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Chevrolet Malibu 2003 — Reported problems

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

40 owners reported problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu to NHTSA, most often about electrical system.

All reports

40
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2026-06-15 · NHTSA 11744126

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 service, and the vehicle was returned in less than 30 minutes. The contact was suspicious about the work that was performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that soon after the recall repair, the key remained stuck in accessory mode while attempting to turn off the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact was forced to remove the key from the ignition while the engine was running and used pliers to unhook the battery to turn off the vehicle. Additionally, while driving 20 MPH over a bump in the road, the key was knocked out of the ignition, causing the vehicle to abruptly shut off. The contact lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle veered off into the grass before coming to a complete stop. Despite the failure, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. The contact alerted the dealer of the failure and that the recall was not properly serviced. The contact was given an estimate for a diagnostic test, and the contact refused to pay for the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that a representative would give a follow-up call. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2024-10-22 · NHTSA 11621164

Unknown

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2023-09-15 · NHTSA 11544842

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 11538492

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 ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

STEERING,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2023-04-10 · NHTSA 11516292

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 11420099

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 not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 04V528000 (Vehicle speed control). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2021-04-10 · NHTSA 11407385

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 MILEAGE IS 205000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2021-03-01 · NHTSA 11398405

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 WHEN I RECIEVE CAR DRIVING OUT OF DEALER, TROUBLE IS VERY APPARENT. OPENED CASE FIE WITH GM BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE FOR MY SAFETY. DON' KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO....BTW, MY CAR IS STILL AT DEALER.

SERVICE BRAKES 2021-02-11 · NHTSA 11395774

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 THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,481.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2021-01-16 · NHTSA 11388482

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

AIR BAGS 2020-11-15 · NHTSA 11374734

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 FISHY AT THE TIME. WE HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE OTHER ONE. SO, I HAVE RESEARCHED IT ONLINE. THERE IS INDEED A RECALL, AND IT CAN BE SERIOUS. IT CLEARLY STATES THAT THERE COULD BE A POSSIBILITY OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY DAUGHTER OR MY GRANDSON, IN THE MEANTIME, BECAUSE MAGUIRE CHEVROLET WERE TOO LAZY TO MAKE THE REPAIRS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR BY A DEALERSHIP? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2020-09-08 · NHTSA 11353686

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. ONCE ARRIVING HOME HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK WHICH COULD HAVE RUINED THE ENGINE THE WAY I HAD TO DO IT TO KEEP FROM HITTING MY GARAGE. VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. HAVE NOT HAD FIXED YET, AS READ SO MUCH ON MESSAGE BOARDS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ALL OVER THE BOARD. NO CLEAR FIX. HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE AS AFRAID TO. ONLY 89,000 MILES ON CAR.

AIR BAGS Crash 2020-08-12 · NHTSA 11348773

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT SHE WAS GOING 25 TO 30 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET AND REAR ENDED A CAR IN TRAFFIC THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2020-07-07 · NHTSA 11337904

CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD

POWER TRAIN 2019-11-19 · NHTSA 11281115

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2019-09-11 · NHTSA 11254755

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IN TOWN, I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY 2003 MALIBU THE CAR KEPT SPEEDING UP, THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL I PHYSICALLY LIFTED UP ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE GAS PEDAL. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT OVER TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THEY ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT ISSUES ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. THEY PUT IT ON THEIR SERVICE COMPUTER AND I WAS TOLD THAT NO CODES CAME UP AND THE THE ONLY WAY THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION TO STOP WAS TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. THE MECHANICS SHOP DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE THAT WAS DISCONNECTED HOWEVER, THIS WAS A EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION BECAUSE BRAKING DOESN'T HELP THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE & PEEL OUT, PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL DOESN'T HELP EITHER THE RPM JUST SHOOT UP & KEEPS GOING FORWARD.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2019-08-27 · NHTSA 11246741

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO ANTI-THEFT MODE AND FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED HOSELTON AUTO MALL (909 FAIRPORT RD, EAST ROCHESTER, NY 14445, (585) 586-7373), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2019-08-13 · NHTSA 11243673

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE 2019-08-08 · NHTSA 11242468

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMED UP AND THE RPMS REACHED THEIR MAXIMUM LEVEL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5413563462. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO PROVIDED A $100 VOUCHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2019-05-17 · NHTSA 11208253

BATTERY KEEPS DYING DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH NOT TOTALLY OFF

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2019-04-17 · NHTSA 11197030

ACCERLATION ALL OF SUDDEN WITHOUT STOPPING VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2019-04-12 · NHTSA 11195773

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2019-03-21 · NHTSA 11190598

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY MALIBU JUST SHUTS DOWN ..I BOUGHT A BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AND SENSORS TO FIX MY CAR .PUT IN SHOP TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. I'M SACRED TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY IT MIGHT STOP AND CAUSE AN FATAL ACCIDENT . THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED..THANK YOU

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2019-01-25 · NHTSA 11172105

BEEN HAVING SAME ONGOING PROBLEM FOR JUST OVER 9 MONTHS. CAR STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WOULDN'T RESTART. CRANKED OVER THOUGH. HAD IT TOWED AND $700 LATER, A NEW FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. FEW DAYS LATER TRIED TO START, CRANKED OVER AND NOTHING BUT NOTICED THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. BACK TO THE SHOP. THEY REPLACED A FUEL INJECTOR FUSE. RAN GREAT FOR A FEW MONTHS THEN STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND CAME ACROSS THE 10 MINUTE PROCESS: WHEN SHE DON'T START SHUT IT OFF TURN THE KEY TO ACCESSORY AND WAIT 10 MINUTES. 100% STARTS EVERY TIME. CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. NOTHING TO THAT DESCRIPTION SO THEY RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A GM SERVICE CENTER. DID THAT. EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THEY MADE ME A NEW KEY AND SAID TRY TO SEE IF THAT FIXED THE ISSUE, THAT THE REPAIR WOULD RUN AROUND 200-300. WORKED FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS. BACK TO THE 10 MINUTE DEAL. TOOK IT BACK AND NOW THEY TELL ME IT'S A PASSLOCK SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE KEY. FOR A COOL $800 THEY CAN FIX IT.....SEEMS TO ME WITH WHAT I'VE READ AND RESEARCHED, IT IS DEFINITELY A RECALL ISSUE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2018-11-30 · NHTSA 11154914

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE TWO VEHICLE KEYS UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BY AUTONATION CHEVROLET LAUREL (500 WASHINGTON BLVD, SUITE A, LAUREL, MD 20707, 301-725-2700). THE DEALER WAS INFORMED NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE REPLACEMENT KEYS FROM THE RECALL FAILED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED NUMEROUS TIMES. FOR OVER FOUR YEARS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL OEM KEYS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-THEFT FUNCTION FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO REPROGRAM THE FUNCTION AND TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE DID NOT WORK FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER KEPT THE TWO OEM KEYS AND STATED THAT THE PLASTIC INSERT PIECE THAT WAS TO BE PROVIDED AS A KEY INSERT FAILED AS A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE TWO KEYS DID NOT WORK FOR THE CONTACT'S MODEL VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PLASTIC COVER AND THE KEY MODIFICATION FAILED TO FUNCTION MANUALLY AND ELECTRONICALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2018-11-08 · NHTSA 11150046

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH DOUG HENRY CHEVROLET TARBORO (809 WEST WILSON STREET, TARBORO, NC 27886, (252) 823-3145). THE DEALER DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2018-09-08 · NHTSA 11128225

I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WANTED TO GO THEN WHEN I LET GO OF THE BREAK, THE CAR STARTED TO DRIVE ITSELF 45MPH. WHEN I TRY TO STOP I COULD NOT HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NATURAL AND TWO FEET ON THE BREAK TO HOLD IT. WHEN I LET THE BREAK GO IT DID IT AGAIN AND THEN WHEN I FOUND A PLACE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF IT REVED TO A HIGH RATE I THEN SHUT THE CAR OFF. NHTSA ID NUMBER 04V52000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2018-06-22 · NHTSA 11103470

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV VERY HIGH. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED STUCK AND CAUSED THE ENGINE RPMS TO INCREASE AND REV VERY HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2018-05-21 · NHTSA 11097069

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-4174247716. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,800.

SERVICE BRAKES 2018-05-14 · NHTSA 11093615

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2018-03-26 · NHTSA 11081413

TAMARA RECALL . IGNITION GETS STUCK IN THE ACC POSITION WHEN SHUTTING CAR OFF AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN PARK. KEY CAN BE REMOVED IN ACC POSITION AND ALLOWS CAR TO BE STARTED WITHOUT THE KEY AND ALLOWS VEHICLE THE BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO GEAR.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2018-02-22 · NHTSA 11074313

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2018-01-18 · NHTSA 11063426

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. MY CAR CONTINUES TO NOT START UNTIL I COMPLETE A 10 MINUTE PROCEDURE EACH TIME. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2017-11-21 · NHTSA 11047770

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES. ALL OF THE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THE KEY WAS IN THE ON POSITION, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ART MOEHN CHEVROLET IN JACKSON, MICHIGAN) AND HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THIS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2017-10-20 · NHTSA 11034769

ODI NUMBER 10593580 WAS FILED IN MAY 2014. THIS HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AS THIS DATE 10/20/17. THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF AND THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT AS STATED IN THE COMPLAINT OF MAY 2014. I KEEP SPENDING $$ ON THIS AND NO ACTION. SURLY ALL THESE CARS DO THE SAME THING.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2017-09-29 · NHTSA 11030501

TOOK CAR TO WALMART ONE NIGHT AND BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AFTER NAPA TOLD ME IT HAD NO LEAKS. CAR OVERHEATS I PULL ASIDE AND TURN IT OFF FOR A BIT I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD CRANK BUT HESITATE TO START. ONCE GOT IT TO START IT WOULD ACCELERATE BUT AT LOW RPMS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I NOTICED CAR SHAKING AND WEIRD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ONCE STARTED CAR SQUEAKED AND MAD TERRIBLE NOISE. CAR DID NOT TURN BACK ON AND DID NOT MAKE IT HOME. CRANKS AND RARE WHEN STARTS, CHARGED BATTERY BUT DRAINS, DOESN'T MAINTAIN CHARGE. WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST AND WHEN CAR WOULD STALL IT WOULD TURN OFF, NOW THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. NOW CAR WONT EVEN CRANK OR TURN ON. ONCE I GOT IT TO TURN ON WITH TROUBLE IT WOULD TURN OFF ONCE PUT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING IT ONE NIGHT AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. ALMOST CRASHED INTO HOME, MY CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WOULD TURN OFF AMD STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK, SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ENGINE MAKES WIERD BOGGING SOUND AMD SQUEAKING SOUND, SMELL OF GAS. EXHAUST HAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. HAS TROUBLE IDLING AT TIMES AND LOW RPMS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 2017-08-24 · NHTSA 11019279

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION WITH FORCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2017-08-04 · NHTSA 11012732

THE DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T WORK.I HAVE TRIED CHANGING THE BULB SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT WILL NOT WORK.A FEW YRS BACK I SAW A RECALL ON THIS BUT I DIDN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT AND NOW I CANNOT FIND IT ANYMORE I WOULD LIKE INFO ON WHAT I SHOULD DO NOW AS I GOT A WARNING TICKET !! THANKS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2017-07-28 · NHTSA 11011258

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PAD LOCK SENSOR BECAME ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON ONE OCCASION. THE WINS CHEVROLET DEALER IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW IGNITION SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2017-07-27 · NHTSA 11010957

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Specifications, safety and listings for this car

Questions

What do owners report most on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
Problems with electrical system: 17 reports of 40 on record at NHTSA.
How many owner reports mention a crash or a fire?
Out of 40 reports: a crash is mentioned in 1 and a fire in 0. These are what owners wrote, not confirmed findings.