← 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

Power Train complaints

13 reports
Clear category filter
50,000 miles · Jan 1, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CAR IS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED AND THEREFORE THE EVENTS LEADING UP THE FAILURE ARE NOT KNOWN. THE PROBLEM THAT THE CAR HAS IS THAT THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STOP AND EXTREME PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO STOP AND KEEP THE CAR STOPPED.…

Read full complaint

THE CAR IS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED AND THEREFORE THE EVENTS LEADING UP THE FAILURE ARE NOT KNOWN. THE PROBLEM THAT THE CAR HAS IS THAT THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STOP AND EXTREME PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO STOP AND KEEP THE CAR STOPPED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING, THE ENGINE CAN BE HEARD MAKING LOUDER THAN USUAL NOISES. WHEN THE RPMS INCREASE, THE SPEED OF THE CAR INCREASES WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING AT A REASONABLE SPEED BECAUSE OF THIS. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, BUT THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT USUALLY OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT AN OF FOUR TIMES A WEEK AND OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON BACK ROADS INSTEAD OF HIGHWAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373714

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2004
Power Train

WHILE EXITING AN INTERSECTION CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND NOTICED THAT FRONT RIGHT AXLE CAME OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067052

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2003
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PASSING OTHER VEHICLES. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC. *AK THE PASSING GEAR WAS SLOW TO ACTUATE: WHEN PASSING A HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN PULLING OUT STEPPING ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE WOULD REV-UP BUT THE GEAR CHANGE WAS DELAYED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10047869

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.