2002 Chevrolet Malibu: won't start

Filed Aug 18, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · KS

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.

Filed Nov 15, 2018 · Electrical · 107,490 miles · OH

Car would not start, had to replace alternator. One week later same problem, had a mechanic check it now saying its the battery so replaced that. Was starting ok then it wouldn't start so we wiggled key around and it started. Was able to drive several days doing this but then it would not start at all. The mechanic says it is the ignition switch. When I looked this up I see that lots of people having problem with ignition switch. Gm cars are crap!!! I cant afford to fix this I am on very limited budget so my car been siting for over month now. Gm needs to fix for free.

Filed Jul 15, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

My vehicle is messing up on me and it was shut off my vehicle is messing up on me it will shut off well driving ill pull over and wait a couple mins and I will pull out the fuel fuse and wait a couple mins and will put it back and it will start again after a week it shut off on me and would not start had to have it towed took it to a mechanic he changed the fuel pump and marjoram worked for 5days then the same problem again changed the sensors worked ok for 2days and the problem came back again so I changed the spark plugs fuel filter all fuses still nothing its been sitting for 3 to 4 months now I can't seem to find the problem I changed everything u can thing of now the check engine and test system light is on

Filed Nov 9, 2017 · 46,000 miles · NC · 1 injury

Anti-theft locking device make car stop and can't start even in emergency situation. Had gone to bank and when tried to start vehicle and wouldn't start. Client is 88 years old and had to go out on street seeking help to get car fixed. (forgot cell phone at home) walked some distance and was having respiratory problems when she reached an auto shop. Mechanic went to car to help and fixed problem. Said it was anti-theft mechanism. This same thing has happened before when car had to be towed and was diagnosed as anti-theft locking device. Researching matter on internet and find there are thousands of chevrolets exhibiting the same defect. Why isn't chevrolet required to fix this problem before some dies as a result. We can't always control circumstances of being stranded, where when how etc., and this is absolutely a safety problem for the driver. Please help with this problem. When individuals are on fixed income they can't keep going to dealer and have $108 diagnosis to determine problem (when they already know what it is) and then charging big bucks to fix a minor fix. Thank you for your attention.

Filed Jun 21, 2017 · Electrical · CA

Car will not start

Filed Mar 23, 2017 · Electrical · 99,500 miles · NC

: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. Brake light, fuel light even though it was full, check engine light, battery, and they all stayed on until I got home about 2 miles.this is not just a complaint, it is for my safety and for everyone else's. What if we ended up wrecking because of this igination switch. All these problems and only had it less than 3 months and only 100,000. I am not able to walk any distance bcause of breathing. Something needs to be done before one of these cars ends up killing someone. The first time this occurred, I was in motion but 2nd it was parked in driveway. When I turned the ignition switch off, it also made a metal scrubbing sound and would not stop until I got it completely off. .

Filed Aug 7, 2016 · 60,000 miles · PA

I purchased my used car in the fall of 2015. Since then, I have experienced several incidents - now occurring more frequently - in which my car will not start because the anti-theft system believes I am trying to steal it. When I turn the key in the ignition, the car will not start and the anti-theft light starts blinking. I must wait exactly 10 minutes with the key in the "on" position for the light to stop blinking. Then I can restart the car and it works fine. This has happened several times in the past few weeks. I have looked online for solutions to this problem, and have discovered that numerous malibu owners have experienced the exact same problem. I have been stranded in dark parking lots multiple times, and do not feel safe knowing that my vehicle regularly will not start without a ten minute delay.

Filed Jul 6, 2016 · 124,500 miles · SD

I had the recall done on 11-26-14 for 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. Gm's number for this recall is 14350. Now the chip in the ignition switch keeps going in to tamper mode. The car will not start and the computer has to be reset to make it start. I have had to have it towed 2 times in the last 8 days! So now I have to pay over $500.00 to have it replaced! This should be covered under the recall! The key fix did not fix the problem. The car has only 124 thousand miles on it! Prostrollo motor co. In madison, sd 570472 605‑256‑9111 is the dealership repairing it and said many other cars like mine have had to do this also!!! What a rip off!

Filed Apr 4, 2016 · Electrical · 159,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. While attempting to start the vehicle, the security theft light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle would not start and was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the security system prevented the vehicle from starting. The contact stated that the system was reset by the independent mechanic, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jan 5, 2016 · Fuel system · 125,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. When the driver turned the ignition to the on position, the vehicle did not start. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic while at the contact's residence who diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 28, 2015 · Electrical · 40,872 miles · MI

After 10 mins car was driven, parked in a parking lot. Went inside shop, and after 15mins, came back and tried to start the car, and car did not started. Anti-theft symbol was blinking. Tried to jump start, did not work. Took battery to auto zone, and then mentioned that battery is not good. Purchased battery, and installed. Turned car key in on position. Anti-theft system was blinking. After ~10mins, anti-system stopped blinking. Turned key to off position, and turned to on and start position, and car started.

Filed Sep 16, 2015 · 137,551 miles · CA

The theft system light appears on dash when key is put into the ignition, upon turning the ignition, car won't start, due to the theft system light, why does my car not recognize my key? This is a defect in the manufacturing. The car shouldn't "think" the owner is trying to steal it. Had to get car towed to dealership, they told me the ignition cylinder needs to be replaced, quoted me 613$ plus tax. I am forced to get it replaced. The service adviser said upon replacement, they would need to reprogram the computer to recognize a new key! Again, this is defective manufacturing, this isn't just a bad battery, or bad alternator, this is a computer glitch that has nothing to do with the motor, but a faulty built in theft system. The computer failing in a vehicle programmed by its manufacturer needs to be recalled and fixed. This isn't the consumers fault. I am lucky my motor didn't cut off while driving, because previous to not starting up at all, the theft system light would go on while driving down the road.