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
611 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Feb 28, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE KEY IN PLACE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
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.
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2011
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHILE I'M DRIVING! OR THE CAR SIMPLY WON'T START, EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY AND NO ONE HAS MESSED WITH IT. THE ONLY 'SOLUTION' IS TO WAIT 10 MINUTES (SOMETIMES LONGER) UNTIL THE CAR WILL START AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I'VE CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM EVERYWHERE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND I CAN'T AFFORD -- LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY -- TO PAY FOR UNNECESSARY CAR REPAIRS....ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PASSLOCK IS A *KNOWN* PROBLEM AND CHEVY REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND NOW I'M WORRIED EVERY TIME I SHUT OFF THE CAR, WILL IT LET ME START IT BACK UP AGAIN? HELP! *TR
Steering, Jan 26, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN THREE WEEKS AGO. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 24, 2011
PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR COMPLAINT: I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT SINCE THE DAY I HAVE BOUGHT IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT NUMEROUS MANIACS AND THEY HAVE ALL TOLD ME THE SAME THING THAT MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE LEAKING COOLANT AND THAT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THESE MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THE GASKETS FOR THIS CAR AND THE MANIFOLD ITSELF WERE NOT ENGINEERED CORRECTLY AND THAT'S THE REASON IT IS LEAKING COOLANT. I WAS ALSO TOLD GM DID HOWEVER FIX THIS PROBLEM BY DESIGNING NEW GASKETS WHICH THEY ARE USING TO REPLACE THE OLD ONES WHEN THESE PEOPLE BRING THERE CAR IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. OKAY ONE PROBLEM RIGHT THERE WHERE WAS THE RECALL ON THAT? THAT A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD RIGHT THERE BECAUSE OR GMS ENGINEERING. IM NOT SURE IF YOUR AWARE OF THIS BUT THE SMELL AND FUMES FROM THIS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE ARE DISGUSTING. ALSO I HAVE DONE ONLINE RESEARCH ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALL YOU NEED TO TYPE IN IS PROBLEMS WITH CHEVY MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THOUSAND AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WHIT PEOPLE ALL OVER AMERICA HAVE THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND ITS NOT THAT THEY PAY THE $900.00 TO GET IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME THEN AGAIN ABOUT A YEAR TO A YEAR IN A HALF LATER THEY ALSO PAY THIS PRICE AGAIN BECAUSE THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED I AM ONE ANGRY AMERICAN AND I THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MORE I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON MY CASE FOR AS WELL AS MY FELL AMERICAS IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US!! THIS IS NOT FAR THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON GM AND I WILL DO WHAT EVER IT TAKE TO GET TO THAT POINT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY HIGH INCREASE IN RPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, UNLESS HE TURNED THE KEY AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR 15 MINUTES. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD STAY ON ALL THE TIME. UPDATED 06/02/11
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 1, 2011
THE CAR IS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED AND THEREFORE THE EVENTS LEADING UP THE FAILURE ARE NOT KNOWN. THE PROBLEM THAT THE CAR HAS IS THAT THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STOP AND EXTREME PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO STOP AND KEEP THE CAR STOPPED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING, THE ENGINE CAN BE HEARD MAKING LOUDER THAN USUAL NOISES. WHEN THE RPMS INCREASE, THE SPEED OF THE CAR INCREASES WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING AT A REASONABLE SPEED BECAUSE OF THIS. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, BUT THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT USUALLY OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT AN OF FOUR TIMES A WEEK AND OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON BACK ROADS INSTEAD OF HIGHWAYS. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 29, 2010
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON FREEWAY IT JUST STALLED. I COASTED TO BERM. IT THEN RESTARTED. I'VE HAD ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I'VE READ THAT THIS ENGINE CUTTING OUT IS PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT SYSTEM EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 15, 2010
THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS A VERY DANGEROUS SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM. THOUSANDS OF ANGRY, FRUSTRATED PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING LEFT WITH NO RECOURSE. THE PROBLEM DATES FROM THE 1990S.THROUGH 2010. THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE NOW. I JUST SPENT OVER $5000. FOR A CAR THAT CANNOT BE MOVED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY I DON'T THINK CONGRESS HEARD THE SCREAMS I'VE HEARD AND READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ('I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM CAR AGAIN', OR 'IF THERE IS EVER A CLASS ACTION SUITE, COUNT ME IN') WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED, OR THEIR CARS CAUSED WRECKS BECAUSE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM KICKED IN AND CUT OFF THE FUEL WHILE THEY WERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ ABOUT SO MANY UNHAPPY PEOPLE. I CAME FROM A GENERATION OF PEOPLE THAT WORKED FOR FIFTY YEARS. WE DID ALL THE THINGS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO. WE WORKED HARD, PAID OUR BILLS AND TRUSTED THAT WE WOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY. TO REALLY FIND OUT ABOUT PASSLOCK, JUST GOOGLE PASSLOCK COMPLAINTS. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LINKS TO COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/SEARCH.HTML?CX=PARTNER-PUB-0200629403145096%3AQT7MBBQYBBG&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=PASSLOCK&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM%2F&SITEURL=WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM%2FAUTOMOTIVE%2FGM_CHEV_MALIBU_P2.HTML#906 HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2002/ELECTRICAL/PASSLOCK_PROBLEM_WONT_START_ANTI-THEFT_LIGHT_IS_ON.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CAR-FORUMS.COM/TALK/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=2349 HTTP://WWW.CHEVROLETPROBLEMS.COM/SEARCH/RESULTS.SHTML?CX=PARTNER-PUB-6745124734283845%3A635TFYW220Y&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=PASSLOCK&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=WWW.CHEVROLETPROBLEMS.COM%252FINVESTIGATIONS%252FMALIBU%252F#931 IS THERE NO HOPE'..EVER? *TR
Electrical system, Sep 15, 2010
2003 CHEVY MALIBU, 1 OUT OF 3 STARTS FORCED TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING A RESTART, USUALLY TWICE BEFORE SUCCEEDING. FORCES WAITING IN THE DARK OR IN UNSAFE PLACES AT NIGHT, SUCH AS FINISHING WORK. EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR ANY FEMALE. $300 QUOTE AT STEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. FITTED 20CENT RESISTOR TO FEED CORRECT RESISTANCE VALUE TO ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH IS ALSO GUARANTEED TO FAIL EVENTUALLY. WILL HAVE TO BUILD A CIRCUIT TO BYPASS THIS ALSO TO REMOVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. SHAME ON THE STEALERSHIPS FOR NOT CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM AS A RECALL. THE POTENTIAL FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY PERSONAL INJURY/DEATH ARE HIGH AND THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR IS A DISGUSTING TACTIC FOR ANY COMPANY TO USE TO COERCE CUSTOMERS TO LINE THEIR COFFERS REPLACING DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Sep 13, 2010
2003 CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON MY CAR FREQUENTLY. IT COSTS OVER $245 TO RESET AND $800 TO FIX. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM CAR OWNERS WITH PASSLOCK SYSTEMS ARE HAVING THE PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING AND I'VE NARROWLY AVOIDED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. OTHER TIMES IT WILL SIMPLY NOT START. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 25, 2010
OWN 2003 CHEVY MALIBU THAT WILL JUST SHUT OFF. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM BUILT IN THE VEHICLE WILL DO THIS. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN BEFORE IT RESETS ITSELF THEN IT WILL START. CHEVY DEALERSHIP THAT I WENT TO IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL AND OFFERED TO FIX IT FOR $400. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON. SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR FREE BY GM. BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. THIS STARTED IN 2006 AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO THIS 1 OR 2 TIMES A MONTH SINCE THEN. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Aug 24, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION AND ALLOW IT TO SIT IN THE IGNITION FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WHILE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESET ITSELF. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WOULD BECOME FILLED WITH WATER WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN, CAUSING THE BULBS TO BLOW. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE COMPUTER ASSUMED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STOLEN DUE TO THE IGNITION SECURITY SWITCH FEATURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED JUST RECENTLY PRIOR TO THE MOST CURRENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,760. STATUS UPDATE 11/15/11
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 18, 2010, crash
FOR YEARS, CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND CAN NOT BE RE-STARTED, OR MORE FREQUENTLY, JUST WON'T START. NO WARNING EXCEPT A FINE, DIM RED ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO BE NOTICED AT ALL, AND CERTAINLY NOT IMMEDIATELY. CAN HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY, OR CAN GO TWO WEEKS WITHOUT A PROBLEM. SHORT TERM REMEDY IS RELIABLE IF INCONVENIENT AND IN SOME SITUATION, DANGEROUS; WITH CAR IN "PARK," TURN OFF ALL SYSTEM, TURN ON IGNITION SWITCH BUT DO NOT START, DO NOT DISTURB FOR AT LEAST EN MINUTES. SYSTEM WILL THEN BE RESET. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD MULTIPLE CAUSES. GOT PARTIAL, TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENT (LESS FREQUENT FAILURE) BY REPLACING DEFECTIVE DS LOCK SWITCH, WHICH IS ALSO USED TO PROGRAM THAT LOCKING SYSTEM FEATURES. BECAUSE THE USERS IS SUPPOSED TO INITIATE LOCKING SYSTEM PROGRAMMING BY HOLDING THE SWITCH CLOSED, AND THE LOCK WAS STICKING CLOSED AND OPENING UNPREDICTABLY, IT WAS SURELY CREATING INPUTS NOT ANTICIPATED BY THE SYSTEM'S PROGRAMMERS. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE INTERFACE WITH THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR SYSTEM, IS STILL CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASES. HAVE NOT FOUND SATISFACTORY SOLUTION. CAN'T AFFORD THE $400 DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST FOR (POSSIBLE) FIX, AMBIGUOUS EXPLANATIONS MAKE ME DOUBT THE DEALER REALLY UNDERSTANDS THE CAUSE. NO ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR CRASH YET, BUT OBVIOUSLY RISK IS HIGH WHEN CAR SUDDENLY STALL IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2010
