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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

Equipment complaints

7 reports
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33,345 miles · Jul 13, 2015
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,345.

NHTSA ODI #10733789

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…

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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

12,165 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON; HOWEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY FUNCTION WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE RECIRCULATION CONTROL DEVICES WERE MANUALLY HAND HELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FAILURE COULD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON; HOWEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY FUNCTION WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE RECIRCULATION CONTROL DEVICES WERE MANUALLY HAND HELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE OR FAULTY WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,165.

NHTSA ODI #10413800

77,000 miles · Jul 17, 2011
Electrical SystemEquipment

I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR STARTING/STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. REPLACED THE KEY SWITCH WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. ALSO HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HEATING/AIR-CONDITIONING FAN SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO RUN EXCEPT ON SETTING 4 OR 5. ALSO THE SWITCH THAT PUTS THE SYSTEM ON RECYCLED AIR HAS STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS THE S…

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I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR STARTING/STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. REPLACED THE KEY SWITCH WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. ALSO HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE HEATING/AIR-CONDITIONING FAN SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO RUN EXCEPT ON SETTING 4 OR 5. ALSO THE SWITCH THAT PUTS THE SYSTEM ON RECYCLED AIR HAS STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 5 YEARS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10413229

86,445 miles · Jun 10, 2007
Equipment

CAR FAILS TO START CRANKS AND NO STARTS TOOK IT TO DEALER AND PROMISE NOTHING SPEND ALMOST 1000.00 DOLLARS AND IT DID IT AGAIN TODAY

NHTSA ODI #10192855

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

CAR HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES IN TRAFFIC. AT CITY SPEEDS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN IN THE FAST LANE AT RUSH HOUR.HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SEMI THAT IS TAILGATING TRY TO STOP AT SIXTY-FIVE IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR BECAUSE YOUR ENGINE JUST STALLED? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME THE DEALER CALLS AND SAY'S COME PICK IT UP I THINK WE GOT I…

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CAR HAS STALLED NUMORUS TIMES IN TRAFFIC. AT CITY SPEEDS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN IN THE FAST LANE AT RUSH HOUR.HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SEMI THAT IS TAILGATING TRY TO STOP AT SIXTY-FIVE IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR BECAUSE YOUR ENGINE JUST STALLED? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME THE DEALER CALLS AND SAY'S COME PICK IT UP I THINK WE GOT IT FIXED? HOW CAN THEY SEND ME OUT WITH A VEHICLE THAT THEY DONT EVEN KNOW IF ITS FIXED? WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO HAPPEN? IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP EIGHT TIMES FOR STALLING. THEY REPLACE A PART AND SEND ME OUT ON THE ROAD LIKE A TEST RAT HOPING THE BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT KEEPS RUNNING SO I DON'T DIE OR WORSE CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TO. THEY HAVE CHECKED THE WIRING,COMPUTERS, ENGINE, EVEN DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM.HOW DO I EVER FEEL LIKE I CAN DRIVE THIS CAR SAFLEY. I HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE THE BIG CAR COMPANY DONT CARE FOR ME. IT'S SALES THEY CARE ABOUT. IT'S BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR SIX DAYS NOW, NO PROBLEM I'LL SEND MY PAYMENT IN EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ABOUT THIRTY DAYS THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #10071202

1,368 miles · Nov 5, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A RUBBING NOISE WHICH PROGRESSED TO A SQUEAKING NOISE. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE PADS/FRONT ROTORS/ BRAKE BOOSTER/CALIPERS, AND BRAKE LINES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT …

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BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A RUBBING NOISE WHICH PROGRESSED TO A SQUEAKING NOISE. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE PADS/FRONT ROTORS/ BRAKE BOOSTER/CALIPERS, AND BRAKE LINES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK THE FRONT DRIVER WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE A/C CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE AND COOLING PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *JB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10042674

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.