Overview & Reviews

Only minor changes are added to Chevrolet's midsize sedan. Floor mats and an AM/FM CD stereo are now standard on all models. Three new colors have been added along with newly styled 15-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

• Comfortable and roomy interior, speedy acceleration, contemporary styling, ultra-low price despite high feature content.

• No traction control, refinement is exchanged for low payments.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 99.00

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  Definition of a "normal" car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By noah14 - June 27 - 9:30 am

  The 2002 Malibu is extremely normal. Its practical, a bit faster than you might think, but its boring looks keep it in the "grandma car" category. Pros: -Practical size. Not to big on the outside, plenty of space on the inside. -Reluctantly fast. At first I thought I was driving a slow car since I got it from my grandmother, but its actually pretty quick compared to these new eco-friendly 4-cylinder sedans with a million gears that wont let you touch 4,000rpm. If you coax it, itll move. Cons: -Looks. Its not ugly, its just boring. Silver lining: cops wont notice you. -Lots of little repairs. Annoying things like the indicator keeps clicking for no reason.

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  2002 Chevy Malibu - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dlynnh - June 19 - 4:19 pm

  If anyone has issues with it not starting refer to GM service tech bulletin no 01-08-49-020 concerning the ignition lock cylinder/switch replacement revision dated December 2001. I am so sick of this problem, have contacted GM since they seem to have issues with ignitions, they need to look at this model. According to the local dealer, no recalls never took place. Fear that if it does start and I go somewhere will shut off while on road.

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  Makes my miss my Ford Taurus. - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ephrata_1992 - August 23 - 5:19 pm

  This car has been in my family for 4 years my mom had it from 08 to 11 I have been driving it since 2011. She got it with 59K on it. I got it with 92K on it, It now has 111K on it. Over the 4 years we have put $2000 into it with repairs and general up keep. The typical Malibu "problems" have happened to it like the Cat, turn signal, 4 way flashers. Have not had any brake problems yet Im mainly thinking some people that have these are hard on their brakes thats why they keep spending on them. The interior is amazingly cheap and uncomfortable. With the right tires the car does to excellent in the snow. Car lets you hear a ton of road noise.

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  This car has been nothing but trouble - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rjb1012 - June 18 - 10:39 pm

  My parents bought this car for me from a friend of my grandmas when I first got my license at 16. It had about 50k miles. Since day one, it has been nothing but a money pit. For the past 3 years, it has gone in the shop at least twice a year for repairs. The first problem that I encountered was that the air condition would always switch to outside air at random, and when it did that, it would shut the air condition off for a couple minutes. Then the next major problem was that the brakes needed to replaced. All this in just the 1st year of owning the car. Next year the brakes were at it AGAIN. This year, the intake gasket needs to be replaced AND the air condition is broken again.

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  Many, many problems - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jodi7 - February 21 - 11:36 am

  I bought this car about a year ago, in that time I have replaced tires, brakes, fuel pump, blinker switch, battery, oil pump switch, intake manifold, gasket, water pump, and currently the head gasket is also leaking. The car continues to have an electrical problem, sometimes the windows will power up or down, sometimes not, only half of the lights work, and the car has a continous intermittant starting problem that cannot be fixed, I never know if Ill be sitting for an hour or two waiting for this car to start. currently the car is broken down, Ive decided not to fix the head gasket and as someone who loves american cars Ill be looking to buy a japanese car for my next one.

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  Warning - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ms31021 - March 6 - 11:30 am

  I have had many problems with this car intake manifold gasket, brakes and its running hot. At this moment it is in the shop for the third time in 3 years.

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  So far, junk! - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Anderson - July 3 - 11:41 am

  We bought this car brand new. The first couple years were ok. Today this car is the biggest regret for a car I have ever owned. First, the brakes were junk. Then the catalytic converter went, then the fuel pump, then the heater core, then a engine seal for the coolant, then the ignition module, then another set of brakes, and finally a #350 sensor for the computer that was also giving it starting troubles. I cant even remember the other stuff that has gone wrong. To date I have about $3000 to $4000 in repairs and the car only has 96,000 miles. I have a 08 Silverado and a 98 Cavalier and they are great vehicles. 02 Malibu is junk!

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  Just middle of the road - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By slimjim - April 29 - 8:59 pm

  I have had my Malibu for 3 years now and I can tell you it is good all around transportation. It is just about the right size. Has all the right options. I have the LS so it has most of the toys I like having. One complaint I do have with the car is I had to replace the brakes and rotors with only 34000 miles and I blame that one on GM. So, knocking on wood, I can say this has been a rather trouble free car so far. I hope it stays that way.

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  2002 Chevvy Malibu - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By olumide - June 7 - 2:00 am

  By itself, Chevvy Malibu is a fairly good car. However, when compared to other vehicles in its class like the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, it is a crap. Acceleration is sluggish, the interior is an embarrasment and altogether is a non starter. By the time this vehicle is on 80miles/hr, it becomes very light, as if it is going to be blown off the road.

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  Engine and brake problems - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TMoore2491 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Rattling noise deep in engine continually gets louder with time. Dealer (Ivan Leonard) says problem is piston wrist pins. Says can tear down engine and replace but noise will come back in about 5000 miles!! Now way to sell this thing with the noise or after rebuilt engine. I know others with same problem. For one person, dealer fixed twice but claims they cant hear a knocking noise on third round! Also, had front disks replaced at 5000 miles. Now they are warped at 20000 miles causing steering vibration when braking. Also make loud creaking noises when braking.