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: engine
91 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 14, 2014
WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE REGAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AFTER HAVING BEEN THERE FOR 2 HOURS FOR THEM TO PLACE A PIECE IN THE KEY LOOP OF MY KEY RING MY CAR SHUT OFF. I ASKED THEM WHY IT WAS STILL CUTTING OFF AFTER IT SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN FIXED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW. I HAD MY 13 MONTH OLD SON IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THE ENTIRE APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES IT TOOK FOR ME TO GET BACK TO MY RESIDENCE THE CAR CUT OFF REPEATEDLY. I WAS IN FEAR OF MY CHILD AS WELL AS MY OWN SAFETY AND WAS VERY UPSET THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT DO MORE TO RECTIFY MY ISSUE. MY CAR WAS NOT DOING THIS BEFORE AND NOW IT WILL NOT STOP. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS ON MY CAR AND STILL IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STILL IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. I NEED MY CAR BUT DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH MY SON WHO IS SPECIAL NEEDS BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL SHUT OFF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS NOT TRAVELING THROUGH THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Service brakes, Engine, Sep 19, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER HAD TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Structure, Sep 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ABLE TO TURN TO THE ON POSITION IN THE IGNITION, BUT WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE REMEDY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 11/05/14*LJ *JS
Engine, Sep 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S RPMS DECREASED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Sep 4, 2014
AS I WAS TURNING ON A STREET THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP. WHEN IT SHUT OFF IT LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS GOING ABOUT 30MPH THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS GOING OVER A BRIDGE AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. IT WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP IMMEDIATELY AND I HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SO THAT THE CAR DID NOT DRIFT BACKWARD. THE NEXT TIME THAT IT HAPPENED I WAS ON A MAIN HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SHUT OFF IT WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP IMMEDIATELY. MY LIGHTS DID NOT WORK SO I WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE MY HAZARDS THE CAR LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO LET THE WINDOWS UP OR DOWN NOW WAS THE LOCKS WORKING. I HAD TO SIT THERE FOR 15 MIN BEFORE THE CAR CRANK BACK UP. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK UP AND YOU HAVE TO LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE WITH THE KEY TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. EACH TIME THAT THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF I HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC HELPLESS. IT HAS SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE I HAVE HAD MY INFANT CHILD AT THE TIME IN THE CAR AS WELL. *TR
Engine, Aug 6, 2014
I ALONG WITH A FRIEND WAS RIDING FROM PHILA. TO CHESTER,PA. ABOUT 25MILES SOUTH ON. INTERSTATE 95. .I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE ABOUT 10 MILES IN AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF..I REMAINED CALM AND GLAD MY FRIEND WAS WITH ME I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TURNED THE KEY AND THE ENGINE STARTED RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES BEFORE GETTING TO MY DESTINATION. ON THE WAY HOME THE ENGINE CUT OFF TWO MORE TIMES.THIS TIME I WAS ALONE, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE I WAS SCARED AND QUITE UPSET. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY TURNING IN THE IGNITION SOMETIMES IT WORKS OFTEN NOT EVEN AFTER PURCHASING A NEW KEY AND BATTERIES. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAIN ON , THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ON AND OFF, THE HORN, LIGHTER AND THE RECEPTACLE FOR PHONE NOT WORKING EVEN WITH NEW FUSE AND THE RADIATOR LEAKS. JUST THIS YEAR I HAVE SPENT OVER 1100.00. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND DISGUSTING. OUR FAMILY HAVE BEEN VERY CONSCIENCE ABOUT PURCHASING AMERICAN MADE CARS AND HAVE INVESTED IN MADE IN THE USA BUT IT SEEMS GM HAS LITTLE TO NO INTERESTED IN OUR SAFETY. TODAY THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST AND I WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY EVEN MORE TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC 149.00. WRONG ANSWER...PLEASE HELP RESTORE MY FAITH IN GM AFTER ALL WE THE PEOPLE DID BAIL YOU OUT NOW OWN UP AND LOOK OUT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES FIX THIS BEFORE MORE TRAGEDY.. TAKE CARE OF AMERICANS WHERE IS YOUR HONOR ? *TR
Air bags, Engine, Jul 14, 2014, crash
I WAS TRAVELING WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WHEN SOMEONE PULLED INTO MY PATH CAUSING ME TO HIT THEM. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I TOOK THE FULL FORCE OF THE COLLISION INTO MY CHEST. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jul 8, 2014
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND GIVING ME PROBLEMS. JUST TOOK IT IN TO MY CAR REPAIR THEY SAID NOW ITS SHOWS AIR BAG ERROR ALSO. THEY WANT TO CHANGE OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH ONLY 66 THOUSAND MILES! NOW THE AIR BAGS PROBABLY WONT WORK WHEN NEEDED. I WANT THIS FIXED ON THE IGNITION RECALL. EVERY TIME I PULL UP TO MY HOME AFTER DRIVING THIS CAR I AM JUST WAITING FOR IT TO START ON FIRE AS NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK LIKE IT SHOULD. *JS
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 23, 2014
