Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who reported the mileage at 105,000. The key was stuck in the ignition, but was replaced. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. The seller provided the VIN from the title and a Carfax report that the vehicle had only two previous owners. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 49,500. Upon research, the Good Car report indicated that there were several owners of the vehicle. The contact stated the seller was possibly deceiving buyers. A Carfax report was not provided. There were no other agencies contacted.
The anti-theft/ passlock system fault in this generation of GM vehicles is very widespread and effects a large percentage of vehicles in this generation. I am sure there have been hundreds if not thousands of complaints about same issue and GM refuses to fix the problem. The problem causes the car to randomly shut off due to anti theft fault and can happen on interstate, highway or in town driving. This is a very dangerous fault and very expensive for owners especially when dealerships themselves don't even know what they are dealing with. They will throw parts at the problem with no real knowledge. GM needs to be held accountable. Currently the ignition the BCM have been replaced and now the car will not start at all and I have no lights or gauges on my cluster.
I turned on my ac and the temp and fuel guage fuse blowed while having the air on still changing out fuses and the automatic car locks on it own when you closes the doors getting out or it will lock when some one gets out of the car all by itself without hitting the door lock on the keyless entry.
:Takata recall" purchased and next day went by dealership as the taillights were inoperatable. He said bring it when it wasn't raining or wife was there. I went to crank it to go to dr. And it wouldn't crank. I thought it was fuel pump. After a week of not cranking I called a mechanic and he said he would check it out. I had to have it towed. It was the ignition switch. Drove the day was fixed and drove and check engine light came on. We didn't turn off but drove back to where we got it running. He put the light to it again and still showed iginition switch. He told us to be careful until you get it fixed. I called chev dealer and said they didn't have in stock would have to order for recall. I found out then the recall was for 2 keys. I stopped by gro store on way home from church and went got in car and all the lights came on. …
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. …
After reading other comments, I have to laugh. Why can't they fix this with so many complaints. The turn signals just stopped working one day. Three days later they worked. Then a few days after that they stopped working again and then just seemed to work when they wanted to. Took it in to jimmie johnson Chevrolet when the signals were not working. Picked up the car to hear they could not find a problem. Sure enough the signals were working. That lasted about a week before the turn signals stopped working again. Since then, two more times to the dealership with pretty much the same result each time. Now I notice if the weather is very warm, the turn signals work more part time and while it is cool they don't work at all. Now, I have read your comments here and began playing with the hazard flashing button. If I press the button on the upper right, the turn signals work. …
They are now telling me I need ignition lock cylinder and housing and a pass lock sensor . Just for this they charged me $282.07 labor no parts they did nothing to help this matter . Purchased this Chevy malbu in 2004 with 31000 miles on it garaged kept and maintain records . Because of electrical malfunction replaced catalytic converter four times each time was not necessary . Sensors issue and missed diagnosis on service and still having the same problem .all they did for my car was to fill in the slot on my key .no help at all I never had had weight on my key ring . Just the key and plastic door lock sensor. I know this all started too show up eight years ago .I have been charged for the last eight years with unnecessary parts and labor. Ignition lock cylinder and electrical system GM problem not mine. Faulkner Chevrolet lancaster pa. …
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. Mechanics will tell you it is the fuel pump, fuel lines, or the ignition, and you can spend a great deal of money without solving the issue. At $300-$450 (estimates) you can have the ignition switch replaced, but this is a known issue and should be on the recall list. I do not want my teenage son stranded for something that GM knows about and should replace.
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.
GM has a recall on ignition switch (GM#14350). We had the work done at a GM dealer for the recall. (dealer provides 2 key rings and a key cover and calls it fixed.) apparently it didn't work. Car currently in my local mechanic shop for routine maintenance. During inspection, mechanic found the vehicle needs a new ignition switch assembly to solve the same problem. Mechanic says car extremely unsafe to drive unless replaced. He took a video of my ignition showing that just touching the key while in ignition causes car to turn off. (have 20 yr relationship with mechanic - very reliable.) please investigate if GM is really doing the proper work for the recall or just sugar coating a dangerous defect.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 259 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu, 46% of the model year's 567 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › anti-theft › control module (62 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.