RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Apr 17, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and engine categories. 76 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1168.8%
  • Driver assistance212.5%
  • Engine16.3%
  • Powertrain (other)16.3%
  • Steering16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistance
Filed Apr 17, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11197030
Incident
Apr 17, 2019
Mileage
5 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 30, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11154914
Incident
Feb 1, 2015
Filed Jan 18, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11063426
Incident
Jan 17, 2018
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 21, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11047770
Incident
Nov 21, 2017
Mileage
136,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 4, 2017

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

NHTSA ID
11012732
Incident
Dec 20, 2016
Mileage
143,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11011258
Incident
Jan 7, 2016
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ID
10864200
Incident
Apr 15, 2014
Mileage
144,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 24, 2015

FIRST TIME INCIDENT OCCURRED WAS 6/18/15, TWICE ON 6/23/2015 AND ONCE ON 6/24/15. THEFT SYSTEM CAUSED CAR NOT TO START; PERFORMED TROUBLE SHOOTING METHOD ACCORDING TO OWNER'S MANUAL (LEAVING KEY IN IGNITION ON POSITION WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE THEFT SYSTEM TO STOP BLINKING, TURN KEY IN IGNITION TO OFF THEN RESTART) WHICH DOESN'T INDICATE FURTHER ACTION TO TAKE IF PROBLEM PERSISTS. TOOK IT TO RYAN CHEVROLET DEALER IN MONROE, LA ON 6/24/15 WHERE SERVICE ADVISOR TRAVIS STUART SAID 125.00 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE HAS TO BE PAID TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM WHICH I'VE ALREADY INDICATED WHAT IT WAS AND WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE WHICH IS AN URGENT SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE ACCORDING TO HIM THE DEALERSHIP WAS BEHIND AND BACKUP IN REPAIRS. HE SCHEDULED FOR ME TO COME IN FOR 6/26/15 AT 8AM WHICH TRAVIS STATED WAS THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY HE HAD. SPOKE TO CHEVROLET.COM LIVE CHAT CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDRIA ON 6/24/15 SHORTLY AFTER 9PM AND STATED TO HER THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME. ALEXANDRIA TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE REGARDING 2003 CHEVY MALIBU, OWNER'S MANUAL IS JUST A STEPPING STONE AS A GUIDELINE, VEHICLE IS OVER 10 YRS OLD SO IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND REPAIRS HAVE TO MADE AT MY OWN EXPENSE WITH NO TYPE OF REIMBURSEMENT TO THE CUSTOMER. I WAS NOT AWARE THIS VEHICLE WAS A RECALL UNTIL I WENT TO THE DMV TO GET IT REGISTERED IS WHERE I WAS INFORMED REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS AN MANUFACTURER DEFECT GM IS KNOWINGLY AWARE OF INDICATED IN THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL NOR I SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SOMETHING THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE TO WORK OR SCHOOL PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK EVERYDAY.

NHTSA ID
10730257
Incident
Jun 23, 2015
Mileage
147,777 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

18-NA-099

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Malibu Classic by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008210035.5
2007150027.9
2005921039.2
20041161144.8
2003Viewing160035.0
2002160028.7
2001130030.0
2000110037.4
1999400
1998500
1997300
1978010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.