Purchased 2002 chevy malibu back in 2005 with 26000 miles on it .we had it serviced twice a year and for minor issues ,2009 manifold gasket started leaking replaced and was repaired.in 2010 started noticing when starting ABS and theft light came on turning key off and turning key on and not starting letting on for about 15 minuets than turning off and starting car lights went off. This needed done every time this happen .asked and was told there was a problem in my switch but no one stepped up to fix this problem.this car left me sit five times from shut off and will not start. Had it towed and they did work on every thing else thinking it would solve the problem .had car stop running all lights came on while driving .I think this issue started back in 2001 and all these years they knew about it and didn't do anything about it .now they are saying this is not in their recall.
2002 Chevrolet Malibu electrical complaints
Page 5 of 10: complaints 101 to 130 of 259, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My handicapped mother has a 2002 chevrolet malibu that has been experiencing the same exact ignition related issues as those in the current massive gm recall. On more than two occasions the anti-theft light illuminates and the vehicle shuts off while she was driving. This has resulted in two significant repeat repairs, one in 2010 and one this week. In both cases the chevrolet dealership describes the issue as an ignition pass lock sensor that fails due to key positioning. I have researched this online and have found hundreds of similar complaints. Luckily this issue has not resulted in an injury but easily could have in the very congested metro dc area that she lives in. Why is the malibu not being included in the current investigation and recalls?
Car shows theft light comes on check engine light, motor shut off, gas gauge said empty all lights shows up on dash , aaa tow to pep boys lancaster pa. Fruitville pike store .they installed new alternator and new serpentine belt and belt tensioner . Also eight month prier same issue all lights came on and car stopped and needed towed they replaced fuel pump . I have seen documents that pointed out that key needs pushed in before turning on tried it and still lights ABS, theft light ,check engine light still keeps coming on . This vehicle has been serviced and taken care of .today 03/13/2014 taken wife to train station lights came on once more.in the pass two years invested over $ 1500.00 in parts and labor and still experiencing the same systems. Read on recall and feel this is what problem is .
Was driving down the road and the theft system light came on and engine shut down as I was driving down the road. Almost caused a wreck. Did online research and found many similar complaints and same incidents. No recall on ignition switch/theft system light. Gm knows of an issue and won't fix the problem.
When the car is started, everything seems to be fine, but then the theft system light comes on. When the car is in park and reverse things seem to be normal. At the point the car is placed into drive, the fuel light comes on and says that there is no fuel in the car. At this point, the car will either stall out, while driving or we are able to continue driving. If we are able to continue driving, the car repeatedly shuts off all electrical systems, all gauges are maxed out and speed says 60mph. This happens repeatedly the whole time the car is being driven, but the car is still functional and still able to be driven. If the car system comes back on, the fuel light comes on and says empty and even the trunk pops open while driving. This is very dangerous for many reasons. If this happens at night, there are no headlights or any other lights or they're flickering on and off the whole time.
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.
Turn signals just randomly work when they want to. Had it to the garage recently and asked why they didn't work right, didn't get much of an answer. This is a real safety issue and in doing my research, I'm not the only one with this issue.
My car started shutting off out of nowhere. The theft light comes on and it locks me out for ten minutes. This has been going on for a year. I backed out of a one way street, the car shut off and the theft light locked me out for ten minutes on a one way street where traffic could not get around me. Since, there has been a constant ding in my dash. I changed the emergency relay switch in the dash with no luck. Now it constantly has a dinging noise and locks me out about every 4-5 starts. This is very aggravating and with as many complaints that has been reported, I'm surprised it hasn't been recalled. I am very happy to say that I know that chevy doesn't claim their mistakes so maybe more people will have the same thought that I have never to buy another chevrolet. Very bad for business. Reviews said that even paying to get a new ignition switch will only delay it from happening again. Chevrolet, own up to your mistakes. This is dangerous. Other than this I have had to get a new k frame and my gas tank is rusting out due to no guards being put on the vehicle to protect it and while I'm venting the manufactures over-torqued a seal upon manufacturing to cause the oil and coolant to leak into one another.
1.car keeps overheating. Put antifreeze it and run for a while and it will overheat again. No antifreeze on ground but keeps losing the antifreeze. Took vehicle to mechanic and was told that the antifreeze is mixing with the oil that it has a cracked manifold gasket. Recommendation was replace engine. 2.took vehicle to the dealer and they said that the on board computer chip thing needs to be replaced and they informed me that is a known problem with the car but no recall is in place as of yet. The repair cost is over 1300.00.
