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Chevrolet Malibu ClassicModel year report

2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,500miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (69% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (3) and engine (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,500 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 66 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Went to faulkner lancaster pa. For inspection telling me I need a ignition lock cylinder in this vehicle for inspection . They did overall test and charged me $ 298.00 for this info .I have been cheated for the last four years every time I would take this in for inspection. Three catalytic converter later over a three year stretch .they did nothing to help they just take my money and say there was no recall for ignition lock cylinder on this vehicle. But now they want to replace it at my expenses. I have been ripped off and feel they don't care about my car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10733251, filed 2015-07, 181,161 miles

Exterior lighting: “2002 Chevrolet malibu ls sedan presented has noticeably weak and inefficient headlights and fog lights posing a safety issue. The fog lights are not effective in mildly foggy driving conditions at all. In fact due to such poor performance, it is quite difficult to discern whether or not the fog lights are turned on. Headlight performance is poor with markedly decreased lighting efficiency in city driving and on wet roads. The vehicle headlights dim and or flicker when the driver depresses the brake to slow the vehicle or come to a complete stop. …”

NHTSA complaint #10615974, filed 2014-07, 69,300 miles

Engine: “2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic engine fails to start. Gm passlock theft system indicator light flashes, and stays lit. Vehicle has failed to start and stranded driver and passengers. Key feels loose in ignition. Trim surrounding ignition remains loose from multiple switch replacements. Same issue has been diagnosed before. Vehicle diagnosed and documented at GM service center as having a failed ignition switch for the second time. Vehicle had to have ignition switch replaced 2 times at owner's expense for a grand total of over $1200. …”

NHTSA complaint #10653221, filed 2014-11, 70,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

10% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 110,000 miles.

0%0–1010%10–250%25–5040%50–7520%75–10020%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

201492015201620172018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 66 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 66 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Classic

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20082165,0000———Stable
20071575,2500———Stable
20059290,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
2004116100,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200316130,0000———Stable
20021679,5000———Stable
20011381,5000———Not enough data
20001180,0000———Not enough data
1998580,0000———Not enough data

All Chevrolet Malibu Classic model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (69% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 3.

Has the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Classic reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,500 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 110,000 miles; 10% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.