NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
569 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 19, 2012
Electrical System
CHEVY MALIBU 03 HAS ISSUE WITH ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. MANY MANY COMPLAINS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS. YOU GET INTO THE CAR; CAR WILL NOT START, YOU HAVE TO TURN KEY TO ON POSITION AND LEAVE IT THERE; THEN TURN CAR OFF AND THEN START IT THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. I AM HOPING THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN WHILE MY …
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CHEVY MALIBU 03 HAS ISSUE WITH ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. MANY MANY COMPLAINS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS. YOU GET INTO THE CAR; CAR WILL NOT START, YOU HAVE TO TURN KEY TO ON POSITION AND LEAVE IT THERE; THEN TURN CAR OFF AND THEN START IT THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. I AM HOPING THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN WHILE MY WIFE IS DRIVING. A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE ON THIS DEFECT IN ALL CHEVY MALIBU'S 2003 BEFORE A HORRENDOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT OCCURS FROM THIS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471408
161,000 miles · Aug 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS WHEN DRIVING. HAVE TO PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO TRY AND SLOW OR STOP CAR ,THE PEDAL HAS STUCK AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AND EVEN WHEN THE CAR STARTS UP, IT REVS HIGH. ALMOST WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470641
86,000 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN EARLY MAY 2012 SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPROGRAMMED THE KEY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED NO FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN EARLY MAY 2012 SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPROGRAMMED THE KEY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED NO FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER WHICH WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER AGAIN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465771
75,000 miles · Jul 11, 2012
Air Bags
MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS 'OFF' EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT ON. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL BUT NOT ONE ISSUED FOR THE 2008 MODEL. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL…
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MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS 'OFF' EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT ON. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL BUT NOT ONE ISSUED FOR THE 2008 MODEL. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465301
113,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED ABOUT 4 TIMES FOR NO REASON IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. EACH TIME I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND RE BOOTED THE SYSTEM. THEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE CAR WON'T START. THE FUEL PUMP IS BROKEN. WHY YOU ASK DID THE FUEL PUMP BREAK. BECAUSE EACH TIME THE AN…
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THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED ABOUT 4 TIMES FOR NO REASON IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. EACH TIME I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND RE BOOTED THE SYSTEM. THEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE CAR WON'T START. THE FUEL PUMP IS BROKEN. WHY YOU ASK DID THE FUEL PUMP BREAK. BECAUSE EACH TIME THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED ITSELF FOR NO REASON IT SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP. THIS REPEATEDLY SHUTTING OFF THE FUEL PUMP CAUSES THE PUMP TO BREAK. THIS RESULTS IN A $500+ REPAIR BILL PLUS THE COST TO TOW THE CAR PLUS SALES TAX MAKING THE REPAIR $600. CHEVY IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S. THE DEFECTIVE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN EFFECT CAUSES OTHER PARTS SUCH AS THE FUEL PUMP TO BREAK. CHEVY PROFITS BY SELLING FUEL PUMP MODULES EACH TIME THERE IS BREAKAGE AND THIS IS WHY CHEVY IS COVERING UP THE PROBLEM! THE CHEVY MALIBU'S SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AND REPAIRS MADE TO FUEL PUMPS AND ANTI THEFT SYSTEMS BECAUSE CARS STALLING ON ROADWAYS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462048
85,945 miles · Jun 14, 2012
Electrical System
THE ANTI- THEFT DEVICE IN THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 12 DIFFERENT TIMES BEGINNING NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THIS REASON. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOTHING. GENERAL MOTORS IS PERSONALL…
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THE ANTI- THEFT DEVICE IN THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 12 DIFFERENT TIMES BEGINNING NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THIS REASON. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOTHING. GENERAL MOTORS IS PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST JOBS. GENERAL MOTORS IS PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE, INFANTS, CHILDREN, DISABLED MEN AND WOMEN IN THE U.S. BEING STRANDED IN THEIR AUTOMOBILES EVERY DAY. WE BAILED GENERAL MOTORS OUT, THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS MODEL. THANK YOU.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10461812
32,073 miles · Jun 12, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES IN WHICH THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION, THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES IN WHICH THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION, THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING, AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME BUT THE FAILURE AGAIN RECURRED A YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECURRING FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,073. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. UPDATED 07/19/12
NHTSA ODI #10461364
131,086 miles · May 14, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WOULDN'T TURN OVER NOTICED THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS BLINKING HAD TO RESET THE SYSTEM WITH THE KEY BECAUSE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS. BEFORE MY VEHICLE WOULD START READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THIS ISN'T SAFE GM NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. WITH THE PASSLOCK 2 SYSTEM THEY HAVE I…
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MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WOULDN'T TURN OVER NOTICED THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS BLINKING HAD TO RESET THE SYSTEM WITH THE KEY BECAUSE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS. BEFORE MY VEHICLE WOULD START READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THIS ISN'T SAFE GM NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. WITH THE PASSLOCK 2 SYSTEM THEY HAVE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES I HAVE KIDS AND AM GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY WITH THEM IN THE CAR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10458327
50,000 miles · May 9, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND AS A RESULT, IT PREVENTED HIM FROM TURNING ON THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND AS A RESULT, IT PREVENTED HIM FROM TURNING ON THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457954
100,000 miles · May 9, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT A MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT A MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS112,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457949
Official recalls
2Jul 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.
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 ↗