Page 7 of 12 · complaints 301–350 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 →

Electrical System
Filed Jul 15, 201155,000 milesRI

PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. OCCASIONALLY THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND OCCASIONALLY THE FUEL SYSTEM GETS SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T START. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH ALL GM MODELS THAT HAVE THIS PASSLOCK SYSTEM.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 7, 2011157,000 milesMI

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF; IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RESET THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. NW

Electrical System
Filed May 19, 201190,000 milesCA

MY 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES EACH DAY. INITIALLY I ONLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE NOT STARTING AND HAVING TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE STARTING. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP ND THEY SAID IT WAS MY IGNITION. THIS IS A SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed May 10, 201175,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS SEEM TO SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY WERE ENGAGED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ALERT THE OTHER DRIVER THAT SHE WAS MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT HE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed May 6, 2011MI

I OWN A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. OVER THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN STRANDED 6 TIMES AND HAVE PAID HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS DUE TO MY CAR FAILING TO START AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. THE SCARIEST INCIDENT OF ALL HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING AS IT STARTED TO STALL OUT. AS OF NOW, MAY 6, 2011, IT IS AGAIN SITTING AT THE SHOP UNABLE TO START. THE TURN THE KEY TO ON, WAIT 10 MINUTES TRICK, DOESN'T EVEN WORK ANY LONGER. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 5, 201168,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE SPORADICALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IN ADDITION, THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT ON HOW TO RESET THE ALARM WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 22, 201190,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS AN 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS TO 4,000. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE RPMS WERE IDLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY CHANGED THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVES BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SECOND MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 9, 201140,000 milesTX

I HAVE BEEN HAVING REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH MY CARS THEFT SYSTEM DEFAULTING AND NOT ALLOWING MY CAR TO START RANDOMLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REOCCURRING FOR ABOUT THE PAST 4-5 YEARS.THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPEND. IT OCCURS ALMOST DAILY AND IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VECHILE TO SEVERAL GM DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS THE PASSLOCK, BCM, CAR NOT READING THE KEY, AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLM AS WELL BUT WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER 900 DOLLARS FOR FIX SOMETHING THEY THINK IT COULD BE AS WELL. I CAN PLACE THE KEY IN THE ON SETTING IN THE IGNITION FOR ANYWHERE FROM 15-30 MINUTES PLUS SOMETIMES AND THIS EVENTUALLY WORKS, BUT IT A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS SAME ISSUE AS WELL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 8, 201168,142 milesFL

GM CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK SYSTEM. ORIGINALLY I HAD A 1998 MALIBU AND THOUGHT THAT IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE SO I SOLD IT FOR SCRAPS AND BOUGHT A 2003 MALIBU AND ABOUT EVERY MONTH (2 TIMES PER MONTH FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS) I GO TO WORK OR STORE JUST FINE AND WHEN I COME OUT IT DOESN'T START. I'VE BEEN TAKEN THROUGH SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCENARIOS BY THE MECHANIC AT THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE 2003 MALIBU FROM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH IT AND THEY HAVE FIXED IT COSTING ME ABOUT $500 EVERY TIME IT OCCURS. IT WASN'T UNTIL IT HAPPENED LAST MONTH WHILE LEAVING WORK AND A CO-WORKER CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND OF HERS WHO INFORMED ME OF THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE AND TOLD ME TO WAIT 10 MINUTES THEN START IT UP. SINCE THEN IT'S HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES, ONCE WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING (LUCKILY I WAS WITH HER TO KNOW HOW TO HANDLE IT). I'VE CALLED THE GM TO NO AVAIL; THEY SEEM TO KNOW NOTHING OF THIS ISSUE AND THEIR MECHANICS DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE IT BEING A PROBLEM EITHER SO BECAUSE THEY'VE "REPLACED" OR "FIXED" SEVERAL ISSUES (NOT THE ISSUE PLAGUING THE VEHICLE) WHICH THEY PROBABLY MADE UP; I'M OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS APPARENTLY BEEN GOING ON WITH THIS MODEL FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THEY (GM) REFUSES TO RECALL THE ISSUE OR MAKE ANY EFFORT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK GOD I PUT AWAY MONEY FOR RAINY DAYS BUT I AM LIVID THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH I WOULD HAVE SAVED IF IT WEREN'T FOR GM OR CHEVY! THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PIECE OF

