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.
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PIECE OF CLOTHING BECAME CAUGHT IN THE IGNITION KEY WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE IGNITION KEY THEN HAPHAZARDLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT REINSERTED THE KEY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL POWERED ON AND RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 04/13/15*LJ UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2015
THE KEY WILL SHIFT FROM THE 'ON' POSITION TO THE 'ACCESSORY' OR 'OFF' POSITION BY ITSELF AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE, PS, PB, AIRBAGS.... I FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS BACK IN 2003/2004 TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO REMOVE THE KEYS FORM THE KEY RING. NOW THIS CAR IS UNDER A RECALL (GM RECALL #N14350, NHTSA RECALL #14V400) AND ALL GM AND THE DEALER SAY THEY WILL DO IS SHAVE OFF SOME OF THE PLASTIC FROM THE GM EMBLEM ON THE ORIGINAL KEYS TO MAKE THEM LIGHTER. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR IN THE SHOP - ALL THEY DO IS MODIFY THE PLASTIC EMBLEM ON THE ORIGINAL KEYS. THIS WON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS I DON'T USE THE ORIGINAL GM KEYS AND THERE IS NO PLASTIC TO SHAVE OFF AND I DON'T HAVE A HUGE KEY RING FULL OF KEYS. THIS IS AN IGNITION PROBLEM, NOT A KEY PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 29, 2015
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CUSTOMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION SWITCH. *MW ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. *JB
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2015
THE CAR SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THIS WAS A TOTAL SHUT-DOWN OF THE CAR; INCLUDING THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE CAR AFTERWARDS BECOMES DIFFICULT TO START. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TRIES OR A PROLONGED WAITING PERIOD UNTIL THE CAR WILL WANT TO START. AFTER IT DOES START THERE'S NO TELLING IF IT WILL SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS SHUT OFF WHILE GOING THROUGH TURNS, AND PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,000.
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Suspension, Engine, Jan 4, 2015
WE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED, AT 55,000 MILES, WHICH DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL 2012, BECAUSE I DON'T PUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF MILES ON MY CAR ANNUALLY. I COULD NOT GET ANY MONEY FROM THE RECALL, BECAUSE THE CLASS ACTION SUIT PAYOUT ENDED IN 2008, AND I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS ARE LEAKING FLUID. I WAS TOLD ALL FOUR NEED, REPLACEMENT, AND THE MOUNTS AS WELL. . THE MECHANICS SAID NORMALLY THESE SHOULDN'T NEED REPLACEMENT UNTIL 75,000-80,000 MILES MINIMUM, AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED UNTIL 100,000 WHICH IS NORMAL. I'M A GENTLE DRIVER WHO DOESN'T LEND MY CAR OUT. I DRIVE OVER SPEED BUMPS VERY SLOWLY IN OUR TOWN, BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT SUSPENSION ISSUES. OUR TOWN'S SPEED LIMIT IS 15 MPH OVER THE SPEED BUMPS, AND I DO 7MPH OVER THEN. OTHERS WITH A 1999-2003 MALIBU, HAVE TOLD ME THEIR STRUTS HAVE WORN OUT JUST AS FAST ALSO.(AT 50,000 MILES OR SO). *TR
Suspension, Dec 30, 2014
CONTANCT DEALER COMPANY WILL NOT RETURN CALLS ASK FOR ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING ISSUES CAR NEEDS BRAKE ALL THE WAY AROUND ROTORS DAMAGEDED NEEDS TYROD END HAS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM EXAUST DEALER WILL NOT CHECK CAR THEY HAVE THEIR OWN MECHANIC TELL YOU TO CONTACT AND YOU GET NO RESPONSE VEHICLE SOLD TO 76 YEAR OLD LADY AND IS UNSAFE I ASKE IF THEY WOULD TRADE UP IT IS HALF PAID FOR I WAS TOLD NO IT HAS TO BE COMPLETELY PAID OFF. *JS
Electrical system, Dec 24, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RESET DUE TO RECALL, AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED.
