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: service brakes
63 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 2, 2004
WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WHEN EVER I BRAKE THE FRONT END SHOOK REALLY HARD, TOOK THE CAR IN, ROTORS WHERE WARPED, SO THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM. BACK ON THE ROAD THE CAR SHOOK EVEN HARD IN THE FRONT END TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE PADS AND NOW I HAVE REALLY LOUD SOUND WHEN I STOP AND WHEN I AM ON THE EXPRESS WAY THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN I GO OVER 70MPH. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR A YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN 7 TIMES FOR FRONT END WORK FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS BEING REPLACED TO THE STRUTS BEING DEFECTIVE AND THE GM REP I CONSAULT WITH TRIES TO BE HELPFUL BUT THE CAR IS UNSAFE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 30, 2004
WHILE BRAKING BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHIMMY. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM TWICE, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 24, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKES. *MR *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 14, 2004
DEALER REPLACED AT 12,000 MILES THE FRONTS ROTORS AND PADS, AT 23,000 MILES FRONTS ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, AT 25,000 MILES ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND REPLACED THE PADS, AND AT 27, 000 MILES DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE NEEDED RESURFACE THE FRONT ROTORS AND REPLACED THE PADS ONCE AGAIN. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Apr 30, 2004
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NOT ONLY THE BRAKE PADS BUT THE ROTORS AS WELL, EVERY 20,000 MILES DEALER TELLS ME IT'S THE WAY I DRIVE. IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND I'M SORRY IT'S THE PRODUCT! *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 21, 2004
CONSUMER HAD TO CHANGE BRAKES 3 TIMES. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME, AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES. THEN, BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN, AND CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS, AND PUT ON NEW BRAKES. THE SAME TYPE OF NOISE WAS HEARD AGAIN. THIS TIME, WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECKING AND REPAIR, THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER/CALIPERS/ ROTORS, AND PUT ON ANOTHER SET OF BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM DEALER BRAKES STILL WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, BUT WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIGHTENING UP SOME SCREWS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 19, 2004
WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT ROTORS WORE OUT. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 11, 2004
2003 CHEVY MALIBU. 18,000 MILES, HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND HAVE ROTORS TURNED. I WAS CHARGED $200 FOR 2 HRS LABOR THROUGH A CHEVY DEALER, BUT I FEEL THE BRAKE PADS SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT MOST OF THE MALIBU'S AND SEVERAL OTHER CARS HAD SOFT BRAKE PADS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED EARLY. THEY WERE REPLACED WITH A THICKER BRAKE PAD. HOW COME THEY DIDN'T USE THESE TO START WITH? *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 8, 2004
BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 13,700 MILES. NOW CONSUMER THINK SHE NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AGAIN. *PH *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY AND THE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS, AND THE CONSUMER FELT THAT LOST OF CONTROL WAS IMMINENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE PERFORMED WORSE THAN PRIOR TO REPAIRS. *AK THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *SC *JB