Page 2 of 12 · complaints 51–100 of 569

2003 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Engine
Filed May 2, 2016CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 30, 2016VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 7, 201680,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT OPERATE AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ *TR

Electrical SystemCrashFire1 injured
Filed Feb 23, 2016133,200 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO BARRELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LEFT KNEE, LEFT ANKLE, AND WHIPLASH INJURIES THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V40000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,200. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED AND GM SAYS DUE TO AIR BAGS IMPLODING CONSUMER HAD POWER. CONSUMER WAS BEHIND THE STEERING AND IT LOCKED NO BRAKES. UPDATED 06/05/18*JB

Electrical System
Filed Feb 16, 2016155,500 milesOH

I'VE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. FOR THE PAST 2 DAYS I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT STARTED, THEFT LIGHT STARTS FLASHING EVERY TIME I GET BACK INTO MY CAR TO TRY AND START IT UP. I'VE DONE THE 10 MINUTE WAITING GAME OVER AND OVER. MY CAR IS DOING THIS EVERY TIME I GET INTO IT NOW. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE VEHICLE. NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE BCM, IGNITION SWITCH, WIRING OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THERE ARE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO SEEMS TO BE HAVING THIS ISSUE. GET IT TOGETHER GENERAL MOTORS, YOU'RE LOOSING BUSINESS EACH AND EVERYDAY BECAUSE OF YOUR AT FAULT FAILING PARTS!

Electrical System
Filed Feb 14, 2016161,032 milesCA

EHGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS MANY TIMES. HORN HONKS AFTER TURNING ON ENGINE AND NOT DRIVE FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE. A/C AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED FROM FRESH TO RECYCLE AIR BUTTONS

Electrical System
Filed Feb 12, 201674,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 3, 2016130,000 milesMT

MY MALIBU WILL START ON ITS OWN AND RUN WITHOUT THE KEY. I HAVE FOUND IT RUNNING SEVERAL TIMES OR ATTEMPTING TO START WHEN THE DOORS ARE LOCKED AND THE KEYS ARE NO WHERE NEAR THE VEHICLE. THIS IS HAPPENING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. AND THE HORN GOES OFF RANDOMLY AND NOW IS BURNED OUT.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 27, 2016GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED, MOMENTS LATER SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 26, 2016119,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FAILED TO RELEASE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 20161,110,000 milesKS

KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION; WOULD NOT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY; STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jan 14, 201680,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK, AS THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND RELEASED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR THE IGNITION KEY TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 14, 2016218,000 milesMN

SO AFTER HAVING THE CAR SERVICED FOR THE STICKING ACCELERATOR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015 THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED. 3 WEEKS AGO THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. ON JANUARY 12TH 2015 WHILE TRAVELLING HOME THE CAR WAS ACTING UP AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING 60 MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE THROTTLE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER. TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE RECALLED PART BUT SOME OTHER REASON FOR THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. SO I WAS TOLD WITH PARTS AND LABOR IT WOULD BE $510 I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THE REPAIR SO I WAS TOLD THEIR WOULD BE A $89 SERVICE FEE WHICH AGAIN I DON'T REALLY HAVE.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 14, 2016TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF USING THE IGNITION KEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DAIGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT PROVIDED.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 13, 201685,600 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IN COLD INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START DURING TEMPERATURES HIGHER THAN 40 DEGREES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, CRANK SHIFT SENSOR, AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,600.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 11, 201684,000 milesCT

100% OF BRAKE LINES FAILED VIA RUST ALSO, CONTROL ARMS FRONT/REAR SEVERELY RUSTED.

Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2015FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 10, 2015156,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR, VEHICLE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, DISABLING THE ENGINE WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED FOR ADVICE, TOLD THAT MOST LIKELY SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, FOR A COST OF $700. $700 FOR A KNOWN AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE IS UNBELIEVABLE.

Engine
Filed Dec 5, 201583,556 milesWI

MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE THEFT PROTECTION SYSTEM SUDDENLY KICKED IN AN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING HIM TO LOSE SPEED AND POWER STEERING AND FORCING HIM TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN HE HAD TO SIT THERE 10 MINUTES WITH THE KEY TURNED ON TO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM BEFORE HE COULD START THE CAR AGAIN AND GET OUT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE IGNITION AND KEY WAS ALREADY READY REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL TOO.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 12, 201568,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Exterior Lighting › HeadlightsFire
Filed Nov 10, 201580,000 milesNJ

TL* 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 OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 9, 2015IL

THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER WILL NOT ALLOW MY KEY TO GO TO A VERTICAL POSITION WHEN TURNING MY CAR TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CAR WOULD BE STATIONARY AND IN THE PARK POSITION, AS A RESULT, THE CAR STAYS ON AND MY BATTERY GETS DRAINED AND I NEED A JUMP ALL THE TIME. I STARTED DETACHING THE BATTERY WHEN I GO IN AND OUT OF STORES AND OVERNIGHT WHEN SLEEPING AND RECONNECTING WHEN I GO TO A NEW DESTINATION. I REPORTED THIS TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME A KEY, TELLING ME THE PROBLEM WAS THE SIZE OF THE HOLE MY KEY RING HAD. NEEDLES TO SAY THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I HAD NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE MAY OF 2015. NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS GETTING COLDER, I DON'T WANT TO KEEP GOING ON WITH THIS HASTLE. I AM NOT FINANCIALLY ABLE TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION OUT OF POCKET, YET, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCHES. YOU WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN MY SHOES. I PRAY I WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO FIX OR REPLACE A SWITCH FOR ME. IF NOT, GOD WILL BLESS ME FOR I AM NOT AT FAULT FOR THIS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. I SPOKE WITH T CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING AND THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO WAS PUT MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IN AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 8-1656466940.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 28, 2015175,000 milesPA

IGNITION MODULE SWITCH BAD, CAR WILL NOT START, THEFT DEVICE WILL NOT RE-SET CAUSING CAR NOT TO START. MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THIS HAS TO BE DEFECT.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Oct 19, 2015107,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM FAILED. THE THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE ENGINE NOT TO START. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2015111,000 milesID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2015214,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CYLINDER TWO WAS MISFIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 6, 2015185,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI THEFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 201543,000 milesTN

NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR SAME VEHICLE. SOME HAVE NOTED REPAIR AND STILL THE PROBLEM OCCURS. CAR WILL NOT START (SOME HAVE STALLED WHILE DRIVING) AND MUST LEAVE KEY IN CERTAIN POSITION FOR 10-15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN. THIS IS MY MOTHER'S CAR AND I WAS WITH HER SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND WE PULLED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND IT DIED AND WOULD NOT START (ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ALSO FLASHES). THANK GOODNESS WE WERE NOT IN THE LINE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND A NICE MAN PUSHED OUR CAR OUT OF THE WAY OF INCOMING TRAFFIC TO THE LOT. AND THANK GOODNESS WE WERE AT A DR'S OFFICE (WHERE MY ILL 85 YEAR OLD MOM HAD BEEN) SO WE COULD GO INSIDE OUT OF THE 90 DEGREE HEAT. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND DON'T KNOW WHY IT HAS NOT BEEN. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT MY MOM WILL BE DRIVING AND THIS CAR WILL QUIT AND SHE WILL BE HIT AND GOD FORBID THERE BE A FATALITY. I HAVE ALSO JUST EMAILED GM ABOUT THIS AS WELL. MY MOM OBVIOUSLY IS NOT IN A FINANCIAL SHAPE TO RUN OUT AND BUY A NEW CAR. IT ONLY HAS 43K MILES AND SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR JUST BECAUSE GM WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING CARS! THEY MUST HAVE SEEN ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME THING. SO, NOT SURE IF ELECTRICAL, ENGINE, BUT SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG! AND PUTTING LIVES AT RISK!

Electrical System
Filed Sep 23, 2015103,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 20, 201582,856 milesVA

I HAVE HAD THE THEF SYSTEM IN MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU REPAIED MORE TIMES THAN I CARE TO SAY. IT STATED IN 11/7/2006 AND IT HAVE BEEN AN ONGOING THING. I AM A WIDOW AND I AM REALLY AFRAID TO TAKE THIS CAR OUT AT NIGHTS IN FEAR THAT IT MIGHT LEAVE ME STRANDED. THE FIRST TIME IT COST ME $351.74 TO REPAIR THE THEFT SYSTEM. THEN IT WENT AGAIN IN 6/7/2008 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS COST ME $483.37. IT RAN FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND YOU COULDN'T TURN THE CAR OFF, BACK TO THE SHOP. THANK GOD THEY DIDN'T CHARGE ME FOR THIS TRIP. THEN ON 8/31/2015 THE THEF SYSTEM LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN, AND BACK TO THE SHOP TO PAY THEM ANOTHER $538.72. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE AND VERY EXPENSIVE. I DID COMPLAIN WHEN IT WAS FIRST HAPPENING AND A CUSTOMER REP. TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND THEIR WHERE NO RECALLS ON IT. AFTER ALL THE DEATHS AND PROBLEMS THAT YOUR COMPANY HAS HAD YOU PROBABLY SHOULD RECALL EVERYONE OF THEM AND START OVER FROM SCRATCH. I HAVE DOCUMENTED PROOF THAT THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK. THANK YOU PAMELA J. SHAK

Electrical System
Filed Sep 15, 201582,611 milesMI

CAR TRIES TO START, STALLS AND WILL NOT START. SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT FLASHES. HAVE TO LEAVE KEY IN RUN POSITION FOR 15 MINUTES UNTIL SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT QUITS FLASHING, TURN KEY OFF AND THEN START THE ENGINE. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK AND IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY AN AFTER MARKET REMOTE STARTER, HAD IT REMOVED AND AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2015148,092 milesCA

