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, Air, Mar 10, 2004
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE AND METAL SCRAPING AGAINST METAL SOUND. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THEY WERE USING GENUINE PARTS FROM DEALER, AND THE PARTS ONLY LASTED 12000 MILES, AND IN SOME CASES 6000 MILES. *AK
Service brakes, Air, Tires, Mar 4, 2004
ROTORS ON MY 2003 MALIBU HAVE BEEN TURNED TWICE. THERE ARE ONLY HAVE 7000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. AFFINITY TIRES ARE TOO NOISY. CUPPED AT 5000 MILES.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 10, 2003
WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WORE OUT. *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 28, 2003
MANUFACTURING SAFETY ISSUE - CHEVROLET MALIBU 2003 FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY HUBS ROTORS, AND BRAKES. CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS. DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO CORRECT. ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT. TURNED TWICE ALREADY. LEFT HUB REPLACED. NOW EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN WITH BRAKING. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR DURING NOVEMBER 28, 2003 VISIT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Nov 19, 2003
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WHICH CAUSED PARTS TO ACTUALLY MELT BECAUSE THE BRAKES STAYED ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. ONE MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE WAS BACK TO EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A U-TURN, THE TIRE DID NOT TURN THEY GRABBED THE ROAD AND SAT THERE JUST BENDING THE PRESSURE OF THE TURN AND THE VEHICLE BUCKED. *JB *NM
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 27, 2003
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER 8,000-25,000 MILES DUE TO RUST AND WEAR. BRAKES WERE "EXCELLENT" AT 10,871 MILES, THEN NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 16,350 ALONG WITH NEW ROTORS.*AK
Service brakes, Air, Oct 18, 2003
THE BREAKS ON MY 2003 MALIBU SEDAN SEEM TO NOT BE AS RESPONSIVE AS OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED. YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAKS HARDER THAN NORMAL TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE MALIBU'S AND AS I DO MORE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BREAKS MANY TIMES WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 15, 2003
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THERE WAS A DELAY BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE 22 TIMES, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 14, 2003
COMPLETE FRONT BRAKE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2003
CHEVROLET 2003 MALIBU - THE CAR WAS LEASED IN MARCH 2003. THE BRAKES WERE FAILING AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY COULD NOT DETECT ANY PROBLEMS SINCE NO LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURRENCE IS UNPREDICTABLE. BRAKES BECOME VERY HARD AND CAR DOESN'T STOP, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE, CONSUMES A LOT OF GAS. PROBLEM DETECTED WAS BRAKE PEDAL REMAINED DOWN EVEN WHEN IT WASN'T BEING USED. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BEFORE THE DEFECT WAS DETECTED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE CAR WAS REPORTEDLY REPAIRED (READJUSTED SWITCH FOR PROPER RELEASE OF BRAKE, REPLACED FT PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO EXCESS HEAT ON FT BRAKES), BUT AFTER A WEEK, THE PROBLEM REPRESENTED ITSELF. THE CAR IS NOW (8/21/03) AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR (4TH TIME IT GOES IN). THE MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE IS GIVING ME A DIFFICULT TIME ADMITTING THAT THE CAR HAS A SERIOUS DEFECT. THEY ARE TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THE SYMPTOMS THE CAR PRESENTS MAY NOT SIGNIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. I TOTALLY DISAGREE BECAUSE, IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED ON THE NJ TURNPIKE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO TAKE BACK THE CAR BUT I HAVE HAD LITTLE SUCCESS. I AM HOPING THAT THIS COMPLAINT WILL SPARK AN INVESTIGATION. THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THIS EXACT PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE AVALANCHE MODELS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 7, 2003, crash
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. *AK *SCC THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AND TURN, AND THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER MOTORIST. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 23, 2003
I HAVE HAD SERIOUS BRAKE WEARING ISSUE, IN ONE YEARS TIME A TOTAL OF 40,000 MI I USED 3 SETS OF BRAKES PADS FOR THIS CAR.I HAD HAVE BRAKE CALIPERS CHANGES, IN FRONT (LOADED) AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, (2), AND NEW DRUMS FOR REAR BRAKES. *AK BRAKE CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD COMPLETELY BLEED THE SYSTEM AT CHEVROLET DEALER. NOW I HAVE TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS. THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. DUE TO MY BUSY WORK SCHEDULE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE REPAIR DONE. CHEVROLET REPAIR HOURS ARE LIMITED. MY COMMUTE IS LONG OVER 60 MILES ONE WAY. IT IS OFTEN VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AT CRITICAL MOMENTS.