6-10-14 NO CRANK START ,HAD TO RESET SECURITY SYSTEMS CODE B2960 AND P1626C FIRESTONE 312-787-8828 STORE#026514 CHICAGO,IL 60610 6-19-14 WAS DIVING ON LAKE SHORE DR GOT ON OFF RAMP AND THE CAR JUST CUT OFF NO POWER IT DID START BACK UP BUT LUCKY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WENT I WAS GOING FAST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 17, 2014
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 IN WASHINGTON. ON THE DRIVE FROM WASHINGTON TO MISSOURI, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER THE ENGINE WAS OFF. AFTER WAITING THREE DAYS FOR THE MECHANIC IN A SMALL SOUTH DAKOTA TOWN, HE "FIXED" IT IN TEN MINUTES. THE "SOLUTION" OF KEEPING THE ENGINE ON FOR TEN MINUTES, TURNING TO OFF, AND THEN STARTING IT AGAIN IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX TO A VERY REAL PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS SO REAL AND OBVIOUS THAT THE TEN MINUTE SOLUTION IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL (WHY THAT INSTEAD OF FIXING IT, I'M NOT REALLY SURE...) THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO EIGHT TIMES A MONTH- UNTIL THIS LAST MONTH. I BEGAN KEEPING TRACK ON A CALENDAR THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE CAR WOULD FAIL TO WORK - 26 TIMES IN FIVE WEEKS. THIS IS BEYOND ANNOYING. THE PROBLEM WOULD BE EVEN WORSE IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE FACT THAT I AM A TEACHER AND THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL WAS THE FIRST WEEK IN THESE FIVE WEEKS. NOW THAT I AM OUT FOR THE SUMMER, MANY DAYS NOW I STAY AT HOME, THUS REDUCING THE CHANCE OF THE CAR FAILING TO WORK AS I AM NOT USING IT. THAT LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL, IT "STALLED" EVERY SINGLE DAY. TWO DAYS AGO, IT QUIT WORKING FOUR TIMES IN ONE DAY. I HAVE BEEN LATE FOR WORK, CHURCH, AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN DARK PARKING LOTS LATE AT NIGHT. ALONE. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT. I DRIVE AS INFREQUENTLY AS I POSSIBLY CAN NOW, AND WAS FERVENTLY PRAYING THAT MY CAR WOULD START AFTER FILLING IT UP WITH GAS THIS MORNING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I WAS HOPING THE MOST RECENT RECALLS WOULD AFFECT THIS CAR AND WHEN TYPING "2003 MALIBU RECALLS," INTO A SEARCH ENGINE, WHILE NO RECALLS WERE SHOWN, WEB SITE AND FORUMS APLENTY ALL CAME UP, WITH MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SINGULAR PROBLEM OF THIS SINGULAR CAR. IT IS A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 17, 2014
MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WOULD SHUT OFF IF I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP. IF I HIT A BUMP WHILE DRIVING, EVERYTHING WOULD GO DEAD. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS IT HAPPENED ON BOTH SURFACE STREETS AND THE HIGHWAY. HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. NO RECALL YET ON THIS VEHICLE. PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 13, 2014
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR OVER THE YEARS. THE FIRST WAS WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC IN 2006 AND REPAIR WAS $600. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILED ABOUT 10 MONTHS LATER THAT WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER FOR $1200. I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE ($600 EACH TIME) BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKETS AND TOO MUCH OIL INSIDE THE ENGINE. NOW I HAVE A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE MY CAR WHEN I START IT UP THAT LASTS FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES EACH DAY. I'VE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE NOW AND THE GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. NOW ANTI THEFT SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN AND I HAVE TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 11 MINUTES TO RESET IT BEFORE I CAN LEAVE MY LOCATION. THE HOOD LATCH RECENTLY BROKE AND NOW THE WIRE MUST BE REPLACED FROM THE INSIDE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. *JS
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 9, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSLOCK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE GAS WAS NOT GOING FROM THE TANK INTO THE ENGINE, THE CRUISE CONTROL OCCASIONALLY WOULD NOT WORK, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE RADIO AND WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. *JB
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 1, 2014
THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START AND ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO A GARAGE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS LATER TO FIND OUT IT WAS AN THEFT SYSTEM PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO WE DID THAT THEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. I GOT OUT THE OWNERS MANUAL AND WAS READING ABOUT TURN THE KEY FOR 10 MINUTES. WELL THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I STARTING READING ALL THESE THING ON THE INTERNET TO REALIZE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. MY VEHICLE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO START OR NOT SO IN THE MORNING I HAVE TO GO OUT EARLIER THEN USUAL JUST IN CASE I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY FOR 10 MINUTES OR NOT. THE SCARY PART IS READING ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE CAR JUST STALLS OUT ON THEM. GM WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR OTHER LIVES TO BE TAKEN BEFORE YOU REALIZE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR OTHER THEN THIS PROBLEM AND IT STILL IS A GREAT CAR. JUST IF THE THIS THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. COME ON GM STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT DO THE RECALL AND GET THIS FIXED SO WE CAN GO ON WITH OUR LIVES. THANKS *TR
Engine, May 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,500.
