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3.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,980 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #7

Dec 022008

Malibu

  • 62,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2002 Chevrolet Malibu engine service light steadily on; intake manifold gasket leaks w/engine coolant going into engine. Was notified of a class action lawsuit against Chevrolet for Malibu having this problem, but in order to obtain service, the owner must have had the problem and incurred expense in obtaining reimbursement. The cost of repairing this is $1500. Research on internet indicates many others are having same problem.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #6

Nov 162007

Malibu

  • 62,000 miles
My ABS system or brakes whatever it might of been made the car easily hydroplan. The tires made a vibrating sound along with vibration through the car. Due to the fact that im a decent driver I was able to maintain the car very well at times most wouldn't. furthermore my car started overheating at times, making it very unsafe with whole system failure leading up to the lasts day I drove it.

- Aurora, OH, USA

problem #5

Mar 012008

Malibu

  • 85,000 miles
Had to replace the intake manifold gasket on 2002 Chevy Malibu. Was informed by several mechanics that this is a very common problem.

- North Aurora, IL, USA

problem #4

Sep 272007

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Antifreeze is going bad at low mileage (75,000 miles below life expectancy), becoming caustic, and causing intake manifold gaskets to dissolve causing a leak, also causing head gaskets to leak leading to major engine failure. This leads to an expensive repair at best and engine replacement at worst. The anti freeze is obviously a bad formulation and/or interacts with components to became caustic. This is a defect and repair should be covered by the manufacturer. It is all over the internet how prevalent this problem is. No notice to owners was ever sent to replace the antifreeze before it became caustic.

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #3

Aug 222006

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,560 miles
My 2002 Chevrolet Malibu shut off while driving at approximately 35 mph down an incline which leads to a rotary. All power steering and braking ability were lost. The car kept gaining speed as it drove down the incline. I had to force the car into park and use the foot emergency brake to stop it after it rolled through a stop sign and unto the rotary.

- Mattapan, MA, USA

problem #2

Jun 092006

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles
: the contact stated that the head gasket of the vehicle began to leak at approximately 13000 miles. There were no warning signs prior to the failure. Updated 07/05/06.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #1

Mar 032003

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Tennyson, IN, USA

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