2003 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 569 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (45% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 569 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2023
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2023
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2021
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2021
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2020
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2020
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 35 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Malibu by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
NHTSA has 569 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The most complained-about area is electrical system (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Malibu problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,095 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.