2002 Chevrolet Malibu Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 2%of 567 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,352miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 567 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,352 miles. 1 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.
“When the weather is wet or snowy, and there is possible slick spots on the road, the ABS is engaged even when you are pulling up slowly to the stop sign, or slowing down to arrive home, or even coming out of the driveway... What happens, is when doing those things in weather as described above, if you attempt to put the breaks on it makes an awful grinding sound and pushed back on you so you cant break... This has happened to me numerous times just backing out of my driveway... …”
NHTSA complaint #10217026, filed 2008-02, 76,051 miles“Dt: in august 2004 consumer had right and left wheel bearing and hub assemblies replaced. Now the ABS activates at low speeds. This happens all the time. Now consumer is told by the dealer that the right wheel bearing and hub assembly needs to be replaced again. Manufacturer was called and they said the part they put in last august was under a 12 month or 12000 mile warranty and consumer had to pay to have the problem fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10122315, filed 2005-05, 29,000 miles“Vehicle front end shakes/wobbles severely when under hard braking situations down hill. Loud low rumble noise and pedal vibrations are evident. Shaking and wobbling is present through vehicle steering wheel requiring more strength and directional corrections to steer and guide the vehicle properly. Down hill braking could be severely impeded in normal driving or while towing a trailer. Panic stops and light braking situations on level ground are normal straight and true. Brake fluid level check okay and is clean. Abs system operating normally. Parking brake operating normally. …”
NHTSA complaint #10607548, filed 2014-07, 69,000 miles“The lower control arm produces a popping sound when turning in either direction. A recall was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10107202, filed 2005-01, 35,000 miles“I purchased my 2002 Malibu new and have had the brakes replaced four times and am on my third set of rotors. At 54000 miles the wheel bearing and control arm bushings had to be replaced. Two weeks later the fuel pump had to be replaced also. The passenger side rear window can't be down because last time we had a rough time getting it to go back up.”
NHTSA complaint #10135730, filed 2005-09Related service bulletins
- 10114894Oct 14, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 13 | 2% |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% |
| 2016 | 19 | 2% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 3% |
| 2013 | 65 | 8% |
| 2012 | 10 | 1% |
| 2011 | 11 | 1% |
| 2010 | 13 | 1% |
| 2009 | 11 | 1% |
| 2008 | 15 | 2% |
| 2007 | 22 | 2% |
| 2006 | 15 | 1% |
| 2005 | 21 | 2% |
| 2004 | 31 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 4% |
| 2002 | 14 | 2% |
| 2001 | 20 | 3% |
| 2000 | 33 | 4% |
| 1999 | 82 | 10% |
| 1998 | 108 | 11% |
| 1997 | 55 | 12% |
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 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 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