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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 6, 2008
MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE CAR NOT TO START. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2007
MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAD DIED ON ME 3 TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TWICE I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (JBA IN GLEN BURNIE, MD) AND THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT. I CAN'T DRIVE IT, BECAUSE I HAVE A 45 MINUTE COMMUTE TO WORK AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP HAVING IT TOWED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 12, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED HOT. THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED THE LEVEL. HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CARMAX AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2007
COOLANT IS LEAKING, MECHANIC SAID IT IS OUR LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT HAS FAILED. ALSO HE SAYS TO FLUSH OUT THE DEX COOL BECAUSE IT IS A HORRIBLE COOLANT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 19, 2007
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU, THE COOLANT STARTED TO SLOWLY LEAK OUT, THEN PROCEEDED TO LEAK FASTER WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, WE COULDN'T SEE WHERE THE COOLANT WAS GOING. I CALLED MY OLDER BROTHER EVERY WEEKEND, AND HIS 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WAS IN THE SHOP GETTING A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED, HIS GRAND PRIX, AND MY CHEVY MALIBU HAVE THE SAME ENGINE, I ASKED WHAT HAPPENED, AND HE SAID THAT HIS COOLANT STARTED LEAKING, HE COULDN'T SEE WHERE IT WAS GOING SO HE TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES MADE BY GM WAS THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS FAULTY. I HAVE LOOKED IT UP ON LINE,AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN CANADA AGAINST GM FOR THIS PROBLEM, AS WELL MANY PEOPLE SAY (INCLUDING MY MECHANIC) THAT THE DEX COOL IS VERY BAD FOR YOU VEHICLE. ANYWAY, MY BROTHER GOT HIS CAR TO THE MECHANIC TOO LATE, AND AFTER SHELLING OUT 700 TO FIX THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, HE ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY 5900 TO REPLACE HIS 2001 GRAND PRIX ENGINE. AS IT TURNS OUT MY MALIBU HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WE HAVE YET TO REPLACE IT, IT IS WORTHLESS, THE MECHANIC WHO IS CHEVY CERTIFIED, SAID THAT THE COOLANT HAS GOTTEN INTO OUR OIL, AND THE ENGINE IS WORTHLESS, WE DON'T HAVE THE 5900 TO SHELL OUT FOR A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM TWICE, THE FIRST TIME I TALKED TO A REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE, AND HE SAID THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE GASKET, IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT THEY AREN'T GOING TO RECALL IT, THE SECOND TIME I TALKED TO THEM THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH ME ANY FURTHER. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH THREE KIDS, AND A FULL TIME JOB, AND FULL TIME SCHOOL, I HAVE A CAR THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT THE SALESMAN TALKED ME INTO, HE TOLD ME "A MALIBU WILL LAST YOU A VERY LONG TIME," AS IT SITS IN MY PARKING LOT WHILE I AM LEFT RIDING THE BUS, AND MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT DOES NOT RUN, DUE TO A PROBLEM THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2007
MY FIANCE AND I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA IN NOV OF 2006 WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES. IN JULY OF 2007, THE CAR WAS STARTED AND SHUT OFF BY ITSELF A FEW MINUTES LATER. IT WOULD THEN NOT START. WE FIRST HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT INFORMED US THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. IT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE CYLINDERS, THE SPARK PLUGS AND OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE 1400.00. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A 2ND SHOP FOR A 2ND OPINION. THEY TOLD US THAT THE ANTIFREEZE THAT LEAKED HAD TOTALLY LOCKED UP THE ENGINE AND WE NEEDED A WHOLE NEW ONE. THAT WAS GOING TO COST US AT LEAST 2,000 FOR A USED ONE. WE THAN DECIDED THAT A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 60K MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT BE IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE SO WE AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOLD US THE SAME THING. THE CAR WAS OFFICIALLY IN NEED OF A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. WE CONTACTED CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER CARE DEPT AND THEY ARE SO FAR UNWILLING TO HELP. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 8-9 MONTHS AND ARE CONTINUING TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN. PER THE DEALER, THE USED ENGINE WILL COST US 3000.00 AND A NEW ONE WILL COST IS 5050.00. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 7, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ENGINE HESITATED AND LOST ALL POWER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER A HALF AN HOUR, IT RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NO CODES ON THE COMPUTER.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 7, 2005
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN STALLING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR CHECKUP, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2004
THERE WAS A DELAY AND OR LACK OF POWER WHEN PASSING. THE DELAY WAS IN BETWEEN ACCELERATION. *AK *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ENGINE FAILED. AS RESULT, CONSUMER ENGAGED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 18, 2004
THE MUFFLER ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO NEEDS ITS SECOND MUFFLER IN AS MANY YEARS. IT APPEARS THE BAFFLE IS BECOMING LOOSE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDS WITHIN THE MUFFLER. THIS IS CAUSING A VIBRATION A VARIOUS RPM/SPEEDS.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 29, 2004
WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE IDLE STICKS. RPM FIRST TIME STUCK AT APPROX 2000 RPM, 2ND TIME WAS 3,000 RPM. ONLY WAY TO GET IDLE TO RELEASE IS TO TURN ENGINE OFF AND RE-START. DANGEROUS AS IT MAKES IT HARD TO JUDGE HOW MUCH PRESSURE TO APPLY TO BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. *JB
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
CAR HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES IN TRAFFIC. AT CITY SPEEDS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN IN THE FAST LANE AT RUSH HOUR.HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SEMI THAT IS TAILGATING TRY TO STOP AT SIXTY-FIVE IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR BECAUSE YOUR ENGINE JUST STALLED? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME THE DEALER CALLS AND SAY'S COME PICK IT UP I THINK WE GOT IT FIXED? HOW CAN THEY SEND ME OUT WITH A VEHICLE THAT THEY DONT EVEN KNOW IF ITS FIXED? WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO HAPPEN? IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP EIGHT TIMES FOR STALLING. THEY REPLACE A PART AND SEND ME OUT ON THE ROAD LIKE A TEST RAT HOPING THE BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT KEEPS RUNNING SO I DON'T DIE OR WORSE CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TO. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE WIRING,COMPUTERS, ENGINE, EVEN DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM.HOW DO I EVER FEEL LIKE I CAN DRIVE THIS CAR SAFLEY. I HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE THE BIG CAR COMPANY DONT CARE FOR ME. IT'S SALES THEY CARE ABOUT. IT'S BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SIX DAYS NOW, NO PROBLEM I'LL SEND MY PAYMENT IN EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ABOUT THIRTY DAYS THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Nov 5, 2003
BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A RUBBING NOISE WHICH PROGRESSED TO A SQUEAKING NOISE. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE PADS/FRONT ROTORS/ BRAKE BOOSTER/CALIPERS, AND BRAKE LINES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE A/C CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE AND COOLING PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *JB *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH PC VALVE ON CHEVROLET MALIBU. *MR EMISSION ERROR-THE COMPUTER HAD GIVEN INCORRECT READINGS/PCV VALVE SMOG VALVE. (ONGOING PROBLEM) *SCC *JB