NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
569 reports88,000 miles · Mar 21, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. UPDATED 05/31/17*LJ *AS
NHTSA ODI #10967436
100,000 miles · Feb 2, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO 65 MPH. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO 65 MPH. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10949028
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2016
Unknown Or Other
WENT TO DEALER WHO MENTIONED THE ONLY REMEDY FOR MY CAR IS A SMALL PIECE ON THE CAR KEY (NOTHING DONE TO THE CAR) AND SINCE I HAD A COPIED KEY, THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO HELP UNLESS I HAD A GM KEY AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10938684
70,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WON'T WORK, BULBS FINE, CHECKED RELAYS TOO, FUSES FINE.
NHTSA ODI #10938611
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2016
Unknown Or Other
THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT, LEAVES ME STRANDED, CAR WON'T START UNLESS OPEN DOOR WITH KEY IN IGNITION FOR EXACTLY 10 MINUTES THEN CAR WILL START. I AM A WOMAN THAT IS LEFT STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, AT NIGHT AND ONLY WAY CAR WILL START IS TO HAVE DRIVERS DOOR WIDE OPEN WITH KEY IN IGNITION AND OTHER DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, LEAVES ME …
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THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT, LEAVES ME STRANDED, CAR WON'T START UNLESS OPEN DOOR WITH KEY IN IGNITION FOR EXACTLY 10 MINUTES THEN CAR WILL START. I AM A WOMAN THAT IS LEFT STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, AT NIGHT AND ONLY WAY CAR WILL START IS TO HAVE DRIVERS DOOR WIDE OPEN WITH KEY IN IGNITION AND OTHER DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, LEAVES ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. BEGAN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, APPROX. 50,000 MILES, JUST GETTING WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT.
NHTSA ODI #10938609
110,000 miles · Oct 6, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10914268
44,500 miles · Jul 6, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND REQUIRED THE CONTACT TO EXERT EXTRA BRAKE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE ABS. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND REQUIRED THE CONTACT TO EXERT EXTRA BRAKE FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE ABS. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,500.
NHTSA ODI #10882993
75,000 miles · Jul 1, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE KEY WAS ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE IGNITION SYS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE KEY WAS ENTERED INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASS LOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10882014
59,476 miles · May 19, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,476.
NHTSA ODI #10865749
65,000 miles · May 5, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or Other
AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASHBOARD WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I AM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY AT ANY TIME EVEN IF THERE IS NO CAR CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. ONCE WHEN THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AT ATOP LIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER …
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AIRBAG RED WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING ON DASHBOARD WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. I AM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY AT ANY TIME EVEN IF THERE IS NO CAR CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. ONCE WHEN THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AT ATOP LIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MILES AND HOUR. THE OTHER TIME IT HAPPENED JUST WHEN I WAS STARTING THE CAR. I
NHTSA ODI #10863384
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 ↗