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2003 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 310.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

429 reports with mileage · 140 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 289 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

35 crash reports4 fire reports17 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

289 reports
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59,476 miles · May 19, 2016
Electrical System

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10865749

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2016
Electrical System

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10852389

80,000 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10840210

133,200 miles · Feb 23, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashFireInjury

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, …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10837823

155,500 miles · Feb 16, 2016
Electrical System

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 DEALERSHI…

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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!

NHTSA ODI #10836314

161,032 miles · Feb 14, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

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

NHTSA ODI #10826082

74,000 miles · Feb 12, 2016
Electrical System

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10825825

130,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI #10823965

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2016
Electrical System

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 TA…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10822561

119,000 miles · Jan 26, 2016
Electrical System

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 MANU…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10822209

Official recalls

2

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

04V528000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Nov 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.