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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

What owners actually said

569 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2009
Exterior Lighting

THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU DON'T ALWAYS WORK, I FLIP THE SWITCH AND SOMETIMES THEY BLINK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. SOMETIMES THEY STOP BLINKING BEFORE THE TURN IS ACTUALLY MADE. THIS IS ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS. I'VE HAD TO MISS TURNS BECAUSE MY TURN SIGNAL WONT COME ON AND TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED I JUST KEEP GOIN…

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THE TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU DON'T ALWAYS WORK, I FLIP THE SWITCH AND SOMETIMES THEY BLINK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. SOMETIMES THEY STOP BLINKING BEFORE THE TURN IS ACTUALLY MADE. THIS IS ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS. I'VE HAD TO MISS TURNS BECAUSE MY TURN SIGNAL WONT COME ON AND TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED I JUST KEEP GOING, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286805

100,000 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN STUCK AT NIGHT IN A DARK PARKING LOT WAITING THE TEN MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. THIS IS A PERSONALSAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE HAVING TO SIT IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION WAITING FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS O…

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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN STUCK AT NIGHT IN A DARK PARKING LOT WAITING THE TEN MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. THIS IS A PERSONALSAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE HAVING TO SIT IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION WAITING FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS OFTEN (TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK). THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED ON GM'S DOLLAR BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND ANYONE WHO OWNS A GM CAR IS SPENDING MONEY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM WHEN IT IS GM THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280996

82,000 miles · Aug 14, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLED; HOWEVER, THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMIN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT IS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY STALLED; HOWEVER, THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, AND THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. REPORT NUMBER 71-74-9932502 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10280473

41,500 miles · Aug 7, 2009
Electrical System

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS, AS I STARTED MY CAR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE IGNITION HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE PASS KEY THEFT SYSTEM NOT RECOGNIZING MY KEY (THE ORIGINAL KEY) AND BREAKING THE IGNITION. THIS HAS LEFT ME WITH A DEAD CAR ALONE AS A WOMAN AT NIGHT.…

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FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS, AS I STARTED MY CAR THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE IGNITION HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE PASS KEY THEFT SYSTEM NOT RECOGNIZING MY KEY (THE ORIGINAL KEY) AND BREAKING THE IGNITION. THIS HAS LEFT ME WITH A DEAD CAR ALONE AS A WOMAN AT NIGHT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279671

38,000 miles · Aug 4, 2009
Electrical System

THE THEFT SYSTEM (PASSLOCK) ENGAGES ON MY CAR FOR NO REASON. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, BACK IN 2003, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR. I WAS AT A BANK, WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, GETTING MONEY OUT OF AN ATM. AFTER RETURNING TO MY CAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO PAY MONEY FOR A TOW, AND THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME $800…

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THE THEFT SYSTEM (PASSLOCK) ENGAGES ON MY CAR FOR NO REASON. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, BACK IN 2003, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR. I WAS AT A BANK, WITH MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, GETTING MONEY OUT OF AN ATM. AFTER RETURNING TO MY CAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO PAY MONEY FOR A TOW, AND THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME $800 TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. CAR DID NOT NEED A FUEL PUMP, IT ONLY NEEDED THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM TURNED OFF. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE THE MECHANIC CALLED TO ASK ME HOW TO DO THIS. AT THE TIME, I HAD NO IDEA. I NOW KNOW THAT THE $1000 I PAID FOR TOW AND FUEL PUMP WERE A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. SINCE 2003, THIS THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGES FOR NO REASON, 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. IT IS INSANE. IN ORDER TO DIS-ENGAGE IT, I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES SITTING IN MY CAR; SOMETIMES WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, DATING BACK TO CARS MADE IN 1996. I CANNOT BELIEVE GM HAS NOT BEEN FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS WORTHLESS THEFT SYSTEM. I WONDER WHAT GENIUS FELT IT NECESSARY TO FORCE SOMEONE TO SIT IN THEIR CAR FOR 10 MINUTES, KEY IN THE IGNITION, TO RESET THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. I'D RATHER MY CAR BE STOLEN! WHILE I AM SITTING IN MY CAR, WAITING FOR IT TO START, ME AND MY FAMILY COULD BE KIDNAPPED, ROBBED, KILLED. THIS IS INSANE. IF IT CANNOT BE MADE TO WHERE IT DOES NOT MALFUNCTION, THEY SHOULD JUST NOT PUT IN ON VEHICLES. OR, THEY SHOULD ONLY MAKE YOU WAIT A MERE 1-2 MINUTES WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. 10 MINUTES IS AN INSANE AMOUNT OF TIME TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS TO RESET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279352