Electrical system, Dec 24, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FIRST IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY, HAD WORK DONE AT NON GM DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *TA THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB
Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 12, 2014
I TELL DEALER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON "HE SAYS NOT TO BE CONCERNED THERE IS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM TAILPIPE IGNITION CAN TAKE UP TO 5 MIN TO GET ON CODE SAYS CAR NEEDS EGR VALVE CAR NEEDED BRAKES AND ROTORS ALL THE WAY AROUND AND TYROD DEALER WILL NOT RESPOND TO CALLS CAR WAS RECALLED FOR IGNITION SWITCH NEVER REPAIRED I NEED TO KNOW IF I CAN TAKE IT IN TO CHEVY DEALER ONY HAD 1 MONTH VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND I AM 76 THERE IS A WARANTY ON ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2014
VEHICLE WON'T START AND SECURITY LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES WITH KEY IN THE ON POSITION TO RESTART ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND THEN ENGINE WILL START. THE CAR AS WELL DIED AND SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND HAD TO COAST OVER 2 LANES AND WAS LUCKILY NOT HIT OR INJURED. AFTER THIS I TOOK IT TO MY NORMAL MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT. HE FIXED IGNITION SWITCH ON 3/3/2009 WHICH I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF PROBLEM I WAS HAVING AND HIM FIXING IT. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR STILL DOES NOT START. I HAVEN'T HAD IT STOP WHILE DRIVING SINCE THEN BUT IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD I'M TELLING MYSELF I NEED TO GET RID OF THIS CAR BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. SOMETIMES THE CAR IS FINE FOR MONTHS AND THEN IT WON'T START TWICE IN ONE WEEK. THIS IS ESPECIALLY A PAIN WHEN IT IS FREEZING COLD AND I HAVE NO WHERE ELSE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BUT IN MY CAR. SEEMS TO BE VERY INTERMITTENT. BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE THAT IF I TRY TO REMOTE START THE CAR WITH THE KEY FAB IT WILL MOST LIKELY ENDS IN TRIPPING THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. AND I ASK WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR CAN STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS MADE ME LOSE CONFIDENCE IN GM, AND IF I BUY ANOTHER CAR I WILL THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER CHEVY EVEN THOUGH I LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT MY CAR. I AM NOT ABOUT TO TAKE IT IN AND SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS GETTING IT FIXED WHEN I CAN SAVE MY MONEY AND BUY SOMETHING MORE DEPENDABLE BESIDES A GM CAR. IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS I WILL BE ABLE TO BUY A NEW CAR AND I WILL BE GLAD WHEN I DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2014
I. WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO WORK. IT WOULDN'T TURN AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT. I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AT MY COST. THEN I HEARD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION. I CALLED GM THEY SAID THEY WONT COVER THE COST OF MY REPAIRS. *JS
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, WAS REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO. *MW THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU ENGINE REFUSED TO START DUE TO IGNITION SYSTEM, REPLACED IGNITION AND KEY, RESET COMPUTER.*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ROUGHLY 50 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR NINE MONTHS, AND THEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXHIBIT THE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND RECALL. *TGW
Electrical system, Nov 12, 2014
THE IGNITION LOCK FAILED RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO START THE ENGINE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 9, 2014
I WAS PASSING A VEHICLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. WHEN I RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I FINISHED MY PASS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THE WHOLE TIME STANDING ON THE BRAKES. DROPPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART IT AND IT REEVED TO HIGH RPMS. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK AND I RESTARTED THE CAR. THE RPMS STAYED AT NORMAL SPEED. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT SENT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM. WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,290.
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION KEY RECALL NOTICE. *SMD ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2014
2003 CHEVROLET CLASSIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION KEY RECALL REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *JB
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START AND, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO UNLOCK ALL FOUR DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) DUE TO THE KEY NOT BEING THE ORIGINAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2014
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. AFTER PUTTING KEYS IN THE IGNITION, IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED AND WOULD NOT START THE CAR. GM HAS A RECALL ON 2003 CHEVY MALIBU'S FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT SAYS THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT?