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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

Suspension complaints

23 reports
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83,197 miles · Jun 13, 2007
Suspension

WHEEL HUB BEARINGS - SINCE I BOUGHT THE 2003 MALIBU NEW IN JANUARY 203 I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL HUB BEARING 4 TIMES, ONCE UNDER WARRANTY WITH GM PARTS AT 27,918 ON 4/20/04 RIGHT SIDE), AGAIN RIGHT SIDE WITH AFTER MARKET PARTS AT 47,876, LEFT SIDE WITH AFTER MARKET PARTS AT 48,769 ON 5/3/05, AND RIGHT SIDE WITH AFTER MARKET …

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WHEEL HUB BEARINGS - SINCE I BOUGHT THE 2003 MALIBU NEW IN JANUARY 203 I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL HUB BEARING 4 TIMES, ONCE UNDER WARRANTY WITH GM PARTS AT 27,918 ON 4/20/04 RIGHT SIDE), AGAIN RIGHT SIDE WITH AFTER MARKET PARTS AT 47,876, LEFT SIDE WITH AFTER MARKET PARTS AT 48,769 ON 5/3/05, AND RIGHT SIDE WITH AFTER MARKET PARTS AT 83,197 ON 4/17/07. WITH SO MANY FAILURES I BELIEVED THEREWAS EITHER AN INHERIT DESIGN FLAW OR POSSIBLE LATENT DEFECT OF THE FRONT END.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10193283

44,900 miles · Jan 18, 2005
Suspension

VEHICLE MADE METAL AGAINST METAL RUBBING NOISE. CALLED FOR APPOINTMENT BEFORE 45,000 MILES. APPOINTMENT OCCURRED AT 45,100 MILES. WAS ADVISED THAT HUB ASSEMBLY AND WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT. CAR IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY/EXPRESSWAY 52 MILES PER DAY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10106527

11,000 miles · Oct 26, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

I HAVE PUT 3 SETS OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON MY MALIBU. I HAD THE RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY CHANGED TWICE. MY CARS BRAKES THROW OFF ALOT OF BRAKE DUST AND MUST BE PUSHED WAY DOWN BEFORE STOPPING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096435

100 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Suspension

I HAVE HAD MY 2003 MAILBU FOR 1 YEAR AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE.THE FRONT OF THE CAR WOBBLES AND SHAKES AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGH,THEYHAVE REPLACED THE TIRES 2 TIMES AND IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE.THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AND ARE WEARING AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 9000 MILES ON IT.I AM RETURNING T…

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I HAVE HAD MY 2003 MAILBU FOR 1 YEAR AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE.THE FRONT OF THE CAR WOBBLES AND SHAKES AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGH,THEYHAVE REPLACED THE TIRES 2 TIMES AND IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE.THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AND ARE WEARING AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 9000 MILES ON IT.I AM RETURNING TOT HE DEALER AGAIN 9/23 AND AFTRE THAT IF NO RESOLUTION WILL BE SEEKING LEMON LAW. I FEEL THIS IS NOT JUST AN INCONVIENENCE TO ME BUT A POSSABLE SAFTETY HAZARD AS WELL .*AK

NHTSA ODI #10092996

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2004
Suspension

THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. IT HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE NOISE STILL EXISTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10086782

11,434 miles · Jul 2, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WHEN EVER I BRAKE THE FRONT END SHOOK REALLY HARD, TOOK THE CAR IN, ROTORS WHERE WARPED, SO THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM. BACK ON THE ROAD THE CAR SHOOK EVEN HARD IN THE FRONT END TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE PADS AND NOW I HAVE REALLY LOUD SOUND WHEN I STOP AND …

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WHEN EVER I BRAKE THE FRONT END SHOOK REALLY HARD, TOOK THE CAR IN, ROTORS WHERE WARPED, SO THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM. BACK ON THE ROAD THE CAR SHOOK EVEN HARD IN THE FRONT END TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE PADS AND NOW I HAVE REALLY LOUD SOUND WHEN I STOP AND WHEN I AM ON THE EXPRESS WAY THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN I GO OVER 70MPH. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR A YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN 7 TIMES FOR FRONT END WORK FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS BEING REPLACED TO THE STRUTS BEING DEFECTIVE AND THE GM REP I CONSAULT WITH TRIES TO BE HELPFUL BUT THE CAR IS UNSAFE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10079203

18,515 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SUSPENSION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10071988

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

CAR HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES IN TRAFFIC. AT CITY SPEEDS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN IN THE FAST LANE AT RUSH HOUR.HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SEMI THAT IS TAILGATING TRY TO STOP AT SIXTY-FIVE IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR BECAUSE YOUR ENGINE JUST STALLED? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME THE DEALER CALLS AND SAY'S COME PICK IT UP I THINK WE GOT I…

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CAR HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES IN TRAFFIC. AT CITY SPEEDS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN IN THE FAST LANE AT RUSH HOUR.HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SEMI THAT IS TAILGATING TRY TO STOP AT SIXTY-FIVE IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR BECAUSE YOUR ENGINE JUST STALLED? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME THE DEALER CALLS AND SAY'S COME PICK IT UP I THINK WE GOT IT FIXED? HOW CAN THEY SEND ME OUT WITH A VEHICLE THAT THEY DONT EVEN KNOW IF ITS FIXED? WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO HAPPEN? IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP EIGHT TIMES FOR STALLING. THEY REPLACE A PART AND SEND ME OUT ON THE ROAD LIKE A TEST RAT HOPING THE BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT KEEPS RUNNING SO I DON'T DIE OR WORSE CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TO. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE WIRING,COMPUTERS, ENGINE, EVEN DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM.HOW DO I EVER FEEL LIKE I CAN DRIVE THIS CAR SAFLEY. I HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE THE BIG CAR COMPANY DONT CARE FOR ME. IT'S SALES THEY CARE ABOUT. IT'S BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SIX DAYS NOW, NO PROBLEM I'LL SEND MY PAYMENT IN EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ABOUT THIRTY DAYS THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #10071202

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

MANUFACTURING SAFETY ISSUE - CHEVROLET MALIBU 2003 FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY HUBS ROTORS, AND BRAKES. CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS. DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO CORRECT. ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT. TURNED TWICE ALREADY. LEFT HUB REPLACED. NOW EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN WITH BRAKING. DEALER REFUSES TO R…

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MANUFACTURING SAFETY ISSUE - CHEVROLET MALIBU 2003 FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY HUBS ROTORS, AND BRAKES. CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS. DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO CORRECT. ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT. TURNED TWICE ALREADY. LEFT HUB REPLACED. NOW EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN WITH BRAKING. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR DURING NOVEMBER 28, 2003 VISIT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10047712

1,368 miles · Nov 5, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A RUBBING NOISE WHICH PROGRESSED TO A SQUEAKING NOISE. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE PADS/FRONT ROTORS/ BRAKE BOOSTER/CALIPERS, AND BRAKE LINES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT …

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BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A RUBBING NOISE WHICH PROGRESSED TO A SQUEAKING NOISE. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE PADS/FRONT ROTORS/ BRAKE BOOSTER/CALIPERS, AND BRAKE LINES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE A/C CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE AND COOLING PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *JB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10042674

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.