Electrical System
Filed Feb 28, 201195,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE KEY IN PLACE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 15, 201169,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, HE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A SQUISHING NOISE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW HIS COMPLAINT AND HE WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 28, 201182,315 milesOH

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH A PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE "THEFT SYSTEM" LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHILE I'M DRIVING! OR THE CAR SIMPLY WON'T START, EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY AND NO ONE HAS MESSED WITH IT. THE ONLY 'SOLUTION' IS TO WAIT 10 MINUTES (SOMETIMES LONGER) UNTIL THE CAR WILL START AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I'VE CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM EVERYWHERE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND I CAN'T AFFORD -- LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY -- TO PAY FOR UNNECESSARY CAR REPAIRS....ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PASSLOCK IS A *KNOWN* PROBLEM AND CHEVY REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND NOW I'M WORRIED EVERY TIME I SHUT OFF THE CAR, WILL IT LET ME START IT BACK UP AGAIN? HELP! *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 26, 2011130,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN THREE WEEKS AGO. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 24, 201166,000 milesCA

PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR COMPLAINT: I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT SINCE THE DAY I HAVE BOUGHT IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT NUMEROUS MANIACS AND THEY HAVE ALL TOLD ME THE SAME THING THAT MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE LEAKING COOLANT AND THAT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THESE MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT THE GASKETS FOR THIS CAR AND THE MANIFOLD ITSELF WERE NOT ENGINEERED CORRECTLY AND THAT'S THE REASON IT IS LEAKING COOLANT. I WAS ALSO TOLD GM DID HOWEVER FIX THIS PROBLEM BY DESIGNING NEW GASKETS WHICH THEY ARE USING TO REPLACE THE OLD ONES WHEN THESE PEOPLE BRING THERE CAR IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. OKAY ONE PROBLEM RIGHT THERE WHERE WAS THE RECALL ON THAT? THAT A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD RIGHT THERE BECAUSE OR GMS ENGINEERING. IM NOT SURE IF YOUR AWARE OF THIS BUT THE SMELL AND FUMES FROM THIS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE ARE DISGUSTING. ALSO I HAVE DONE ONLINE RESEARCH ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALL YOU NEED TO TYPE IN IS PROBLEMS WITH CHEVY MALIBU INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THOUSAND AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WHIT PEOPLE ALL OVER AMERICA HAVE THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND ITS NOT THAT THEY PAY THE $900.00 TO GET IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME THEN AGAIN ABOUT A YEAR TO A YEAR IN A HALF LATER THEY ALSO PAY THIS PRICE AGAIN BECAUSE THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED I AM ONE ANGRY AMERICAN AND I THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MORE I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON MY CASE FOR AS WELL AS MY FELL AMERICAS IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US!! THIS IS NOT FAR THIS

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jan 3, 201150,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY HIGH INCREASE IN RPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, UNLESS HE TURNED THE KEY AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR 15 MINUTES. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD STAY ON ALL THE TIME. UPDATED 06/02/11

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 1, 201150,000 milesMD

THE CAR IS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED AND THEREFORE THE EVENTS LEADING UP THE FAILURE ARE NOT KNOWN. THE PROBLEM THAT THE CAR HAS IS THAT THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES THE CAR DIFFICULT TO STOP AND EXTREME PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO STOP AND KEEP THE CAR STOPPED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING, THE ENGINE CAN BE HEARD MAKING LOUDER THAN USUAL NOISES. WHEN THE RPMS INCREASE, THE SPEED OF THE CAR INCREASES WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING AT A REASONABLE SPEED BECAUSE OF THIS. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, BUT THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT USUALLY OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT AN OF FOUR TIMES A WEEK AND OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON BACK ROADS INSTEAD OF HIGHWAYS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 29, 2010100,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON FREEWAY IT JUST STALLED. I COASTED TO BERM. IT THEN RESTARTED. I'VE HAD ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I'VE READ THAT THIS ENGINE CUTTING OUT IS PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT SYSTEM EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 15, 201060,206 milesTN

THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS A VERY DANGEROUS SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM. THOUSANDS OF ANGRY, FRUSTRATED PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING LEFT WITH NO RECOURSE. THE PROBLEM DATES FROM THE 1990S.THROUGH 2010. THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE NOW. I JUST SPENT OVER $5000. FOR A CAR THAT CANNOT BE MOVED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY I DON'T THINK CONGRESS HEARD THE SCREAMS I'VE HEARD AND READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ('I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM CAR AGAIN', OR 'IF THERE IS EVER A CLASS ACTION SUITE, COUNT ME IN') WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED, OR THEIR CARS CAUSED WRECKS BECAUSE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM KICKED IN AND CUT OFF THE FUEL WHILE THEY WERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ ABOUT SO MANY UNHAPPY PEOPLE. I CAME FROM A GENERATION OF PEOPLE THAT WORKED FOR FIFTY YEARS. WE DID ALL THE THINGS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO. WE WORKED HARD, PAID OUR BILLS AND TRUSTED THAT WE WOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY. TO REALLY FIND OUT ABOUT PASSLOCK, JUST GOOGLE PASSLOCK COMPLAINTS. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE LINKS TO COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/SEARCH.HTML?CX=PARTNER-PUB-0200629403145096%3AQT7MBBQYBBG&COF=FORID%3A10&IE=ISO-8859-1&Q=PASSLOCK&SA=SEARCH&SITEURL=WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM%2F&SITEURL=WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM%2FAUTOMOTIVE%2FGM_CHEV_MALIBU_P2.HTML#906 HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2003/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/ELECTRICAL+SYSTEM HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLE

Electrical System
Filed Sep 15, 2010187,521 miles00

2003 CHEVY MALIBU, 1 OUT OF 3 STARTS FORCED TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING A RESTART, USUALLY TWICE BEFORE SUCCEEDING. FORCES WAITING IN THE DARK OR IN UNSAFE PLACES AT NIGHT, SUCH AS FINISHING WORK. EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR ANY FEMALE. $300 QUOTE AT STEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. FITTED 20CENT RESISTOR TO FEED CORRECT RESISTANCE VALUE TO ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, WHICH IS ALSO GUARANTEED TO FAIL EVENTUALLY. WILL HAVE TO BUILD A CIRCUIT TO BYPASS THIS ALSO TO REMOVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. SHAME ON THE STEALERSHIPS FOR NOT CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM AS A RECALL. THE POTENTIAL FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY PERSONAL INJURY/DEATH ARE HIGH AND THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR IS A DISGUSTING TACTIC FOR ANY COMPANY TO USE TO COERCE CUSTOMERS TO LINE THEIR COFFERS REPLACING DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 13, 2010100,367 milesCA

2003 CHEVY MALIBU PASSLOCK PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE. THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON MY CAR FREQUENTLY. IT COSTS OVER $245 TO RESET AND $800 TO FIX. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM CAR OWNERS WITH PASSLOCK SYSTEMS ARE HAVING THE PROBLEM. MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP WHILE DRIVING AND I'VE NARROWLY AVOIDED SERIOUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. OTHER TIMES IT WILL SIMPLY NOT START. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 25, 201024,000 milesAL

