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, Jul 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE, INVOLUNTARILY, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ON A FEW OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD START, BUT THE WARNING THEFT LIGHT WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Electrical system, Equipment, Jul 17, 2011
I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR STARTING/STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. REPLACED THE KEY SWITCH WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. ALSO HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HEATING/AIR-CONDITIONING FAN SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO RUN EXCEPT ON SETTING 4 OR 5. ALSO THE SWITCH THAT PUTS THE SYSTEM ON RECYCLED AIR HAS STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 5 YEARS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2011
PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. OCCASIONALLY THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND OCCASIONALLY THE FUEL SYSTEM GETS SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T START. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH ALL GM MODELS THAT HAVE THIS PASSLOCK SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2011
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF; IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RESET THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. NW
Electrical system, May 19, 2011
MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES EACH DAY. INITIALLY I ONLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE NOT STARTING AND HAVING TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE STARTING. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP ND THEY SAID IT WAS MY IGNITION. THIS IS A SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Electrical system, May 6, 2011
I OWN A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. OVER THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN STRANDED 6 TIMES AND HAVE PAID HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS DUE TO MY CAR FAILING TO START AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. THE SCARIEST INCIDENT OF ALL HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING AS IT STARTED TO STALL OUT. AS OF NOW, MAY 6, 2011, IT IS AGAIN SITTING AT THE SHOP UNABLE TO START. THE TURN THE KEY TO ON, WAIT 10 MINUTES TRICK, DOESN'T EVEN WORK ANY LONGER. *TR
Electrical system, May 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE SPORADICALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IN ADDITION, THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT ON HOW TO RESET THE ALARM WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Electrical system, Apr 9, 2011
I HAVE BEEN HAVING REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH MY CARS THEFT SYSTEM DEFAULTING AND NOT ALLOWING MY CAR TO START RANDOMLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REOCCURRING FOR ABOUT THE PAST 4-5 YEARS.THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPEND. IT OCCURS ALMOST DAILY AND IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VECHILE TO SEVERAL GM DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS THE PASSLOCK, BCM, CAR NOT READING THE KEY, AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLM AS WELL BUT WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER 900 DOLLARS FOR FIX SOMETHING THEY THINK IT COULD BE AS WELL. I CAN PLACE THE KEY IN THE ON SETTING IN THE IGNITION FOR ANYWHERE FROM 15-30 MINUTES PLUS SOMETIMES AND THIS EVENTUALLY WORKS, BUT IT A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS SAME ISSUE AS WELL. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 8, 2011
GM CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK SYSTEM. ORIGINALLY I HAD A 1998 MALIBU AND THOUGHT THAT IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE SO I SOLD IT FOR SCRAPS AND BOUGHT A 2003 MALIBU AND ABOUT EVERY MONTH (2 TIMES PER MONTH FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS) I GO TO WORK OR STORE JUST FINE AND WHEN I COME OUT IT DOESN'T START. I'VE BEEN TAKEN THROUGH SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCENARIOS BY THE MECHANIC AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE 2003 MALIBU FROM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH IT AND THEY HAVE FIXED IT COSTING ME ABOUT $500 EVERY TIME IT OCCURS. IT WASN'T UNTIL IT HAPPENED LAST MONTH WHILE LEAVING WORK AND A CO-WORKER CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND OF HERS WHO INFORMED ME OF THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE AND TOLD ME TO WAIT 10 MINUTES THEN START IT UP. SINCE THEN IT'S HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES, ONCE WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING (LUCKILY I WAS WITH HER TO KNOW HOW TO HANDLE IT). I'VE CALLED THE GM TO NO AVAIL; THEY SEEM TO KNOW NOTHING OF THIS ISSUE AND THEIR MECHANICS DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE IT BEING A PROBLEM EITHER SO BECAUSE THEY'VE "REPLACED" OR "FIXED" SEVERAL ISSUES (NOT THE ISSUE PLAGUING THE VEHICLE) WHICH THEY PROBABLY MADE UP; I'M OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS APPARENTLY BEEN GOING ON WITH THIS MODEL FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THEY (GM) REFUSES TO RECALL THE ISSUE OR MAKE ANY EFFORT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK GOD I PUT AWAY MONEY FOR RAINY DAYS BUT I AM LIVID THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH I WOULD HAVE SAVED IF IT WEREN'T FOR GM OR CHEVY! THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IMMEDIATELY; BEFORE GM SWINDLES ANYMORE UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS OUT OF THEIR MONEY! FYI CHECK THIS WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.CAR-FORUMS.COM/TALK/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=AF8AE0D52C5E7E7E95D95A891B99FBCF&T=1545&PAGE=2 OR JUST GOOGLE (OR WHAT EVER SEARCH ENGINE YOU USE) "ISSUES WITH CHEVY MALIBU" AND SEE WHAT COMES UP! *TR
