Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
610–25K
6625–50K
9850–75K
7175–100K
97100–150K
36150K+
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 · Apr 16, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN WEATHER IS WARM THE VEHICLE WILL REV UP TO 3000 -3500 RPMS AND WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE SPEED. THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED STRONGLY TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM TAKING OFF, THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHILE IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A SAFE LEGAL SPEED. CHECKED FOR POSSIBLE RECALL AND FOUND ONE THAT MAT…
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WHEN WEATHER IS WARM THE VEHICLE WILL REV UP TO 3000 -3500 RPMS AND WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE SPEED. THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED STRONGLY TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM TAKING OFF, THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHILE IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A SAFE LEGAL SPEED. CHECKED FOR POSSIBLE RECALL AND FOUND ONE THAT MATCHES THE ACTIONS OF THIS VEHICLE EXACTLY HOWEVER THIS ONE IS NOT INCLUDED (VIN). THIS IS HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AND STARTS SOMETIMES AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH GM BEING THE FIRST GM CAR I HAVE OWNED I AM NOT AT ALL IMPRESSED WITH THE RESPONSE RECEIVED WHEN WE CONTACTED THEM ABOUT THE RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10188013
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2007
Electrical System
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 MALIBU. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR 6 MONTHS. THE CAR HAS CUT OFF ON ME 3 TIMES WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $400.00 TO FIX IT. I DON'T HAVE THAT KI…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 MALIBU. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR 6 MONTHS. THE CAR HAS CUT OFF ON ME 3 TIMES WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $400.00 TO FIX IT. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO PUT INTO A CAR WHEN THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON IT. I AM HIGHLY UPSET WITH GM BECAUSE THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO, I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY WON'T DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T CONSIDER IT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T SEE HOW A COMPANY CAN PUT OFF A RECALL LIKE THIS WHEN SOMEONE CAN GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR EVEN KILLED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, AND ANOTHER OF COURSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I BOUGHT DOESN'T COVER IT. WHY DO THEY EVEN HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN IT DOESN'T COVER A BLASTED THING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10187223
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2007
Exterior LightingCrashInjury
BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10185605
30,100 miles · Jan 9, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS CAUSING ENGINE TO IDLE AT 1500 TO 2000 RPM. ENGINE WILL NOT IDLE BACK DOWN TO NORMAL RPM'S UNTIL TRANS IS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. CAUSES ADDITIONAL BRAKING IN ORDER TO SLOW AND STOP VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10178156
30,000 miles · Dec 7, 2006
Air Bags
MY HORN WENT OUT ON MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG MODULE...I DON'T HAVE A HORN AND MY CAR FAILED THE SAFETY INSPECTION, I DO NOT HAVE THE 1100.00 TO FIX IT, THE DEALER TOLD ME TO CONTACT GM TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO ABOUT IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10175529
12,000 miles · Dec 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ENGINE HESITATED AND LOST ALL POWER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10175452
50,000 miles · Oct 16, 2006
Electrical System
MY TURN SIGNALS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. APPARENTLY THERE IS A FAULTY HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH THAT SHORTS OUT AND CAUSES THE TURN SIGNALS TO NON FUNCTION. I WAS READING ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBUS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170910
11,200 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Fuel System, Other
COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM DETAILS: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS JUST FILLED UP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, AND THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHEN A INSPECTION WAS MADE AND FIXED. I HAVE HAD FIVE INCIDENTS PRIOR TO GETTING IT REPAIRED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLE…
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COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM DETAILS: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS JUST FILLED UP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED, AND THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHEN A INSPECTION WAS MADE AND FIXED. I HAVE HAD FIVE INCIDENTS PRIOR TO GETTING IT REPAIRED. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AFTER THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE FACTORY WARRANTY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10170462
48,000 miles · Sep 25, 2006
Exterior Lighting
MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNALS AND FOUR WAY FLASHERS AS NOTED IN YOU POSTED INFORMATION BELOW. ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION BASED ON 9 COMPLAINTS OF TURN SIGNALS OPERATING SPORADICALLY ON THE 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY OCCUR WHILE THE …
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MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TURN SIGNALS AND FOUR WAY FLASHERS AS NOTED IN YOU POSTED INFORMATION BELOW. ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION BASED ON 9 COMPLAINTS OF TURN SIGNALS OPERATING SPORADICALLY ON THE 2000-2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL. GM IDENTIFIED THE HAZARD SWITCH AS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE TURN SIGNAL PASSES THROUGH THE HAZARD SWITCH. FAILURE OF THE HAZARD SWITCH RESULTS IN LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS. GM REPORTS 318, 184 AND 201 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR THE MALIBU, ALERO AND GRAND AM RESPECTIVELY. GM ALSO REPORTS THE FOLLOWING MODELS HAVE THE SAME DESIGN TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH AS THE CHEVROLET MALIBU: CHEVROLET CORVETTE, MONTE CARLO, AND IMPALA; OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE AND ALERO; AND THE PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THE HIGHEST OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM IN THE MY 2000-2001 MALIBU, ALERO, AND GRAND AM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10169235
70,000 miles · Sep 14, 2006
Electrical SystemStructure
WHEN DRIVING AFTER A RAIN NOTICED THERE WAS WATER IN RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT STARTED WAS TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND RESET THE COMPUTER . WELL THAT WAS GREAT EXCEPT YOU MIGHT NOT WANT THE CAR STARTED THEN BECAUSE EVERYTIME YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE THE RADIO SHUT…
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WHEN DRIVING AFTER A RAIN NOTICED THERE WAS WATER IN RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT. WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT STARTED WAS TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND RESET THE COMPUTER . WELL THAT WAS GREAT EXCEPT YOU MIGHT NOT WANT THE CAR STARTED THEN BECAUSE EVERYTIME YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE THE RADIO SHUT OFF, GAUGES WOULD PEG OUT AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESET. THEN CAR WOULD DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY DRIVING . IF IT TAKES THE NHSTA TO HAVE A DEATH FOR SOMEONE I AM NOT THE ONE IF IT IS WATER THE CAR DOESN'T LIKE I WILL SEND IT BACK TO DETROIT WHERE THEY CAN PUT IT IN IT'S FINAL RESTING PLACE, LAKE MICHIGAN. LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD BECAUSE THESE SMALL INCONVENIENCES TO THEM ARE MAJOR EXPENSES TO US ALL . AND THEY WONDER WHY THE CAR INDUSTRY IS STRUGGLING OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM GENERAL MOTORS. *NM
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.
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.
2003 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year