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 8, 2004
BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT 13,700 MILES. NOW CONSUMER THINK SHE NEED TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AGAIN. *PH *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY AND THE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS, AND THE CONSUMER FELT THAT LOST OF CONTROL WAS IMMINENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE PERFORMED WORSE THAN PRIOR TO REPAIRS. *AK THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 18, 2004
THE MUFFLER ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO NEEDS ITS SECOND MUFFLER IN AS MANY YEARS. IT APPEARS THE BAFFLE IS BECOMING LOOSE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDS WITHIN THE MUFFLER. THIS IS CAUSING A VIBRATION A VARIOUS RPM/SPEEDS.*AK
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 29, 2004
WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE IDLE STICKS. RPM FIRST TIME STUCK AT APPROX 2000 RPM, 2ND TIME WAS 3,000 RPM. ONLY WAY TO GET IDLE TO RELEASE IS TO TURN ENGINE OFF AND RE-START. DANGEROUS AS IT MAKES IT HARD TO JUDGE HOW MUCH PRESSURE TO APPLY TO BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. *JB
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
CAR HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES IN TRAFFIC. AT CITY SPEEDS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN IN THE FAST LANE AT RUSH HOUR.HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SEMI THAT IS TAILGATING TRY TO STOP AT SIXTY-FIVE IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR BECAUSE YOUR ENGINE JUST STALLED? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME THE DEALER CALLS AND SAY'S COME PICK IT UP I THINK WE GOT IT FIXED? HOW CAN THEY SEND ME OUT WITH A VEHICLE THAT THEY DONT EVEN KNOW IF ITS FIXED? WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO HAPPEN? IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP EIGHT TIMES FOR STALLING. THEY REPLACE A PART AND SEND ME OUT ON THE ROAD LIKE A TEST RAT HOPING THE BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT KEEPS RUNNING SO I DON'T DIE OR WORSE CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TO. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE WIRING,COMPUTERS, ENGINE, EVEN DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM.HOW DO I EVER FEEL LIKE I CAN DRIVE THIS CAR SAFLEY. I HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE THE BIG CAR COMPANY DONT CARE FOR ME. IT'S SALES THEY CARE ABOUT. IT'S BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SIX DAYS NOW, NO PROBLEM I'LL SEND MY PAYMENT IN EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ABOUT THIRTY DAYS THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
I HAVE OWN THREE CHEVY MALIBU A 1998, 2002 AND I JUST GOT A 2003. HOWEVER, I NOTICED THAT GM HAS REMOVED THERE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT OFF OF THE DASH BOARD WHEN YOU TURN IT ON. THE OTHER TWO MALIBU'S I OWN HAD A DASH LIGHT COME ON TO LET YOU KNOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON. BUT THE 2003 DOES NOT IT ONLY HAS A LITTLE LIGHT ON THE CRUISE BUTTON ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND ITS HARD TO SEE DURING DAY LIGHT. I THINK THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU MAY NOT KNOW IF YOUR CRUISE IS ON WHICH COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 25, 2003
HEADLIGHTS, DASHLIGHTS, GO DIM, FLICKER WHEN STEP ON BRAKES. ALSO HEATER FAN SLOWS DOWN WHEN STEP ON BRAKES. *LA
Air bags, Dec 19, 2003
AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WAS NOT MOVING.*AK
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
Power train, Dec 10, 2003
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PASSING OTHER VEHICLES. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC. *AK THE PASSING GEAR WAS SLOW TO ACTUATE: WHEN PASSING A HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN PULLING OUT STEPPING ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD REV-UP BUT THE GEAR CHANGE WAS DELAYED. *SCC *JB
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, Nov 8, 2003
SERVICE ISSUE, NON-REMOVAL OF SHOCK SNUBBERS ON MAGNETIC SELECTIVE RIDE SHOCKS. *AK
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
Exterior lighting, Oct 10, 2003
WITH THE INCREASED BRIGHTNESS OF HEADLIGHTS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SPOT FRONT TURN SIGNALS AT NIGHT WHEN THEY ARE PLACED ADJACENT TO THE LOW BEAM LAMP. PLEASE CONSIDER MANDATING THAT SIGNAL LAMPS MUST BE AT LEAST THREE INCHES FROM THE EDGE OF THE LOW BEAM'S REFLECTOR. *LA
Exterior lighting, Sep 30, 2003
HEADLIGHTS IN MY 2003 CHEV MALIBU CONTINUALY STAY FOGGED UP WITH WATER INSIDE THE LENS AND CHEVY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I THINK IT COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS WORKING PROPERLY.
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 16, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER. *AK
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
Exterior lighting, Aug 11, 2003
THE DESIGN OF THE AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL FOR THE HEADLAMPS SUBJUGATES THE RESPONSIBILITY STATE LAW PLACES ON THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. THE OPERATOR CERTANTLY CAN _CHOOSE_ TO ALLOW A AUTOMATIC SYSTEM TO OPERATE THE LIGHTS IF THEY WANT TO, HOWEVER SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO USE IT IF THE OPERATOR IS NOT COMFORABLE WITH THE WAY THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM OPERATES. ADDITIONALLY, THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTING SYSTEMS CAN ONLY DETERMINE WHEN AMBIENT LIGHTING CONDITIONS _MAY_ REQUIRE LIGHTING BUT _CANNOT_ DETERMINE OTHER SPECIFIC WEATHER-RELATED CONDITIONS WHEN THE LAWS OF MY STATE ALSO MANDATE VEHICLE LIGHTING BE USED. MOST NOTABLY, THE AUTO SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS "KNOW" WHEN IT'S FOGGY, RAINING OR SNOWING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, APPLYING LIGHTING SOMETIMES IN THOSE CASES, BUT NOW ALWAYS. OR BEGINNING WITH THE LIGHTS ON, THEN THEY GO OFF, THEN ON AGAIN, THEN OFF AGAIN DURING A TRIP WHEN THE LIGHTS SHOULD REMAIN ON CONTINOUSLY. THIS OFTEN OCCURS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TO THE OPERATOR THAT THESE CHANGES IN STATUS OF THE LIGHTS ARE OCCURING. IN FACT, WITH DRLS LIT IN THE FRONT, THE NORMAL VISUAL QUEUE THAT THE LIGHTS ARE OUT THAT ONE WOULD EXPECT IS ABSENT (THE DRLS LOOK LIKE HEADLIGHTS) AND IT'S TOO BRIGHT OUT TO TELL IF THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ON OR NOT. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. GM SHOULD RETROFIT THE MALIBU'S WITH TOTAL OVERRIDE OF THE AUTO SYSTEM (COMPLETE DISABLE OF THE AUTO LIGHTS AND DRLS) FOR THOSE OWNERS THAT REQUEST IT.