OWN 2003 CHEVY MALIBU THAT WILL JUST SHUT OFF. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM BUILT IN THE VEHICLE WILL DO THIS. HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN BEFORE IT RESETS ITSELF THEN IT WILL START. CHEVY DEALERSHIP THAT I WENT TO IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL AND OFFERED TO FIX IT FOR $400. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON. SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR FREE BY GM. BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. THIS STARTED IN 2006 AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO THIS 1 OR 2 TIMES A MONTH SINCE THEN. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Aug 24, 201035,760 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE COMPUTER ASSUMED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STOLEN DUE TO THE IGNITION SECURITY SWITCH FEATURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK HOUSING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED JUST RECENTLY PRIOR TO THE MOST CURRENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,760. STATUS UPDATE 11/15/11

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 24, 2010100,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION AND ALLOW IT TO SIT IN THE IGNITION FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WHILE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESET ITSELF. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WOULD BECOME FILLED WITH WATER WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN, CAUSING THE BULBS TO BLOW. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Aug 18, 201050,000 milesOH

FOR YEARS, CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND CAN NOT BE RE-STARTED, OR MORE FREQUENTLY, JUST WON'T START. NO WARNING EXCEPT A FINE, DIM RED ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO BE NOTICED AT ALL, AND CERTAINLY NOT IMMEDIATELY. CAN HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY, OR CAN GO TWO WEEKS WITHOUT A PROBLEM. SHORT TERM REMEDY IS RELIABLE IF INCONVENIENT AND IN SOME SITUATION, DANGEROUS; WITH CAR IN "PARK," TURN OFF ALL SYSTEM, TURN ON IGNITION SWITCH BUT DO NOT START, DO NOT DISTURB FOR AT LEAST EN MINUTES. SYSTEM WILL THEN BE RESET. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD MULTIPLE CAUSES. GOT PARTIAL, TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENT (LESS FREQUENT FAILURE) BY REPLACING DEFECTIVE DS LOCK SWITCH, WHICH IS ALSO USED TO PROGRAM THAT LOCKING SYSTEM FEATURES. BECAUSE THE USERS IS SUPPOSED TO INITIATE LOCKING SYSTEM PROGRAMMING BY HOLDING THE SWITCH CLOSED, AND THE LOCK WAS STICKING CLOSED AND OPENING UNPREDICTABLY, IT WAS SURELY CREATING INPUTS NOT ANTICIPATED BY THE SYSTEM'S PROGRAMMERS. I BELIEVE THE IGNITION SWITCH SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE INTERFACE WITH THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR SYSTEM, IS STILL CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, AND FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASES. HAVE NOT FOUND SATISFACTORY SOLUTION. CAN'T AFFORD THE $400 DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST FOR (POSSIBLE) FIX, AMBIGUOUS EXPLANATIONS MAKE ME DOUBT THE DEALER REALLY UNDERSTANDS THE CAUSE. NO ACTUAL PROPERTY DAMAGE OR CRASH YET, BUT OBVIOUSLY RISK IS HIGH WHEN CAR SUDDENLY STALL IN TRAFFIC. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 16, 2010PA

NEITHER OF THE LAP/SHOULDER BELTS HOLD TIGHT. THE PLASTIC THAT SURROUNDS THE METAL BUCKLE HAS CRACKED AND THE BELTS WILL NO LONGER KEEP A TIGHT FIT. CHILD SAFETY SEATS CANNOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE THE BELTS WILL NOT HOLD THEM IN PLACE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE SEAT BELTS ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2010PA

MY TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL AND OTHER TIMES THEY BLINK A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP. I DRIVE ON MAJOR INTERSTATES AND I'M ALWAYS AFRAID THAT THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I CANNOT PREDICT IF OR WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, IF I TAP OR LIGHTLY PRESS THE FLASHER BUTTON ON THE DASH IT SEEMS TO HELP. I'VE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY FLAW. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 12, 2010158,119 milesTX

2003 CHEVY MALIBU: THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAPPENS JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY, AND WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CAR TO START. THE CAR ALSO DIES ON US WHILE WE ARE DRIVING, PUTTING US IN A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. WITHOUT WARNING IT JUST SHUTS OFF. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 11, 201020,234 milesIL