Electrical system, Engine, May 2, 2014
I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND YOUR COMPANY FOR MAKING A DURABLE PRODUCT. HOWEVER, I PURCHASE A 2003 CHEVY-MALIBU IN 2004 FROM CARMAX-RALEIGH, N.C. ACCORDING TO THE CARFAX, THERE WAS ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ONLY THREE YEARS AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY RICK HENDRIX CHEVROLET IN DURHAM, N.C. AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, I WOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC IN NORFOLK, VA THAT I HAVE DEALT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS. CONSEQUENTLY, I WOULD HAVE REPAIRS DONE AND HE KEPT THE CAR RUNNING AS REQUIRED. HOWEVER, ABOUT YEAR 2010, DURING REGULAR MAINTENANCE - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT - THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT NO DISPLAY ON THE DASH AND NO ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WORKED? ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES LATER WITH CAR STILL RUNNING - THE DASH WOULD LIGHT UP AND ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OPERABLE. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO ELIMINATE TO CHECK ENGINE/SERVICE ENGINE DISPLAYS WITH REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THE DASH DISPLAY AND POWER LOSS CONTINUED? HE DECIDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE SAME PROBLEMS REAPPEARED? NOW I HAVE TWO SEPARATE KEYS, ONE FOR DOOR/TRUNK LOCKS AND ONE FOR THE IGNITION. PRESENTLY, EVEN AFTER MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED MISSING/PUTTING OR POSSIBLY LOSING POWER? I CONTACTED GM (800)222-1020 AND (800)630-2438 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE GM RECALL LIST? CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT INFORMATION AND THE REASON WHY IT IS NOT ON THE LIST? DO I REALLY NEED TO WAIT UNTIL MY FAMILY IS INJURED OR WORST BEFORE A DEFECT IS ACKNOWLEDGE? *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 3, 2014
WE OWN A 2003 CHEV MALIBU, SOLD AND SERVICED IN CANADA, BUT MANUFACTURED AT GM'S LANSING, MICHIGAN ASSEMBLY PLANT. CHEV MALIBUS ARE NOT YET INCLUDED ON THE GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL LIST, BUT IN OCT/11 WE HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED BY THOSE VEHICLES CURRENTLY ON THE RECALL LIST: FOR PERHAPS 5 SECONDS, A TOTAL LOSS OF ALL POWER (ENGINE, LIGHTS, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC.,) WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, AT NIGHT. AFTER THAT 5 SECOND DELAY, ALL POWER RESUMED, (LIGHTS, ENGINE, ETC) AND THE CAR OPERATED PERFECTLY FOR THE REST OF THE DRIVE HOME. A DAY LATER, WE AGAIN HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF ALL POWER, THIS TIME WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT SLOW SPEED. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT THEN. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, ON 25 OCT/11, I HAD MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT MY LOCAL GM CHEV DEALERSHIP, AT A COST OF $416.51. AT NO TIME DID THE DEALER MENTION ANY KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THESE IGNITION SWITCHES. IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT RECALL, I CONTACTED MY GM DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT COMMENT ON WHETHER THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH IS POTENTIALLY FAULTY OR NOT - AND HOW WOULD DEALERS KNOW, IF GM REPLACED THE ORIGINAL SWITCHES WITHOUT CHANGING THE PART NUMBER? WERE DEALERS TOLD TO GET RID OF THE "OLD STOCK", OR TO RETURN IT TO GM? THE DEALER STATED THAT, IF AND WHEN MY VEHICLE IS ADDED TO THE CURRENT RECALL LIST, THEY WOULD "REPLACE THE REPLACEMENT". IN OTHER WORDS, I COULD BE DRIVING WITH A FAULTY SWITCH - A POTENTIAL DANGER TO MYSELF AND TO OTHERS....AND, TO DATE, GM APPARENTLY DOESN'T PLAN TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'M OUT $416 AND MAY STILL HAVE A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. I RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT'S AUTHORITY DOESN'T EXTEND TO CANADA. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD AND SERVICED IN CANADA, IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN LANSING, MICHIGAN - LIKE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHEV MALIBUS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 14, 2014
