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.
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2016
THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT, LEAVES ME STRANDED, CAR WON'T START UNLESS OPEN DOOR WITH KEY IN IGNITION FOR EXACTLY 10 MINUTES THEN CAR WILL START. I AM A WOMAN THAT IS LEFT STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, AT NIGHT AND ONLY WAY CAR WILL START IS TO HAVE DRIVERS DOOR WIDE OPEN WITH KEY IN IGNITION AND OTHER DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, LEAVES ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. BEGAN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, APPROX. 50,000 MILES, JUST GETTING WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT.
Engine, Oct 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND REQUIRED THE CONTACT TO EXERT EXTRA BRAKE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE ABS. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,500.
Electrical system, Jul 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE KEY WAS ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Electrical system, May 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,476.
Electrical system, May 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 5, 2016
AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASHBOARD WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I AM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY AT ANY TIME EVEN IF THERE IS NO CAR CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. ONCE WHEN THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AT ATOP LIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MILES AND HOUR. THE OTHER TIME IT HAPPENED JUST WHEN I WAS STARTING THE CAR. I
Engine, May 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Mar 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Mar 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT OPERATE AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 23, 2016, crash, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO BARRELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE, LEFT ANKLE, AND WHIPLASH INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED AND GM SAYS DUE TO AIR BAGS IMPLODING CONSUMER HAD POWER. CONSUMER WAS BEHIND THE STEERING AND IT LOCKED NO BRAKES. UPDATED 06/05/18*JB
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2016
I'VE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FOR THE PAST 2 DAYS I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED, THEFT LIGHT STARTS FLASHING EVERY TIME I GET BACK INTO MY CAR TO TRY AND START IT UP. I'VE DONE THE 10 MINUTE WAITING GAME OVER AND OVER. MY CAR IS DOING THIS EVERY TIME I GET INTO IT NOW. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE VEHICLE. NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE BCM, IGNITION SWITCH, WIRING OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THERE ARE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO SEEMS TO BE HAVING THIS ISSUE. GET IT TOGETHER GENERAL MOTORS, YOU'RE LOOSING BUSINESS EACH AND EVERYDAY BECAUSE OF YOUR AT FAULT FAILING PARTS!
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 14, 2016
EHGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS MANY TIMES. HORN HONKS AFTER TURNING ON ENGINE AND NOT DRIVE FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE. A/C AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED FROM FRESH TO RECYCLE AIR BUTTONS
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 3, 2016
MY MALIBU WILL START ON ITS OWN AND RUN WITHOUT THE KEY. I HAVE FOUND IT RUNNING SEVERAL TIMES OR ATTEMPTING TO START WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED AND THE KEYS ARE NO WHERE NEAR THE VEHICLE. THIS IS HAPPENING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. AND THE HORN GOES OFF RANDOMLY AND NOW IS BURNED OUT.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED, MOMENTS LATER SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FAILED TO RELEASE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Electrical system, Jan 19, 2016
KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION; WOULD NOT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY; STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED.
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF USING THE IGNITION KEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DAIGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT PROVIDED.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 14, 2016
SO AFTER HAVING THE CAR SERVICED FOR THE STICKING ACCELERATOR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015 THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED. 3 WEEKS AGO THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. ON JANUARY 12TH 2015 WHILE TRAVELLING HOME THE CAR WAS ACTING UP AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING 60 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE THROTTLE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER. TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE RECALLED PART BUT SOME OTHER REASON FOR THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. SO I WAS TOLD WITH PARTS AND LABOR IT WOULD BE $510 I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE REPAIR SO I WAS TOLD THEIR WOULD BE A $89 SERVICE FEE WHICH AGAIN I DON'T REALLY HAVE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK, AS THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND RELEASED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR THE IGNITION KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IN COLD INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START DURING TEMPERATURES HIGHER THAN 40 DEGREES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, CRANK SHIFT SENSOR, AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,600.
Structure, Service brakes, Jan 11, 2016
100% OF BRAKE LINES FAILED VIA RUST ALSO, CONTROL ARMS FRONT/REAR SEVERELY RUSTED.
Engine, Dec 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Dec 10, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR, VEHICLE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, DISABLING THE ENGINE WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED FOR ADVICE, TOLD THAT MOST LIKELY SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, FOR A COST OF $700. $700 FOR A KNOWN AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE IS UNBELIEVABLE.