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: fuel system
34 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 18, 2007
MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT CHEVROLET, CAVALIER 2003. THE CAR JUST QUIT WHILE DRIVING, THANK GOD I WAS ONLY ONE ON ROAD. THE CAR ONLY HAD 57,000 MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE; SUCH AS OIL CHANGES, TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, FILTERS, ETC. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BAD FUEL PUMP. THIS COASTED ME $721.29, WHICH WAS VERY UNEXPECTED. WHAT AMAZED ME EVEN MORE WAS MANY MORE HAD SAME PROBLEM ONCE I SEARCHED IT ONLINE. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE. TP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-CAVALIER/TVINIC5TFU5SFSI5H I FOLLOWED ANOTHER FORUM POSTERS RESPONSE AND CAME HERE TO LET MY EXPERIENCE BE HEARD. *AK
Fuel system, Other, May 23, 2007
2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS SPORT BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY NEEDING A FUEL PUMP AT 67000 MILES. A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB TO BE DONE SO EARLY IN THE CAR'S LIFE. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 13, 2007
FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON HIGHWAY. *AK
Fuel system, Other, Oct 10, 2006
COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM DETAILS: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS JUST FILLED UP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, AND THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHEN A INSPECTION WAS MADE AND FIXED. I HAVE HAD FIVE INCIDENTS PRIOR TO GETTING IT REPAIRED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AFTER THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE FACTORY WARRANTY. *JB
Fuel system, Other, May 3, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, NO INSPECTION WAS MADE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Oct 4, 2005
06/17/05 CAR STOPPED WITH NO WARNING ON A HOT DAY WITH 4 KIDS NOT GOOD! CYLINDER 2.188/ BCM 2.560 08/01/05 CAR STOPPED WITH NO WARNING HOT DAY 3 KIDS HEADING OUT OF TOWN! MODULE3.107/FUEL FILTER 3.890 JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 01/28/05. *NM
Fuel system, Other, Mar 4, 2005
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MPH THE CAR WON'T GET ANY GAS AND STALLS THEN DIES. IT WON'T RESTART. TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPEN 6 TIMES SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT DATE LISTED HERE.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 23, 2004
DEFECT WITH ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP SYSTEM ON 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMP DOWN. WHEN THIS WAS NECESSARY THE DRIVER HAD TO KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THEY COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. SINCE THE STALLING IS INTERMITTENT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS AND PERMANENTLY RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 18, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO START IT. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB