Model year record
2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic recalls & problems
The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 16 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (12 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Classic.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module | 12 | 139,500 mi |
| Power train | 1 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| Unknown or other | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Vehicle speed control
ACCERLATION ALL OF SUDDEN WITHOUT STOPPING VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME
- Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
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…
- Unknown or other
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.
- Electrical system
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.
- Electrical system
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
- Electrical system
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.
- Electrical system
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.
- Electrical system
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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.