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Other or unknownPart report

2002 Chevrolet Malibu Other or unknown Problems

Complaints
21about this part
Share
4%of 567 total for the year
Median mileage
72,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the 567 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 itself this is very dangerous and it scared me because I was in the middle of highway 150 in danville kentucky. Plusmy heating system is messed up I can't get it to bleed out the air in the system.”

NHTSA complaint #11090133, filed 2018-04, 155,263 miles

“I purchased my used car in the fall of 2015. Since then, I have experienced several incidents - now occurring more frequently - in which my car will not start because the anti-theft system believes I am trying to steal it. When I turn the key in the ignition, the car will not start and the anti-theft light starts blinking. I must wait exactly 10 minutes with the key in the on position for the light to stop blinking. Then I can restart the car and it works fine. This has happened several times in the past few weeks. …”

NHTSA complaint #10893836, filed 2016-08, 60,000 miles

“When attempting to start my son's 2002 chevy Malibu the anti-theft light came on, and the car would crank but not start. I looked online and found that this is a common pass lock sensor issue. The key needs to be in the on position for at least 10 minutes (until the anti-theft light goes off), then turn the key to the off position, take the key out, then put the key back in, and it will start. This is a known issue and can be referenced on numerous online sites, so there is no reason this should not be a recall issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10721266, filed 2015-05, 133,000 miles

“The theft system light appears on dash when key is put into the ignition, upon turning the ignition, car won't start, due to the theft system light, why does my car not recognize my key? This is a defect in the manufacturing. The car shouldn't think the owner is trying to steal it. Had to get car towed to dealership, they told me the ignition cylinder needs to be replaced, quoted me 613$ plus tax. I am forced to get it replaced. The service adviser said upon replacement, they would need to reprogram the computer to recognize a new key! …”

NHTSA complaint #10764043, filed 2015-09, 137,551 miles

“I had the recall done on 11-26-14 for 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. Now the chip in the ignition switch keeps going in to tamper mode. The car will not start and the computer has to be reset to make it start. I have had to have it towed 2 times in the last 8 days! So now I have to pay over $500.00 to have it replaced! This should be covered under the recall! …”

NHTSA complaint #10883038, filed 2016-07, 124,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Other or unknown: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025542%
2024920%
20231419%
20222929%
20213134%
20204623%
20193719%
201815322%
201714821%
201617721%
20153513%
20145415%
20138911%
2012627%
2011758%
2010876%
2009755%
2008525%
2007182%
2006283%
2005354%
2004212%
2003163%
2002214%
2001203%
2000172%
1999182%
1998222%
1997133%

Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu

Electrical system
259 complaints
Exterior lighting
143 complaints
Engine cooling
63 complaints
Brakes
55 complaints
Fuel system
29 complaints
Engine
22 complaints
Air bags
18 complaints
Suspension
14 complaints
Equipment
13 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaints
Body 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 30, 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