2002 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 143about this part
- Share
- 25%of 567 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 143 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, 25% of the 567 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The turn signals work sometimes and sometimes they don't work. I researched this on the internet and it seams to be a serious problem with this car make. If there are no recalls on this there should be. This is a major safety hazard. I just bought this car for my teenage son.”
NHTSA complaint #11354759, filed 2020-09, 137,800 miles“My 2002 chevy Malibu has bad signal lights. Sometimes they work sometimes they don't. I see there is a bulletin posted about this problem so I called the local dealer and they told me that they know nothing about it and I have to pay to have them fix it. Can you look into this for me? The last 8 digits of the VIN. That's what they asked for to check. Thanks.”
NHTSA complaint #10242841, filed 2008-09, 75,000 miles“Turn signals just randomly work when they want to. Had it to the garage recently and asked why they didn't work right, didn't get much of an answer. This is a real safety issue and in doing my research, I'm not the only one with this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10538310, filed 2013-09, 104,100 miles“There have been problems with my hazard switch and blinkers on my car. They work basically when they want to. I had brought it to a Chevrolet dealer over a year ago and they had no idea what I was referring to. It seems as if its a defect with the car and I'm not sure bout finding out what to do about it.”
NHTSA complaint #10218054, filed 2008-02, 60,000 miles“Turn signal sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, radio cuts off, I received a recall notice from Chevrolet about this incident, took it to my local dealership and was informed they did not have any recall on file for my VIN number, despite the exact issue, turn signal causing electrical issues, being written on the service card.”
NHTSA complaint #10170326, filed 2006-10, 72,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V107000Apr 10, 2002Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." some of…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2002
Related service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 9 | 1% |
| 2017 | 21 | 3% |
| 2016 | 19 | 2% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 28 | 3% |
| 2012 | 202 | 22% |
| 2011 | 130 | 13% |
| 2010 | 194 | 14% |
| 2009 | 172 | 11% |
| 2008 | 106 | 11% |
| 2007 | 29 | 3% |
| 2006 | 63 | 6% |
| 2005 | 153 | 16% |
| 2004 | 84 | 7% |
| 2003 | 28 | 5% |
| 2002 | 143 | 25% |
| 2001 | 108 | 15% |
| 2000 | 241 | 26% |
| 1999 | 58 | 7% |
| 1998 | 79 | 8% |
| 1997 | 40 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
259 complaintsEngine cooling
63 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsEquipment
13 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology