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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  A 12 year review - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jason - August 26 - 6:57 pm

  I bought my Malibu in 2003 when the transmission in my old Grand Prix started to go. It was a rental previously, and I knew this going in. I will say though, despite its faults, I have a hard time saying the car is complete junk, because my kids (ages 9-11) rode in it when they were babies. I will start with what I believe to be the minor faults, but they can cost: 1. 15 inch tires are getting hard to come by now, and being FWD, it eats up tires quick, if not rotated properly. 2. It only uses the front disc brakes for stopping, thus eats brake pads fast. The drums are only used for parking brake. That said, I will now go into the more expensive repairs I have had: 1. Fuel pump went out 5 years ago, driving down the road. 2. The starter has a safety switch, that will go bad in time, and require replacement, unless yu know how to bypass it, which I did. 3. The biggest....the head gaskets from the factory, are junk and a ticking time bomb. He manifold gaskets are plastic and will crack in time. You will start to lose oil and coolant once they do. I overheated the car 2 winters ago, causing the heads to warp, which required mill work, than changed the gaskets with Fel-Pro gaskets, use regular coolant, and since than, the car drives almost like new. It was a complete PITA to get the top half off and put back together. Just beware that if you have one, and are approaching 150k miles, you have a time bomb on your hands. I recommend flushing the cooling system, to help slow down erosion of the gaskets. Total time and money, we spent 4 days, and around $400 to fix. 4. The fan sensor, which turns the electric fan on and off, went bad, which caused my overheating problem. Would have cost $500 for a new one, but rigged a wire and toggle switch, and it now works. I just have to remember to shut it off, or I will have a dead battery. Interior: Not much, very basic, which I like. Over the years, the arm rest on the drivers door has developed a hole, a couple holes in the driver seat, and the headliner is starting to droop some. All in all, I would have to say that through it all, I should have considered more when buying a car, but I cant complain 100%, because after some work and money put in it, it still runs. Would I recommend it to anyone else? No, especially for anyone wanting a car that lasts a while. The only reason we put money into it, is because we couldnt afford to buy a new vehicle. After the first of the year, the Malibu will be retired to a local driving car only, and one used for a backup, as I will hopefully have a new vehicle.

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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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  Has its quirks but keeps on plugging - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By pegdee - May 30 - 7:51 pm

  I bought this car used from Hertz (at 24,000 miles) in 2003, and 11 years later its at 152,000. Ive used it for lots of city driving in San Francisco (those hills and traffic are hard on a car), highway driving, and trips on rough roads in the Sierra. Engine is still going strong, and I havent had to spend much on repairs. The biggest (and scariest) problem was a fuel pump failure while I was on the road. The anti-theft system can be annoying when it wont let you start (has happened to me about 4 times over the years), but all you need to do is wait it out for 10 minutes.

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  Great car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jilikins - April 1 - 9:33 am

  We had a 2002 Malibu that we originally bought in 2007. Never had any major issues with it and because of high mileage hubby put on it driving 90 miles back and forth to work, we decided to look for another car. We found a 2002 Malibu (this one is loaded) with 80,000 miles on it and promptly bought it. My husband is a back yard mechanic of sorts (built a 66 Chevy II from the ground up into a pro-street car) and so he does regular maintenance on it and changes the oil religiously and tune ups and such. Sure, weve had to change the brakes on both our vehicles, but that is the norm. Great, great car.

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  I regret buying this car! - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ck1102 - August 17 - 12:42 am

  I usually dont leave reviews like this, but maybe I will save someone from the headache of owning this piece. I bought my 02 Malibu in 2010, and it only had 80k miles on it. Now, with 130k miles and regular checkups, Ive had to replace the ignition switch, fuel pump and filter, water pump, the wheel baring twice, the master cylinder and entire brake system, oxygen sensor, the throttle body sensor, the temperature gauge, spark plugs,2 speakers, 2 batteries, 2 sets of brand new tires, and the door handle. This adds up to a significantly higher amount than the car is actually worth, and guess what? My head gasket just blew and flooded my entire engine. Thanks, Chevy, thanks a lot.

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  No problems - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By juan_d - June 14 - 11:08 pm

  bought at 87,000 miles I havent had any mechanical issues after a year. I drive it almost every day for 100+ miles as a delivery driver. I think the only people that review this car are the ones that are pissed that it isnt working how a car should.

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  This car is a [non-permissible content removed] - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By pag_089 - January 18 - 11:26 pm

  I bought my Malibu in September 2010, and immediately the problems started. I cant even begin to think of the number of times this car has been in the shop. So far, Ive spent over $5,000 on it out of pocket, and thats not counting the work that was performed under the dealers warranty. This car is nothing but a money pit. Im telling everybody I know to avoid this car, and to avoid Chevrolet in general like the plague. They produce poor quality vehichles and dont stand by their work.

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  Terrific bang for your dollar! - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By stfdc00069 - October 8 - 11:15 am

  I will preface my comments with this: I do not trust GM for a second and was very sceptical when buying this vehicle and fully expected a potential headache. I purchased this car used in 2009 at 58,000km (36,000 miles). Presently I have 84,000km (52,000miles) on it plus 10 Canadian winters. Replaced original tires at 80,000km. Battery went last year, also original. Replaced brakes once only because I wanted new pads and discs in the face of approaching harsh Canadian winter. You really couldnt ask for more. This car so far cost me $5k for three years of ownership. Taking a bus woudl have been more expensive! Absolutely love it! Go GM! Terrific value for not much dollar

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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.