NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
569 reports69,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, HE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A SQUISHING NOISE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW HI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, HE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A SQUISHING NOISE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW HIS COMPLAINT AND HE WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #10382798
82,315 miles · Jan 28, 2011
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHILE I'M DRIVING! OR THE CAR SIMPLY WON'T START, EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY AND NO ONE HAS MESSED WITH IT. THE ONLY 'SOLUTION' IS TO WAIT 10 MINUTES (SOMETIMES LONGER) UNTIL THE CAR WILL START AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I'VE …
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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHILE I'M DRIVING! OR THE CAR SIMPLY WON'T START, EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY AND NO ONE HAS MESSED WITH IT. THE ONLY 'SOLUTION' IS TO WAIT 10 MINUTES (SOMETIMES LONGER) UNTIL THE CAR WILL START AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I'VE CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM EVERYWHERE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND I CAN'T AFFORD -- LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY -- TO PAY FOR UNNECESSARY CAR REPAIRS....ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PASSLOCK IS A *KNOWN* PROBLEM AND CHEVY REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND NOW I'M WORRIED EVERY TIME I SHUT OFF THE CAR, WILL IT LET ME START IT BACK UP AGAIN? HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10379502
130,000 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN THREE WEEKS AGO. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN THREE WEEKS AGO. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10378819
66,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR COMPLAINT: I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT SINCE THE DAY I HAVE BOUGHT IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT NUMEROUS MANIACS AND THEY HAVE ALL TOLD ME THE SAME THING THAT MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE LEAKING COOLANT AND THAT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THESE MEC…
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PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR COMPLAINT: I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT SINCE THE DAY I HAVE BOUGHT IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT NUMEROUS MANIACS AND THEY HAVE ALL TOLD ME THE SAME THING THAT MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE LEAKING COOLANT AND THAT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THESE MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THE GASKETS FOR THIS CAR AND THE MANIFOLD ITSELF WERE NOT ENGINEERED CORRECTLY AND THAT'S THE REASON IT IS LEAKING COOLANT. I WAS ALSO TOLD GM DID HOWEVER FIX THIS PROBLEM BY DESIGNING NEW GASKETS WHICH THEY ARE USING TO REPLACE THE OLD ONES WHEN THESE PEOPLE BRING THERE CAR IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. OKAY ONE PROBLEM RIGHT THERE WHERE WAS THE RECALL ON THAT? THAT A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD RIGHT THERE BECAUSE OR GMS ENGINEERING. IM NOT SURE IF YOUR AWARE OF THIS BUT THE SMELL AND FUMES FROM THIS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE ARE DISGUSTING. ALSO I HAVE DONE ONLINE RESEARCH ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALL YOU NEED TO TYPE IN IS PROBLEMS WITH CHEVY MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THOUSAND AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WHIT PEOPLE ALL OVER AMERICA HAVE THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND ITS NOT THAT THEY PAY THE $900.00 TO GET IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME THEN AGAIN ABOUT A YEAR TO A YEAR IN A HALF LATER THEY ALSO PAY THIS PRICE AGAIN BECAUSE THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED I AM ONE ANGRY AMERICAN AND I THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MORE I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON MY CASE FOR AS WELL AS MY FELL AMERICAS IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US!! THIS IS NOT FAR THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON GM AND I WILL DO WHAT EVER IT TAKE TO GET TO THAT POINT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378487
50,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY HIGH INCREASE IN RPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY HIGH INCREASE IN RPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, UNLESS HE TURNED THE KEY AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR 15 MINUTES. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD STAY ON ALL THE TIME. UPDATED 06/02/11
NHTSA ODI #10373895
50,000 miles · Jan 1, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR IS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED AND THEREFORE THE EVENTS LEADING UP THE FAILURE ARE NOT KNOWN. THE PROBLEM THAT THE CAR HAS IS THAT THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STOP AND EXTREME PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO STOP AND KEEP THE CAR STOPPED.…
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THE CAR IS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED AND THEREFORE THE EVENTS LEADING UP THE FAILURE ARE NOT KNOWN. THE PROBLEM THAT THE CAR HAS IS THAT THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STOP AND EXTREME PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO STOP AND KEEP THE CAR STOPPED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING, THE ENGINE CAN BE HEARD MAKING LOUDER THAN USUAL NOISES. WHEN THE RPMS INCREASE, THE SPEED OF THE CAR INCREASES WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING AT A REASONABLE SPEED BECAUSE OF THIS. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, BUT THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT USUALLY OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT AN OF FOUR TIMES A WEEK AND OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON BACK ROADS INSTEAD OF HIGHWAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373714
