2003 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 611 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 37 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 26 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Campaign 14V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, other, storage, tank assembly, pressure relief devicesMar 12, 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Campaign 07E021000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalNov 1, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Campaign 04V528000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
611 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Jun 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact discovered that while driving at various speeds, the key could be removed from the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service, and the vehicle was returned in less than 30 minutes. The contact was suspicious about the work that was performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that soon after the recall repair, the key remained stuck in accessory mode while attempting to turn off the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact was forced to remove the key from the ignition while the engine was running and used pliers to unhook the battery to turn off the vehicle. Additionally, while driving 20 MPH over a bump in the road, the key was knocked out of the ignition, causing the vehicle to abruptly shut off. The contact lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle veered off into the grass before coming to a complete stop. Despite the failure, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. The contact alerted the dealer of the failure and that the recall was not properly serviced. The contact was given an estimate for a diagnostic test, and the contact refused to pay for the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that a representative would give a follow-up call. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 22, 2024
Unknown
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 15, 2023
Multiple times, the vehicle, while driving, electrically shuts down. security light comes on, sometimes, many attempts to restart will work. These shutdowns cause me to revet to manual bakes and steering.
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the ignition switch was inoperable and had been replaced three times by the dealer; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with ignition switch failure. The contact was informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Steering, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 10, 2023
Car shuts off while driving.Will start up when fuel gauge gets power also windows ,radio,lightening work airbag light&service engine soon light on
Vehicle speed control, Jun 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while stopped at a red light, the vehicle occasionally accelerated independently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 04V528000 (Vehicle speed control). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2021
EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF PASSCODE SYSTEM, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. VEHICLE REPEATEDLY WILL NOT START DUE TO ACTIVATION OF PASSCODE SYSTEM. WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING, BUT GOES AWAY UPON RESTART. EXPERIENCING LOSS OF DASH CONTROLS WHILE DRIVING, BUT RETURN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 205000
Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2021
CHEVY MALIBU 2003, 24000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY, THE CAR ACCELERATES ON IT OWN, REVS ANYWHERE FROM 3000 RPM TO 6000RPM, THEN NEED TO SHIFT CAR ON NEUTRAL, KICK THE ACCELERATOR TO UNSTICK AND PROCEED. HAD CAR AT GM DEALER AT 2 INTERVALS, 2 WEEKS AT A TIME. CANNOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM WHEN I RECIEVE CAR DRIVING OUT OF DEALER, TROUBLE IS VERY APPARENT. OPENED CASE FIE WITH GM BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE FOR MY SAFETY. DON' KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO....BTW, MY CAR IS STILL AT DEALER.
Service brakes, Feb 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,481.
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2021
CAR WON'T START KEY SWITCH SETS OFF ANTI THEFT ALWAYS LEAVING US STRANDED
Air bags, Nov 15, 2020
MY DAUGHTER GOT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO MAGUIRE CHEVROLET 2073 ROUTE 96 IN TRUMANSBURG, NY 14886 (607)-387-6111 (THIS DEALER WAS PRINTED ON THE RECALL CARD) IN AUGUST TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. SOMEONE AT THAT DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL. I FOUND IT FISHY AT THE TIME. WE HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE OTHER ONE. SO, I HAVE RESEARCHED IT ONLINE. THERE IS INDEED A RECALL, AND IT CAN BE SERIOUS. IT CLEARLY STATES THAT THERE COULD BE A POSSIBILITY OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY DAUGHTER OR MY GRANDSON, IN THE MEANTIME, BECAUSE MAGUIRE CHEVROLET WERE TOO LAZY TO MAKE THE REPAIRS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR BY A DEALERSHIP? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 8, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON LOCAL STREETS CAR SELF ACCELERATED ONCE I REACHED AROUND 40MPH. WAS UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY AT LIGHTS TRYING TO GET THE CAR BACK HOME. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THANKFUL WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME AND TRAFFIC WASN'T HEAVY. PUTTING IN NEUTRAL DID NOT SEEM TO HELP. ONCE ARRIVING HOME HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK WHICH COULD HAVE RUINED THE ENGINE THE WAY I HAD TO DO IT TO KEEP FROM HITTING MY GARAGE. VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. HAVE NOT HAD FIXED YET, AS READ SO MUCH ON MESSAGE BOARDS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ALL OVER THE BOARD. NO CLEAR FIX. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE AS AFRAID TO. ONLY 89,000 MILES ON CAR.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2020, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT SHE WAS GOING 25 TO 30 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET AND REAR ENDED A CAR IN TRAFFIC THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 7, 2020
CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD
Power train, Nov 19, 2019
FIRST TIME, WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO PARK AND COULDN'T TURN KEY TO OFF AND TAKE OUT OF IGNITION. SECOND TIME, SHIFT IS STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT BUDGE. JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 11, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN TOWN, I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY 2003 MALIBU THE CAR KEPT SPEEDING UP, THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL I PHYSICALLY LIFTED UP ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE GAS PEDAL. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT OVER TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THEY ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT ISSUES ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. THEY PUT IT ON THEIR SERVICE COMPUTER AND I WAS TOLD THAT NO CODES CAME UP AND THE THE ONLY WAY THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION TO STOP WAS TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. THE MECHANICS SHOP DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE THAT WAS DISCONNECTED HOWEVER, THIS WAS A EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION BECAUSE BRAKING DOESN'T HELP THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE & PEEL OUT, PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL DOESN'T HELP EITHER THE RPM JUST SHOOT UP & KEEPS GOING FORWARD.
