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: hydraulic
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 23, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STALLS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP, BATTERY AND REMOTE CONTROL WERE ALL REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED. ALSO, T HE BRAKES AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 25, 2012
THE BRAKES DEVELOPED POOR BRAKING AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH THE FRONT END WOULD SHIMMY WHEN APPLIED. TWICE REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACING OF THE ROTORS FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT DISK ROTORS THAT WOULD NOT WRAP WITH USE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM GM FAILED TO COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, HE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A SQUISHING NOISE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW HIS COMPLAINT AND HE WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jun 12, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON MAY 25, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING FASTER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE OUT OF TRAFFIC. SHE COULD NOT FEEL THE BRAKES WORKING AND SPED THROUGH A STOP SIGN. SHE DROVE INTO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BODY SHOP TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND HEADLAMP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THEY ARE CURRENTLY STATING THAT DUE TO THE BODY WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THEY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE ACCELERATION FAILURE, ONLY THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS A BACK INJURY THAT WAS AGGRAVATED DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 7, 2006
I BOUGHT MY MALIBU NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2003. IN JANUARY 2005, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE CAR SHUDDERING WHILE BRAKING, I TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY MACHINED BOTH ROTORS, I TOOK IT IN AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 8TH BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A CHATTER AND CLANK SOUND, THEY TOLD ME THE CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED, I BROUGHT IT BACK ON FEBRUARY 18 FOR THE LUBRICATION. NEXT I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A OIL CHANGE ON MARCH 29TH AND ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE. ON JULY 1ST 05 I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE OF A BRAKE SQUEAL AND FOUND THE RETAINING BOLT /PIN ON THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER WAS MISSING. IT WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE BOLT/PIN ON THE UPPER BOLT/PIN DUE TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE ORIGINAL BOLT/PIN. ON SEPTEMBER 30TH 05 I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN FOR BRAKE NOISE, AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH ROTORS WERE RUSTED, BOTH ROTORS WERE TURNED AND CLEANED AT THAT TIME. ON OCTOBER 12TH 05 WHICH WAS ONLY 8 DAYS LATER I TOOK THE CAR BACK AGAIN BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN INSPECTED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE AGAIN FOUND TO BE RUSTY, PITTED AND WORN, THIS TIME THEY REPLACED BOTH THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKE PADS. I TOOK THE CAR IN ON NOVEMBER 23RD 05 FOR RECOMMENDED 15 MAX SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED A REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT, I ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE FRONT BRAKES AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL SQUEAKING AND THEY SAID THEY WERE FINE. MAY 25TH,06 I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN FOR BRAKE NOISE, THEY FIRST TOLD ME THE CALIPERS AGAIN NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED , BUT THEN CAME BACK AND SAID THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOW IT IS JULY OF 06 AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. ALSO ON JULY 5TH, 06 I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN BECAUSE THE A/C AND THE RECIRCULATION MODE STOPPED WORKING, THEY REPLACED A BAD HVAC CONTROL MODULE. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATE 2/24/2006 - THE CONSUMER PREVIOUS VEHICLE, A 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU, ALSO HAD THE SAME BRAKE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 23, 2005
2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD RECURRING BRAKE PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST 10,000 MILES IT HAS 33,000 MILES . BRAKES WOULD GRAB AND VIBRATE THE FRONT END. FINALLY WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND PADS, IT IS DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS AND FROM ALL THE OTHER BRAKE COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 30, 2005
ANTI -LOCK BRAKE LIGHT (ABS) IS ON AND THE ABS SOMETIMES ACTIVATES WHEN THE USING THE BRAKES AT A SLOW SPEED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 30, 2005, crash
FRONT BRAKE/ROTOR/CALIPER FAILURE. I HAVE HAD MY ROTORS, FRONT PADS AND CALIPERS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES ROTORS 4 TIMES, CALIPERS 4 TIMES AND FRONT PADS 16 TIMES DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, THE CALIPERS HANG UP AND DO NOT RELEASE ALL THE WAY CAUSING THE INNER PADS TO WEAR ABNORMALLY. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 18, 2005
BRAKES (ROTORS AND FRONT PADS) KEEP NEEDING TO BE REPLACE. FIRST AT 14,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 28,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED UNDER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO IT UNDER THE WARRANTY AND WANTED $500 FOR JOB. DEALER FIRST SAID THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT ADJUSTED BUT WOULDN'T BLAME THE SELF ADJUSTERS THAT SHOULD KEEP THEM ADJUSTED. THEN THEY SAID THAT IT WAS MY DRIVING HABITS, REFUSING TO REFER TO ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALIBU'S BRAKES AND THE FACT THAT NONE OF MY OTHER CARS HAVE EVER HAD BRAKES WERE OUT SO SOON. NOW THEY SAY IT IS "NORMAL" FOR MALIBU BRAKES TO WEAR OUT AFTER 14,000 MILES AND AGAIN THEY WON'T COVER THEM UNDER WARRANTY. BRAKES DO NOT WEAR OUT AFTER 14,000 MILES. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 17, 2005
FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS KEEP NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT OF 2003, NEED NEW PADS/RESURFACED ROTORS AT 13,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 28,000 MILES. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 15, 2005
DT: 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATES WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TWICE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 21, 2005
VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE: 2003 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER THREE (3) TIMES FOR BRAKE REPAIRS. FIRST COMPLAINT I WAS TOLD BRAKES NEEDED TO "WEAR IN", CAR ONE (1) WEEK OLD. SECOND COMPLAINT, SOFT AND PULSATING PEDAL WITH POOR STOPPING, ROTORS WERE "REFINISHED", VEHICLE MILEAGE 6,800. THIRD COMPLAINT, VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN STOPPING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DEALER ADVISED THAT ROTORS HAVE "EXCESSIVE RUN-OUT" AND INNER PADS ARE "LOW". COST TO REPAIR THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS ($350.00), VEHICLE MILEAGE 30,000. DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSE TO ADMIT THE BRAKE WEAR IS CAUSED BY A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND VEHICLE WAS RELEASED FROM THE DEALER AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO OPERATE DUE TO UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 23, 2005
ON 5/24/05 I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU FROM SUBURBAN CHEVY. FROM THE MOMENT I TEST DROVE IT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH BRAKE NOISE FROM THE CAR'S FRONT TIRES. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL WAS VERY SOFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ON MY FIRST VISIT I WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT IT WAS BRAKE RUST FROM SITTING IN THE LOT AND THAT IT WOULD BURN OFF IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. A WEEK LATER, I RETURNED WITH THE SAME NOISE AND A PULSATING STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS TIME ANOTHER TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE INCORRECTLY MACHINED AND THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE PARTIALLY METALLIC, I WOULD EXPERIENCE SOME NOISE. WHAT HE DIDN'T TELL ME WAS THAT I WOULD STILL EXPERIENCE THE SOFT PEDAL AND PULSATING STEERING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. TO DATE THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 11, 2005, crash
BRAKE PROBLEMS RESULTED IN MINOR ACCIDENT. 2 WEEKS FOLLOWING ACCIDENT BRAKE NOISE BEGAN. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ONLY THE INSIDE BRAKE PADS ON EACH FRONT WHEEL HAD FAILED, INDICATING FAULTY BRAKE DESIGN. NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS ARE NOTED FOR BRAKE RELATED ISSUES FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE POSTED ON THE NHTSA SITE. GM REFUSED TO ASSIST CLAIMING NORMAL WEAR.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 10, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS . SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003. JANUARY 2004 SHE NOTICED A QUIVERING PULSATING BRAKE PROBLEM. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY CLEANED THE BRAKES AND THEN THEY WERE FINE. MARCH 204 SHE TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A REGULAR PENNSYLVANIA INSPECTION AND SHE HAD THEM CHECK THE BRAKES. THEY SAID THEY WERE EXCELLENT. MAY 12 2004 SHE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKE PADS, SHOES, AND ROTORS HAD ALL BURNT OFF THE VEHICLE. SO SHE HAD ALL OF THEM REPLACED. SHE TAKES HER VEHICLE IN EVERY FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS FOR AN OIL CHANGE. EVERY OTHER OIL CHANGE SHE HAS BRAKES INSPECTED, SO IT IS ABOUT EVERY 10 WEEKS. THE LAST WEEK OF MARCH SHE WENT IN FOR ANOTHER INSPECTION EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE CALIBRATION ON THE BRAKES LOOKED PERFECT. MAY 10TH 2005 BRAKE FAILURE AGAIN, THE BRAKE SHOES, PADS, AND THE ROTORS BURNT OFF AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THREE DEALER IN THE PENNSYLAVNIA AREA AND ALL THE DEALERS STATED THAT CHEVROLET MALIBUS ARE KNOWN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. SHE CALLED GM ON MAY 10TH, AND THEY WERE ONLY WORRIED ABOUT HOW MANY MILES ON THE VEHICLE SHE HAD, AND TOLD HER TO GET BRAKES SERVICED MORE OFTEN. IN A TOTAL OF SIX WEEKS VEHICLE HAS BURNT OUT THE BRAKE PADS, SHOES, AND ROTORS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 25, 2005
FRONT BRAKE FAILURE. 4 REPAIRS OF MACHINING / REPLACING ROTORS. CAR HAS UNDER 15,000 MILES. BOUGHT IT NEW. CAR SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY ON HIGHWAYS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. STEERING WHEEL LITERALLY BOUNCES 1.5 INCHS IN ALL DIRECTIONS. SERVICE DEALER KEEPS ON REPLACING AND MACHINEING THE ROTORS. SOMETHING IS CAUSING THEM TO WARP ... MY COMPLAINT IS HEARD BY DEAF EARS... HELP. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 4, 2005
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH A METAL TO METAL NOISE OCCURRED UPON DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER BRAKE PAD BROKE IN HALF. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 13, 2005
THE VEHICLE'S ROTORS WARPED AND THE BRAKE PADS WORE OUT WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO PULSATE. *NM THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THIS WAS A RECURRENT PROBLEM. *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 7, 2004
FRONT END ROTORS ARE VERY THIN, HEATING UP, AND WARPING. ROTORS HAS BEEN CHANGED TWO TIMES SINCE MARCH OF 2003. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULSATED WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *TC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 5, 2004
I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES BUT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TWICE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE 6/18/03. I WAS TOLD THE FIRST TIME WHICH WAS IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR THAT I HAD TO HAVE MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE MY BRAKE PADS WERE STICKING AND HAD WORN COMPLETELY AWAY SO THEY WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAD OCCURED BEFORE I HAD PUT 12000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN SEPTEMBER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AGAIN, BUT AFTER I TOOK MY CAR HOME I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD SHUDDER VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING SO I TOOK IT BACK THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER AND THEY HAD TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE ROTORS FOR THE SECOND TIME AS WELL.*AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Oct 26, 2004
I HAVE PUT 3 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON MY MALIBU. I HAD THE RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY CHANGED TWICE. MY CARS BRAKES THROW OFF ALOT OF BRAKE DUST AND MUST BE PUSHED WAY DOWN BEFORE STOPPING.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Oct 22, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES, AND WERE AIR LIFTED BY A HELICOPTER TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 12, 2004
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 4, 2004
IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS 2 TIMES AND THE PADS A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES DUE TO THE CALIPERS HANGING UP AND NOT RELEASEING FULLY. *AK