day came back went to the car tried to start it. It would start and shut off it would keep doing it. Took to the shop they had for over a month pull back seat out thinking the wires under…
ODI 10452087
Electrical System
The car dies when you are on the road . When you shut it off to get gas or anything it wont start the gauges go all over the place. This car is very unsafe and gm needs to recall the electrical system some one is going to get kill from the car with no warning just shuts down. *tr
ODI 10436181
Electrical System · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel system, transmission, cooling system and power steering needed to be flushed. The spark plugs, fuel filters, and hub kit were replaced. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was…
ODI 10643540
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that after inserting the key in the ignition, it failed to turn on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vin was not available. The failure…
ODI 10472813
Electrical System
2002 chevrolet malibu security/anti theft system erroneously disables the car - every 20 or starts, for no reason, requiring a lengthy process to re-enable the ignition system. Car is low mileage and has original keys & key fob. *tr
ODI 10419308
Electrical System
I own a 2002 chevy malibu and the theft system warning light keeps coming on and prevents me from starting the car. The "fix" is to sit with the key in the on position until the light stops flashing. I know many people have had the same problem and apparently the permanent fix is to replace the ignition cylinder which is expensive and doesn't always work. *tr
ODI 10407065
Electrical System
Car fails to start after shutting off. Theft system has to be reset by leaving the key on for 9 minutes. Gm knows about this but will not do anything about it. Car does this about twice a month. Car started doing this at 52000 miles in 2005. *tr
ODI 10397016
Electrical System
The 2000-2003 chevy malibu will turn over but won't start, ever!. Auto repair place kept care for last 8 days. Problem is caused by the antitheft system. Dealers and auto-repair shops charge $1000 without fixing the problem. I've seen over a hundred complaints on this issue from people with malibus of this era from the 'carcomplaints website'.…
ODI 10394347
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
1. The turn signals would not illuminate. Just stopped working for no reason. Lights were not burned out. Then they mysteriously started working just as they had stopped. For no reason. Incidents became more frequent with no apparent cause. Not weather related. After reading complaints on this site, i found that if i turned on my hazard flashers, the blinkers would work again. 2. I was rear ended on 11/4/11 though…
Crash reported
ODI 10436321
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the vehicle had experienced a computer failure. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure because the vehicle was restarted by that time. The contact stated several attempts would need to be made and the key had to be maneuvered…
ODI 10402555
Electrical System
I bought this car as a "steal" from a dealership. It was used as a trade in and the carfax report looked good. However, no one told me of the passlock problem. Today, i had to call off work after stopping for a cup of coffee and having to spend 3.5+ hours resetting and starting the car, i have often had difficulties and learned of the 10 minute trick, but it doesn't always work. Gm should stand behind their…
ODI 10383342
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the anti theft system would activate and would not allow her to start the vehicle for 10 minutes. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was not recognizing the key. The contact replaced the key; however, the anti theft system would still activate intermittently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not…
ODI 10410542
Electrical System
I bought a 2002 chevy malibu from a private party. Up until a few days ago it was running fine. One day it doesn't start up right away but i don't think anything of it. I park it then later get in to go to the store and vehicle will not start. So i get a new battery and that still did not fix it. I notice that the anti-theft light is on and is preventing me from starting my own car. A local gm dealership has my car…
ODI 10369849
Electrical System
I drove about 2 miles to my sisters house and turned my car off. When i went back out to start my car 20 min later, it would not start. Aaa said my key had to be reset and it would cost about $80. He towed my vehicle to aaa plus. They advised me the next day that it would be $477.29. $302.10 for an ignition switch. $42 for dia electrical labor and $77.70 for rr ignition switch and recode. I was informed that they…
ODI 10369392
Electrical System
I have a 02 chevy malibu that the passlock alarm keeps activating almost every time i turn off the ignition, leaving me stranded for 10 minutes each time waiting for the alarm to reset. This problem has been getting more frequent over the last 2 years to where every third crank activates the alarm. This is a ongoing problem with no approximate incident date, but i will use today's date. *tr
ODI 10368431
Electrical System
2002 malibu will not start- anti theft system has shut down car. Fixed 5 years ago- over ride last year- won't start. Also tail lights work when they want to-most the time not at all. Keep having leaks in coolant area- needs to be fixed yearly running around $900 a year. *tr
ODI 10369401