IllustrationTHERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. IT HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE NOISE STILL EXISTS.*AK
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsWHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT D…
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WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. GM WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *SC *JB
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE'S FRONT END COLLIDED WITH A CEMENT POLE, DIVIDING THE PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED NOR DID THE POLICE ARRIVE. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED, BUT APPLYING THE BRAKES PREVENTED ANOTHER COLLISION. *AK …
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WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE'S FRONT END COLLIDED WITH A CEMENT POLE, DIVIDING THE PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED NOR DID THE POLICE ARRIVE. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED, BUT APPLYING THE BRAKES PREVENTED ANOTHER COLLISION. *AK *NM
THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND HAD TOO MUCH PLAY IN IT. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM
WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. *AK
DEFECT WITH ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP SYSTEM ON 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMP DOWN. WHEN THIS WAS NECESSARY THE DRIVER HAD TO KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE…
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DEFECT WITH ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP SYSTEM ON 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMP DOWN. WHEN THIS WAS NECESSARY THE DRIVER HAD TO KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THEY COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. SINCE THE STALLING IS INTERMITTENT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADDRESS AND PERMANENTLY RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *NM
WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. FROM 50 TO 90 MPH. THE DRIVER TAPPED THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED EVEN MORE. AS A RESULT DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. *JB
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WHEN EVER I BRAKE THE FRONT END SHOOK REALLY HARD, TOOK THE CAR IN, ROTORS WHERE WARPED, SO THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM. BACK ON THE ROAD THE CAR SHOOK EVEN HARD IN THE FRONT END TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE PADS AND NOW I HAVE REALLY LOUD SOUND WHEN I STOP AND …
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WHEN DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WHEN EVER I BRAKE THE FRONT END SHOOK REALLY HARD, TOOK THE CAR IN, ROTORS WHERE WARPED, SO THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM. BACK ON THE ROAD THE CAR SHOOK EVEN HARD IN THE FRONT END TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE PADS AND NOW I HAVE REALLY LOUD SOUND WHEN I STOP AND WHEN I AM ON THE EXPRESS WAY THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN I GO OVER 70MPH. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR A YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN 7 TIMES FOR FRONT END WORK FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS BEING REPLACED TO THE STRUTS BEING DEFECTIVE AND THE GM REP I CONSAULT WITH TRIES TO BE HELPFUL BUT THE CAR IS UNSAFE.*AK
JUST LOOKING FOR PLACE TO ENTER VIN # NO SAFETY DEFECT LIDTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Official recalls
214V400000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.