MY TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL AND OTHER TIMES THEY BLINK A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP. I DRIVE ON MAJOR INTERSTATES AND I'M ALWAYS AFRAID THAT THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I CANNOT PREDICT IF OR WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, IF I TAP OR LIGHTLY PRESS THE FLASHER BUTTON ON THE DASH IT SEEMS TO HELP. I'VE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY FLAW. *TR
Seat belts, Aug 16, 2010
NEITHER OF THE LAP/SHOULDER BELTS HOLD TIGHT. THE PLASTIC THAT SURROUNDS THE METAL BUCKLE HAS CRACKED AND THE BELTS WILL NO LONGER KEEP A TIGHT FIT. CHILD SAFETY SEATS CANNOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE THE BELTS WILL NOT HOLD THEM IN PLACE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE SEAT BELTS ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2010
2003 CHEVY MALIBU: THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAPPENS JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY, AND WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO START. THE CAR ALSO DIES ON US WHILE WE ARE DRIVING, PUTTING US IN A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. WITHOUT WARNING IT JUST SHUTS OFF. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 11, 2010
THE GAS PEDAL IS STICK. IT ACCELERATES THE CAR BY ITSELF. I HAVE TO USE MY FOOT TO GET IT OUT TO AVOID ACCELERATION. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA'S STICKY PEDAL IS A BIG DEAL, WHILE GM DOES NOTHING FOR IT. I SAW POSTINGS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I HOPE GM TAKE ACTION BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 12, 2010
IN FEB 2009 I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR ACCELERATED BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. THE SAME THING HAPPENED A FEW DAYS LATER. THEN AGAIN, ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO STOP. I JUMPED A CURB AND WENT INTO A GRASSY AREA AND FINALLY GOT THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANICS COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY THE FLOOR MAT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HOWEVER, ON JULY 7, 2010, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I JUMPED A CURB. AFTER JUMPING THE CURB, I NARROWLY MISSED AN ELECTRICAL BOX AND UTILITY POLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A WORN CABLE WHICH THEY TOLD ME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM YET THERE IS NO RECALL FOR OUR PARTICULAR MODEL NUMBER REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET CONSUMER NUMBER, BUT WAS TOLD THAT UNTIL THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL FOR MY MODEL "THEY" ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 9, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY TO 2000 WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, AS SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE NOTICED AN ODOR IN THE BRAKES WHICH WAS HEAT ACCUMULATED AFTER SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACCELERATOR PEDAL) AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 101,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 7, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, , THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANUALLY RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH HIS FOOT AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER TEMPERATURES AND WHEN THE CONTACT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT REVIEWED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ON JANUARY 14, 2005. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NO PRIOR RECALL REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,627.
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND WAIT AT LEAST TEN MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER, THEY WOULD ADVISE HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jun 24, 2010
PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO NICKEL PLATING ON STARTER TUMBLER CAUSING OXIDATION. DEALERS ARE ABLE TO MAKE A KILLING ON THIS DEFECTIVE CONNECTOR BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TROUBLESHOOT A FULL FUEL PUMP SYSTEM AND WIRING HARNESS BEFORE THEY WILL REPLACE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. OCCURS ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS INTERMITTENTLY AND BECOMES MORE SERIOUS AS THE OXIDATION WORSENS. POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE WOULD STALL IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION (IE: RAILROAD TRACKS OR HIGHWAY) AND VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. COUPLED WITH THE RECALL THESE VEHICLES HAD WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING (WHICH MINE DID ON A HIGHWAY) THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE (ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE "PASSLOCK PROBLEM" AND YOU WILL GET THOUSANDS OF RESULTS AND CONSUMER FIXES COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW GM IGNORES EVERY SERVICE REQUEST FOR A SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T GOUGE CUSTOMERS. THERE IS PRACTICALLY AN UNDERGROUND CLUB DESIGNED TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM.) ACCORDING TO THE SHOP FOREMAN AT COLONIAL CHEVROLET IN NORFOLK, VA, AFTER HIS 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH SERVICE THIS IS A PROBLEM HE IS INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH AND RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE KEY TUMBLER (PASSLOCK CHIP INTEGRATED INSIDE) AND THE CONNECTOR THAT LEADS TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2010
ACCELERATOR DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL. THIS SITUATION OCCURS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SETTING IN THE SUN. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES DURING THE PAST WEEK. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED FOR THIS CONDITION IN 2005 AS PART OF THE RECALL PROGRAM. IT EVIDENTLY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR