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.
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
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2005, crash
'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FOR CHEVROLET MALIBU 2003, VEHICLE ALSO INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS. *BF THE CONSUMER HUSBAND BELIEVED BOTH ACCIDENTS WERE THE RESULT OF A RECALL GM HAD ISSUED REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. (HUSBAND ON BEHALF OF WIFE DORIS NELL DECEASED) *JB
Fuel system, Other, Mar 4, 2005
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MPH THE CAR WON'T GET ANY GAS AND STALLS THEN DIES. IT WON'T RESTART. TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPEN 6 TIMES SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT DATE LISTED HERE.*AK
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2005
THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CHECK LIGHT HAS TURNED ON A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES AND HAS CAUSED THE FUEL SUPPLY TO CUT OFF AND NOT START THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 22, 2005
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURED RECALL 04V092000 CONCERNING ACCELERATION CONTROL SYSTEM. HOWEVER, REPAIR WERE NOT PERFORMED AS OF YET. *AK
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2005
CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE - DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS MANUFACTURER DEFECT- INTERNAL RADIO/CD FAILURE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE REMOVED RADIO/CD AND SENT OUT FOR AN EXCHANGE UNIT. DEALERSHIP SERVICE REINSTALLED RADIO NEW CD PLAYER AND, AGAIN, INOPERATIVE. EQUIPMENT-ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE/INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP STILL TRYING TO REORDER EXCHANGE UNITS THAT WOULD WORK WITHOUT SUCCESS AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE TO OWNER. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 7, 2005
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN STALLING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR CHECKUP, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME.*AK
Suspension, Jan 18, 2005
VEHICLE MADE METAL AGAINST METAL RUBBING NOISE. CALLED FOR APPOINTMENT BEFORE 45,000 MILES. APPOINTMENT OCCURRED AT 45,100 MILES. WAS ADVISED THAT HUB ASSEMBLY AND WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT. CAR IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY/EXPRESSWAY 52 MILES PER DAY. *NM
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
Air bags, Jan 13, 2005
SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. *NM THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT SOMEONE PIT PARTS IN THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE AIR BAG. *JB
Air bags, Dec 31, 2004, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET, MALIBU ON DEC.26, 2004 AND MY FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT STUCK TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
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
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Dec 7, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, LEAVING SKID MARKS IN THE PARKING SPACE WHERE SHE WAS TRYING TO PARK. THEN, VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK *TC
Tires, Dec 4, 2004
FIRESTONE TIRES FR680, 215/70R15. REPLACED THE TIRES ON THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AT 25,000 MILES DUE TO SEVERE FLAT SPOTTING & STEEL CHORDS SHOWING. THE REAR TIRES ARE PERFECT. CHEVY DEALER AND TIRE STORE BOTH CONFIRMED NO ALIGNMENT ISSUES ARE PRESENT. THE TIRES ARE REALLY DEFFECTIVE. I HAD THE REAR TIRES MOVED TO THE FRONT AND BOUGHT NEW TIRES FOR THE REAR. THE SAME WEARING OCCURRED, SO BOUGHT A NEW SET OF FOUR. THERE HAS NOT BE ANY PROBLEM SINCE.*AK
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
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2004
THERE WAS A DELAY AND OR LACK OF POWER WHEN PASSING. THE DELAY WAS IN BETWEEN ACCELERATION. *AK *SC
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, Sep 21, 2004
I HAVE HAD MY 2003 MAILBU FOR 1 YEAR AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE.THE FRONT OF THE CAR WOBBLES AND SHAKES AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGH,THEYHAVE REPLACED THE TIRES 2 TIMES AND IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE.THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AND ARE WEARING AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 9000 MILES ON IT.I AM RETURNING TOT HE DEALER AGAIN 9/23 AND AFTRE THAT IF NO RESOLUTION WILL BE SEEKING LEMON LAW. I FEEL THIS IS NOT JUST AN INCONVIENENCE TO ME BUT A POSSABLE SAFTETY HAZARD AS WELL .*AK
Suspension, Aug 13, 2004
THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. IT HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE NOISE STILL EXISTS.*AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 12, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. GM WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *SC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2004, crash
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE'S FRONT END COLLIDED WITH A CEMENT POLE, DIVIDING THE PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED NOR DID THE POLICE ARRIVE. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED, BUT APPLYING THE BRAKES PREVENTED ANOTHER COLLISION. *AK *NM