THE GAS PEDAL IS STICK. IT ACCELERATES THE CAR BY ITSELF. I HAVE TO USE MY FOOT TO GET IT OUT TO AVOID ACCELERATION. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY TOYOTA'S STICKY PEDAL IS A BIG DEAL, WHILE GM DOES NOTHING FOR IT. I SAW POSTINGS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. I HOPE GM TAKE ACTION BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 12, 201045,581 milesTX

IN FEB 2009 I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR ACCELERATED BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. THE SAME THING HAPPENED A FEW DAYS LATER. THEN AGAIN, ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO STOP. I JUMPED A CURB AND WENT INTO A GRASSY AREA AND FINALLY GOT THE CAR STOPPED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANICS COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY THE FLOOR MAT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HOWEVER, ON JULY 7, 2010, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I JUMPED A CURB. AFTER JUMPING THE CURB, I NARROWLY MISSED AN ELECTRICAL BOX AND UTILITY POLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A WORN CABLE WHICH THEY TOLD ME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM YET THERE IS NO RECALL FOR OUR PARTICULAR MODEL NUMBER REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET CONSUMER NUMBER, BUT WAS TOLD THAT UNTIL THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL FOR MY MODEL "THEY" ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalFire
Filed Jul 9, 2010101,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY TO 2000 WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, AS SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE NOTICED AN ODOR IN THE BRAKES WHICH WAS HEAT ACCUMULATED AFTER SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACCELERATOR PEDAL) AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 101,000.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 7, 201043,627 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, , THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANUALLY RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH HIS FOOT AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER TEMPERATURES AND WHEN THE CONTACT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT REVIEWED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V528000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ON JANUARY 14, 2005. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NO PRIOR RECALL REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,627.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Jun 30, 201070,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION ON AND WAIT AT LEAST TEN MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER, THEY WOULD ADVISE HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 24, 201015,000 milesVA

PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO NICKEL PLATING ON STARTER TUMBLER CAUSING OXIDATION. DEALERS ARE ABLE TO MAKE A KILLING ON THIS DEFECTIVE CONNECTOR BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TROUBLESHOOT A FULL FUEL PUMP SYSTEM AND WIRING HARNESS BEFORE THEY WILL REPLACE THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. OCCURS ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS INTERMITTENTLY AND BECOMES MORE SERIOUS AS THE OXIDATION WORSENS. POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE WOULD STALL IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION (IE: RAILROAD TRACKS OR HIGHWAY) AND VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. COUPLED WITH THE RECALL THESE VEHICLES HAD WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING (WHICH MINE DID ON A HIGHWAY) THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE (ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE "PASSLOCK PROBLEM" AND YOU WILL GET THOUSANDS OF RESULTS AND CONSUMER FIXES COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW GM IGNORES EVERY SERVICE REQUEST FOR A SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T GOUGE CUSTOMERS. THERE IS PRACTICALLY AN UNDERGROUND CLUB DESIGNED TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM.) ACCORDING TO THE SHOP FOREMAN AT COLONIAL CHEVROLET IN NORFOLK, VA, AFTER HIS 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH SERVICE THIS IS A PROBLEM HE IS INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH AND RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE KEY TUMBLER (PASSLOCK CHIP INTEGRATED INSIDE) AND THE CONNECTOR THAT LEADS TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 21, 201068,300 milesOH

ACCELERATOR DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL. THIS SITUATION OCCURS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SETTING IN THE SUN. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES DURING THE PAST WEEK. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED FOR THIS CONDITION IN 2005 AS PART OF THE RECALL PROGRAM. IT EVIDENTLY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 16, 2010IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. SHE STATED SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND WHEN SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. SHE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE STOPPED REVVING AND SHE USED EXTREME FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,739.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 14, 2010133,000 milesNY

THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS - AND WHEN IT FLASHES I NEED TO RESET BY TURNING IGNITION TO ON AND WAIT TEN MIN. - NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND I'M CONCERNED THAT AT SOME POINT THE CAR WILL NOT START AND I WILL BE STRANDED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 11, 2010100,785 milesIN

03 MALIBU WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.... THE CAR SHUTS ITSELF OFF WHILE IN MOTION... *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 28, 201047,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AT LEAST FIVE TO SIX TIMES A DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL MODULATOR AND COIL SPRINGS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 27, 20109,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9,000

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed May 22, 2010MI

HAVE A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU WITH AN "PASSLOCK" ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN IT. THIS SYSTEM IS ACTING UP CONSIDERABLY AND WHEN I BRING IT TO THE GM DEALER I GET CHARGED MORE AND MORE MONEY BUT NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEIR COMPUTERS DO NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM. AS I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE ALSO MANY INSTANCES WHERE THIS SYSTEM HAS CAUSED CARS TO STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AS WELL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 12, 2010139,000 milesND

I HAVE A 2003 MALIBU THE ANTI THEFT COMES ON ALOT TO FIX THIS U HAVE TO HAVE THE KEY IN THE ON FOR ABOUT 10 MIN,THEN TURN THE KEY IN THE OFF AND TURN THE CAR ON, AND IT STARTS, BUT THAT TRICK IS TAKING LONGER AND LONGER EACH TIME ONE DAY IT WILL LEAVE ME THERE, I THINK CHEVY SHOULD RECALL THIS AND FIX IT... THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN AND WHY THIS HAPPENS. CHEVY SAYS THEY NEED MORE PEOPLE TO CAMPAIGN ABOUT THIS BEFORE THEY WILL DO ANYTHING SO HERE IT IS... *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed May 7, 2010121,405 milesMA

MY 2003 CHEVY MALIBU BEGAN IDLING VERY HIGH WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING IT TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. IT WAS A HOT DAY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I ALMOST WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND A RECALL ON LINE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 04V528000 WHICH WAS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE. MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST ACCORDING TO GM. MY MECHANIC PERFORMED THE TEST ON THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND IT FAILED. THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL- IT WOULD GO 35 MILES PER HOUR WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR- VERY DANGEROUS. MY MECHANIC REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY, AND GAVE ME THE PART. THEY SUGGESTED I PURSUE THROUGH GM. I DID SO, CASE #71-827370783. I RECEIVED A CALL TODAY FROM GM STATING THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE IT WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL, REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE ITEM, NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM, AND FURTHER, VERY DANGEROUS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A NEW RECALL FOR THE REST OF THE 2003 CHEVY MALIBUS THAT WERE NOT ON THE ORIGINAL LIST- THEY OBVIOUSLY MISSED SOME VEHICLES THAT WERE AFFECTED. THIS HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY AND I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T KILL SOMEONE OR GET KILLED MYSELF. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed May 7, 2010IN

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF HIS VEHICLE IS UNDER A RECALL. *GR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Apr 30, 2010NJ

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS PRIMARILY DROVE THE VEHICLE. IN JUNE 2007, THE CONSUMERS WIFE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND CONTINUED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN JULY 2008 VIA A RECALL OVER A ONE YEAR LATER. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CHARGED $189.05 IN JUNE 2007 FOR WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A RECALL ISSUE. AGAIN IN AUGUST 2008 THE CONSUMER REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND WAS CHARGED AGAIN. SO, FOR OVER A YEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD RACE AND SAFETY WAS A HAZARD. ALSO, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED TWICE. EVEN THOUGH THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED TWICE FOR DIFFERENT PART REPLACEMENTS, HE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS AT TIMES. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Apr 29, 201052,145 milesMA

