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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

Power Train complaints

13 reports
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49,750 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Power Train

FIRST TIME, WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO PARK AND COULDN'T TURN KEY TO OFF AND TAKE OUT OF IGNITION. SECOND TIME, SHIFT IS STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT BUDGE. JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11281115

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER WILL NOT ALLOW MY KEY TO GO TO A VERTICAL POSITION WHEN TURNING MY CAR TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CAR WOULD BE STATIONARY AND IN THE PARK POSITION, AS A RESULT, THE CAR STAYS ON AND MY BATTERY GETS DRAINED AND I NEED A JUMP ALL THE TIME. I STARTED DETACHING THE BATTERY WHEN I GO IN AND OUT OF STORES AN…

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THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER WILL NOT ALLOW MY KEY TO GO TO A VERTICAL POSITION WHEN TURNING MY CAR TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CAR WOULD BE STATIONARY AND IN THE PARK POSITION, AS A RESULT, THE CAR STAYS ON AND MY BATTERY GETS DRAINED AND I NEED A JUMP ALL THE TIME. I STARTED DETACHING THE BATTERY WHEN I GO IN AND OUT OF STORES AND OVERNIGHT WHEN SLEEPING AND RECONNECTING WHEN I GO TO A NEW DESTINATION. I REPORTED THIS TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME A KEY, TELLING ME THE PROBLEM WAS THE SIZE OF THE HOLE MY KEY RING HAD. NEEDLES TO SAY THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I HAD NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE MAY OF 2015. NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS GETTING COLDER, I DON'T WANT TO KEEP GOING ON WITH THIS HASTLE. I AM NOT FINANCIALLY ABLE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION OUT OF POCKET, YET, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCHES. YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN MY SHOES. I PRAY I WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO FIX OR REPLACE A SWITCH FOR ME. IF NOT, GOD WILL BLESS ME FOR I AM NOT AT FAULT FOR THIS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. I SPOKE WITH T CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO WAS PUT MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 8-1656466940.

NHTSA ODI #10789236

214,000 miles · Oct 14, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CYLINDER TWO WAS MISFIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

NHTSA ODI #10781989

130,000 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

COMPUTER PROBLEM 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 6 CYL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC 130000 MILES THIS RECENTLY STARTED, THE TRACTION ON LIGHT AND THE ABS YELLOW LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON. RARELY DO THEY GO OFF, ONLY A FEW TIMES. THE SQUARE INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, STAYS ON FOR 1-2 M…

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COMPUTER PROBLEM 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 6 CYL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC 130000 MILES THIS RECENTLY STARTED, THE TRACTION ON LIGHT AND THE ABS YELLOW LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON. RARELY DO THEY GO OFF, ONLY A FEW TIMES. THE SQUARE INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, STAYS ON FOR 1-2 MINUTES THEN GOES OFF. BUT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON. HOW CAN I RESET THIS OR WHAT TO NOT HAVE A TRIP TO THE EXPENSIVE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKES TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, NO DELAYS OR BRAKE HESITATION WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN USE. HELP ME OUT WITH A GOOD SOLUTION. I WILL GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI #10726120

22,000 miles · May 28, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START WHEN IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START WHEN IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10722079

140,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE ACCESSORY MODE, WHICH WOULD DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE ACCESSORY MODE, WHICH WOULD DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V224000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690791

48,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING WARMER TEMPERATURES, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE OF UP TO 150 ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT HAD TO IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING WARMER TEMPERATURES, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE OF UP TO 150 ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT HAD TO IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10605745

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

125,000 miles · Jan 15, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash

I PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY WHICH IS SLOPED DOWNWARDS, AND THOUGHT I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TOOK OUT THE KEYS. AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, IT STARTED ROLLING FORWARD INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. I QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE SEAT AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE. THANK G-D, NO REAL DAMAGE WAS DONE, BUT I AM PREGNA…

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I PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY WHICH IS SLOPED DOWNWARDS, AND THOUGHT I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TOOK OUT THE KEYS. AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, IT STARTED ROLLING FORWARD INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. I QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE SEAT AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE. THANK G-D, NO REAL DAMAGE WAS DONE, BUT I AM PREGNANT AND GOT REALLY SHOCKED. I REALIZED THE EXTENT OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH I PREVIOUSLY DISREGARDED. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE KEYS CAN COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE IT IS IN THE ON POSITION. THEREFORE IF I FORGET TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TAKE THE KEYS OUT THEY COME OUT. MOST CARS HAVE A SAFETY FEATURE WHICH PREVENTS REMOVING THE KEYS UNTIL THE IGNITION IS OFF, WHICH CANNOT BE DONE UNLESS THE CAR IS IN PARK. IN MY CAR HOWEVER THIS IS NOT THE CASE AS THE KEYS COME OUT IN THE ON POSITION AND I AM THEREFORE LACKING THE FEATURE TO REMIND ME TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THIS CAN G-D FORBID CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I SUBSEQUENTLY CHECKED MY BROTHER IN LAW'S CAR WHICH IS ALSO AN 03 MALIBU AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560082

40,719 miles · Feb 15, 2012
Power Train

ACCELERATOR WILL STICK AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUING TO SPEED AT 50 MPH. DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE TOLD ME IT WAS DAMAGED SOMEHOW. ON 6/25/09 ACCELERATOR BEGAN STICKING AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WHICH THEY HAD FAILED T…

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ACCELERATOR WILL STICK AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUING TO SPEED AT 50 MPH. DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE TOLD ME IT WAS DAMAGED SOMEHOW. ON 6/25/09 ACCELERATOR BEGAN STICKING AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WHICH THEY HAD FAILED TO DO THE FIRST REPAIR. ALL REPAIRS DONE AT MY EXPENSE AT A TOTAL COST OF $283.82 NOT INCLUDING RENTAL CAR COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448081

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.