← New search

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

Engine complaints

47 reports
Clear category filter
145,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury

I WAS TRAVELING WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WHEN SOMEONE PULLED INTO MY PATH CAUSING ME TO HIT THEM. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I TOOK THE FULL FORCE OF THE COLLISION INTO MY CHEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610362

66,237 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND GIVING ME PROBLEMS. JUST TOOK IT IN TO MY CAR REPAIR THEY SAID NOW ITS SHOWS AIR BAG ERROR ALSO. THEY WANT TO CHANGE OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH ONLY 66 THOUSAND MILES! NOW THE AIR BAGS PROBABLY WONT WORK WHEN NEEDED. I WANT THIS FIXED ON THE IGN…

Read full complaint

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND GIVING ME PROBLEMS. JUST TOOK IT IN TO MY CAR REPAIR THEY SAID NOW ITS SHOWS AIR BAG ERROR ALSO. THEY WANT TO CHANGE OUT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH ONLY 66 THOUSAND MILES! NOW THE AIR BAGS PROBABLY WONT WORK WHEN NEEDED. I WANT THIS FIXED ON THE IGNITION RECALL. EVERY TIME I PULL UP TO MY HOME AFTER DRIVING THIS CAR I AM JUST WAITING FOR IT TO START ON FIRE AS NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK LIKE IT SHOULD. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608864

78,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

6-10-14 NO CRANK START ,HAD TO RESET SECURITY SYSTEMS CODE B2960 AND P1626C FIRESTONE 312-787-8828 STORE#026514 CHICAGO,IL 60610 6-19-14 WAS DIVING ON LAKE SHORE DR GOT ON OFF RAMP AND THE CAR JUST CUT OFF NO POWER IT DID START BACK UP BUT LUCKY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WENT I WAS GOING FAST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605109

106,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WOULD SHUT OFF IF I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP. IF I HIT A BUMP WHILE DRIVING, EVERYTHING WOULD GO DEAD. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS IT HAPPENED ON BOTH SURFACE STREETS AND THE HIGHWAY. HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSI…

Read full complaint

MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WOULD SHUT OFF IF I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP. IF I HIT A BUMP WHILE DRIVING, EVERYTHING WOULD GO DEAD. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS IT HAPPENED ON BOTH SURFACE STREETS AND THE HIGHWAY. HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. NO RECALL YET ON THIS VEHICLE. PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598855

59,000 miles · Jun 13, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineEquipment

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR OVER THE YEARS. THE FIRST WAS WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC IN 2006 AND REPAIR WAS $600. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILED ABOUT 10 MONTHS LATER THAT WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER FOR $1200. I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE ($600 EACH TIME) BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKETS…

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR OVER THE YEARS. THE FIRST WAS WHEN THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND MY CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC IN 2006 AND REPAIR WAS $600. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS FAILED ABOUT 10 MONTHS LATER THAT WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER FOR $1200. I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE TWICE ($600 EACH TIME) BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKETS AND TOO MUCH OIL INSIDE THE ENGINE. NOW I HAVE A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE MY CAR WHEN I START IT UP THAT LASTS FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES EACH DAY. I'VE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE NOW AND THE GEAR SHIFT DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. NOW ANTI THEFT SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN AND I HAVE TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 11 MINUTES TO RESET IT BEFORE I CAN LEAVE MY LOCATION. THE HOOD LATCH RECENTLY BROKE AND NOW THE WIRE MUST BE REPLACED FROM THE INSIDE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10598136

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSLOCK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE GAS WAS NOT GOING FROM THE TANK INTO THE ENGINE, THE CRUISE CONTROL OCCASIONALLY WOULD NOT …

Read full complaint

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH AND FUEL PUMP REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSLOCK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE GAS WAS NOT GOING FROM THE TANK INTO THE ENGINE, THE CRUISE CONTROL OCCASIONALLY WOULD NOT WORK, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE RADIO AND WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10596124

120,000 miles · Jun 1, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START AND ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO A GARAGE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS LATER TO FIND OUT IT WAS AN THEFT SYSTEM PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO WE DID THAT THEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. I GOT OUT THE OWNERS MANUAL AND WAS READING ABOUT TURN THE…

Read full complaint

THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START AND ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO A GARAGE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS LATER TO FIND OUT IT WAS AN THEFT SYSTEM PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO WE DID THAT THEN THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. I GOT OUT THE OWNERS MANUAL AND WAS READING ABOUT TURN THE KEY FOR 10 MINUTES. WELL THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I STARTING READING ALL THESE THING ON THE INTERNET TO REALIZE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. MY VEHICLE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO START OR NOT SO IN THE MORNING I HAVE TO GO OUT EARLIER THEN USUAL JUST IN CASE I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY FOR 10 MINUTES OR NOT. THE SCARY PART IS READING ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE CAR JUST STALLS OUT ON THEM. GM WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR OTHER LIVES TO BE TAKEN BEFORE YOU REALIZE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR OTHER THEN THIS PROBLEM AND IT STILL IS A GREAT CAR. JUST IF THE THIS THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. COME ON GM STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT DO THE RECALL AND GET THIS FIXED SO WE CAN GO ON WITH OUR LIVES. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595406

28,000 miles · May 23, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,500.

