2002 Chevrolet Malibu Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 2%of 567 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the seat belts of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 567 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The seat belt locks up and cannot be released so the belt cant be used to secure passenger. This has been going on and off for over a year. Normally after jiggling and tugging and twisting it will finally release so it can be used. However today february 7, 2013 the seatbelt is locked tightly and cannot be released. There is an $85.00 fine in my state of rhode island for not wearing a seat belt this is a big problem. Can you offer me a solution. I have spoken to several people with this make and model they are having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10496715, filed 2013-02, 110,000 miles“Seat belt buckle on driver's side does not latch. No matter how often the belt tab is inserted into the buckle it will not latch. The release button is not stuck in. Attempted to lubricate buckle with wd-40, but no luck.”
NHTSA complaint #10148996, filed 2006-01, 46,000 miles“While driving at 40 MPH a motorist failed to yield and crashed into the front end of consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy, and the seat belts failed to retract. Driver hit head on the roof, and sustained head and neck injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10074094, filed 2004-05, 70,000 miles“The driver's side seatbelt does not lock when stressed. The passenger one does. Chevrolet will not fix it for free. A friend has the same vehicle and it didn't lock in an accident. She smashed her face off the steering wheel. We don't want to happen to our daughter.”
NHTSA complaint #10860806, filed 2016-04“My mom and sister was recently involved in a auto accident which caused critical injuries. My mom rear ended a semi truck and the air bags did not deploy nor did the seat belts lock causing my mom to crush her face. My sister recieved 2 vertebra fractures and 3 rib fractures. The cause of this accident caused my mom to have to have surgery on her face and is still in the ut hospital. If the air bags had deployed then it could have saved her face more than it did.”
NHTSA complaint #10717225, filed 2015-05Related service bulletins
- 10113787Aug 3, 2015This informational bulletin provides information to advise dealers about seat belt buckles not operating and/or seat belt warning light illumination, as well as difficulty…
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 9 | 1% |
| 2015 | 8 | 3% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 6 | 1% |
| 2012 | 47 | 5% |
| 2011 | 53 | 5% |
| 2010 | 16 | 1% |
| 2009 | 7 | 0% |
| 2008 | 4 | 0% |
| 2007 | 13 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 0% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 14 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 9 | 2% |
| 2001 | 9 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% |
| 1999 | 13 | 2% |
| 1998 | 24 | 2% |
| 1997 | 15 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
259 complaintsExterior lighting
143 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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