FaultScore

2002 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems

29 of the 755 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu are about the fuel system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,980 miles.

A

29

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel Pump 8 27.6%
Fuel System, Gasoline 8 27.6%
Fuel/Propulsion System 6 20.7%
Delivery 2 6.9%
Fuel Injection System 2 6.9%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 3.4%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 1 3.4%
Fuel Pump 1 3.4%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Chevrolet Malibu year

1997 15 1.3%
1998 35 3.1%
1999 39 3.5%
2000 82 7.3%
2001 42 3.7%
2002 29 2.6%
2003 42 3.7%
2004 31 2.7%
2005 71 6.3%
2006 97 8.6%
2007 89 7.9%
2008 53 4.7%
2009 34 3.0%
2010 39 3.5%
2011 37 3.3%
2012 56 5.0%
2013 34 3.0%
2014 26 2.3%
2015 18 1.6%
2016 53 4.7%
2017 59 5.2%
2018 101 9.0%
2019 18 1.6%
2020 18 1.6%
2021 10 0.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Fresno, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME AND IT WAS SHUT OFF MY VEHICLE IS MESSING UP ON ME IT WILL SHUT OFF WELL DRIVING ILL PULL OVER AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND I WILL PULL OUT THE FUEL FUSE AND WAIT A COUPLE MINS AND WILL PUT IT BACK AND IT WILL START AGAIN AFTER A WEEK IT SHUT OFF ON ME AND WOULD NOT START HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC HE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND MARJORAM WORKED FOR 5DAYS THEN THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN CHANGED THE SENSORS WORKED OK FOR 2DAYS AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN SO I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS FUEL FILTER ALL FUSES STILL NOTHING ITS BEEN SITTING FOR 3 TO 4 MONTHS NOW I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM I CHANGED EVERYTHING U CAN THING OF NOW THE CHECK ENGINE AND TEST SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA complaint #11111379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Garnerville, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10888771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Belvidre, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE DRIVER TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHILE AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10818182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,600 miles Peoria Heights, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT I HAVE HAD TO MAKE ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I WENT TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND INSTEAD WOULD JUST CRANK. AFTER READING IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL THAT THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN THE CAR NEEDED TO BE RESET, I HAD TO SIT WITH MY CAR KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES; THEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND MY CAR STARTED FINE. I JUST HAD MY CAR TOWED LAST WEEK TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF YOU DO A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH ANYONE CAN SEE THIS IS A FLAW IN THE 2002 CHEVY MALIBU AND OTHER YEARS OF THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE TIME TO WAIT THE 10 MINUTES TO RESET THIS PROBLEM AND AM AFRAID IT IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE AND WORSE. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY WHAT WOULD I DO IF MY CAR WOULDN'T START AND I HAD TO GET SOMEWHERE URGENTLY. I WISH THIS ORGANIZATION WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR PROBLEM BECAUSE SOME HARD WORKING AMERICANS CANNOT AFFORD TO BE LATE OR MISS WORK BECAUSE OF A FLAW IN OUR CAR'S DESIGN.

NHTSA complaint #10706629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,500 miles Peoria Heights, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I TRIED TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY MORNING AFTER HAVING IT ONLY SIT FOR AN HOUR WHEN THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR WAS NOT GETTING FUEL AND LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP FIXED ON IT BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE. AS I STATED BEFORE, THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND HAD IT STARTING AND RUNNING EVERY TIME THEY TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY MALIBU'S AS IT DEALS WITH AN ERROR IN THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR THE CAR AND DEALS WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS AN INCONVENIENCE FOR OWNERS OF CHEVY MALIBU'S AND IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10706184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cropseyville, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE VEHICLE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINED A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WENT TO HER LOCAL REPAIR GARAGE, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED, THE IGNITION WAS THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE ENTIRE GAS COVER AND CAP CAME OFF IN THE CONSUMERS HANDS, DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10644051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,300 miles Easton, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ANTITHEFT SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING CAR TO STALL AND FAILS TO RESTART TAIL LIGHTS ARE FAILING FUEL SYSTEM CUTOFF.

