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Chevrolet Malibu 2003

The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu has a 3.1 L engine. It gets 21 MPG combined (18 city, 26 highway), per the EPA. 3 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Midsize Cars Front-wheel (FWD)
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Chevrolet Malibu
Representative photo of the Malibu. It may show a different year or version. Photo: Benespit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
3,100 cc
6
Cylinders6
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainFront-wheel (FWD)
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,840 × 1,760 × 1,450 mm (190.6 × 69.3 × 57.1 in)
Wheelbase2,720 mm (107.1 in)
Curb weight1,384 kg (3,051 lb)
Body styleMidsize Cars

Dimensions and weight: Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC).

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Chevrolet Malibu 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
18 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Emissions
263 g/km
COâ‚‚

Recalls

3 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION 14V400000 · 2014-07-03 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES 07E021000 · 2007-03-12 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL 04V528000 · 2004-11-01 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2026-06-15 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact discovered that while driving at various speeds, the key could be removed from the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for …

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2024-10-22 · NHTSA

Unknown

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2023-09-15 · NHTSA

Multiple times, the vehicle, while driving, electrically shuts down. security light comes on, sometimes, many attempts to restart will work. These shutdowns cause me to revet to manual bakes and steering.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2023-08-14 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the ignition switch was inoperable and had been replaced three times by the dealer; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with ignition switch failure. The contact was informed that the ig…

STEERING,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2023-04-10 · NHTSA

Car shuts off while driving.Will start up when fuel gauge gets power also windows ,radio,lightening work airbag light&service engine soon light on

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2021-06-08 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while stopped at a red light, the vehicle occasionally accelerated independently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2021-04-10 · NHTSA

EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF PASSCODE SYSTEM, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. VEHICLE REPEATEDLY WILL NOT START DUE TO ACTIVATION OF PASSCODE SYSTEM. WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING, BUT GOES AWAY UPON RESTART. EXPERIENCING LOSS OF DASH CONTROLS WHILE DRIVING, BUT RETURN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES VEHICLE MILEAG…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2021-03-01 · NHTSA

CHEVY MALIBU 2003, 24000 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY, THE CAR ACCELERATES ON IT OWN, REVS ANYWHERE FROM 3000 RPM TO 6000RPM, THEN NEED TO SHIFT CAR ON NEUTRAL, KICK THE ACCELERATOR TO UNSTICK AND PROCEED. HAD CAR AT GM DEALER AT 2 INTERVALS, 2 WEEKS AT A TIME. CANNOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM WHE…

SERVICE BRAKES 2021-02-11 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, ALLOWING …

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2021-01-16 · NHTSA

CAR WON'T START KEY SWITCH SETS OFF ANTI THEFT ALWAYS LEAVING US STRANDED

AIR BAGS 2020-11-15 · NHTSA

MY DAUGHTER GOT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO MAGUIRE CHEVROLET 2073 ROUTE 96 IN TRUMANSBURG, NY 14886 (607)-387-6111 (THIS DEALER WAS PRINTED ON THE RECALL CARD) IN AUGUST TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. SOMEONE AT THAT DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL. I FOUND IT …

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2020-09-08 · NHTSA

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON LOCAL STREETS CAR SELF ACCELERATED ONCE I REACHED AROUND 40MPH. WAS UNABLE TO STOP SAFELY AT LIGHTS TRYING TO GET THE CAR BACK HOME. WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THANKFUL WAS ONLY ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME AND TRAFFIC WASN'T HEAVY. PUTTING IN NEUTRAL DID NOT SEEM TO HELP. …

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?
The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu has a 3.1 L engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
It gets 21 MPG combined (18 city, 26 highway), per the EPA.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
3 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Electrical System (2014-07-03).
What are the common problems of the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Electrical System.

Other years

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