CAR WOULD NOT START , THEFT LAMP FLASHING, WENT ONLINE AND FOUND ISSUES WITH GM THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM[PASS KEY] MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUES, ALSO SOME CLAIM THE CAR QUITS ON THEM AND THEY HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN. TO RESTART CAR. EVEN IN MY OWNERS MANUAL IT STATES THAT THIS SYSTEM MAY FAIL. AND IT GIVES A PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW. CAR MAY OR MAY NOT START//RECOMMEND FIX IS A NEW IGNITION SWITCH/PASSLOCK SENSOR AT A COST OF 500.00 TO 800.00 DOLLARS TO THE CONSUMER I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD REPLACE THESE ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS UNDER WARRANTY FOR ANY ONE WHO ENCOUNTERS THIS QUITTING//NO START CONDITION MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT IF CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING???? *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 13, 2010101,000 milesFL

2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU ACCELERATES WITHOUT ASSISTANCE ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO (MARCH 2010). TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND WHEN TESTED THERE WEREN'T ANY CODES. ALSO THE ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON. SO A ROAD TEST WAS DONE AND THE IAC SENSOR WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE PROBLEM. THE IAC SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM HASN'T STOPPED. SO THE TPS (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR) TESTED OVER 2 VOLTS AND WHEN TESTED GOING THE OTHER WAY IT TESTED AT .63 VOLTS. SO THE MECHANIC ALSO REPLACED THE TPS BUT THE CAR IS STILL IDLING HIGH WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. UNABLE TO FIX SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY TOO WERE UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY CHECKED THE VACUUM HOSES, THE PARTS PUT IN BY MY MECHANIC, AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST (NOT SURE WHAT) AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. NOW THE CAR SPEEDS DOWN THE STREET, WHEN STOPPED IN PARK, NEUTRAL, & DRIVE IDLES AT 3000 AND HARD FOR THE BRAKES TO HOLD, AND WHEN THE GAS IS PUSHED THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT WANTS TO CUT OFF. NOT SURE IF THE OLD PART ARE AVAILABLE CAN CONTACT MECHANIC TO VERIFY. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN BUT IS WORSE WHEN THE CAR IS HOT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 9, 2010NE

I OWN A 2003 CHEVY MALIBU. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT POPS ON AND DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO DRIVE MY CAR. I FOUND OUT IF I TURN THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES, THE LIGHT WILL STOP FLASHING AND WILL ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES NOW WHERE MY CAR WILL NOT START AND I HAVE TO DO THE 10 MINUTE WAIT FOR IT TO RESTART. MY CAR IS THE ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR ME AND MY HUSBAND WHO IS SEVERELY DISABLED. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED TO HUNDREDS OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS. I NEED MY CAR TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. WHAT IF I HAVE TO TAKE MY HUSBAND TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR DOCTOR AND MY CAR STOPS RUNNING? I BELIEVE CHEVY KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS THEY LISTED THE 10 MINUTE REMEDY IN THEIR OWNERS MANUAL. I WOULD LIKE CHEVY TO FIX THIS AS IT APPEARS TO BE A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 7, 2010146,000 milesNE

2003 MALIBU THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT. THIS LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND FINALLY JUST STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SAYS TO TURN THE KEY TO ON FOR 10 MINS THEN RE START BUT THIS AS WELL DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!! SOMEONE COULD GET SERIOUSLY HURT IN THIS MATTER. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 25, 201080,000 milesOR

THE REAR SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT HOLD TIGHT. A PASTIC PIECE BROKE OF THE BUCKEL. IT NO LONGER HOLD TIGHT CAUSING CHILD SEATS TO MOVE WHEN BUCKLED IN.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Mar 19, 201063,000 milesWI

NOVEMBER 2009 MY THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE WITH A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $500.00. MARCH 15 2010 THE CAR DOORS UNLOCKED AND THE CAR DIED IN TRAFFIC. REPLACED FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE. MARCH 17 2010 THEFT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START. REPLACED RCDLR (I' DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IS AN ABBREVIATION FOR BUT IT COST ANOTHER $67.44 FOR THE PART. THEFT LIGHT STILL COMES ON AND THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START. *TR

Reading these

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 →