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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.

About this comparison →

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
1,110,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Electrical System

KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION; WOULD NOT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY; STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED.

NHTSA ODI #10821156

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF USING THE IGNITION KEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF USING THE IGNITION KEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DAIGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10820281

218,000 miles · Jan 14, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

SO AFTER HAVING THE CAR SERVICED FOR THE STICKING ACCELERATOR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015 THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED. 3 WEEKS AGO THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. ON JANUARY 12TH 2015 WHILE TRAVELLING HOME THE CAR WAS ACTING UP AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING 60 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE THROTTLE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET THE FOLLOWI…

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SO AFTER HAVING THE CAR SERVICED FOR THE STICKING ACCELERATOR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015 THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED. 3 WEEKS AGO THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. ON JANUARY 12TH 2015 WHILE TRAVELLING HOME THE CAR WAS ACTING UP AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING 60 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE THROTTLE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER. TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE RECALLED PART BUT SOME OTHER REASON FOR THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. SO I WAS TOLD WITH PARTS AND LABOR IT WOULD BE $510 I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE REPAIR SO I WAS TOLD THEIR WOULD BE A $89 SERVICE FEE WHICH AGAIN I DON'T REALLY HAVE.

NHTSA ODI #10820240

80,000 miles · Jan 14, 2016
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK, AS THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND RELEASED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). IN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK, AS THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND RELEASED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR THE IGNITION KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10820223

85,600 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IN COLD INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START DURING TEMPERATURES HIGHER THAN 40 DEGREES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IN COLD INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START DURING TEMPERATURES HIGHER THAN 40 DEGREES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, CRANK SHIFT SENSOR, AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,600.

NHTSA ODI #10819947

84,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Service BrakesStructure

100% OF BRAKE LINES FAILED VIA RUST ALSO, CONTROL ARMS FRONT/REAR SEVERELY RUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #10819334

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10810545

156,000 miles · Dec 10, 2015
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR, VEHICLE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, DISABLING THE ENGINE WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED FOR ADVICE, TOLD THAT MOST LIKELY SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, FOR A COST OF $700. $700 FOR A KNOWN AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE IS …

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WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR, VEHICLE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, DISABLING THE ENGINE WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED FOR ADVICE, TOLD THAT MOST LIKELY SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, FOR A COST OF $700. $700 FOR A KNOWN AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE IS UNBELIEVABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10809542

83,556 miles · Dec 5, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE THEFT PROTECTION SYSTEM SUDDENLY KICKED IN AN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING HIM TO LOSE SPEED AND POWER STEERING AND FORCING HIM TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN HE HAD TO SIT THERE 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY TURNED ON TO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM BEFORE HE COULD START THE…

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MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE THEFT PROTECTION SYSTEM SUDDENLY KICKED IN AN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING HIM TO LOSE SPEED AND POWER STEERING AND FORCING HIM TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN HE HAD TO SIT THERE 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY TURNED ON TO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM BEFORE HE COULD START THE CAR AGAIN AND GET OUT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE IGNITION AND KEY WAS ALREADY READY REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL TOO.

NHTSA ODI #10808538

68,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10790048

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.