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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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Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2014
EngineService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER HAD TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER HAD TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10637574

29,332 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,332. UPADATED 06/24/14 MA UPDATED 06/30/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579556

87,001 miles · Jul 26, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

WHEN IT RAINS THE TAIL LIGHTS FILL UP WITH WATER AND THE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. IT HOLDS WATER AND THE LIGHTS FLASH IN A CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHT MANNER. ALSO WHEN THE BREAKS ARE STEPPED ON THE BLINKERS DO NOT WORK. ALSO WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BREAK THE BLINKER INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT…

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WHEN IT RAINS THE TAIL LIGHTS FILL UP WITH WATER AND THE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. IT HOLDS WATER AND THE LIGHTS FLASH IN A CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHT MANNER. ALSO WHEN THE BREAKS ARE STEPPED ON THE BLINKERS DO NOT WORK. ALSO WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BREAK THE BLINKER INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAIN LIT UP GREEN. I HAVE REPLACE BULBS AS WELL AS THE WHOLE LIGHT HOUSING. EVEN DRILLED WHOLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE LIGHT HOUSING UNITS SO THE WATER CAN DRAINED. NOTHING CAN REMEDY THIS PROBLEM IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532045

61,000 miles · Jul 21, 2013
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

AFTER MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE, ON A SHORT TRIP OF 4 MILES, THE CAR STARTED REVVING UP AND TAKING OFF ON IT'S ON. IT ALSO CAUSED MY A/C HOSE TO BURST (I AM CONVINCED IT IS RELATED). I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND REPLACED THE A/C HOSE. THERE IS STILL THE SA…

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AFTER MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE, ON A SHORT TRIP OF 4 MILES, THE CAR STARTED REVVING UP AND TAKING OFF ON IT'S ON. IT ALSO CAUSED MY A/C HOSE TO BURST (I AM CONVINCED IT IS RELATED). I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND REPLACED THE A/C HOSE. THERE IS STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT HAPPENS WHEN IT IS VERY HOT WEATHER AND I AM MAKING SHORT TRIPS RUNNING ERRANDS WHICH CALLS FOR TURNING ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING. I DROVE BACK HOME WITH MY FOOT ENTIRELY ON THE BRAKES WHILE TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR FROM RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL. I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE IT NOW, UNTIL I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO "REALLY" FIX THE PROBLEM (AS I WAS STUCK WITH A $487 REPAIR BILL). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525974

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.