Used 2002 Chevrolet Malibu Sedan Consumer Reviews
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2002 Chevy Malibu
dlynnh, 06/19/2014
2002 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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.
Good Car
ajscott, 10/15/2011
2002 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with about 110K on it. I've had this car for about 3 years now and it has over 130K on it. So far really nothing has gone wrong with it just needed to fix the gas cap once which was no more than a hundred bucks and the brake pads twice so far. But overall no engine problems. The car drives smoothly but a bit heavy (which I prefer). As long as you get it in for your yearly service nothing should go wrong. It's a great car and will get the job done. Just a little bit of rusting on the body but overall engine sounds great and never anything major. GREAT CAR!!!
This car has been nothing but trouble
rjb1012, 06/19/2011
2002 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
My parents bought this car for me from a friend of my grandma's 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.
Beware of problems
Paula T, 09/16/2017
updated 09/24/2018
2002 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used in 2012 to replace my old beloved Ford Escort wagon. At first, it was a decent enough car though I hated the automatic shift (thought it was too high). I loved the power of the engine and the relatively smooth ride (also pretty good car to drive in the snow!). Less than a year of ownership, I experienced problems with overheating (the previous owner had switched from Dexcool to regular antifreeze) and had to replace the thermostat TWICE. Then, I had ABS problems and expensive suspension issues. Rust issues forced me to replace parts underneath (we live in New England). What really bothered me though was the theft system failure problems of having the car not start occasionally as if I were trying to steal my own car! Very annoying and inconvenient, and I heard it was expensive to fix so I didn't. I had this car for five years and finally got a newer car (2006 Toyota Camry). I did manage to sell the Chevy Malibu, but only got $300 for it (so glad to be rid of it!). Looking back, I definitely got what I paid for: I only spent $2500 for it and drove it for five years (even with repairs it was a good deal, no car payments!). However, I would not buy a Chevy again!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Don't
LS, 06/18/2010
2002 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
I got this car for my 16th birthday with about 40k on it. Immediately, we had to replace the computer in it, as well as the ignition switch. Then the brakes went out. Then I had a leak in my engine coolant (too expensive to repair at the time- $800++, and still unfixed). Then the catalytic converter. Then the fuel pump. Then the brakes again. Then the theft system shorted out. Then the ignition switch again. Now, the computer is acting up again... I have to reset the computer each time before I start it. It only has 96k on it now. We have spent at least $5k in repairs on this car. Probably more. My dad just bought a new Malibu, and it seems nice though. Time will tell. I won't buy 1.
Malibu
Saguaro4321, 11/17/2002
2002 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
So far, so good. It's easy to drive, I got a good price with no down payment, so I really can't complain.
2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS
gp1986, 03/01/2002
2002 Chevrolet Malibu LS 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Love the leather interior. Love the torque. Love the steering overall drives like aforeign car ie Volkeswagon Passat
Great Value
credman, 10/24/2002
2002 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Went from a '92 Lumina w/193,000 miles to a '02 Demo Malibu w/6,000 miles. Love my Malibu. Hope I don't have the same brake probs. w/the Malibu, but, judging from the comments here I just might have them. No one bothered to mention the Stainless Steel exhaust which NEVER got replaced on my Lumina, as well as the original shocks. Saved a small forune on them alone. Good power, plenty of space in the Malibu. Very much like it.
Hard to Kill
Brien, 11/25/2008
2002 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought in '04 w/56000 miles. By November '08, car has 152,000 miles. Maintainence is key to a happy car. Oil changed every 3500 miles on the dot. Driven cross country and in flatlands, got 30+mpg. 25 in higher elevations. All milestone recommended services performed. Intake manifold gasket replaced after reading about class action lawsuit. (Dexcool decision). Waiting on my claim check. Changing seats to leather this week as old seats wore out. Windshield to go after winter due to "sandblasting" on highway. Can't see on sunny days. Car has passed all NY State Emission Inspections legitametly. What a surprise. Looking keep til it hits 200,000 miles or dies. Whichever comes first
Not an Egg Crate
luvmahcar, 03/01/2003
2002 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan (3.1L 6cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have 15,500 miles on my car and have not yet had any problems that other people have complained about. It is very comfortable w great speaker sounds. I bought it to make the multiple drives from Texas to Pennsylvania pleasurable, and it is. My previous car was a Cavalier which was a POS and an egg crate. I will be a repeat Malibu buyer!
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