THE CAR HAS CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON AT LEAST 10 OCCASIONS SINCE 2012. USUALLY, IF DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED IT WOULD HAPPEN AS I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. EACH TIME, I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO EITHER DRIFT OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER OR COMPLETE THE TURN WITHOUT GETTING HIT. WHEN THE CAR CUTS OFF I LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER. DURING THAT PERIOD I ALSO EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: SOMETIMES THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT COME ON, THE AUTO LOCKS WOULD COME ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT STAY ON. ON 5/3/12 MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT I PROBABLY HAD TOO MANY KEYS ON MY RING AND IT WORE DOWN THE IGNITION. SHORTLY AFTER HAVING THE IGNITION REPLACED, I NOTICED THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT STAYED ON AND IT AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO START THE CAR. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, IN ORDER TO START MY CAR, I HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THEN TURN IT TO THE "ACCESSORY" POSITION FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN TO THE "ON" POSITION AND WAIT FOR THE GAS GAUGE AND DASH TO LIGHT UP (PERHAPS ANOTHER 15-40 SECONDS) IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS HOW I LEARNED HOW TO START THE CAR UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I HAVE MY REPAIR RECEIPTS AND INTERNET SEARCHES FOR THIS PROBLEM FROM 2012 AS WELL AS EVERY OIL CHANGE AND SERVICE TICKET FROM 2003. I THINK THAT THE 2003 MALIBU SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR INCLUSION IN THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Feb 27, 2014
CAR FAILED TO START. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM THAT GM WAS HAVING WITH THE MALIBU'S. HE SHOWED ME HOW TO TURN THE KEY TO ON FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN THE THEFT LIGHT WOULD STOP BLINKING AND YOU COULD THEN START THE CAR. THIS PAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT DAILY OR EVERY 5 TO 6 TIMES THAT YOU GO TO START THE CAR. MOSTLY ON SHORT TRIPS OF LESS THAN 2 MILES. I CONTACTED 2 LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS AND THEY CLAIM TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM! I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT - AT A CHARGE. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN AN AREA THAT WAS NOT SAFE FOR MY FAMILY OR ME - WE COULD NOT START THE CAR AND WOULD HAVE TO JUST SIT THERE FOR 10 MINUTES!
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS FOUND TO HAVE MIXED WITH THE ENGINE OIL WHEN THE DIP STICK WAS PULLED TO CHECK THE ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,126. UPDATED 01/28/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 04/21/14 UPDATED 06/30/14
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 24, 2013
STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY CAR, THEFT LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND I WOULD HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT TO GET THE CAR STARTED, VERY ANNOYING PROBLEM HAVING TO PLAY A WAITING CAME TO START YOUR CAR. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGH WAY, I HAD NO IDEA THE CAR WAS EVEN OFF UNTIL I TRIED TO ACCLERATE OR TURN BECAUSE THE RADIO REMAINS ON. HAVE TO STOP AND PUT MY HAZZARDS ON AND START THE CAR AGAIN, SOME DAYS IT DOES REPEAT STALLS WHICH CAUSES ME TO ALMOST GET HIT BY CARS BEHIND ME (VERY VERY DANGEROUS), SOME DAYS IT DRIVES FINE. THEN ONE DAY WHILE SHUTTING MY CAR OFF AND RETURNING HOME THE HORN STARTED HONKING AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF FOR ABOUT A 1/2 HOUR, AND AFTER THAT IT HASNT WORKED AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP BECAUSE IM FED UP AND THEY SAID IT IS ALL LINKED TO A FAULTY PASS KEY/ANTI THEFT SYSTEM THAT CAUSES THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A REACCURING PROBLEM IN THE MALIBU'S. *TR
Engine, Aug 16, 2013
OVER THE LAST YEAR, 2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAS NOT STARTED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IT WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION (IE WORK, SHOPPING, CLASS, ETC) AND THEN UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND ESPECIALLY SO IF ONE OF THE CHILDREN IS USING THE CAR. AS I HAVE READ, OTHERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WARRANTS ATTENTION BY THE MANUFACTURER! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 21, 2013
AFTER MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE, ON A SHORT TRIP OF 4 MILES, THE CAR STARTED REVVING UP AND TAKING OFF ON IT'S ON. IT ALSO CAUSED MY A/C HOSE TO BURST (I AM CONVINCED IT IS RELATED). I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND REPLACED THE A/C HOSE. THERE IS STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT HAPPENS WHEN IT IS VERY HOT WEATHER AND I AM MAKING SHORT TRIPS RUNNING ERRANDS WHICH CALLS FOR TURNING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. I DROVE BACK HOME WITH MY FOOT ENTIRELY ON THE BRAKES WHILE TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR FROM RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL. I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE IT NOW, UNTIL I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO "REALLY" FIX THE PROBLEM (AS I WAS STUCK WITH A $487 REPAIR BILL). *TR