Is the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
567 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Malibu years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu are in line with other Malibu years. Electrical system and exterior lighting stand out for this year: see below.
4th quietest of 20 Malibu years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Malibu owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 259 (46%) | 54k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 143 (25%) | 40k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 61 (11%) | 55k–88k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 29 (5%) | 56k–122k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 18 (3%) | 66k–136k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 13 (2%) | 62k–109k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structure | 12 (2%) | 62k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (1%) | 47k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 5 (1%) | 48k–128k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 55 (10%) | 21k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine and cooling | 18 (3%) | 47k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 18 (3%) | 26k–69k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 14 (2%) | 30k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exhaust | 9 (2%) | 42k–76k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 567 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 13 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I bought my 2002 Malibu in 2003 and since then I have had to replace the head gasket twice. The first time it went the mileage was 74000 now it is at 109000 kl and it has to be replaced again.
Had to replace the intake manifold gasket on 2002 chevy malibu. Was informed by several mechanics that this is a very common problem.
I bought a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu on august 10, 2004. The mileage was 45,281. Since that time I have had 2 problems with my vehicle.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu: 4
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (Upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Some of these vehicles were produced with a left low-beam headlamp that does not meet the photometric performance requirements of the standard. Light intensities below the minimum intensity requirements cause reduction in visibility down the road for the driver of the vehicle and intensities above the maximum intensity requirements cause increase in glare for drivers ahead of…
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 110
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Turn signal failures
Neighbouring years
2001 Malibu: 720 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2003 Malibu: 569 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year
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Questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
567 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Malibu years. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (259), exterior lighting (143), engine (61), fuel system (29), air bags (18).
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-400), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Fuel system (NHTSA 07E021000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 02V-107). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.