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: electrical system
309 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, May 22, 2010
HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH AN "PASSLOCK" ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN IT. THIS SYSTEM IS ACTING UP CONSIDERABLY AND WHEN I BRING IT TO THE GM DEALER I GET CHARGED MORE AND MORE MONEY BUT NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEIR COMPUTERS DO NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM. AS I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE ALSO MANY INSTANCES WHERE THIS SYSTEM HAS CAUSED CARS TO STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AS WELL. *TR
Electrical system, May 12, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 MALIBU THE ANTI THEFT COMES ON ALOT TO FIX THIS U HAVE TO HAVE THE KEY IN THE ON FOR ABOUT 10 MIN,THEN TURN THE KEY IN THE OFF AND TURN THE CAR ON, AND IT STARTS, BUT THAT TRICK IS TAKING LONGER AND LONGER EACH TIME ONE DAY IT WILL LEAVE ME THERE, I THINK CHEVY SHOULD RECALL THIS AND FIX IT... THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN AND WHY THIS HAPPENS. CHEVY SAYS THEY NEED MORE PEOPLE TO CAMPAIGN ABOUT THIS BEFORE THEY WILL DO ANYTHING SO HERE IT IS... *TR
Electrical system, Apr 29, 2010
CAR WOULD NOT START , THEFT LAMP FLASHING, WENT ONLINE AND FOUND ISSUES WITH GM THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM[PASS KEY] MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUES, ALSO SOME CLAIM THE CAR QUITS ON THEM AND THEY HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN. TO RESTART CAR. EVEN IN MY OWNERS MANUAL IT STATES THAT THIS SYSTEM MAY FAIL. AND IT GIVES A PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW. CAR MAY OR MAY NOT START//RECOMMEND FIX IS A NEW IGNITION SWITCH/PASSLOCK SENSOR AT A COST OF 500.00 TO 800.00 DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD REPLACE THESE ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS UNDER WARRANTY FOR ANY ONE WHO ENCOUNTERS THIS QUITTING//NO START CONDITION MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT IF CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING???? *TR
Electrical system, Apr 9, 2010
I OWN A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT POPS ON AND DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO DRIVE MY CAR. I FOUND OUT IF I TURN THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES, THE LIGHT WILL STOP FLASHING AND WILL ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES NOW WHERE MY CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO DO THE 10 MINUTE WAIT FOR IT TO RESTART. MY CAR IS THE ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ME AND MY HUSBAND WHO IS SEVERELY DISABLED. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED TO HUNDREDS OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS. I NEED MY CAR TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. WHAT IF I HAVE TO TAKE MY HUSBAND TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR DOCTOR AND MY CAR STOPS RUNNING? I BELIEVE CHEVY KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS THEY LISTED THE 10 MINUTE REMEDY IN THEIR OWNERS MANUAL. I WOULD LIKE CHEVY TO FIX THIS AS IT APPEARS TO BE A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 7, 2010
2003 MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT. THIS LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND FINALLY JUST STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SAYS TO TURN THE KEY TO ON FOR 10 MINS THEN RE START BUT THIS AS WELL DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!! SOMEONE COULD GET SERIOUSLY HURT IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 19, 2010
NOVEMBER 2009 MY THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE WITH A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $500.00. MARCH 15 2010 THE CAR DOORS UNLOCKED AND THE CAR DIED IN TRAFFIC. REPLACED FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE. MARCH 17 2010 THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START. REPLACED RCDLR (I' DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS AN ABBREVIATION FOR BUT IT COST ANOTHER $67.44 FOR THE PART. THEFT LIGHT STILL COMES ON AND THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2010
2003 CHEVY MALIBU ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR WON'T START. CAR IS SITTING WON'T START. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 8, 2010
ANTI-THEFT LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMES ON. REPLACED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER TWO MONTHS AGO. NOW THE CAR DOES NOT START AT ALL AND THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT IS STILL ON! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CANNOT TRAVEL WITH MY KIDS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER COLD B/C I NEVER KNOW IF I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE THEFT SYSTEM TO RESET. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THEY NEED TO HOOK IT UP TO A $5000 COMPUTER TO DE-CODE THE ANTI-THEFT ERRORS. THE GENTLEMAN SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PASSLOCK MODULE. WITH THE COST OF TOWING, THE COMPUTER SCAN AND PARTS/LABOR, I'M LOOKING AT $800. HE ALSO SAID THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT COULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN DAYS OR MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD! *TR
Electrical system, Feb 5, 2010
