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, Nov 3, 2009
OKAY, THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT CHEVROLET MALIBU. THEY ARE HAVING A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THEIR ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. THE CAR WOULD RUN PERFECTLY AND THEN THE NEXT TIME YOU TURN THE KEY IT WOULDN'T START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO US WITHIN A WEEK. AND IF YOU GOOGLE IT, YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM! IT'S A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND DEALT WITH. TONIGHT MY MOM WHO OWNS THE CAR WAS STUCK ON A DARK PARKING LOT AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW 0 FOR OVER AN HOUR. SHE'S SICK NOW, THANKS TO CHEVY. OF COURSE THE TECHNICIANS WON'T FIND ANYTHING BUT START REPLACING THE IGNITION, REPROGRAM THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM, ETC. BUT THIS ALL DOESN'T HELP. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE ARE SINGLE WOMEN OUT THERE IN THE DARK NOT BEING ABLE TO START THEIR CAR. THERE ARE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THEIR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS. AND THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAYS PRAYING THE CAR WON'T SHUT DOWN IN FRONT OF A TRUCK THIS TIME. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS TO BE DEALT WITH. PLEASE CONFRONT GM WITH THIS AND LET THEM FIX IT. WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR AN INCIDENT LIKE A RAPE, ROBBERY, OR EVEN DEATH TO START THEM THINKING. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2009
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE. RELAY SWITCH MAY BE BAD. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 26, 2009
DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD THE LOW TRAC LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE CAR DIES PUSHED IT TO A PARKING LOT TRIED TO START WOULD NOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP. THIS COULD OF BEEN SCARY IF IT WOULD OF DIED ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2009
MY WIFE HAS A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. WE WENT TO TAKE MY CAR TO AN AUTO SHOP BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THERE WAS A LEAK SOMEWHERE UNDER MY CAR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS A GASKET ON THE THERMOSTAT. HE REPLACED THAT AND STILL THE CAR LEAKED. THEN MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. IMAGINE HOW UPSET WE WAS TO KNOW THAT CARS THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THAT IT WILL COST NEARLY $500.00 TO FIX. SINCE THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF CAR THERE MUST BE A MAJOR PROBLEM. I WAS LATER TOLD GM USES A GLUE ONTO A GASKET IN THIS AREA WHEN THEY BUILD THE CAR. GM MUST DO BETTER. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 8, 2009
THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU DON'T ALWAYS WORK, I FLIP THE SWITCH AND SOMETIMES THEY BLINK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. SOMETIMES THEY STOP BLINKING BEFORE THE TURN IS ACTUALLY MADE. THIS IS ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS. I'VE HAD TO MISS TURNS BECAUSE MY TURN SIGNAL WONT COME ON AND TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED I JUST KEEP GOING, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS! *TR
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN STUCK AT NIGHT IN A DARK PARKING LOT WAITING THE TEN MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. THIS IS A PERSONALSAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE HAVING TO SIT IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION WAITING FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS OFTEN (TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK). THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED ON GM'S DOLLAR BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND ANYONE WHO OWNS A GM CAR IS SPENDING MONEY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN IT IS GM THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLED; HOWEVER, THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, AND THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. REPORT NUMBER 71-74-9932502 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Electrical system, Aug 7, 2009
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS, AS I STARTED MY CAR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE IGNITION HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE PASS KEY THEFT SYSTEM NOT RECOGNIZING MY KEY (THE ORIGINAL KEY) AND BREAKING THE IGNITION. THIS HAS LEFT ME WITH A DEAD CAR ALONE AS A WOMAN AT NIGHT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 4, 2009