NHTSA complaint #10620876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,332 miles Portage, IN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MAY 2013: CAR HARD TO START; MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS BEFORE ENGINE STARTED MAY 2013: HAD NEW KEY MADE AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER DECEMBER 2013: CONTINUED PROBLEMS STARTING CAR; REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH JULY 1, 2014: GM ANNOUNCES EXPANDED RECALL TO INCLUDE 2002 MALIBU; CALLED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER; THEY SAID WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE LETTER FROM GM; DEALER DID NOT KNOW ABOUT EXPANDED RECALL JULY 14, 2014: CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING JULY 15, 2014: CALLED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AGAIN; STILL KNEW NOTHING ABOUT EXPANDED RECALL; COULDN'T ADVISE AS TO WHETHER CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10610707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,140 miles Corning, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS LEFT ME STRANDED AT A BUSY FUELING STATION. THE CAR REFUSED TO START DUE TO THE FAULTY PASSLOCK IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM. THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED AT AN AUTHORIZED GM SERVICE CENTER AT APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE OF REFUSING TO START. NOW AT AROUND 21,000 MILES LATER THE PARTS HAVE FAILED AGAIN. GM AND NHTSA NEED TO RESOLVE THESE SAFETY ISSUES. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR, AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS RELIABLE. WAKE UP THIS IS YET ANOTHER GM IGNITION PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR DECADES! ANYONE IN DOUBT JUST DO AN INTERNET SEARCH ON GM PASSLOCK OR CHEVROLET MALIBU IGNITION PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10597147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Laurel Hill, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BOTH PART OF MY GAS TANK AND MY COMPUTER HAVE SAME ISSUES AS THOUSANDS MORE WHERE THE ALARM SHUTS THE CAR OFF WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10549513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,090 miles Vero Beach, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WALKED OUT THE DOOR READY TO GO TO WORK GOT IN THE CAR TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT START. SO FIRST I HAD TO WAKE SOMEONE UP WITH A PHONE CALL BECAUSE THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR. GOT A RIDE TO WORK LATE AND CALLED THE PLACE WHERE I AM BUYING THIS CAR FOR THEM TO TOW IT TWO MILES TO THERE SHOP AND CHARGE ME SEVENTY EIGHT DOLLARS. I GET THE CALL FROM THEM SAYING ITS THE FUEL PUMP(ANOTHER COMMON UNNECESSARY FIX THAT YOU HERE REPEAT OVER AND OVER. HE ALSO SAID THE ANTITHEFT LIGHT WAS ON AND THAT I SOMEHOW DEMAGNITIZED THE KEY(WASN'T POSSIBLE BECAUSE I WAS GIVEN A ALL SILVER KEY NO CHIP IN IT) SO THAT COST ALMOST A EXTRA HUNDRED FOR THE KEY.SO AFTER IM RIDING ALMOST FINE TORQUE COULD BE MORE V6ISH BUT I DIGRESS TUESDAY SEP 4 2012 NOT A MONTH LATER IT DOESN'T START AGAIN, AND AGAIN ON MY WAY TO WORK. THIS TIME I HAD IT TOWED AND BY THE TIME IT MADE IT TO THE MECHANIC ITS WAS STARTING FINE. I DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO CONTINUOUSLY WORRY ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES MADE FROM 99-05. IF WHOEVER READS THIS TYPES IN MY CAR WONT START 2002 CHEVY MALIBU, AND JUST READ THE DIFFERENT PEOPLES STORY'S AND SEE VIDEOS. IN CONCLUSION GM MUST RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS. IM A LONG TIME GM SUPPORTER OF THERE AMERICAN MADE CARS AND TRUCKS. I'VE OWNED A 1989 CADILLAC BIARITZ, 1999 CHEVY SURBURBAN,AND NOW THIS 2002 CHEVEY MALIBU.IVE BEEN LUCKY I READ ABOUT A GUY WHOSE ANTITHEFT ACTED UP WHILE HE WAS DRIVING WITH HIS CHILD. RECALL AND SAVE LIVES AND HEADACHES.