NHTSA ODI #10593591

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND YOUR COMPANY FOR MAKING A DURABLE PRODUCT. HOWEVER, I PURCHASE A 2003 CHEVY-MALIBU IN 2004 FROM CARMAX-RALEIGH, N.C. ACCORDING TO THE CARFAX, THERE WAS ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ONLY THREE YEARS AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY RICK HENDRIX CHEVROLET IN DURHAM, N.C. AF…

Read full complaint

I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND YOUR COMPANY FOR MAKING A DURABLE PRODUCT. HOWEVER, I PURCHASE A 2003 CHEVY-MALIBU IN 2004 FROM CARMAX-RALEIGH, N.C. ACCORDING TO THE CARFAX, THERE WAS ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ONLY THREE YEARS AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY RICK HENDRIX CHEVROLET IN DURHAM, N.C. AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, I WOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC IN NORFOLK, VA THAT I HAVE DEALT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS. CONSEQUENTLY, I WOULD HAVE REPAIRS DONE AND HE KEPT THE CAR RUNNING AS REQUIRED. HOWEVER, ABOUT YEAR 2010, DURING REGULAR MAINTENANCE - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT - THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD START BUT NO DISPLAY ON THE DASH AND NO ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WORKED? ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES LATER WITH CAR STILL RUNNING - THE DASH WOULD LIGHT UP AND ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OPERABLE. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO ELIMINATE TO CHECK ENGINE/SERVICE ENGINE DISPLAYS WITH REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THE DASH DISPLAY AND POWER LOSS CONTINUED? HE DECIDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE SAME PROBLEMS REAPPEARED? NOW I HAVE TWO SEPARATE KEYS, ONE FOR DOOR/TRUNK LOCKS AND ONE FOR THE IGNITION. PRESENTLY, EVEN AFTER MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED MISSING/PUTTING OR POSSIBLY LOSING POWER? I CONTACTED GM (800)222-1020 AND (800)630-2438 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE GM RECALL LIST? CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT INFORMATION AND THE REASON WHY IT IS NOT ON THE LIST? DO I REALLY NEED TO WAIT UNTIL MY FAMILY IS INJURED OR WORST BEFORE A DEFECT IS ACKNOWLEDGE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586099

65,245 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WE OWN A 2003 CHEV MALIBU, SOLD AND SERVICED IN CANADA, BUT MANUFACTURED AT GM'S LANSING, MICHIGAN ASSEMBLY PLANT. CHEV MALIBUS ARE NOT YET INCLUDED ON THE GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL LIST, BUT IN OCT/11 WE HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED BY THOSE VEHICLES CURRENTLY ON THE RECALL LIST: FOR PERHAPS 5 SECONDS, A TOTAL LOSS O…

Read full complaint

WE OWN A 2003 CHEV MALIBU, SOLD AND SERVICED IN CANADA, BUT MANUFACTURED AT GM'S LANSING, MICHIGAN ASSEMBLY PLANT. CHEV MALIBUS ARE NOT YET INCLUDED ON THE GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL LIST, BUT IN OCT/11 WE HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED BY THOSE VEHICLES CURRENTLY ON THE RECALL LIST: FOR PERHAPS 5 SECONDS, A TOTAL LOSS OF ALL POWER (ENGINE, LIGHTS, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC.,) WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, AT NIGHT. AFTER THAT 5 SECOND DELAY, ALL POWER RESUMED, (LIGHTS, ENGINE, ETC) AND THE CAR OPERATED PERFECTLY FOR THE REST OF THE DRIVE HOME. A DAY LATER, WE AGAIN HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF ALL POWER, THIS TIME WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT SLOW SPEED. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT THEN. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, ON 25 OCT/11, I HAD MY IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT MY LOCAL GM CHEV DEALERSHIP, AT A COST OF $416.51. AT NO TIME DID THE DEALER MENTION ANY KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THESE IGNITION SWITCHES. IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT RECALL, I CONTACTED MY GM DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT COMMENT ON WHETHER THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH IS POTENTIALLY FAULTY OR NOT - AND HOW WOULD DEALERS KNOW, IF GM REPLACED THE ORIGINAL SWITCHES WITHOUT CHANGING THE PART NUMBER? WERE DEALERS TOLD TO GET RID OF THE "OLD STOCK", OR TO RETURN IT TO GM? THE DEALER STATED THAT, IF AND WHEN MY VEHICLE IS ADDED TO THE CURRENT RECALL LIST, THEY WOULD "REPLACE THE REPLACEMENT". IN OTHER WORDS, I COULD BE DRIVING WITH A FAULTY SWITCH - A POTENTIAL DANGER TO MYSELF AND TO OTHERS....AND, TO DATE, GM APPARENTLY DOESN'T PLAN TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I'M OUT $416 AND MAY STILL HAVE A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. I RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT'S AUTHORITY DOESN'T EXTEND TO CANADA. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD AND SERVICED IN CANADA, IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN LANSING, MICHIGAN - LIKE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHEV MALIBUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577239

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.