7.8
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$3,500.00
Average Mileage:
77,744 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (7 reports)
- leave ignition on for 10 minutes and restart (4 reports)
- get an alarm (1 reports)
electrical problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Chevrolet Malibu anti-theft light is on
2009Jul 20
Malibu 3.1L
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
I am the original owner of this vehicle since November 2001.
I had the ignition cylinder replaced two or three years ago because I couldn't turn the key at all. It worked fine after that... until....
After returning from a two week vacation I tried to start the car and went through the "Theft System" stuff. I had to spend $35 for a tow and $25 for a "repair" at a local mechanic. Thankfully he reminded me of the "10-minutes-with-the-key-in-run" proceedure in the owners manual.
The problem has repeated almost daily since then. Sometimes it will start and run, only to have the "theft system" light come on and stay on half an hour into a drive. Sometimes it works fine after the reset.
A "security system" shouldn't lock out the legitimate user. A poorly designed system such as this really should have a factory recall. It is more than just a pain in the neck (or a little lower) it is a security and safety risk since my wife has to drive with our 2 year-old son. I shudder what may happen if she has an emergency and this fickle "security system" decides to play it's stupid games again.
2007Mar 10
Malibu 3.1L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 68,351 miles
About to go to the airport to go on a family vacation when the car wont start had it towed to fountain tire in St.Albert, at the place they checked all spark plugs at $10 a plug looked at all computer systems and replaced the ignition cylinder car started after this next day car does same thing this time take it to the crooks at stedelbauer Chevy Oldsmobile in Edmonton to fix the problem they replaced two computer moduals wrecked the power door locks on the car (the door remote will no longer open or close doors or trunk) and charged $3000 to do all the work on top of all this they used my car to pick up gas for the shop in jerry cans which were left in the back of my car. and to top off my lovely experience the car starts randomly unlocking all the doors when parked near a gas station. Because of this experience I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY i have had 6 chevs from brand new to older one's THANK GOD THEY ARE GOING BANKRUPT
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 21
Malibu
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
Although the "wait 10 minutes until the light stops blinking..." technique seems to work, I am getting increasingly annoyed with the frequency and under what circumstances it continues to happen.
A friend hooked me up with a guy who runs a car stereo and alarm shop and he suggests that I get an alarm programmed to the car. I know what I am doing tomorrow. I will re-post after doing a bit of research.
2009Jan 28
Malibu LS 3.1L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 48,078 miles
I bought this car from the original owner, who bought it new in Oct 2001 and had never had any problems. When I bought the car in June of 2007, the car had 25,000 miles on it. It now has 48,000 miles. Last month I noticed the struts were beginning to make noise, and had them replaced. Then the check engine light came on. I checked all fluids and everything seemed ok. Four days later the anti-theft light came on, but would then go out.I drove the car for a week, until yesterday, when I drove to work and at the end of my shift, the car would not start.
I was about to have the car towed, when my boss told me to drive my work truck home and told me to check on the internet for trouble codes. I came upon this site by accident and will try the ten minute thing tomorrow.
I agree with all the other posts who suggest that GM should take care of this problem. If not, they should offer a solution for the poor people who get stuck with these vehicles,
I think GM, and others should provide free diagnostics on cars that are less than 10 years old and keep having problems. This car is less than 8 years old, and shouldn't start having all these problems, especially with the low mileage.
So far I've had new tires put on the front at 30,000. The struts two days later. Fog lights quit working. The car has been well taken care of as for oil changes and such.
2009Jan 03
Malibu V6
- Automatic transmission
- 140,000 miles
I believe this has happened in the past and the dealership called it a fuel pump and charged me a gazillion dollars to fix it. Today I read the fix offered on this web site and it started right up.
Auto repairs and Lawyers!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Sep 09
Malibu V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
Had four different places work on car said it was the fuel pump we took it down twice still did not work this is my second week without a car and my original fuel pump still in great condition is in my shed guess i will save for a souvenir, just took my car to the dealer, it is the anti theft system,so I am waiting to hear the cost and I am really upset so I am venting it already cost me tons of dollars I don't have now it is going to cost me even more was there a easier solution than this? can any one really tell me . I am mad .
2007Jun 14
Malibu
- Automatic transmission
- 69,000 miles
The theft light stays on and sometimes the car wont start. I have to leave the keys in the ignition for 10 mins and try again! It has taken up to 30 minutes to finally start on occasion! Talk about being late to work! =/
2008May 29
Malibu V6
- Automatic transmission
- 78,500 miles
This is my third time having this problem car won't start and ANTI THEFT LIGHT IS ON the first two I have to pay really much. The third time I tried what I read in this site, and it worked saved me a lot of money. I need a reliable car, I am a cancer patient, need to see my doctors on a regular schedule and for my treatment, chemo and radiation. Its really very important, but this is the third time and we need to look at this seriously, considering for all the people who had the same trouble.
2008Mar 25
Malibu
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
My mother has been having TERRIBLE problems with the anti-theft light on her Malibu coming on and the car not starting. I THINK she said it will just stop out of the blue, too, and then not start. My brother is a retired mechanic and he determined that the anti-theft system (whose light they had never seen before this problem) is disabling the gas pump. It took him several days to determine it's a computer problem.
Then the dealer had it several more days and said it didn't act up for them. Mother got it back and, by damn, got stuck at the beauty shop yesterday. This is VERY dangerous for an 82 old woman who drives like an 82 yr. old woman... who is carting around her 87 yr. old wheelchair-bound husband with Alzheimer's!! What can we DO?
2006Nov 06
Malibu 3.1L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
My Malibu does the same thing. Anti-theft light on, it doesn't start. Wait 10 minutes with key on, anti-theft light stops flashing and stays on, turn key off, wait 15 seconds, turn key on and start the car, anti-theft light stays on but car starts. Why doesn't GM just recall these cars ant fix the problem. If I knew how to bypass this anti-theft thing, I would. The car over-all is a nice riding vehicle. All this non-sense with with anti-theft problem cause frustration why you running late and then you car doesn't want to start. Try using that excuse to your boss more than twice !!!!
2007May 16
Malibu LS
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
I had problems at first with detonating the anti-theft, have to wait 10min etc. issue. Now mine has apparently morphed into another, similar problem. I can drive my car. My electronics does not appear to be effected, but my anti-theft light is on all the time. Like, what's with that??
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 03
Malibu LS 3.1L V6
I'm sure there are many ticked off people who haven't even reported this issue. I was almost among them. My wife and daughter were stranded in downtown Des Moines, after dark, mid-week causing me to have to drive 30 miles one way to get to them.
Now trying to find someone who can get the car out to be fixed.
Wasn't even familiar with this issue and 10 minute fix doesn't work. I accepted that the engine can make extra noise and worked with the AC being crap on hot days, but when it comes to the safety of my family it comes to a time to change. I've been heavy GM owner most all of my life, but this is the first time I have been so disappointed with the treatment of so many people with the same problem.
Stan G.
Newton, IA, USA
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