100,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON FREEWAY IT JUST STALLED. I COASTED TO BERM. IT THEN RESTARTED. I'VE HAD ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I'VE READ THAT THIS ENGINE CUTTING OUT IS PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT SYSTEM EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON FREEWAY IT JUST STALLED. I COASTED TO BERM. IT THEN RESTARTED. I'VE HAD ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I'VE READ THAT THIS ENGINE CUTTING OUT IS PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT SYSTEM EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368240
60,206 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Electrical System
THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS A VERY DANGEROUS SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM. THOUSANDS OF ANGRY, FRUSTRATED PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING LEFT WITH NO RECOURSE. THE PROBLEM DATES FROM THE 1990S.THROUGH 2010. THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE NOW. I JUST SPENT OVER $5000. FOR A …
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THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS A VERY DANGEROUS SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM. THOUSANDS OF ANGRY, FRUSTRATED PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING LEFT WITH NO RECOURSE. THE PROBLEM DATES FROM THE 1990S.THROUGH 2010. THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE NOW. I JUST SPENT OVER $5000. FOR A CAR THAT CANNOT BE MOVED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY I DON'T THINK CONGRESS HEARD THE SCREAMS I'VE HEARD AND READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ('I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM CAR AGAIN', OR 'IF THERE IS EVER A CLASS ACTION SUITE, COUNT ME IN') WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED, OR THEIR CARS CAUSED WRECKS BECAUSE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM KICKED IN AND CUT OFF THE FUEL WHILE THEY WERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ ABOUT SO MANY UNHAPPY PEOPLE. I CAME FROM A GENERATION OF PEOPLE THAT WORKED FOR FIFTY YEARS. WE DID ALL THE THINGS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO. WE WORKED HARD, PAID OUR BILLS AND TRUSTED THAT WE WOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY. TO REALLY FIND OUT ABOUT PASSLOCK, JUST GOOGLE PASSLOCK COMPLAINTS. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LINKS TO COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/SEARCH.HTML?CX=PARTNER-PUB-0200629403145096%3AQT7MBBQYBBG&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=PASSLOCK&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM%2F&SITEURL=WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM%2FAUTOMOTIVE%2FGM_CHEV_MALIBU_P2.HTML#906 HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2002/ELECTRICAL/PASSLOCK_PROBLEM_WONT_START_ANTI-THEFT_LIGHT_IS_ON.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CAR-FORUMS.COM/TALK/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=2349 HTTP://WWW.CHEVROLETPROBLEMS.COM/SEARCH/RESULTS.SHTML?CX=PARTNER-PUB-6745124734283845%3A635TFYW220Y&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=PASSLOCK&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=WWW.CHEVROLETPROBLEMS.COM%252FINVESTIGATIONS%252FMALIBU%252F#931 IS THERE NO HOPE'..EVER? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365745
187,521 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Electrical System
2003 CHEVY MALIBU, 1 OUT OF 3 STARTS FORCED TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING A RESTART, USUALLY TWICE BEFORE SUCCEEDING. FORCES WAITING IN THE DARK OR IN UNSAFE PLACES AT NIGHT, SUCH AS FINISHING WORK. EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR ANY FEMALE. $300 QUOTE AT STEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. FITTED 20CENT RESISTOR TO FEED CORRECT RESISTANCE VALUE TO…
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2003 CHEVY MALIBU, 1 OUT OF 3 STARTS FORCED TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING A RESTART, USUALLY TWICE BEFORE SUCCEEDING. FORCES WAITING IN THE DARK OR IN UNSAFE PLACES AT NIGHT, SUCH AS FINISHING WORK. EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR ANY FEMALE. $300 QUOTE AT STEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. FITTED 20CENT RESISTOR TO FEED CORRECT RESISTANCE VALUE TO ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH IS ALSO GUARANTEED TO FAIL EVENTUALLY. WILL HAVE TO BUILD A CIRCUIT TO BYPASS THIS ALSO TO REMOVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. SHAME ON THE STEALERSHIPS FOR NOT CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM AS A RECALL. THE POTENTIAL FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY PERSONAL INJURY/DEATH ARE HIGH AND THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR IS A DISGUSTING TACTIC FOR ANY COMPANY TO USE TO COERCE CUSTOMERS TO LINE THEIR COFFERS REPLACING DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355863
100,367 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
2003 CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON MY CAR FREQUENTLY. IT COSTS OVER $245 TO RESET AND $800 TO FIX. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM CAR OWNERS WITH PASSLOCK SYSTEMS ARE HAVING THE PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING AND I'VE NARROWLY AV…
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2003 CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON MY CAR FREQUENTLY. IT COSTS OVER $245 TO RESET AND $800 TO FIX. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM CAR OWNERS WITH PASSLOCK SYSTEMS ARE HAVING THE PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING AND I'VE NARROWLY AVOIDED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. OTHER TIMES IT WILL SIMPLY NOT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355189
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 ↗