TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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
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.
What owners actually said
569 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT OPERATE AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO BARRELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE, LEFT ANKLE, …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO BARRELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE, LEFT ANKLE, AND WHIPLASH INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED AND GM SAYS DUE TO AIR BAGS IMPLODING CONSUMER HAD POWER. CONSUMER WAS BEHIND THE STEERING AND IT LOCKED NO BRAKES. UPDATED 06/05/18*JB
I'VE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FOR THE PAST 2 DAYS I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED, THEFT LIGHT STARTS FLASHING EVERY TIME I GET BACK INTO MY CAR TO TRY AND START IT UP. I'VE DONE THE 10 MINUTE WAITING GAME OVER AND OVER. MY CAR IS DOING THIS EVERY TIME I GET INTO IT NOW. ALSO, THE DEALERSHI…
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I'VE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FOR THE PAST 2 DAYS I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED, THEFT LIGHT STARTS FLASHING EVERY TIME I GET BACK INTO MY CAR TO TRY AND START IT UP. I'VE DONE THE 10 MINUTE WAITING GAME OVER AND OVER. MY CAR IS DOING THIS EVERY TIME I GET INTO IT NOW. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE VEHICLE. NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE BCM, IGNITION SWITCH, WIRING OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THERE ARE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO SEEMS TO BE HAVING THIS ISSUE. GET IT TOGETHER GENERAL MOTORS, YOU'RE LOOSING BUSINESS EACH AND EVERYDAY BECAUSE OF YOUR AT FAULT FAILING PARTS!
EHGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS MANY TIMES. HORN HONKS AFTER TURNING ON ENGINE AND NOT DRIVE FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE. A/C AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED FROM FRESH TO RECYCLE AIR BUTTONS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
MY MALIBU WILL START ON ITS OWN AND RUN WITHOUT THE KEY. I HAVE FOUND IT RUNNING SEVERAL TIMES OR ATTEMPTING TO START WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED AND THE KEYS ARE NO WHERE NEAR THE VEHICLE. THIS IS HAPPENING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. AND THE HORN GOES OFF RANDOMLY AND NOW IS BURNED OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED, MOMENTS LATER SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED, MOMENTS LATER SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FAILED TO RELEASE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FAILED TO RELEASE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
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.
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