ON JULY 20, 2015 COULD NOT ADJUST THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT. ALSO POWER WINDOWS IN THE BACK DRIVER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN OR UP. JULY 23, 2015 WHEN TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AT SEARS WHICH THEY DIDN'T PEFORM DUE TO THEY NEEDED DRIVE TIME TO APPROVE. CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS VERY LOW ADDED 1 QUART ON AUGUST 10 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING SPEED LIMIT CAR STARTED REDUCING ITS SPEED HEARD A LOUD NOISE PULLED OVER COULDNOT DRIVE IT SO I HAD IT TOWED HOME NEXT DAY AIN HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE DRIVETIME TOLD ME TO TAKE IT THEY HAD IT FROM 8/11/2015-8/25/2015 ON AUG 26 THEY SO CALLED PUT A NEW ENGINE IT WAS ONLY 1 DAY LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT OVERHEATED TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED THE CAT CONVERTER REPLACED IN WHICH IT WAS NOT COVERED AT THAT TIME ON THE 28 IT WAS APPROVED BY THE TIME I WAS INFORMED DRIVE TIME HAD MY CAR REPO DUE TO NONPAYMENT I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT MAKE A PAYMENT UNTIL MY CAR WAS FIXED THE RIGHT WAY.

Engine
Filed Sep 9, 2015125,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 31, 201561,450 milesMN

DRIVING CAR AT ABOUT 30MPH, TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. BROUGHT TO CHEVROLET SERVICE,, AND THEY REPLACED ACCELERATOR CABLE. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE, AND THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN ID 04V528000. TO REPLACE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT WAS DONE 1-10-05 ON THIS CAR. IF THIS IS NOT THAT ISSUE, THEN THIS IS A NEW SAFETY ISSUE WITH A DIFFERENT PART FAILING THAT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Engine
Filed Aug 12, 201559,480 milesOH

THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES NOW, I AM DRIVING AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF, I CAN NOT BRAKE I CAN NOT STEER, I STILL HAVE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM GONG ABOUT 20 TO ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN AT A HIGHER SPEED! IT DID IT THE FIRST TIME BACK IN JUNE 2015 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, THEN AGAIN LAST FRIDAY AUGUST 7TH FOUR MORE TIMES WITH IN 10MINUTES AND A FEW MILES APART. IT IS LIKE SOMEONE JUST TURNED THE CAR OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING?

Electrical System
Filed Jul 31, 2015104,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 22, 2015110,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE AND LIFT THE PEDAL UP WITH HER HAND, IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 17, 201540,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI- THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 13, 201533,345 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,345.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 8, 201547,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jul 6, 2015138,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN ASSESSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS AND DETERMINED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 18, 2015130,000 milesNY

COMPUTER PROBLEM 2003 CHEVY IMPALA 6 CYL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC 130000 MILES THIS RECENTLY STARTED, THE TRACTION ON LIGHT AND THE ABS YELLOW LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON. RARELY DO THEY GO OFF, ONLY A FEW TIMES. THE SQUARE INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, STAYS ON FOR 1-2 MINUTES THEN GOES OFF. BUT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON. HOW CAN I RESET THIS OR WHAT TO NOT HAVE A TRIP TO THE EXPENSIVE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKES TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, NO DELAYS OR BRAKE HESITATION WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN USE. HELP ME OUT WITH A GOOD SOLUTION. I WILL GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE.

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Jun 3, 2015PA

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, STEERING AND AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON MAY 19, 2011. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHICH SENT THE VEHICLE IN THE OPPOSITE LANE HITTING ANOTHER CAR. HER VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND ENDED UP GOING BACKWARDS INTO A SIGN AND THEN HITTING TWO PARKED VEHICLES IN A PARKING LOT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER SHE HIT THE SIGN. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS UNAWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION SWITCH. SHE STATED SHE HAD SEVERAL KEYS ON HER RING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *JB

Power Train
Filed May 28, 201522,000 milesVI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START WHEN IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Engine
Filed May 19, 201598,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE RPMS FAILED TO DECREASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE RPMS RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Engine
Filed May 13, 2015MD

WHILE DRIVING AT STOP INTERVALS I NOTICED THAT MY TEMP GUAGE WAS REACHING THE HOT MARK, I MADE IT HOME AND MY RESERVOIR WAS BOILING. THEN I NOTICE COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE MANIFOLD HOUSING. WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED OUT, I WAS TOLD THAT MY MANIFOLD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COSTLY EXPENSE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS I FOUND OUT THAT GM KNEW THAT THIS WAS A DEFAULT ISSUE AND ONLY SENT OUT RECALLS TO CERTAIN CUSTOMERS AND I WASN'T ONE OF THEM. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE THE PROPER RECALLS TO GET THIS MATTER SOLVED. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED SINCE I MISSED THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL IT WAS IN 2008, AND MY PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL NOW.

Steering
Filed May 11, 201538,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 8, 201550,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE THEFT PASSLOCK SENSOR AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER TEN MINUTES OF HOLDING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 15 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE THEFT PASSLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 30, 2015178,808 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE KEY DOES NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,808.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 30, 2015MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu → · Every Malibu year → · How the figures are calculated →