NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
47 reportsClear category filter85,600 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10819947
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2015
Engine
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 UNK…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10810545
83,556 miles · Dec 5, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE THEFT PROTECTION SYSTEM SUDDENLY KICKED IN AN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING HIM TO LOSE SPEED AND POWER STEERING AND FORCING HIM TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN HE HAD TO SIT THERE 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY TURNED ON TO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM BEFORE HE COULD START THE…
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MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE THEFT PROTECTION SYSTEM SUDDENLY KICKED IN AN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING HIM TO LOSE SPEED AND POWER STEERING AND FORCING HIM TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN HE HAD TO SIT THERE 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY TURNED ON TO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM BEFORE HE COULD START THE CAR AGAIN AND GET OUT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE IGNITION AND KEY WAS ALREADY READY REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL TOO.
NHTSA ODI #10808538
111,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
NHTSA ODI #10783340
214,000 miles · Oct 14, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CYLINDER TWO WAS MISFIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.
NHTSA ODI #10781989
148,092 miles · Sep 14, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
ON JULY 20, 2015 COULD NOT ADJUST THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. ALSO POWER WINDOWS IN THE BACK DRIVER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN OR UP. JULY 23, 2015 WHEN TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AT SEARS WHICH THEY DIDN'T PEFORM DUE TO THEY NEEDED DRIVE TIME TO APPROVE. CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS VERY LOW ADDED 1 QUART ON AUGUST 10 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOIN…
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ON JULY 20, 2015 COULD NOT ADJUST THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. ALSO POWER WINDOWS IN THE BACK DRIVER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN OR UP. JULY 23, 2015 WHEN TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AT SEARS WHICH THEY DIDN'T PEFORM DUE TO THEY NEEDED DRIVE TIME TO APPROVE. CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS VERY LOW ADDED 1 QUART ON AUGUST 10 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING SPEED LIMIT CAR STARTED REDUCING ITS SPEED HEARD A LOUD NOISE PULLED OVER COULDNOT DRIVE IT SO I HAD IT TOWED HOME NEXT DAY AIN HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE DRIVETIME TOLD ME TO TAKE IT THEY HAD IT FROM 8/11/2015-8/25/2015 ON AUG 26 THEY SO CALLED PUT A NEW ENGINE IT WAS ONLY 1 DAY LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT OVERHEATED TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED THE CAT CONVERTER REPLACED IN WHICH IT WAS NOT COVERED AT THAT TIME ON THE 28 IT WAS APPROVED BY THE TIME I WAS INFORMED DRIVE TIME HAD MY CAR REPO DUE TO NONPAYMENT I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT MAKE A PAYMENT UNTIL MY CAR WAS FIXED THE RIGHT WAY.
NHTSA ODI #10763748
125,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10762483
59,480 miles · Aug 12, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering
THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES NOW, I AM DRIVING AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF, I CAN NOT BRAKE I CAN NOT STEER, I STILL HAVE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM GONG ABOUT 20 TO ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN AT A HIGHER SPEED! IT DID IT THE FIRST TIME BACK …
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THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES NOW, I AM DRIVING AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF, I CAN NOT BRAKE I CAN NOT STEER, I STILL HAVE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM GONG ABOUT 20 TO ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN AT A HIGHER SPEED! IT DID IT THE FIRST TIME BACK IN JUNE 2015 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, THEN AGAIN LAST FRIDAY AUGUST 7TH FOUR MORE TIMES WITH IN 10MINUTES AND A FEW MILES APART. IT IS LIKE SOMEONE JUST TURNED THE CAR OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING?
NHTSA ODI #10748075
98,000 miles · May 19, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE RPMS FAILED TO DECREASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE RPMS FAILED TO DECREASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE RPMS RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10717358
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2015
Engine
WHILE DRIVING AT STOP INTERVALS I NOTICED THAT MY TEMP GUAGE WAS REACHING THE HOT MARK, I MADE IT HOME AND MY RESERVOIR WAS BOILING. THEN I NOTICE COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE MANIFOLD HOUSING. WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED OUT, I WAS TOLD THAT MY MANIFOLD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COSTLY EXPENSE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS I FOUND O…
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WHILE DRIVING AT STOP INTERVALS I NOTICED THAT MY TEMP GUAGE WAS REACHING THE HOT MARK, I MADE IT HOME AND MY RESERVOIR WAS BOILING. THEN I NOTICE COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE MANIFOLD HOUSING. WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED OUT, I WAS TOLD THAT MY MANIFOLD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COSTLY EXPENSE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS I FOUND OUT THAT GM KNEW THAT THIS WAS A DEFAULT ISSUE AND ONLY SENT OUT RECALLS TO CERTAIN CUSTOMERS AND I WASN'T ONE OF THEM. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE THE PROPER RECALLS TO GET THIS MATTER SOLVED. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED SINCE I MISSED THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL IT WAS IN 2008, AND MY PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL NOW.
NHTSA ODI #10716163
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
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 ↗