NHTSA complaint #10474322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Bedford, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I BEEN RUNNING ERRANDS. I STOPPED THE CAR TO GO INTO THE STORE, GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I WAS STRANDED WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD, HAD TO GET A TOW TO REPAIR SHOP. I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD, COST ME $347.00. ON 12/29/11 SAME ISSUE, CAR WOULD NOT START THIS TIME LUCKILY I WAS AT HOME. I HAD TO GET A TOW TO THE REPAIR ANOTHER $51.00 AND WAS TOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH MUST HAVE HAD A DEFAULT AND I RECEIVED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH, AT NO CHARGE. TWO DAYS AGO, ALMOST 2 WEEKS AFTER LAST REPAIR, IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME IN THE PARKING LOT 12 DEGREES OUTSIDE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER CALLED A TOW TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD ALL THIS TIME IT WAS THE AUTO THEFT SYSTEM WAS BAD AND CAUSED THE CAR TO NOT START AND ALSO WAS THE CAUSE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH TO NOT START THE CAR. I WAS CHARGED 388.00, PLUS A TOW FEE, FOR THE REPAIR OF A NEW IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER( THE PART USED A THE AUTO THEFT SYSTEM). BASICALLY , THIS AUTO THEFT SYSTEM HAS CAUSED ME OVER 700 IN A MONTH TIME AND LEFT ME IN DANGEROUS AREAS WITH NO WAY OF GETTING HOME. THIS NEEDS TO REIMBURSED BY GM BECAUSE IF THIS AUTO THEFT SYSTEM WAS PLACED ON THE CAR AS A BENEFIT AND PROTECTION TO THE OWNER OF THE CAR TO STOP THEFT IT IS NOT HELPING THE OWNER AT ALL ONLY PUTTING THE OWNER IN MORE HARM BECAUSE IT IS CAUSING THE OWNER TO NOT BE ABLE TO START THE CAR WITH THE KEY. HOW MUCH SINCE DOES THAT MAKE? THIS IS SOMETHING EXTRA ADDED TO THE CAR THAT IS NOT NEEDED; THAT IS WHY WE HAVE CAR ALARMS. I DON'T NEED THEM TO ADD AN AUTO THEFT SYSTEM TO MY CAR AND IT STOPS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO GET INTO THE CAR AND DRIVE. WHAT IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY I NEEDED TO DEAL WITH, I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE HOME. THE LAST TIME THE CAR WOULDN'T START IT WAS ONLY 12 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND FREEZING COLD. PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO GET A PETITION OF A RECALL FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. THIS IS UNSAFE!

NHTSA complaint #10444794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Hyattsville, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I DRIVE MY CAR AND IT CUTS OFF. TRY TO START IT BUT CRANKS NO START. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY NO START. SMELL FUEL. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10327262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,620 miles ST. Peter, MN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT AT ABOUT 104,000 MILES BUT I AM SURE THAT IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WELL BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE OF THE LOW PRICE I PAID FOR IT, BUT I NEEDED A CAR BADLY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR AND USUALLY WOULD HAVE TO TURN IT ON TO MAKE SURE ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON, NOT JUST THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT. IF ONLY THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON, ITS GUARANTEED TO NOT START. AT EXACTLY 111,111 MILES MY CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I TOOK THE KEY OUT AND PUT IT BACK IN. IT KEPT FLASHING THE ANTI-THEFT AT ME! I REPLACED THE IDOL SPEED MOTOR AND FOR SOME REASON IT STARTED. A WEEK LATER IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I READ ABOUT TRICKS ONLINE TO GET THE CAR TO START BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROMINENT PROBLEM WITH 2002'S. I FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I WAS STILL ABLE TO USE MY BREAKS, THANK GOD, BUT HAD TO SIT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO START MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I KEEP THINKING WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN MY 2-YEAR-OLD IS WITH ME? WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE DARK AND SOMEONE REAR ENDS ME BECAUSE MY LIGHTS GO OUT? I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP CHECKED, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE IDLE SPEED MOTOR REPLACED EVERY TIME I REPLACE SOMETHING IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS THEN IT STARTS TO ACT UP AGAIN. THE POINT IS THAT THE PROBLEM ALWAYS COMES BACK AND IT SEEMS TO GET WORST, AND HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WITH EVERY FAILURE. THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE IGNITION CYLINDER WITCH IS WHAT I AM HAVING FIXED NEXT, BUT I HAVE ACQUAINTANCES THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT COME BACK EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION CYLINDER. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS HAVING EVERYTHING DIE AGAIN WHILE I AM DRIVING BECAUSE ITS NOT JUST A INCONVENIENCE ANYMORE, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHEVY NEEDS TO ADDRESS BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS AND OR SERIOUS INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10267229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND FINALLY THE ENGINE TURNED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR. PREVIOUSLY, THE ENGINE GASKET WAS REPLACED. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RIDING ROUGHLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL INJECTOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10232386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wesley Chapel, FM

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. I HAD THE THEFT SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COME ON AND PAID $700 TO FIX THAT. FUEL PUMP WENT BAD...$500. I HAD THE COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK AND PAID $800 TO FIX THAT. EVERY TIME I GET MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THE ROTORS NEED REPLACED TOO, UNTIL THE LAST TIME WHEN THE CALIBERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL $900. NOW I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING MY PIECE OF JUNK.

NHTSA complaint #10216269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Nichols, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

MY CHEVY MALIBU WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND ONLY HAS 43,000 MILES WAS STARTING TO HESITATE AND NOT THE POWER UP HILLS LIKE IT WAS BEGGING FOR GAS. WELL A WEEK LATER AFTER PARKING IT IN THE MORNING AND GOING TO USE IT SOME HOURS LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE FUEL PUMP WENT AND I HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY REPAIR SHOP SINCE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. MANAGER OF REPAIR SHOP WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THE PUMP WENT WITH SUCH FEW MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10206719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Charles, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FIRST INCIDENT OF LEAKING HAPPENED AFTER DEALERSHIP WORKED ON CAR. ARRIVED HOME COOLANT POURED OUT ON GROUND TOWED BACK. DEALERSHIP SAID RESERVOIR CAP SEAL. 10/2006 OR 11/2006, PICKING UP AT SCHOOL AND SMELLED NOT ENGINE. PARKED SAW COOLANT ON GROUND. NO ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT NEEDLE WAS PAST MIDDLE. FAMILY BROUGHT COOLANT FILLED IT UP AND WENT 5 BLOCKS TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. YESTERDAY, 1/9/2007 CAR OVERHEATED IN THE SCHOOL LINE. ADDED COOLANT. I BROUGHT IT TO A NON DEALERSHIP RADIATOR SHOP OWNER THINKS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. CAR AT DEALERSHIP. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS BUT BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED FEEL DEALERSHIP WILL TELL ME IT IS A NEW PROBLEM FROM THE FIRST EVENT SO I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE. AT LEAST TWO ROTORS REPLACED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL & 5 SETS OF PADS. REPORTED TO GM THEY CLAIM IT IS THE WAY I DRIVE! A NON DEALERSHIP TIRE COMPANY HAD THE PADS REPLACED WITH A GOOD BRAND. 1 1/2 YEARS SINCE I HAD TO HAVE PADS. PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS. CAR IS RUNNING AND THE DRIVER GETS OUT LEAVING CAR ON AND THEN THE PASSENGER TURNS OFF THE CAR AND GETS OUT, LOCKS CAR, THE RADIO STAYS ON. I WENT INSIDE THE STORE AND CAME OUT AND THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING. WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE CAR BUT ENTER ONLY THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND THEN CLOSE IT AND WALK AWAY, THE CAR LOCKS ITSELF. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAD NOT PLACED THE KEYS ON THE SEAT OF THE CAR AND SHUT THE DOOR OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT. I REPORTED THIS BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE. RADIO WAS REPLACED FOR LEFT BUTTON PAINT (NOT SURE IF IT IS PAINT OR COVER ON BUTTON) RUBS OFF. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED.. I TRANSPORT GRANDCHILDREN AND I NEED A SAFE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10178381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,980 miles Pasadena, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST 6 TIMES, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. ON THE SEVENTH VISIT, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A GAS LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED, THE FUEL LINE FRACTURED AND BECAME COMPLETELY DETACHED.

