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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

Service Brakes complaints

14 reports
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52,481 miles · Feb 11, 2021
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,481.

NHTSA ODI #11395774

95,000 miles · May 14, 2018
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11093615

37,000 miles · Aug 24, 2017
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE RELEASED F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION WITH FORCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #11019279

84,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Service BrakesStructure

100% OF BRAKE LINES FAILED VIA RUST ALSO, CONTROL ARMS FRONT/REAR SEVERELY RUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #10819334

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

130,000 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

COMPUTER PROBLEM 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 6 CYL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC 130000 MILES THIS RECENTLY STARTED, THE TRACTION ON LIGHT AND THE ABS YELLOW LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON. RARELY DO THEY GO OFF, ONLY A FEW TIMES. THE SQUARE INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, STAYS ON FOR 1-2 M…

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COMPUTER PROBLEM 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 6 CYL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC 130000 MILES THIS RECENTLY STARTED, THE TRACTION ON LIGHT AND THE ABS YELLOW LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON. RARELY DO THEY GO OFF, ONLY A FEW TIMES. THE SQUARE INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, STAYS ON FOR 1-2 MINUTES THEN GOES OFF. BUT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON. HOW CAN I RESET THIS OR WHAT TO NOT HAVE A TRIP TO THE EXPENSIVE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKES TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, NO DELAYS OR BRAKE HESITATION WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN USE. HELP ME OUT WITH A GOOD SOLUTION. I WILL GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI #10726120

76,300 miles · Feb 25, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering

CAR WILL NOT START. SOLID "THEFT" LIGHT COMES ON DASHBOARD AND CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER, OR IF IT TURNS OVER, WILL CUT OUT SHORTLY AFTER. THIS ANTI-THEFT ISSUE CAUSES THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO DISABLE, AND AM NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. HAVE ALSO HAD CAR STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC AND LOSE ALL POWER. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWE…

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CAR WILL NOT START. SOLID "THEFT" LIGHT COMES ON DASHBOARD AND CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER, OR IF IT TURNS OVER, WILL CUT OUT SHORTLY AFTER. THIS ANTI-THEFT ISSUE CAUSES THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO DISABLE, AND AM NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. HAVE ALSO HAD CAR STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC AND LOSE ALL POWER. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE ISSUE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL FIXES AND MECHANICAL REPAIRS, BUT THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. NO MATTER WHAT I TRY AND DO, AT RANDOM TIMES, MY CAR WILL NOT START, WHILE THE "THEFT" LIGHT COMES ON AND COMPLETELY DISABLES MY VEHICLE. AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, AND AM USING AN ORIGINAL KEY TO START THE CAR. I DO NOT HAVE ANY TYPE OF SECURITY SYSTEM INSTALLED IN MY CAR. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE "THEFT" LIGHT TO COME ON WHEN I AM JUST TRYING TO START MY VEHICLE, NOT STEAL IT. THE IGNITION RECALL FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE ONLY INVOLVES REPLACING THE KEYS, BUT THIS ANTI-THEFT ISSUE, WHICH I AND OTHER CHEVROLET MALIBU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR OTHER ACCIDENT TO OCCUR IF IT CAUSES THE CAR TO CUT OUT (LOSE POWER) FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING, AND AT THE SAME TIME DISABLING THE STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY RECALL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10690707

110,000 miles · Jan 22, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10678177

264,000 miles · Dec 12, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineService Brakes

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10664000

110,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING NEAR MY HOME WHEN A TURKEY RAN OUT IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE FROM THE LEFT. I WAS LOOKING TO THE RIGHT AS I APPROACHED MY DRIVEWAY. I SAW THE TURKEY OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE AND I STEPPED HARD ON MY BRAKES BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFY THE ANIMAL. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND,…

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I WAS DRIVING NEAR MY HOME WHEN A TURKEY RAN OUT IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE FROM THE LEFT. I WAS LOOKING TO THE RIGHT AS I APPROACHED MY DRIVEWAY. I SAW THE TURKEY OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE AND I STEPPED HARD ON MY BRAKES BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFY THE ANIMAL. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND, AFTER STOPPING COMPLETELY, I DISCOVERED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT ALL OF MY BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS BRAKE LINE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE LINES WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SALT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639892

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.