Electrical system, Feb 28, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE KEY IN PLACE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHILE I'M DRIVING! OR THE CAR SIMPLY WON'T START, EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY AND NO ONE HAS MESSED WITH IT. THE ONLY 'SOLUTION' IS TO WAIT 10 MINUTES (SOMETIMES LONGER) UNTIL THE CAR WILL START AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I'VE CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM EVERYWHERE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND I CAN'T AFFORD -- LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY -- TO PAY FOR UNNECESSARY CAR REPAIRS....ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PASSLOCK IS A *KNOWN* PROBLEM AND CHEVY REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND NOW I'M WORRIED EVERY TIME I SHUT OFF THE CAR, WILL IT LET ME START IT BACK UP AGAIN? HELP! *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY HIGH INCREASE IN RPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, UNLESS HE TURNED THE KEY AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR 15 MINUTES. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD STAY ON ALL THE TIME. UPDATED 06/02/11
Electrical system, Nov 29, 2010
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON FREEWAY IT JUST STALLED. I COASTED TO BERM. IT THEN RESTARTED. I'VE HAD ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I'VE READ THAT THIS ENGINE CUTTING OUT IS PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT SYSTEM EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 15, 2010
THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS A VERY DANGEROUS SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM. THOUSANDS OF ANGRY, FRUSTRATED PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING LEFT WITH NO RECOURSE. THE PROBLEM DATES FROM THE 1990S.THROUGH 2010. THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE NOW. I JUST SPENT OVER $5000. FOR A CAR THAT CANNOT BE MOVED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY I DON'T THINK CONGRESS HEARD THE SCREAMS I'VE HEARD AND READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ('I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM CAR AGAIN', OR 'IF THERE IS EVER A CLASS ACTION SUITE, COUNT ME IN') WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED, OR THEIR CARS CAUSED WRECKS BECAUSE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM KICKED IN AND CUT OFF THE FUEL WHILE THEY WERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ ABOUT SO MANY UNHAPPY PEOPLE. I CAME FROM A GENERATION OF PEOPLE THAT WORKED FOR FIFTY YEARS. WE DID ALL THE THINGS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO. WE WORKED HARD, PAID OUR BILLS AND TRUSTED THAT WE WOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY. TO REALLY FIND OUT ABOUT PASSLOCK, JUST GOOGLE PASSLOCK COMPLAINTS. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LINKS TO COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/SEARCH.HTML?CX=PARTNER-PUB-0200629403145096%3AQT7MBBQYBBG&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=PASSLOCK&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM%2F&SITEURL=WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM%2FAUTOMOTIVE%2FGM_CHEV_MALIBU_P2.HTML#906 HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2002/ELECTRICAL/PASSLOCK_PROBLEM_WONT_START_ANTI-THEFT_LIGHT_IS_ON.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CAR-FORUMS.COM/TALK/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=2349 HTTP://WWW.CHEVROLETPROBLEMS.COM/SEARCH/RESULTS.SHTML?CX=PARTNER-PUB-6745124734283845%3A635TFYW220Y&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=PASSLOCK&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=WWW.CHEVROLETPROBLEMS.COM%252FINVESTIGATIONS%252FMALIBU%252F#931 IS THERE NO HOPE'..EVER? *TR
Electrical system, Sep 15, 2010
2003 CHEVY MALIBU, 1 OUT OF 3 STARTS FORCED TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING A RESTART, USUALLY TWICE BEFORE SUCCEEDING. FORCES WAITING IN THE DARK OR IN UNSAFE PLACES AT NIGHT, SUCH AS FINISHING WORK. EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR ANY FEMALE. $300 QUOTE AT STEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. FITTED 20CENT RESISTOR TO FEED CORRECT RESISTANCE VALUE TO ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH IS ALSO GUARANTEED TO FAIL EVENTUALLY. WILL HAVE TO BUILD A CIRCUIT TO BYPASS THIS ALSO TO REMOVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. SHAME ON THE STEALERSHIPS FOR NOT CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM AS A RECALL. THE POTENTIAL FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY PERSONAL INJURY/DEATH ARE HIGH AND THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR IS A DISGUSTING TACTIC FOR ANY COMPANY TO USE TO COERCE CUSTOMERS TO LINE THEIR COFFERS REPLACING DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Sep 13, 2010
2003 CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON MY CAR FREQUENTLY. IT COSTS OVER $245 TO RESET AND $800 TO FIX. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM CAR OWNERS WITH PASSLOCK SYSTEMS ARE HAVING THE PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING AND I'VE NARROWLY AVOIDED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. OTHER TIMES IT WILL SIMPLY NOT START. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 25, 2010