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO ANTI-THEFT MODE AND FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED HOSELTON AUTO MALL (909 FAIRPORT RD, EAST ROCHESTER, NY 14445, (585) 586-7373), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMED UP AND THE RPMS REACHED THEIR MAXIMUM LEVEL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5413563462. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO PROVIDED A $100 VOUCHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2019
BATTERY KEEPS DYING DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH NOT TOTALLY OFF
Vehicle speed control, Apr 17, 2019
ACCERLATION ALL OF SUDDEN WITHOUT STOPPING VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME
Electrical system, Apr 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2019
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY MALIBU JUST SHUTS DOWN ..I BOUGHT A BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AND SENSORS TO FIX MY CAR .PUT IN SHOP TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I'M SACRED TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY IT MIGHT STOP AND CAUSE AN FATAL ACCIDENT . THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED..THANK YOU
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2019
BEEN HAVING SAME ONGOING PROBLEM FOR JUST OVER 9 MONTHS. CAR STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WOULDN'T RESTART. CRANKED OVER THOUGH. HAD IT TOWED AND $700 LATER, A NEW FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. FEW DAYS LATER TRIED TO START, CRANKED OVER AND NOTHING BUT NOTICED THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. BACK TO THE SHOP. THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR FUSE. RAN GREAT FOR A FEW MONTHS THEN STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND CAME ACROSS THE 10 MINUTE PROCESS: WHEN SHE DON'T START SHUT IT OFF TURN THE KEY TO ACCESSORY AND WAIT 10 MINUTES. 100% STARTS EVERY TIME. CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. NOTHING TO THAT DESCRIPTION SO THEY RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A GM SERVICE CENTER. DID THAT. EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THEY MADE ME A NEW KEY AND SAID TRY TO SEE IF THAT FIXED THE ISSUE, THAT THE REPAIR WOULD RUN AROUND 200-300. WORKED FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS. BACK TO THE 10 MINUTE DEAL. TOOK IT BACK AND NOW THEY TELL ME IT'S A PASSLOCK SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE KEY. FOR A COOL $800 THEY CAN FIX IT.....SEEMS TO ME WITH WHAT I'VE READ AND RESEARCHED, IT IS DEFINITELY A RECALL ISSUE
Electrical system, Nov 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE TWO VEHICLE KEYS UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BY AUTONATION CHEVROLET LAUREL (500 WASHINGTON BLVD, SUITE A, LAUREL, MD 20707, 301-725-2700). THE DEALER WAS INFORMED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE REPLACEMENT KEYS FROM THE RECALL FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED NUMEROUS TIMES. FOR OVER FOUR YEARS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL OEM KEYS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-THEFT FUNCTION FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO REPROGRAM THE FUNCTION AND TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE DID NOT WORK FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER KEPT THE TWO OEM KEYS AND STATED THAT THE PLASTIC INSERT PIECE THAT WAS TO BE PROVIDED AS A KEY INSERT FAILED AS A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE TWO KEYS DID NOT WORK FOR THE CONTACT'S MODEL VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PLASTIC COVER AND THE KEY MODIFICATION FAILED TO FUNCTION MANUALLY AND ELECTRONICALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.