Problems with 2002 Chevrolet Malibu ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was driving at about 45 mph when negotiating a turn and went to use the turn signal and it would not work. since then it only works a quarter of the time and often the hazard relay is clicking in and out very fast like it is shorting out. if you push the hazard button in sometimes you can make the turn signals work and sometimes not. and often times the hazard will not work either. no fuses are blown? *js

The body control module "misread" vehicle ignition key and would not allow the vehicle start. *tr

2002 chevrolet malibu. consumer writes to express disappointment with the vehicle. *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle would not start at times. on several occasions, while driving, the vehicle would shut off. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. however, at the time they were unable to determined a problem. the consumer went to her local repair garage, where it was determined, the ignition was the problem. also, the entire gas cover and cap came off in the consumers hands, due to severe rust. the consumer has since traded the vehicle. *jb

Theft system kicks in and wont let the car start. this is the 2nd time this has happen to me and i know several people this has happen to. i contacted chevrolet and they told me to contact you all maybe u all could help us get this issue fixed. *tr

2002 chevy malibu, 80,000 miles brakes always noisy even when new..brakes and calipers have to be replaced every 2-3 months with minimal use......hazard light and turn signal failure...works intermittently.....ignition lock-out....could not start car or remove key from the ignition....lower intake manifold gasket failure......left headlamp field of vision narrow and short. *tr

My 2002 chevy malibu has been having problems since i bought it at about 104,000 miles but i am sure that it was having problems well before i bought it because of the low price i paid for it, but i needed a car badly. i have always had problems starting my car and usually would have to turn it on to make sure all the lights come on, not just the anti-theft light. if only the anti-theft light comes on, its guaranteed to not start. at exactly 111,111 miles my car would not start at all no matter how many times i took the key out and put it back in. it kept flashing the anti-theft at me! i replaced the idol speed motor and for some reason it started. a week later it wouldn't start again. i read about tricks online to get the car to start because this seems to be a prominent problem with 2002's. i finally got the car started. a few days later i was driving on a busy highway when i came to a stop light and my car just shut off. i was still able to use my breaks, thank god, but had to sit there in the middle of traffic trying to start my car for several minutes. i keep thinking what if this happens when my 2-year-old is with me? what if this happens in the dark and someone rear ends me because my lights go out? i have had the fuel pump checked, the fuel injectors, the idle speed motor replaced every time i replace something it works for a few days or weeks then it starts to act up again. the point is that the problem always comes back and it seems to get worst, and happens more frequently with every failure. the problem could be the ignition cylinder witch is what i am having fixed next, but i have acquaintances that have had the same problems that come back even after replacing the ignition cylinder. my biggest concern is having everything die again while i am driving because its not just a inconvenience anymore, it is a safety issue that chevy needs to address before there are deaths and or serious injuries. *tr

2002 chevy malibu has a faulty passlock system that disables the vehicle about 25% of the time when a valid key is inserted into ignition. safety issue if person needs medical attention, if in dangerous area, or if car needs to be started and refuses to do so because of faulty part. i have found a workaround that has seemed to work for me. place key in ignition, turn to "on" position. open driver's side door and wait until warning chime comes on. then turn car on as normally. seems like the passlock system has a hard time registering if there is a key. anyway, this is simply unacceptable on gm's part and i sincerely believe a recall should be issued for this problem. *tr

Intake gasket went in car cost $740.00 to fix,the coolant was mixing with oil. i didn't have heat couldn't see out back window. the signals work when they want,the rear defroster don't work,my husband has fixed it 2x and put in shop,still don't work. my car gets service when its time. there's a sound in the dashboard sound like wires rubbing together and you get a little shock when you get out car. i hope i don't be driving and my car catch on fire with me in it. i think my car was in the bad batch section. *tr

2002 chevy malibu won't start occasionally passlode problem diag at local dealer ignition replaced and keys reprogrammed cost $398.60 .still have problem that we took car to dealer in first place for. dealer can not fix problem what do we do this is unsafe for wife and young child to become stranded on a daily bases. i have done some research and have come to find out that this is an ongoing problem with the passlock systems from gm. we have also had to replace the intake manifold gasket and have sense learned about the ongoing problems with the dexcool coolant causing gasket failure .we need help. *tr

Car will continue to turn over but not start. this has happened numerous times now. after talking with a mechanic and internet research determined that problem is the anti-theft system of the vehicle. *tr

2002 malibu theft system light issue. *tr

Pass 11 security system - replaced and not working again. *tr

My theft system light went on while i was driving my car. two days later when i tried to start my car it would not start. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. while leaving the highway at an unknown speed, the contact noticed that the turn signals failed. the failure has occurred several times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not determine the cause of the intermittent failure. the dealer replaced the upper and lower head gasket seal, but the failure was not corrected. the rack and pinion failed and was replaced in 2006 and again in october of 2008. the failure mileage was 30,000 and current mileage was 52,300.

