2002 Chevrolet Malibu Base Model from North America - Comments

67000 mile tune up with coil pack possibly X2 now.

Doors squeak.

Brakes rotors, calipers and tires replaced.

Burns oil.

Low gas economy.

Poor performance.

RDS not powerful enough to work where I live.

Hmmm let's see what has NOT gone wrong with this car in the past month. I should have done this BEFORE I bought the biggest piece of poopoo I have ever bought.

Traded in my conversion van (pride and joy Dodge van) for this to save on gas. I am getting the same gas mileage on this thing as I got on my van 14-18 city and 17-20 hwy.

Then the brakes went out, I hear this is normal.

Then I took it to Maryland from Michigan to pick up my kid for the summer, and poof it dies in the parking lot of the mall. $500 dollars later and a coil pack and tune up, it worked again, but I hesitated to put on the AC for fear it would happen again. I was told it would not.

I went back to using AC after the trip and low and behold, here it is again doing the same thing. It shakes really hard and the check engine light comes on and stays on, then goes on and off.

The doors in the front squeak really loud when you open them, the gear lever has to be rattled to go into park and stay.

This car is a piece of poop with great riding back seats.

The console in the center has had to be taken apart because it will not stay together (the armrest part), and the front seat padding has already come out of its place, and the metal hits my back when I get in the car.

I like the car, love the power when she runs, the trunk is roomy, but I miss my van, at least I knew it would get me to work. And to think I have to pay off this thing for 4 more years. NEVER AGAIN!!

Man you didn't check this thing out before you bought it! You haven't put many miles on it and now have all the problems. The brakes would be done and need changing around that mileage, but hey you just got it so I guess you got a funny safety. If you didn't I would go back to the shop because the brakes would not be that done so soon. OK let's assume the Eng just started the poor idle etc. The 3100s are known for intake leaks. That would most defiantly cause such a problem. Also with poor mileage/performance as the 02 sensor is getting a screwed up reading per the throttle position. This style of Malibu has low resale value hence they tend to be pounded and cheaper to buy used than other competitor's cars.

Man, consider yourself lucky that your intake manifold gasket hasn't started leaking yet. That'll really give you a reason to b!tch and complain! lol.

17-20 mpg is really really good gas mileage!

I brought a 2002 Malibu new and it has been pretty good service. In 2006 the check engine would come on and go off. One day I took the car for the usual 3000 mile oil change and was told water was in my oil. After checking into several other things I was told I had an intake problem. $698.00 later it was taken care of. I have had for years now a problem with the air conditioner not working on certain levels. The air conditioner button goes off at will and the car will then not be cool, but appear to work on air circulation only. If you wait long enough it will come back on. After having the front brakes replaced recently I am getting a funny noise from the front end. Sometimes I think the front end is going to fall out. It only happens after I have driven the car for a while. I have about 74,000 miles on it now. Other than that, I can say the car has services me well. Who knows, anything could happen at anytime.

I have a 2002 silver Malibu LS. Have had problems with the AC not working on certain levels (number 2 to be specific), did not work even after a trip to the dealer.

The brakes have to be changed very frequently.

The engine is not responsive and can be very sluggish.

Had a problem with oil burning on the manifold and smoke forming.. mpg is OK though.

Seats are comfortable and the sound system on mine is top notch at the time.

The trunk is roomy.

I had problems with moisture getting in one of the headlights twice, and I'm having to get new ones..

On occasion the ABS or check engine light will go on, then disappear the next time I start the car. The starter always makes a loud screeching sound right before the engine turns over, and I never know if today will be the day the starter dies.

Basically it is a lemon... before this I owned a 94 Geo Prism with an upgraded Toyota engine; high power to weight ratio, was very powerful... lasted forever... no problems.