THE THEFT SYSTEM (PASSLOCK) ENGAGES ON MY CAR FOR NO REASON. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, BACK IN 2003, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR. I WAS AT A BANK, WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, GETTING MONEY OUT OF AN ATM. AFTER RETURNING TO MY CAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO PAY MONEY FOR A TOW, AND THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME $800 TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. CAR DID NOT NEED A FUEL PUMP, IT ONLY NEEDED THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM TURNED OFF. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE THE MECHANIC CALLED TO ASK ME HOW TO DO THIS. AT THE TIME, I HAD NO IDEA. I NOW KNOW THAT THE $1000 I PAID FOR TOW AND FUEL PUMP WERE A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. SINCE 2003, THIS THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES FOR NO REASON, 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. IT IS INSANE. IN ORDER TO DIS-ENGAGE IT, I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES SITTING IN MY CAR; SOMETIMES WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, DATING BACK TO CARS MADE IN 1996. I CANNOT BELIEVE GM HAS NOT BEEN FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS WORTHLESS THEFT SYSTEM. I WONDER WHAT GENIUS FELT IT NECESSARY TO FORCE SOMEONE TO SIT IN THEIR CAR FOR 10 MINUTES, KEY IN THE IGNITION, TO RESET THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. I'D RATHER MY CAR BE STOLEN! WHILE I AM SITTING IN MY CAR, WAITING FOR IT TO START, ME AND MY FAMILY COULD BE KIDNAPPED, ROBBED, KILLED. THIS IS INSANE. IF IT CANNOT BE MADE TO WHERE IT DOES NOT MALFUNCTION, THEY SHOULD JUST NOT PUT IN ON VEHICLES. OR, THEY SHOULD ONLY MAKE YOU WAIT A MERE 1-2 MINUTES WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. 10 MINUTES IS AN INSANE AMOUNT OF TIME TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS TO RESET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 12, 2009
WENT TO TAKE MY CAR TO AUTO SHOP BECAUSE I THOUGHT HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE GOOD NEWS ,THE TRANNY WASN'T LEAKING, HOWEVER IT WAS ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. IMAGINE HOW UPSET I WAS TO KNOW THAT CARS THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THAT IT WILL COST $700 TO FIX IT. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS DEFECT. CONSIDERING THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AND ALL THE HELP GM HAS RECEIVED FROM AMERICANS IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WOULD HELP THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS BY FIXING THIS FOR NOTHING. THIS MALIBU IS THE 4TH CHEVY THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE DRIVING. IF AMERICAN COMPANIES WANT US TO BUY THEIR PRODUCT THEY SHOULD MAKE WITH QUALITY MATERIAL. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR IN 2007. THAT COST ME ALMOST $800. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THESE CARS WERE GOING HAVE SUCH A LIST OF PROBLEMS I WOULD HAVE LISTENED TO MY BROTHER AND GOT A FOREIGN VEHICLE. GM CAN EARN SOME GOODWILL WITH ITS VEHICLES BY ADMITTING ITS MISTAKES AND HELPING THE LITTLE GUY OUT, LIKE THE LITTLE GUY HAS HELPED THEM OUT WITH THE BAILOUT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 25, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). SHE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE IF THEY WILL ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE NOTICED THAT THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE PLACED THE IGNITION IN AUXILIARY MODE FOR 10 MINUTES. THE CONTACT THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB IN THE BACK SEAT TO EXIT BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. UPON EXITING, SHE WOULD THEN HAVE TO LIFT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAM THE HOOD BACK DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,168. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE REGULAR MAINTENANCE, OTHER THAN OIL CHANGES, WERE NOT PERFORMED AT A CHEVROLET DEALER, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,943.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 4, 2009
2003 MALIBU ACCELERATOR STUCK TO FLOOR WHEN CAR WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS CHECKED FOR THIS PROBLEM DURING A RECALL IN 2005 AND IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER THAT MY CAR DID NOT HAVE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN, AS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED AND THEY SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY HAD IT CHECKED. THEY NOW TELL ME IT IS A RESULT OF WEAR AND TEAR.*TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 3, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH HER VEHICLE. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT INITIALIZATION AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO OTHER FAILURES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 87,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 6, 2009
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY TURN SIGNALS. THEY WOULD WORK WHEN THEY WANTED TO. I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS AND HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ATTENDANT WAS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD RECALL UP TO 2002 MALIBUS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT OF COURSE MINE IS A2003 SO I HAD TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. THE COST WAS $110.00 WHICH WASN'T BAD BUT THE 2002 AND 2003 PARTS INTERCHANGE. SO WHY WOULDN'T THEY HAVE SAME RECALL? *TR
Electrical system, Mar 23, 2009
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KICKS IN EVEN WHEN ORIGINAL KEY IS USED TO START VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START WITHOUT WAITING 10 MINUTES TO RESTART SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS, USUALLY WHEN IT IS LEAST CONVENIENT. I HAVE HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE UNTIL I LEARNED THE OVERRIDE TRICK. I AM GOING INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TODAY TO TRY TO GET A PERMANENT FIX. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 13, 2009