The anti theft system on the 2002 chevy malibu does not allow the owner to start car and have to sit in a parking lot for 10 minutes for it to recognize the key, not safe for a female and teen girl drivers. this occurs every 10 starts and chevy will fix for 500 dollars, with no guarantee. *tr

2002 chevrolet malibu. consumer writes in regards to ignition recall and seeks reimbursement for repairs. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle shut down 3 times. the ignition lock cylinder was replaced. *jb

I own a 2002 chevy malibu and for about a month the theft system light kept coming on and going off. sept. 18 i turned the car off and it would not start back up. i reset the system and it is starting but the light stays on now. the other problem is the turn signals work when they want to and i smell coolant when i am driving. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on three occasions, who diagnosed that the brake pads and the rotors needed to be replaced. in addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as the anti theft system warning light illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the failure recurred on numerous occasions. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) .the failure mileage was unknown.

Intermittent fault in turn signals on my 2002 chevy. malibu. nothing happened to create this problem, they just stopped working. now i have to use my hands as turn signals. *tr

I bought a 2002 chevy malibu from a car dealership. once i drove off the lot the blinkers stopped working for me, they were working during the test drive. after trying to figure out what was going on i found that the problem was connected with the emergency lights box. whenever it was in a certain position the blinkers would work otherwise they did not. i tried fixing it with some rubberbands and duct tape- for some reason that worked for awhile but now it's acting up again! help! *tr

The passlock system keeps locking up. i am using the proper key but still, i am stuck at the store, work, home, ect. because the car refuses to start, i have heard numerous other reports of the passlock system causing problems, not for those trying to steal someone else's car but for the busy vehicle owners simply trying to accomplish daily tasks. this is ridiculous. *tr

I was driving my car and the theft system light came on, when i shut the car off it refused to start again. i had heard that if you turn the key forward for ten minutes that it would reset and the car would then start again. in my case the car wouldn't start. i had to have it towed to the gm dealership and have it put on a tester. they then informed me that the cars bcm had gone out the whole computer system and the anti theft system. therefore it cost me 1,250.00 dollars. i find that to be crazy. gm needs to recall these parts on this car i could have bought another car for that amount!!! *tr

On 6-24-2008 i was driving down the street, and i went to turn on my left turn signal, 100 feet before the turning lane (so as to warn the person behind me, that i was going to move into the left hand turning lane), and i went to turn on my left hand turn signal, and not realizing that it wasn't working, i went to move over into the left hand turn lane, and i almost hit the car that was behind me, because as he said "you didn't give me any warning that you wanted to go into the left turn lane, where i already was. you didn't turn your signal on"! the guy was really pissed off at me. i had my turn signal on way ahead of time. however ,after careful inspection, i noticed that the turn signals were "no longer working at all"! this really worried me, because if this guy had gone totally crazy on me, and had a gun, i have no doubt that he would have used it on us. i noticed that these turn signals on my 2002 chevy malibu, are some how inter connected to the emergency signal (i found this out, after reviewing my 2002 chevy malibu repair book. this problem needs to be corrected immediately, because it is a major problem, every time i go to make a turn. it's caused more problem's than my family or i have ever wanted. up until this problem arose, my family & i always believed in chevy car's. now thou, i would have to reconsider ever buying a chevy. i need this problem fixed immediately. *tr

I have a 2002 chevy malibu that locks on me because of the anti-theft system. when i am driving the car shuts off and the security light stays on. sometimes the car won't start at all. i used to wait for the 10 minutes to restart the system but now the light just stays on. i have to take a baby back and forth everyday and can not have my car cutting off in the middle of the street like that. *tr

Ran several errands and the car started fine three times that morning. the fourth time it would crank but not turn over. let it sit for 30 minutes and tried again. same problem. let it sit for 4 hours. same problem. also, car making random turn signal noises for the past month. mechanics are now replacing ignition cylinder and switch to the tune of $600. wish i would've read about this problem online to try other solutions first. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. the contact attempted to start the ignition, and the engine would not completely turn over. suddenly, the anti-theft system warning light illuminated in a flashing motion for ten minutes and then the engine started. the contact stated the failure occurred intermittent and would require a ten minute waiting period before the engine would start. also, she stated there had been occasions when the engine would not start after the ten minutes waiting period; and recommended disengaging the anti-theft system to resolve the problem. the battery had been replaced by an independent mechanic. the failure continued to occur. the authorized dealer was notified and they informed that the failure was related to the electronic system. the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. the failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

I had to get the "ignition locking system" fixed 2 times in the same year at $600.00 each time. my car would not start so i would get it towed then when it got to the auto place it would start right up. this happened 3 times before i finally had to bring it to the place i bought the car and have it put on the machine to find out what was wrong. then the same thing happened 13 mon. later and it was not covered under warranty because it was more than 12 mon. i called the recall place and they said there was not a recall on it but i still think it definitely is a recall. this car has cost me alot of $ in repairs. *dt

I have a 2002 chevy malibu and the anti theft system has shut off the gas line 5 times in the past 6 months. the car will not start i had it towed to the repair shop where they put it on the computer and found no problems. after putting the key in the on position and waiting 10 minutes it starts. is there a recall on a defective anti-theft system? *tr

Theft system problems- failure , ignition problems, replacement, failure to start. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the vehicle did not start for a week and was towed. in addition, the anti-theft system kept activating. she had to wait ten minutes for the vehicle to start. the anti-theft indicator would illuminate while the vehicle was in motion, causing it to stall. the failure has been occurring for one week. the dealer stated that the anti-theft system was failing. the vehicle will be repaired at the contact's expense. the failure and current mileages were 84,000. updated 03-27-09 *bf updated 03/31/09. *jb

I am continually having problems with my 2002 chevy malibu. i had the theft system continually come on and paid $700 to fix that. fuel pump went bad...$500. i had the coolant system leak and paid $800 to fix that. every time i get my brake pads replaced, the rotors need replaced too, until the last time when the calibers had to be replaced as well $900. now i am having difficulty starting my piece of junk. *tr

This is a continual problem with the anti-theft/passlock system of my 2002 chevy malibu. i am the second owner of the car. the previous owner had the car for 3 years and had similar problems, but he reported that one dealer was finally able to "fix" the problem. the car either selectively won't start, and the theft light comes on. i have to let the key sit in the ignition for 10 min, and then it usually starts. once the car was running fine, and the theft light came on and then the car just shut off on me after i had been driving for 40 minutes. it was very scary and could have potentially caused an accident. the dealers are giving me a run-around. they replaced the fuel pump and ignition switch, totaling over $1100, and the car is still having the same problems. then after talking to the previous owner, i discovered that he had the same 2 things replaced when he owned the car, only 3-4 years ago. i talked to the dealer, but they are giving me a hard time, and i don't trust them to fix the problem this time either, let alone free of charge. i also filed a complaint with chevy, but they do not seem to be very helpful. i have come across so many complaints of the same nature on the internet and from other friends with the same cars. i'm wondering why there has never been a recall. please help!!! i'm out of money for more repairs, and i just want to be able to drive my car without fear of it stopping or not starting on me. *tr

Passlock ii theft deterrent system not allowing car to start and sometimes shutting the engine off while driving. the problem started around 70,000 miles with the theft light once in awhile coming on and blinking on the dashboard and not allowing the car to start, unless you waited 10 minutes with the ignition key in the "on" position until the theft light went off. then around 80,000 miles "almost" every time you would try to start the car you would have to wait for the lights on the dash and the fuel pump to turn on before starting the car, which was most likely a result of the passlock ii resistors not registering in the ignition key tumbler. there was also a couple of times when the car completely shut off and once while trying to merge onto a major highway. after reading about how common the passlock ii problem was on some of the gm vehicles and how expensive it was to fix a problem that could possibly return anyway, we decided to just get another vehicle. *tr

Anti theft keeps shutting off my car. my car sits outside all the time. it was -4 this morning, went to start car and anti theft keeps shutting down engine. i have not encountered this problem since buying used in sept 06. *tr