65,452 miles · Jul 12, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

WENT TO TAKE MY CAR TO AUTO SHOP BECAUSE I THOUGHT HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE GOOD NEWS ,THE TRANNY WASN'T LEAKING, HOWEVER IT WAS ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. IMAGINE HOW UPSET I WAS TO KNOW THAT CARS THIS PROBLEM IS OC…

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WENT TO TAKE MY CAR TO AUTO SHOP BECAUSE I THOUGHT HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE GOOD NEWS ,THE TRANNY WASN'T LEAKING, HOWEVER IT WAS ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. IMAGINE HOW UPSET I WAS TO KNOW THAT CARS THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THAT IT WILL COST $700 TO FIX IT. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS DEFECT. CONSIDERING THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AND ALL THE HELP GM HAS RECEIVED FROM AMERICANS IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WOULD HELP THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS BY FIXING THIS FOR NOTHING. THIS MALIBU IS THE 4TH CHEVY THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE DRIVING. IF AMERICAN COMPANIES WANT US TO BUY THEIR PRODUCT THEY SHOULD MAKE WITH QUALITY MATERIAL. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR IN 2007. THAT COST ME ALMOST $800. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THESE CARS WERE GOING HAVE SUCH A LIST OF PROBLEMS I WOULD HAVE LISTENED TO MY BROTHER AND GOT A FOREIGN VEHICLE. GM CAN EARN SOME GOODWILL WITH ITS VEHICLES BY ADMITTING ITS MISTAKES AND HELPING THE LITTLE GUY OUT, LIKE THE LITTLE GUY HAS HELPED THEM OUT WITH THE BAILOUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276452

62,000 miles · Jun 25, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). SHE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). SHE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE IF THEY WILL ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10274920

36,000 miles · Jun 16, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE NOTICED THAT THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE PLACED THE IGNITION IN AUXILIARY MODE FOR 10 MINUTES. THE CONTACT THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. SHE NOTICED THAT THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE PLACED THE IGNITION IN AUXILIARY MODE FOR 10 MINUTES. THE CONTACT THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB IN THE BACK SEAT TO EXIT BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. UPON EXITING, SHE WOULD THEN HAVE TO LIFT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAM THE HOOD BACK DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,168. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE REGULAR MAINTENANCE, OTHER THAN OIL CHANGES, WERE NOT PERFORMED AT A CHEVROLET DEALER, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,943.

NHTSA ODI #10273988

62,000 miles · Jun 4, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

2003 MALIBU ACCELERATOR STUCK TO FLOOR WHEN CAR WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS CHECKED FOR THIS PROBLEM DURING A RECALL IN 2005 AND IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER THAT MY CAR DID NOT HAVE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN, AS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM …

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2003 MALIBU ACCELERATOR STUCK TO FLOOR WHEN CAR WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS CHECKED FOR THIS PROBLEM DURING A RECALL IN 2005 AND IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER THAT MY CAR DID NOT HAVE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN, AS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED AND THEY SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY HAD IT CHECKED. THEY NOW TELL ME IT IS A RESULT OF WEAR AND TEAR.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10272864

87,000 miles · Jun 3, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH HER VEHICLE. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT INITIALIZATION AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO OTHER …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH HER VEHICLE. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD OPERATE WITHOUT INITIALIZATION AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO OTHER FAILURES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10272768

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.