ENGINE CUTSOFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE POWER AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 3, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH APPROX 72,000 MILES THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING ANTIFREEZE (SMALL VISIBLE MARKS ON PAVEMENT) THAT REQUIRE REFILLING COOLANT EVERY 3 TO 4 WEEKS. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS, AND IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A LEAK AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE PRICE ESTIMATE IS $878 AND 7 HOURS TO REPAIR. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST DEXCOOL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT WINDOW FOR CLAIMS ENDED ON OCT. 2008. I SPOKE WITH GM DEALERSHIP, AND THERE IS NO GM RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MANY CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM (LEAKY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET). WILL HAVE WORK DONE, BUT UNHAPPY WITH THE COST INVOLVED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED IN HIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OTHER THAN THE BATTERY INDICATOR, WHICH REMAINED ILLUMINATED. HE STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A MECHANIC AND THEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 6/8/09 *CN UPDATED 06/11/09.*JB
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2009
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATES VERY FREQUENTLY & UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2009
THE THEFT SYSTEM ON MY CHEVY MALIBU 2003 HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND COST ME MORE THAN $300 IN REPAIR COSTS. THE THEFT SYSTEM BELIEVES MY CAR IS BEING STOLEN AND SHUTS OFF THE FUEL TO THE ENGINE. SOME POSTS SAY IT'S WHEN YOU USE AN COPIED KEY, BUT I'M USING THE FACTORY ORIGINAL. AT FIRST, THIS HAPPENED ONCE EVERY MONTH THEN INCREASED WITH FREQUENCY TO ONCE AND WEEK AND NOW EVERY TWO/THREE DAYS. THE 1ST THIS HAPPENED, I REPLACED THE BATTERY. THIS ONE 1 1/2 YRS AGO AND NOW THE BATTERY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM LOCKS ME OUT, I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF AND TRY TO TURN THE KEY OVER AGAIN. WITH THE AMOUNTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM, I WOULD THINK GM WOULD CHANGE SYSTEMS OR REMOVE THE PROBLEM. IT'S A DISGRACE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO PUT THIS SYSTEM IN A CAR EFFECTIVELY LOCKING OUT THE VERY OWNER INSTEAD OF DOING ITS INTENDED JOB. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2009
THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM DISABLES THE VEHICLE, DRIVING AND PARKED. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. VEHICLE WILL NOT START IT TURNS OVER BUT WILL DO NOTHING. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THE SYSTEM RESET, AT A COST TO ME EVERYTIME. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 20, 2009
IN OUR CASE, WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IS MORE EXTREME! AFTER RUNNING TO AND FROM THE STORE, OUR CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. IT HAPPENED IN OUR OWN DRIVEWAY--- THANK GOD!!! FROM WHAT I HAVE READ AS TO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON OUR EXACT VEHICLE'S DEFECT, WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC! SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS WERE IN LIFE-THREATENING POSITIONS WHEN THEIR CAR BROKE DOWN! WE WERE FORTUNATE!! WE HAVE SINCE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A FRIEND WHO KNOWS CARS AND IS A MECHANIC, AND HE TELLS US THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. HE ALSO TELLS US THAT IT MAY ALSO INCLUDE REPLACING THE FUEL RELAY, BUT WILL DEFINITELY INCLUDE REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER! WITH HIS LABOR COST AND PARTS, WE ARE LOOKING AT A COST (MINIMUM--- BARRING NO FURTHER COMPLICATIONS) OF AROUND $400.00!! THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE MUCH MORE!!! AT THIS TIME, DUE TO FINANCIAL DISTRESS, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED! MY WIFE WORKS 20+ MILES AWAY, AND I AM OUT OF WORK DUE TO A HEART CONDITION! THIS COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT A WORSE TIME FINANCIALLY FOR US!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 19, 2009
I OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS CHECKING MY OIL WHEN THE DIP STICK SHOWED IT A QUART LOW. I THEN CHECKED THE ENGINE COOLANT AND DISCOVERED THE OIL HAD GOTTEN INTO THE COOLANT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THE COOLANT HAD OIL IN IT. HE SAID THE MANIFOLD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH INCLUDED FLUSHING THE COOLING SYSTEM. I KNOW GM DOESN'T CARE ABOUT OUR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SORRY BUILT CAR. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS OVER $600. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED THAT A MANIFOLD OR HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2009
AFTER ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON AND RESERVOIR BEING ALMOST EMPTY SERVICE STATION ADDED COOLANT. SAME THING HAPPENED APPROX 2 MONTHS LATER SAME ACTION TAKEN. WENT TO GET OIL CHANGED AND PERSON SAID DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY BECAUSE YOU HAVE OIL MIXED WITH YOUR RADIATOR FLUID, YOU HAVE SOME MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. TOOK CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2003 MALIBU AND THAT THE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE REPLACED IT AT GREAT EXPENSE TO MYSELF,AND HE DID MAKE THE COMMENT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART. *TR