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2003 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 569 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the electrical (51% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is 16th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Electrical
289 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
Car would not start so had it towed to the shop they said computer said nothing was wrong and it started for them. They said maybe a weak fuel pump. Drove it for a week and same thing happened. Had it towed to the shop again and they replaced the fuel pump. Drove it for 2 days and same thing. Now they said it was the…
The theft system on my chevy Malibu 2003 has left me stranded on multiple occasions and cost me more than $300 in repair costs. The theft system believes my car is being stolen and shuts off the fuel to the engine. Some posts say it's when you use an copied key, but I'm using the factory original. At first, this…
Engine
88 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
I have a 2003 chevy Malibu with approx 72,000 miles that has been leaking antifreeze (small visible marks on pavement) that require refilling coolant every 3 to 4 weeks. I took the car in for a diagnosis, and it was found to have a leak around the intake manifold. The price estimate is $878 and 7 hours to repair.…
The car has died at night in not a very good side of town and would not start on 10/07. Had it towed and they found the intake manifold gasket damaged $1,000.00. Feb 08 car would not start after work. 10 miles away from home. Had the car towed back to firestone thinking it was the same thing instead the anti-theft…
Speed control
85 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle would not decelerate. The contact excessively applied the brakes and was able to stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving between 30-50 MPH, the accelerator pedal sticks. The contact must apply the brakes and attempt to reach down and pull the accelerator pedal up manually. The contact stated that the failure began on may 30, 2005 and there is safety recall # 04v528000 (vehicle speed…
Brakes
63 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc.
Front brake pads and rotors keep needing to be replaced. Car was purchased new in sept of 2003, need new pads/resurfaced rotors at 13,000 miles and again at 28,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. On may 25, 2008, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began accelerating faster than normal. The contact had to merge out of traffic. She could not feel the brakes working and sped through a stop sign. She drove into a parking lot to avoid crashing into other vehicles. The vehicle…
Fuel system
42 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
2003 Malibu owners manual states that the ignition switch may shift the car off for no reason. It shuts the car down by shutting off the fuel pump.this resulted in the fuel pump breaking on my car. Since Chevrolet knew about the faulty ignition switch, this is why they put the info in their owners manual. Chevrolet…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the electronic fuel pump had to be replaced in his vehicle. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the road. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel other than the battery indicator, which remained…
Lights
28 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, headlights, brake lights, hazard flashing warning lights.
Car would not start so had it towed to the shop they said computer said nothing was wrong and it started for them. They said maybe a weak fuel pump. Drove it for a week and same thing happened. Had it towed to the shop again and they replaced the fuel pump. Drove it for 2 days and same thing. Now they said it was the…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. Approximately two years ago, the contact noticed that the headlight lenses were fogged. The fixtures were replaced and the contact noticed that the lenses and plugs were melted. The entire headlight assembly was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified…
Air bags
27 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact was driving 10 MPH when the front passenger air bags deployed without warning. The contact suffered minor cuts and burns as a result and had to seek medical treatment. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 93,000.
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.
Suspension
23 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Vehicle made metal against metal rubbing noise. Called for appointment before 45,000 miles. Appointment occurred at 45,100 miles. Was advised that hub assembly and wheel bearings need replaced on both left and right front. Car is primarily driven on highway/expressway 52 miles per day.
I am currently experiencing loss of steering and suspension performance with my vehicle including significant loss of tire tread for my vehicle. The vehicle bounces and makes screeching sounds while steering a curve on the road. The vehicle was inspected in early march and no mechanical problem was observed or…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: Failure to return to idle could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (289 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); engine (88 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); speed control (85 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
- It is 16th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints, with 569 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.