OWN 2003 CHEVY MALIBU THAT WILL JUST SHUT OFF. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM BUILT IN THE VEHICLE WILL DO THIS. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN BEFORE IT RESETS ITSELF THEN IT WILL START. CHEVY DEALERSHIP THAT I WENT TO IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL AND OFFERED TO FIX IT FOR $400. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON. SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR FREE BY GM. BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. THIS STARTED IN 2006 AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO THIS 1 OR 2 TIMES A MONTH SINCE THEN. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Aug 24, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION AND ALLOW IT TO SIT IN THE IGNITION FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WHILE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESET ITSELF. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WOULD BECOME FILLED WITH WATER WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN, CAUSING THE BULBS TO BLOW. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE COMPUTER ASSUMED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STOLEN DUE TO THE IGNITION SECURITY SWITCH FEATURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED JUST RECENTLY PRIOR TO THE MOST CURRENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,760. STATUS UPDATE 11/15/11
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 18, 2010, crash
FOR YEARS, CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND CAN NOT BE RE-STARTED, OR MORE FREQUENTLY, JUST WON'T START. NO WARNING EXCEPT A FINE, DIM RED ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO BE NOTICED AT ALL, AND CERTAINLY NOT IMMEDIATELY. CAN HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY, OR CAN GO TWO WEEKS WITHOUT A PROBLEM. SHORT TERM REMEDY IS RELIABLE IF INCONVENIENT AND IN SOME SITUATION, DANGEROUS; WITH CAR IN "PARK," TURN OFF ALL SYSTEM, TURN ON IGNITION SWITCH BUT DO NOT START, DO NOT DISTURB FOR AT LEAST EN MINUTES. SYSTEM WILL THEN BE RESET. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD MULTIPLE CAUSES. GOT PARTIAL, TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENT (LESS FREQUENT FAILURE) BY REPLACING DEFECTIVE DS LOCK SWITCH, WHICH IS ALSO USED TO PROGRAM THAT LOCKING SYSTEM FEATURES. BECAUSE THE USERS IS SUPPOSED TO INITIATE LOCKING SYSTEM PROGRAMMING BY HOLDING THE SWITCH CLOSED, AND THE LOCK WAS STICKING CLOSED AND OPENING UNPREDICTABLY, IT WAS SURELY CREATING INPUTS NOT ANTICIPATED BY THE SYSTEM'S PROGRAMMERS. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE INTERFACE WITH THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR SYSTEM, IS STILL CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASES. HAVE NOT FOUND SATISFACTORY SOLUTION. CAN'T AFFORD THE $400 DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST FOR (POSSIBLE) FIX, AMBIGUOUS EXPLANATIONS MAKE ME DOUBT THE DEALER REALLY UNDERSTANDS THE CAUSE. NO ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR CRASH YET, BUT OBVIOUSLY RISK IS HIGH WHEN CAR SUDDENLY STALL IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2010
2003 CHEVY MALIBU: THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAPPENS JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY, AND WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO START. THE CAR ALSO DIES ON US WHILE WE ARE DRIVING, PUTTING US IN A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. WITHOUT WARNING IT JUST SHUTS OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND WAIT AT LEAST TEN MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER, THEY WOULD ADVISE HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jun 24, 2010
PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO NICKEL PLATING ON STARTER TUMBLER CAUSING OXIDATION. DEALERS ARE ABLE TO MAKE A KILLING ON THIS DEFECTIVE CONNECTOR BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TROUBLESHOOT A FULL FUEL PUMP SYSTEM AND WIRING HARNESS BEFORE THEY WILL REPLACE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. OCCURS ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS INTERMITTENTLY AND BECOMES MORE SERIOUS AS THE OXIDATION WORSENS. POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE WOULD STALL IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION (IE: RAILROAD TRACKS OR HIGHWAY) AND VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. COUPLED WITH THE RECALL THESE VEHICLES HAD WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING (WHICH MINE DID ON A HIGHWAY) THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE (ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE "PASSLOCK PROBLEM" AND YOU WILL GET THOUSANDS OF RESULTS AND CONSUMER FIXES COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW GM IGNORES EVERY SERVICE REQUEST FOR A SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T GOUGE CUSTOMERS. THERE IS PRACTICALLY AN UNDERGROUND CLUB DESIGNED TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM.) ACCORDING TO THE SHOP FOREMAN AT COLONIAL CHEVROLET IN NORFOLK, VA, AFTER HIS 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH SERVICE THIS IS A PROBLEM HE IS INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH AND RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE KEY TUMBLER (PASSLOCK CHIP INTEGRATED INSIDE) AND THE CONNECTOR THAT LEADS TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 14, 2010
THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS - AND WHEN IT FLASHES I NEED TO RESET BY TURNING IGNITION TO ON AND WAIT TEN MIN. - NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND I'M CONCERNED THAT AT SOME POINT THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I WILL BE STRANDED. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2010
03 MALIBU WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.... THE CAR SHUTS ITSELF OFF WHILE IN MOTION... *TR