NHTSA complaint #10162103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Green BAY, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU IN SEPT OF 2005 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT REPAIR BILLS SINCE. I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE STUFF WAS MAINTENANCE BUT I DON'T THINK ALL OF IT IS. THE LIST OF MY COMPLAINTS IS TO LONG SO I AM HOPING SOMEBODY WILL CALL ME. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10156429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

I OWN AN '02 CHEVY MALIBU (SINCE 2/28/02). I HAD THE SAME HAZARD SWITCH PROBLEM W/MY '02 MALIBU THAT THE '00 & '01 MODEL YEARS HAD, AND I HAD TO PAY FOR ITS REPLACEMENT (ROUGHLY $130). I HAD NO TURN SIGNALS OR HAZARD BLINKERS UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED. GIBSON CHEVY OF SOUTH HOLLAND, IL DID THE REPLACEMENT (IT'S IN THEIR REPAIR SYSTEM). MY CAR PRESENTLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 45K MILES. GM SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE MONEY I WAS FORCED TO PAY, GIVEN THE HISTORY OF THIS DEFECT WITH PRIOR MODEL YEARS AND THE FACT THIS SITUATION HAS NOT SEEMINGLY BEEN REPLACED WITH THE '02 MODEL YEAR, EITHER. I GOT NO NOTIFICATION OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS SWITCH OR A RECALL ON IT, EITHER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE A MODULATOR REPLACED LAST WEEK (10/5/05) WHICH AFFECTS THE BLOWER MOTOR SPEEDS IN MY VEHICLE'S VENTILATION SYSTEM ($152.00). AT SPEEDS 1, 2 AND 3, THE BLOWER MOTOR WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL. EACH SPEED STARTING WITH THE LOWEST TO THE HIGHER SPEEDS WAS GOING OUT-THE ONLY SPEEDS WORKING WERE #4, #5 & DEFROST. I WAS FORCED TO HAVE THIS REPLACED OR I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE THE VENTS OR DEFROSTER OR THE BLOWER ITSELF (& THE DEFROSTER), WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. THIS REPAIR WAS DONE AT BRACH AUTO REPAIR (103RD & WESTERN AVE., CHICAGO IL -- THIS REPAIR DETAIL IS IN THEIR SYSTEM). BRACH AUTO ALSO REPLACED SOME PARTS IN MY FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM (IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING/ABOUT TO GO OUT). THE AMT I PAID FOR THIS IS ALSO IN THEIR SYSTEM. AT THAT TIME, TOM BEAULIEU INFORMED ME THAT GM HAS DISTRIBUTED A TSB RE: THIS SITUATION (WHICH I WAS NOT INFORMED OF UNTIL I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE MODULATOR REPAIR), & HOW I MUST RUN MY CAR W/ ONLY SHELL OR BP'S 93 OCTANE GASOLINE (EVEN THOUGH THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES IT SHOULD/CAN RUN ON 87 OCTANE). NOW, DUE TO A POOR FUEL INJECTOR DESIGN, RUNNING ANYTHING LESS THAN 93 OCTANE IN MY '02 MALIBU WILL RESULT IN MORE COSTLY REPAIRS. (3 SEPARATE FAILURES / 3 SEPARATE PARTS ON THE SAME CAR). I WANT GM TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE MONEY I'VE SPENT FOR THESE REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10138898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shreve, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lawrenceville, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

IN 2002, I BOUGHT A 2002 CHEVY MALIBU. SINCE THEN IT'S BEEN GIVING ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE WATER FOUND IN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS; THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THERE WAS WATER COMING IN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, THE BRAKES, AND THE TORQUE NEEDING TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THEN IT WAS THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AND I GOT THEM REPLACED AT A WALMART; MIND YOU, SINCE THE 1ST PROBLEM, NONE OF THIS HAS BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IT'S THE AIRBAG GONE BAD, COOLING SYSTEM GONE BAD, AND THE BRAKES AGAIN, ALONG WITH A FUEL PUMP. THE CALIPERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED STILL, THE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT, AND THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW TO DIAGNOSE WHAT IS WRONG WITHIN THE FUELING SYSTEM THAT MAKES THE CAR NOT START. OH! I ALMOST FORGOT, I PURCHASED A BATTERY 2 WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THAT WENT OUT. I ALWAYS STAY ON TOP OF MY SERVICE FOR THE CAR. THIS CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND I BOUGHT IT NEW OFF THE LOT. IT SUCKS!

