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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

Wheels complaints

3 reports
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70,000 miles · Jul 12, 2013
SuspensionWheels

WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, RELATIVELY NEW FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DEVELOPED A LARGE BUMP AND BEGIN FRAYING. RECOGNIZED PROBLEM QUICKLY AND PULLED OVER BUT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE SHOWS VERY LITTLE WEAR AND NO SUCH ISSUES, INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT WORN OUT, JUST…

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WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, RELATIVELY NEW FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DEVELOPED A LARGE BUMP AND BEGIN FRAYING. RECOGNIZED PROBLEM QUICKLY AND PULLED OVER BUT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE SHOWS VERY LITTLE WEAR AND NO SUCH ISSUES, INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT WORN OUT, JUST A BAD QUALITY TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524588

12,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
TiresWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, IN WHICH THE TECHNICIAN RESET. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR MOST RECENT MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. .. UPDATED 02-07-13 *BF UPDATED 2/13/13 *CN UPDATED 02/14/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10493025

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2008
Service Brakes, AirWheels

I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR AT 6,000 MILES. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM ON A YEARLY OCCURRENCE, AS WELL AS ROTORS AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE BREAKS ALWAYS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE GRINDING AND VIBRATING. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON. IT HAS BEEN 7 MONTHS SINCE I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED, AND I…

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I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR AT 6,000 MILES. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM ON A YEARLY OCCURRENCE, AS WELL AS ROTORS AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE BREAKS ALWAYS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE GRINDING AND VIBRATING. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON. IT HAS BEEN 7 MONTHS SINCE I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED, AND I NEED NEW BREAKS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229680

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.