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, Aug 7, 2003, crash
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. *AK *SCC THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AND TURN, AND THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER MOTORIST. *JB
Suspension, Aug 1, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 40 MPH, A CREAKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER VEHICLE. UPON TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER IT WAS FOUND THAT FRONT STRUT WAS DEFECTIVE. FRONT STRUT HAD TOO MUCH SPACE BETWEEN THE STRUT AND THE WHEEL. DEALER WAS REPAIRING THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 23, 2003
I HAVE HAD SERIOUS BRAKE WEARING ISSUE, IN ONE YEARS TIME A TOTAL OF 40,000 MI I USED 3 SETS OF BRAKES PADS FOR THIS CAR.I HAD HAVE BRAKE CALIPERS CHANGES, IN FRONT (LOADED) AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS, (2), AND NEW DRUMS FOR REAR BRAKES. *AK BRAKE CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD COMPLETELY BLEED THE SYSTEM AT CHEVROLET DEALER. NOW I HAVE TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMS. THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. DUE TO MY BUSY WORK SCHEDULE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE REPAIR DONE. CHEVROLET REPAIR HOURS ARE LIMITED. MY COMMUTE IS LONG OVER 60 MILES ONE WAY. IT IS OFTEN VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AT CRITICAL MOMENTS.
Suspension, Jul 16, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING BALL JOINT BROKE AND THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE SPUN . THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL .*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH PC VALVE ON CHEVROLET MALIBU. *MR EMISSION ERROR-THE COMPUTER HAD GIVEN INCORRECT READINGS/PCV VALVE SMOG VALVE. (ONGOING PROBLEM) *SCC *JB
Electrical system, Jun 28, 2003
THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND IS REACHING EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS NATIONWIDE CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS OF AMERICAN MADE AUTOMOBILES -- ALL MAKES, MODELS, AND YEARS. THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CARS DRIVING WITH ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT BECAUSE OF POOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING OF THAT SYSTEM IN AMERICAN MADE CARS. I DO NOT SEE THAT PROBLEM WITH FOREIGN MADE CARS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT IN 2003 AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS CANNOT BUILD A CAR WHERE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT FAIL -- AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT FAILURES CAUSED BY ACCIDENTS OR IMPACTS. IN OHIO IT WAS REALLY BAD, AND AS I MOVE AROUND THE COUNTRY IT IS NOT ISOLATED AT ALL, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURES IN AMERICAN CARS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE OR YEAR. THIS IS A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM THAT CAN BE TRACED TO AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHTS ARE A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM IN A CAR, AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE FAILING AT SUCH AN ALARMING RATE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NO-ONE HAS TAKEN ACTION TO DATE REGARDING THIS OBVIOUS ISSUE. *NLM
Suspension, Apr 22, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT WHEN TURNING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TIRES ROTATED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *MR *SCC *NLM
Exterior lighting, Apr 16, 2003
I HAVE A CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK AT ALL TIMES. *NLM
Air bags, Mar 25, 2003
THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A CURB. *JB
Structure, Mar 18, 2003
WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE REAR TAIL LIGHT INTO THE TRUNK AREA AND CAUSED A BAD ODOR AND MOLD TO GROW INSIDE THE TRUNK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Air bags, Mar 7, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING IN THE STEERING THAT SHORTED. SCC