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU THAT I BOUGHT THOUGH A FRIEND, IT RAN GOOD AND ONE DAY I WENT OUT TO START IT AND THE IGNITION LOCKED UP. I WENT OUT AND GOT ONE AND REPLACED IT AND NOW THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WILL LET IT START BUT SHUTS OFF IN 10 SECONDS. I HAVE CALLED THE MAIN OFFICE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERNET AND THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU *TR
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2010
CAR IS NOT STARTING. ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2010
DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF MY CAR, I WILL RANDOMLY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE PASSLOCK THEFT SYSTEM NOT ALLOWING ME TO START MY VEHICLE. I HAD THE MODULES REPLACED AT A GM DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 15 MONTHS AGO. AT THAT TIME, I SIMPLY PARKED MY CAR FOR THE NIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY. I CAME OUT THE NEXT MORNING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY CALLED GM AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THE IGNITION MODULE AND A SENSOR TO THE TUNE OF OVER $500. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. NOW, I FIND MYSELF FACING THE SAME PROBLEM ONLY 30,000 MILES LATER. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND FILLED THE VEHICLE UP WITH GAS. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. BEING A VETERAN TO THIS ISSUE, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF THE WAITED FOR 10-15 MINUTES. THIS WILL SOMETIMES WORK TO ALLOW THE CAR TO RESTART AGAIN. HOWEVER, THIS TIME IT DID NOT. THIS SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND THE RESULTS WERE THE SAME. IF YOU SIMPLY DO A SEARCH FOR CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK, YOU WILL EASILY FIND THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM ON A DAILY BASIS. IT PUTS EVERYONE AT AN INCONVENIENCE AND EVEN SOME LIVES AT RISK (AS IT CAN TURN THE CAR OFF WHILE IT IS IN MOTION). *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 6, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. CONDENSATION ACCUMULATES INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL . SHE SPECULATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT SHE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2009
OKAY, THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT CHEVROLET MALIBU. THEY ARE HAVING A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THEIR ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THE CAR WOULD RUN PERFECTLY AND THEN THE NEXT TIME YOU TURN THE KEY IT WOULDN'T START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO US WITHIN A WEEK. AND IF YOU GOOGLE IT, YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM! IT'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND DEALT WITH. TONIGHT MY MOM WHO OWNS THE CAR WAS STUCK ON A DARK PARKING LOT AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW 0 FOR OVER AN HOUR. SHE'S SICK NOW, THANKS TO CHEVY. OF COURSE THE TECHNICIANS WON'T FIND ANYTHING BUT START REPLACING THE IGNITION, REPROGRAM THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM, ETC. BUT THIS ALL DOESN'T HELP. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE ARE SINGLE WOMEN OUT THERE IN THE DARK NOT BEING ABLE TO START THEIR CAR. THERE ARE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THEIR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS. AND THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAYS PRAYING THE CAR WON'T SHUT DOWN IN FRONT OF A TRUCK THIS TIME. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS TO BE DEALT WITH. PLEASE CONFRONT GM WITH THIS AND LET THEM FIX IT. WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR AN INCIDENT LIKE A RAPE, ROBBERY, OR EVEN DEATH TO START THEM THINKING. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2009
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE. RELAY SWITCH MAY BE BAD. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN STUCK AT NIGHT IN A DARK PARKING LOT WAITING THE TEN MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. THIS IS A PERSONALSAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE HAVING TO SIT IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION WAITING FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS OFTEN (TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK). THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED ON GM'S DOLLAR BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND ANYONE WHO OWNS A GM CAR IS SPENDING MONEY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN IT IS GM THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLED; HOWEVER, THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, AND THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. REPORT NUMBER 71-74-9932502 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Electrical system, Aug 7, 2009
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS, AS I STARTED MY CAR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE IGNITION HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE PASS KEY THEFT SYSTEM NOT RECOGNIZING MY KEY (THE ORIGINAL KEY) AND BREAKING THE IGNITION. THIS HAS LEFT ME WITH A DEAD CAR ALONE AS A WOMAN AT NIGHT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2009