NHTSA complaint #10130008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Jackson, NJ Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT: CONSUMER STATED: HAD A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, FUEL EVAPORATION HOSE WHICH MELTED CAUSED THE FIRE. CHEVROLET STATED HOSES BROKE. NO FOR WARNING, FOUND OUT WHEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT BAD, AND SENSORS BURNT. ANY THING IN THE STREAM OF THAT WAS BURNT OR MELTED.

NHTSA complaint #10121996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Claremore, OK

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

MY TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY MY ,FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 38,000 MILES,COOLENTENT SYSTEM ACTS UP OFF AND ON IT OVERHEATS AND THEN IT MIGHT WORK JUST FINE,HEAD GASKET STARTING LEAKING AT 39,000 MILES,MOTOR IS VERY LOUD AND NOISY WHEN IT FIRST STARTS, IT MISSES OUT WHILE RUNNING BUT PARKED, GAS GAGE DOESN'T READ PROPERLY IT BOUNCES ALL OVER THE PLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10100434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,136 miles Cottonwood, AZ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

CAR COUGHS/HESITATES WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 65-75 MPH. BEGAN DOING WHEN I MOVED TO ARIZONA. DID NOT DO IT IN FL USING REGULAR GRADE GAS. DEALER SAID MY FUEL FILTER WAS ALL CLOGGED AND DIRTY AND THE FUEL WAS GETTING DARK COLORED. SAID I NEED TO USE CHEVRON OR ARCO GAS AS THEY PUT A DETERGENT IN THEIR GAS THAT GMC IS RECOMMENDING FOR ALL THEIR CARS. DEALER CHANGED FUEL FILTERS AND AIR FILTER. I TRIED REGULAR GRADE GAS FROM ARCO. NO DIFFERENCE. AM TAKING IT BACK TO SERVICE AT DEALER AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10098490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Atlanta, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE CONSUMER FELT THAT FUEL WAS NOT FLOWING TO THE ENGINE PROPERLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. EACH TIME DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH THEN MALFUNCTIONED SOON AFTER WARDS.

NHTSA complaint #10067144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tennyson, IN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

AT 15,000 MILES I HAD A PISTON KNOCK DEVELOP. PISTONS WERE REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. GAS CAP SEAL BAD AT SAME TIME. DECK LID NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE. AT 25,000 THE REAR LEFT SPEAKER WAS REPLACED DUE NOT WORKING AND THE TORQUE CLUTCH CONVERTER WAS COMING APART AND STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. FIRST PROBLEM WAS NOTED IN 2002.

NHTSA complaint #10008437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS. TWICE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT 70-75 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, RESULTING IN A STRUGGLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ONTO A SIDE LANE OF THE FREEWAY (ONCE I WAS GOING 30 MPH, IN CITY STREETS AND WAS AGAIN BARELY ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY STRUGGLING TO TURN THE CAR INTO A SIDE STREET WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER). ON EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS, I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR A TIME PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, THE STARTER WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. THE THREE INCIDENTS ALL OCCURRED ON THE SAME DAY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE IN TO GM TO REVIEW AND THEY STATED NOTHING WRONG AND GAVE MY CAR BACK UNFIXED. 3 WEEKS LATER, I WAS GOING TO START MY CAR AND AGAIN THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. UPON TAKING IT BACK TO GM, THEY DISCOVERED THE FUEL FILTER WAS BAD AND BURNT OUT THE PUMP. THEY REPLACED BOTH. I FURTHER LEARNED THE SAME SERVICE STATION HAD TO REPLACE SIMILAR PARTS ON ANOTHER 2002 MALIBU WITHIN THE PAST WEEK. DT

NHTSA complaint #770576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems

← Full 2002 Chevrolet Malibu report