The Lemon Index2002 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2002 Chevrolet Malibu is better than average by owner complaints: 142 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 583 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 44K to 100K miles on the car (400 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 53K–110K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 40K–83K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 46K–79K miles
Recalls 4
- electrical 2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, other 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
Show all 4 recalls
- lights 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A LEFT LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP THAT …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Government investigations
- ClosedTurn signal failures2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.1L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Turn signal intermittently failed, and the consumer was unable to warn other drivers. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
2002 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10099861
More owner reports
While traveling on the highway the consumer apply her brakes and there was a loud streaking noise and vibration coming from the right wheel. Please furnish additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts
NHTSA complaint 8023210
Turn signals fail intermittently. Replaced oem switch. Problem continues.
NHTSA complaint 10100960
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (47%), brakes (25%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have?
4 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 44,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 70,000 miles, from 400 complaints.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu have?
3.1L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works