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.
Steering, Jul 30, 2004
THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND HAD TOO MUCH PLAY IN IT. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jul 26, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 23, 2004
DEFECT WITH ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP SYSTEM ON 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMP DOWN. WHEN THIS WAS NECESSARY THE DRIVER HAD TO KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THEY COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. SINCE THE STALLING IS INTERMITTENT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS AND PERMANENTLY RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2004
WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. FROM 50 TO 90 MPH. THE DRIVER TAPPED THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED EVEN MORE. AS A RESULT DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jul 8, 2004
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM RECURRED. *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
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 2, 2004
JUST LOOKING FOR PLACE TO ENTER VIN # NO SAFETY DEFECT LIDTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 2, 2004
REGARDING MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT WOULDN'T START, DOORS WERE LOCKING THEMSELVES,AND WARRANTY WAS UP... I CARRIED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT NEW AND UPON CHECKING THE CAR AND FINDING A CODE FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOWED UP WITH MY BODY CONTROL MODULE WHILE THEY HAD IT ON THIER COMPUTER, THE SERVICE MAN INFORMED ME THAT HE WAS ORDERING A NEW BODY CONTROL MODULE AND WAS GOING TO COVER IT FOR ME UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 1, 2004
I DROVE MY 2003 MALIBU TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND PARKED IT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. IT WOULD TURN OVER AND SOUND LIKE IT WANTED TO CRANK, BUT WOULDN'T START. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS SOME SORT OF BODY COMPUTER PROBLEM AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WASN'T LETTING THE CAR START. SAID THAT IT HAD SHORTED OUT INTERNALLY. THE MECHANIC RESET THE THING BUT AFTER CRANKING THE CAR 4 TIMES, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. MECHANIC SAID COMPUTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $500. AT JUST OVER 41,000 MILES, THE WARRANTY IS NO GOOD ON MY CAR ANYMORE. HOWEVER, I TOLD THE SERVICE MEN AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR MONTHS AGO THAT THE DOORS WERE LOCKING BY THEMSELVES AFTER I'D EXITED THE CAR AND WALKED ABOUT 12 FEET AWAY. TOLD THEM THAT IT HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND ASKED IF THEY'D HAD ANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. HE JUST LOOKED AT ME, LAUGHED AND SAID THAT HE'D NOT HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. IF A SHORT IN THE BODY COMPUTER IS CAUSING THE ANTI THEFT TO ACTIVATE SO THE CAR WON'T START, THEN IT SEEMS LIKELY TO ME THAT THE SAME SHORT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSING MY DOORS TO LOCK. INSTEAD OF CHECKING THAT PROBLEM OUT AT THE DEALER WHEN I FIRST TOLD THEM ABOUT IT,AND MY WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD, THE SERVICE MAN JUST TOLD ME THAT I WAS PROBABLY HITTING THE BUTTON ON MY REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY. I DON'T EVEN HAVE KEYLESS ENTRY ON MY CAR AND I TOLD HIM THAT. STILL ALL I GOT THEN WAS A LAUGH AND A SHOULDER SHRUG. IF THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS HAD OF BEEN CHECKED OUT, THEN THE PROBLEM THAT I'M HAVING NOW MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DETECTED WHILE MY WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD. BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND FEEL LIKE THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER COSTS OF PARTS AND REPAIR. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND HOW THEY'VE BEEN HANDLED. *NM
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ENGINE FAILED. AS RESULT, CONSUMER ENGAGED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 4, 2004
FOR SEVERAL DAYS THE THROTTLE HAS BEEN STICKING DURING ACCELERATION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE OCCURRENCE NOR FIND ANY PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.*AK
Suspension, Jun 4, 2004
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SUSPENSION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 2, 2004
VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD TWICE WHILE CAR WAS COASTING TOWARDS A RED LIGHT.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS SLOWING THE VEHICLE FOR A STOP LIGHT. WHEN THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH WHILE THE CONSUMER PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 20, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT IN THE LAST THREE DAYS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK FIRST EPISODE OF VEHICLE ACCELERATING SUDDENLY, VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 70 MPH, AND CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, DUE TO ITS SUDDEN ACCELERATION, BRAKE ROTORS HAD WARPED. IN ADDITION, THERE'S AN INTERMITTENT STICKING OF THE THROTTLE. *LA
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 18, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO START IT. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *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
Vehicle speed control, Apr 29, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR. THEN, DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK *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
Structure, Apr 16, 2004
DRIVER SIDE ARM REST CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PART HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. *AK PLASTIC THAT HELD THE ARM REST WAS DEFORMED AND WEAK INSIDE THE ARM REST. DEALER REPLACED DRIVER'S DOOR ARM REST ASSEMBLY. *LA
Power train, Apr 12, 2004
WHILE EXITING AN INTERSECTION CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND NOTICED THAT FRONT RIGHT AXLE CAME OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *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