Car wont start due to passlock system malfunction,I must let car sit for 10 minutes with ignition switch in on position then turn key off for 20 seconds then restart,this happens about every 4 to 5 starts, this is a known problem and gm will not recall and fix. Please search internet to verify problem.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that after inserting the key in the ignition, it failed to turn on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the ignition lock cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure was 70,000 and the current mileage 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that after parking, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle would only start after being off for approximately two hours. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the anti theft device, the tumbler and the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. Also, the horn and the turning signals also turn on independently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 145,000.
Having problems with the car not starting. It will crank, but won't start. Then hours later it starts. *tr updated 7/18/12 *cn updated 07/25/12
As I was driving down the road, I signaled for a left turn. When I signaled the turn, there was a buzzing noise in the steering column and the engine turned off, resulting in a complete loss of power to steering and brakes. Luckily, I was going about 10 MPH and was able to stop the car, albeit in the middle of the street. I noticed the dashboard lights were on. The car restarted immediately and I drove it 1/2 block to a parking space. I subsequently took the car to fh dailey, the local chevy dealer. They told me there was a problem with the bcm (body control module) that had caused the engine to shut off while the car was being driven. They are replacing the bcm. They did not seem particularly concerned about the problem and my impression is it is not unusual for them to encounter it. I am concerned that, had I been driving in traffic, on the highway, or on a curving road, the engine failure could have resulted in significant injury or fatality to myself or others.
I have had intermittent electrical problems almost since buying the car in 2004. In 2010 I experienced a scary new twist: my blinkers won't always work. It happened maybe three times total over the next 12-18 months, but it is happening again, and I am now doing much more around-town driving. I have read other complaints where some owners have been able to get the blinkers working again by toggling the hazard lights, but this is not the case with my car. I turn the vehicle on and the blinkers will work the first time I use them, then not again for the rest of my trip (or in some cases, the rest of the day).
Bought my malibu new, had no problems with it until after 100,000 miles. Was at a yellow light and the car shut off turned key to off position and restarted the car and went on. I say about 5 months later we went out of town for 3 day came back went to the car tried to start it. It would start and shut off it would keep doing it. Took to the shop they had for over a month pull back seat out thinking the wires under the seat was bad. Then check a lot of other stuff then he said it was the key switch and replaced it got it going. Called use up to pick the car up and it wouldn't start. He replace that one with another switch called us up to pick it up and it would not start. Then he by passed it with a toggle switch it worked for one day and started all over again. We don't know what to do. It is the anti theft system.
I purchased my chevrolet malibu from a private part and the vehicle was running fine but sometimes it does not want to start. Bought a new battery and replaced the ignition switch and still have the starting problem. Seems that this type of vehicle has a history of anti theft system problems I called a chevrolet dealership to ask if it could be repaired and was told I need to take it in at a cost of 80.00 dollars to check it plus towing fees. I don't feel it is right that they do know the problem but still trying to get more money out of customers.
1. The turn signals would not illuminate. Just stopped working for no reason. Lights were not burned out. Then they mysteriously started working just as they had stopped. For no reason. Incidents became more frequent with no apparent cause. Not weather related. After reading complaints on this site, I found that if I turned on my hazard flashers, the blinkers would work again. 2. I was rear ended on 11/4/11 though and could not get the flashers to work. I don't know if my brake lights were working or not when the incident occurred. 3. The air conditioner and heater only work on the highest level. 4. The door locks will lock and unlock at random while driving. 5. The key fob will work sometimes, most times not lately. 6. The security system will honk the horn sometimes when the key fob does lock the doors, most times it does not honk though. 7. The car overheats as the coolant container is loose and the radiator cap does not fit properly even though I purchased a new one. The gauge for the temperature doesn't seem to be accurate. 8. Sometimes the heater does not work, just as the A/C didn't work most of the time in the summer. 9. Anytime I try to use the cigarette lighter, it blows the fuse, leaving that feature totally useless. This car is very unpredictable and for a single woman, I feel it creates potential to be in a very dangerous situation. I do not know what to expect from this car and I really thought I was buying a reliable used car since it is a chevrolet malibu. Was I ever wrong and although I have always bought chevrolet, it will not be my preference in the future.
The car dies when you are on the road . When you shut it off to get gas or anything it wont start the gauges go all over the place. This car is very unsafe and gm needs to recall the electrical system some one is going to get kill from the car with no warning just shuts down.
2002 chevrolet malibu security/anti theft system erroneously disables the car - every 20 or starts, for no reason, requiring a lengthy process to re-enable the ignition system. Car is low mileage and has original keys & key fob.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the anti theft system would activate and would not allow her to start the vehicle for 10 minutes. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was not recognizing the key. The contact replaced the key; however, the anti theft system would still activate intermittently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 68,000. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 8/29/11
I own a 2002 chevy malibu and the theft system warning light keeps coming on and prevents me from starting the car. The "fix" is to sit with the key in the on position until the light stops flashing. I know many people have had the same problem and apparently the permanent fix is to replace the ignition cylinder which is expensive and doesn't always work.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the vehicle had experienced a computer failure. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure because the vehicle was restarted by that time. The contact stated several attempts would need to be made and the key had to be maneuvered a certain way before the vehicle would start. The contact attempted to use other copies of the key and the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
Car fails to start after shutting off. Theft system has to be reset by leaving the key on for 9 minutes. Gm knows about this but will not do anything about it. Car does this about twice a month. Car started doing this at 52000 miles in 2005.
The 2000-2003 chevy malibu will turn over but won't start, ever!. Auto repair place kept care for last 8 days. Problem is caused by the antitheft system. Dealers and auto-repair shops charge $1000 without fixing the problem. I've seen over a hundred complaints on this issue from people with malibus of this era from the 'carcomplaints website'. Http://carcomplaints.asterpix.com/cy/2427771/?q=2002+chevy+malibu+starting+problems request: ask gm to come up with a solution.
I bought this car as a "steal" from a dealership. It was used as a trade in and the carfax report looked good. However, no one told me of the passlock problem. Today, I had to call off work after stopping for a cup of coffee and having to spend 3.5+ hours resetting and starting the car, I have often had difficulties and learned of the 10 minute trick, but it doesn't always work. Gm should stand behind their products. From what I've gathered the repair can cost as high as $600 for a design flaw that will likely repeat itself. No wonder they went bankrupt with such shoddy products.
Surprised to not see this gm recall in the database. Gm recalled thousands of chevy malibu's manufactured from 1997 ' 2003 for a malfunctioning flasher switch and/or short in the wiring. The safety issue is the malfunctioning switch causes the blinkers to work intermittently and in many instances not function at all additionally the hazard lights do not function.
I bought a 2002 chevy malibu from a private party. Up until a few days ago it was running fine. One day it doesn't start up right away but I don't think anything of it. I park it then later get in to go to the store and vehicle will not start. So I get a new battery and that still did not fix it. I notice that the anti-theft light is on and is preventing me from starting my own car. A local gm dealership has my car and they say that there is definitely something going on with my ignition and theft system. There are thousands of complaints about the anti-theft system on 2002 chevy malibus and malibus not letting owners start their car. This is a manufacturing problem and gm knows all about it, yet they refuse to own up and issue a recall. It's not right that we have to pay for repairs on a defective theft system that gm built in there vehicles. They should be ashamed for putting thousands of american's at risk because everytime they start their car they have to wait 10, 20 mins, and sometimes more just for their theft light to go off to start their car. That is actually putting people at risk. Does something awful have to happen before gm opens up their eyes to this dangerous problem???????
My anti-theft light was on for a couple of days, then one morning after getting off of work (11-7am) I started my car but the sound it made was that it wanted to start but didn't click over, after several coworkers attempting to help me I had to walk home and get my car towed from my job. The car shop stated they had to reprogram the key, well 4 weeks later the same thing happened and I had to get it towed again from work. I have gotten it towed 3 times leaving me stranded, when I called the car shop stating to them this is happening again and I am tired of spending several hundred dollars for something they are stating is taken care of they stated to me to keep the key in the ignition for 10 min and then it should be able to start. I have been doing that since but recently now everytime I get in my car it won't start to where I have to do the 10 min ritual before I leave anywhere. This has been very inconvenient and dangerous for me because I am a young woman that depends on her car to work because I work night shift, currently in school and have doctor appointments that I weekly have to take my grandmother.
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