THE THEFT SYSTEM (PASSLOCK) ENGAGES ON MY CAR FOR NO REASON. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, BACK IN 2003, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR. I WAS AT A BANK, WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, GETTING MONEY OUT OF AN ATM. AFTER RETURNING TO MY CAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO PAY MONEY FOR A TOW, AND THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME $800 TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. CAR DID NOT NEED A FUEL PUMP, IT ONLY NEEDED THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM TURNED OFF. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE THE MECHANIC CALLED TO ASK ME HOW TO DO THIS. AT THE TIME, I HAD NO IDEA. I NOW KNOW THAT THE $1000 I PAID FOR TOW AND FUEL PUMP WERE A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. SINCE 2003, THIS THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES FOR NO REASON, 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. IT IS INSANE. IN ORDER TO DIS-ENGAGE IT, I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES SITTING IN MY CAR; SOMETIMES WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, DATING BACK TO CARS MADE IN 1996. I CANNOT BELIEVE GM HAS NOT BEEN FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS WORTHLESS THEFT SYSTEM. I WONDER WHAT GENIUS FELT IT NECESSARY TO FORCE SOMEONE TO SIT IN THEIR CAR FOR 10 MINUTES, KEY IN THE IGNITION, TO RESET THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. I'D RATHER MY CAR BE STOLEN! WHILE I AM SITTING IN MY CAR, WAITING FOR IT TO START, ME AND MY FAMILY COULD BE KIDNAPPED, ROBBED, KILLED. THIS IS INSANE. IF IT CANNOT BE MADE TO WHERE IT DOES NOT MALFUNCTION, THEY SHOULD JUST NOT PUT IN ON VEHICLES. OR, THEY SHOULD ONLY MAKE YOU WAIT A MERE 1-2 MINUTES WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. 10 MINUTES IS AN INSANE AMOUNT OF TIME TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS TO RESET. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE NOTICED THAT THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE PLACED THE IGNITION IN AUXILIARY MODE FOR 10 MINUTES. THE CONTACT THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB IN THE BACK SEAT TO EXIT BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. UPON EXITING, SHE WOULD THEN HAVE TO LIFT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAM THE HOOD BACK DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,168. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE REGULAR MAINTENANCE, OTHER THAN OIL CHANGES, WERE NOT PERFORMED AT A CHEVROLET DEALER, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,943.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 3, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH HER VEHICLE. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT INITIALIZATION AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO OTHER FAILURES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 87,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 6, 2009
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY TURN SIGNALS. THEY WOULD WORK WHEN THEY WANTED TO. I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS AND HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ATTENDANT WAS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD RECALL UP TO 2002 MALIBUS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT OF COURSE MINE IS A2003 SO I HAD TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. THE COST WAS $110.00 WHICH WASN'T BAD BUT THE 2002 AND 2003 PARTS INTERCHANGE. SO WHY WOULDN'T THEY HAVE SAME RECALL? *TR
Electrical system, Mar 23, 2009
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KICKS IN EVEN WHEN ORIGINAL KEY IS USED TO START VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START WITHOUT WAITING 10 MINUTES TO RESTART SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS, USUALLY WHEN IT IS LEAST CONVENIENT. I HAVE HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE UNTIL I LEARNED THE OVERRIDE TRICK. I AM GOING INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY TO TRY TO GET A PERMANENT FIX. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2009
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES VERY FREQUENTLY & UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2009
THE THEFT SYSTEM ON MY CHEVY MALIBU 2003 HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND COST ME MORE THAN $300 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE THEFT SYSTEM BELIEVES MY CAR IS BEING STOLEN AND SHUTS OFF THE FUEL TO THE ENGINE. SOME POSTS SAY IT'S WHEN YOU USE AN COPIED KEY, BUT I'M USING THE FACTORY ORIGINAL. AT FIRST, THIS HAPPENED ONCE EVERY MONTH THEN INCREASED WITH FREQUENCY TO ONCE AND WEEK AND NOW EVERY TWO/THREE DAYS. THE 1ST THIS HAPPENED, I REPLACED THE BATTERY. THIS ONE 1 1/2 YRS AGO AND NOW THE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM LOCKS ME OUT, I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF AND TRY TO TURN THE KEY OVER AGAIN. WITH THE AMOUNTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM, I WOULD THINK GM WOULD CHANGE SYSTEMS OR REMOVE THE PROBLEM. IT'S A DISGRACE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO PUT THIS SYSTEM IN A CAR EFFECTIVELY LOCKING OUT THE VERY OWNER INSTEAD OF DOING ITS INTENDED JOB. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2009
THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM DISABLES THE VEHICLE, DRIVING AND PARKED. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. VEHICLE WILL NOT START IT TURNS OVER BUT WILL DO NOTHING. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THE SYSTEM RESET, AT A COST TO ME EVERYTIME. *TR