My 2002 chevy malibu's theft system sporadically, but frequently will start flashing and my car won't start. i have to turn the key on for 10 minutes and wait for the theft light to turn off. i turn the key off for 5 seconds and the car starts. very dangerous for my wife and kids being stranded for 10 minutes - anywhere. *tr

Passlock sensor activates for no apparent reason while driving the vehicle and prevents the car from being started for 10 minutes. this is a safety hazard and could put someone's life at risk. *tr

Car refused to start. left me stranded in a parking lot in nashville and had to be towed, twice. it took 2 trips to the mechanic before they realized it was a defect with the anti theft system,. it locked up the ignition for thirty minutes. they said there was no fix for this problem except to wait until the car decided to let me start it. *tr

Car will not start do to anti theft system. you must wait ten min for the light to turn off then restart the car. *tr

Vehicle prevented from starting due to defective "theft deterrent" system known as pass lock. *tr

2002 chevrolet malibu 37,000mi. the vehicle anti theft system( passlock system),failure. vehicle won't start. recently got the car started but now the anti theft system light stays on permanently. *tr

1. normal usage of car 2. anti theft system engages arbitrarily causing car not to start for 10 minutes until you do a reset procedure. notified it is a problem with the ignition lock cylinder. it seems this is a widespread defect and the repair is expensive. also, reports show the new part will have the same problem. it is a fundamental defect. 3. nothing, to expensive, should be covered as a defect. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. there were no warning lights present, however, the theft deterrent light illuminated. the vehicle took ten minutes to finally start. once the vehicle started, the theft light dimmed. the failure occurred twice before. the current mileage was 69,000 and failure mileage was 68,900. updated 02-01-08 *bf updated 02/01/08 *tr

I have had a problem with the anti-theft device in the computer. i replaced the computer 11 months ago and already i have to replace it again. the anti-theft device tricks the computer and disables the engine from igniting. *tr

Passlock sensor prevented starting the car although the original key was used. had to replace the ignition switch and the passlock sensor. car had to be towed to the service shop for repair. *tr

I own a 2002 chevy malibu. after much research online as well as multiple visits to my mechanic, i now realize that the problem i am encountering is a common one for my vehicle. the problem is with the theft system or "passlock". my car will fail to start because the passlock sensor detects what it thinks is an improper key. a 10 minute delay will ensue where i can not start my car at all during this time. this has happened frequently for the past year and a half. within the last month is has happened up to 3 times a day! i find it completely unacceptable that chevrolet has not recalled the car for this error. i can no longer run the risk of getting stuck in a bad situation/area and my car failing me. *tr

2002 malibu won't start probably due to the anti theft pass lock sensor. this happened before and we were able to start the next day. however it' happening again and i cannot start the car from the last three hours. get gm of their behinds to fix the problem by making the issue a recall.*ak

Anti-theft lock system on utes2002 malibu. wait time of 10 to 30 minutes to reset. car will not start. safty issue due to no reliable safe way to crank car. *ak

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet malibu. while driving the vehicle, the anti-theft system indicator illuminated and the vehicle shut off. the vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that this is a common failure. he also stated that even when the system is repaired, the unit will fail again at some point. the manufacturer made the contact an offer to participate in a study and stated that there were no recalls for her vehicle. the vehicle has remained at the shop since the date of the failure. the engine size was unknown. the current and failure mileages were 74,000.

I am the owner of a 2002 chevrolet malibu with just over 50,000 miles use. over the past 6 months the car has exhibited a failure to start. a little research shows that this is the result of a common failure of the gm passlock system. the temporary fix is to reset the system by turning the ignition key to the on position and waiting 10-15 minutes. needless to say, this is very annoying and inconvenient. at this point it doesn't represent an immediate safety issue, in that the ignition system isn't shutting down while the vehicle is moving. however, i am concerned that the inability to move the vehicle does represent a safety issue. my stepson uses this car to travel to work and to college. i don't want to have to worry about his safety if he can't start the car in an emergency situation, e.g., to avoid criminal activity. if this were a small thing to have repaired, i wouldn't complain so much, but my mechanic tells me it will cost nearly $500. as i said above, this problem is quite common--or so my internet research tells me. gm should recall this poorly designed mechanism. thank you. --ted kriner *tr

Anti-theft system prevented from being able to start on the car. i was able to reset it by turning the key on and waied 15 to 20 minutes. once this started happening all the time i had to replace the ignition. *ak