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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

289 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2008
Electrical System

THIS MORNING WHEN GETTING GAS, I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, STARTED IT UP AND THE HORN RANDOMLY BEEPED. ONCE I GOT TO WORK, AND LOCKED THE CAR THE HORN BEEPED AGAIN, KEEP IN MIND THE REMOTE LOCKS DON'T SOUND THE HORN. WHEN I GOT HOME LATER WHEN LOCKING THE CAR THE HORN DIDN'T SOUND. WHEN SOMEONE ELSE USED THE CAR LATER TONIGHT, WHEN S…

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THIS MORNING WHEN GETTING GAS, I GOT BACK IN THE CAR, STARTED IT UP AND THE HORN RANDOMLY BEEPED. ONCE I GOT TO WORK, AND LOCKED THE CAR THE HORN BEEPED AGAIN, KEEP IN MIND THE REMOTE LOCKS DON'T SOUND THE HORN. WHEN I GOT HOME LATER WHEN LOCKING THE CAR THE HORN DIDN'T SOUND. WHEN SOMEONE ELSE USED THE CAR LATER TONIGHT, WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE HORN SOUNDED AGAIN. I ASKED HER TO TURN IT OFF AND TRY AGAIN, AND ONCE AGAIN IT SOUNDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233814

82,000 miles · Jul 2, 2008
Electrical System

I WENT TO THE DOCTOR TODAY. MY CAR WAS FINE. ON RETURNING TO MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED AAA. THEY SHOWED ME THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED -- WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE. THE GENTLEMAN WHO HELPED ME, TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS OFTEN. I AM USING THE ORIGINAL KEY, AND I AM SURE THE CAR WAS NOT TAMPERED WITH. …

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I WENT TO THE DOCTOR TODAY. MY CAR WAS FINE. ON RETURNING TO MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED AAA. THEY SHOWED ME THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED -- WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE. THE GENTLEMAN WHO HELPED ME, TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS OFTEN. I AM USING THE ORIGINAL KEY, AND I AM SURE THE CAR WAS NOT TAMPERED WITH. READING ONLINE, I GET A SENSE THAT THIS WILL PROBABLY START HAPPENING MORE. ALTHOUGH THIS IS THE FIRST FAILURE, I READ THAT THE CAR CAN SWITCH OFF WHILE DRIVING. I AM CONCERNED AS MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ALSO DRIVES THIS CAR, AND THAT SHE MAY BE ENDANGERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233086

61,000 miles · Jun 29, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS DEFECTIVE, APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR JUST ABOUT EVERY OWNER OF A CHEVY MALIBU. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY GM!!!! ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR I PRAY THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM DOES NOT BLINK, BECAUSE WHEN IT BLINKS THAT MEANS THE CAR ISN'T GOI…

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THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS DEFECTIVE, APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR JUST ABOUT EVERY OWNER OF A CHEVY MALIBU. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY GM!!!! ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR I PRAY THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM DOES NOT BLINK, BECAUSE WHEN IT BLINKS THAT MEANS THE CAR ISN'T GOING TO START. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT IF THIS OCCURS THEN TURN THE KEY TO THE "ON" POSITION AND LET IT SIT FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN TURN THE KEY TO "OFF" AND START THE CAR AS NORMAL. WELL FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR THIS WORKED, IT WAS A HASSLE, BUT IT WORKED. NOW AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF THIS PAIN IN THE BUTT ROUTINE TWICE A WEEK TO START MY CAR, FINALLY IT DIED ON ME WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NO LONGER START. GM IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS MALFUNCTION BECAUSE THEY HAVE GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH IT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE PROBLEM IS THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AFTER THEIR SUGGESTION FAILS TO START THE CAR. THIS MALFUNCTION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232634

113,952 miles · Jun 11, 2008
Electrical System

I OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS A NO START INCIDENT, TWICE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITIES WHERE VARIOUS COMPONENTS WERE CHANGED AFTER THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. THIS MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME AND, I DECIDED TO THOROUGHLY CHECK OUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE RE…

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I OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS A NO START INCIDENT, TWICE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITIES WHERE VARIOUS COMPONENTS WERE CHANGED AFTER THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. THIS MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME AND, I DECIDED TO THOROUGHLY CHECK OUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACE VARIOUS COMPONENTS ON THE CAR AND SPENT UPWARDS OF 250.00 IN PARTS AND EVEN AFTER THAT, ONCE I GOT THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND A VERY ROUGH IDLE. SO, I TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE TO HAVE IT SCANNED FOR FAULT CODES. NOW, I HAVE DISCOVERED A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH (FAULT CODE U1000) HAS BEEN BEHIND THESE INCIDENTS. AND, IN READING VARIOUS INTERNET FORUMS/DISCUSSION BOARDS, I AM NOT ALONE!! (CHEVROLET IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT !!) THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE PASSIVE THEFT SYSTEM ON GENERAL MOTORS CARS. THERE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AND SUBSEQUENT RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REMEDIED. THE DEALERS ARE GETTING 300-350.00 PER REPAIR AND MOST TIMES THIS PROBLEM RE-OCCURS. I WANTED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION AS I AM ABOUT TO SPEND 300.00 PLUS AT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE MY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. THE NEW ONE MUST BE "PROGRAMMED" TO YOUR VEHICLE AND ONLY A CHEVROLET DEALER CAN DO THIS. PLEASE RENDER ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. .....................................CHRIS MERCKX *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230542

55,000 miles · May 26, 2008
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM KEEPS ACTIVATING FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE USE TO HAVE A PROBLEM STARTING AND NOW HAS STARTED DYING ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT CHEVROLET REFUSES TO DO A R…

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I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM KEEPS ACTIVATING FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE USE TO HAVE A PROBLEM STARTING AND NOW HAS STARTED DYING ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT CHEVROLET REFUSES TO DO A RECALL. IT IS GOING TO CAUSE SOMEONE TO CRASH. IT COSTS ANYWHERE FROM $700.00 - $1,300.00 TO DO THE REPAIRS AND MOST PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD IT. CHEVROLET IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228900

100,450 miles · May 13, 2008
Electrical System

PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO START THE CAR. WE SAT THERE FOR OVER 15 MINUTES. NO OTHER ODD HAD OCCURRED BEFORE THAT BUT SUDDENLY IT WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227594

70,167 miles · May 5, 2008
Electrical System

LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THIS OCCURRED OR A CRASH WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THEN DOES NOT RESTART FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES. DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON DURING THIS TIME. YOU CAN TELL WHEN IT WILL RESTART AS THE LIGHTS FINALLY COME BACK ON. GM DEALERSH…

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LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THIS OCCURRED OR A CRASH WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THEN DOES NOT RESTART FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES. DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON DURING THIS TIME. YOU CAN TELL WHEN IT WILL RESTART AS THE LIGHTS FINALLY COME BACK ON. GM DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT IS UNABLE TO FIX - THEY KEEP REPLACING PARTS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. (CARCOMPLAINT.COM HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT NATURE LISTED ONLINE.) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226701

30,000 miles · Apr 21, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KEPT LOCKING THE VEHICLE. IT TAKES 10-15 ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE FAILURE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM KEPT LOCKING THE VEHICLE. IT TAKES 10-15 ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE FAILURE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 05/05/08. *LJ THE DEALER WOULD NOT DISCONNECT THE THEFT SYSTEM. UPDATED 05/05/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10225251

78,000 miles · Apr 21, 2008
Electrical System

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM: CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES FOR SYSTEM TO RESET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225205

121,000 miles · Apr 10, 2008
Electrical System

PASS LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE ON A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. OR THE THEFT SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE AND NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO BE STARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224078

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.