My theft light came on a month after the ignition was repaired due to recall. It is always on now. I have replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs, and timing chain. My car still wont start after all of that and the theft light is still on. I have been without a car for 2 months now due to it not starting. It will roll over but nothing more happens.when all of this happened it was stationary and it was parked in a parking lot where I work.
Chevrolet Malibu Classic won't start problems
42 of the 312 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Malibu Classic describe won't start, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 42
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical repair cost reported
- $400
- typical mileage
- 100,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu classic. While attempting to start the vehicle, the anti-theft indicator illuminated and the engine would not start. Midway chevrolet(381 12th st, plainwell, mi) was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 190,000.
I have a 2005 malibu - that is a money pit- thier is a wiring ignition problem - my car is an intermittent starter - I've changed fuses- alternator - fuel pump- been told this and that - I'm a single female - and can't drive this car anywhere - it stops when ever it wants to - in order he middle of the road - or going to the grocery store aaa has retired my towing - I'm online reading and everybody has went through my he same - I called last week before having my car towed again - to see if thier has been a recall and I heard no- I had it towed - spent 320 dollars being told it was the alternator after going through 2 batteries - for the same thing - I just got my car back - went out to get some coffee - come out and the car won't start again - would someone call me about this - 214 755 -3606
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 the federal safety agency 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.
My theft system warning light keeps coming on. When I turn the key off and try to restart the car it will not start back. I have to turn it to the on position and wait until the theft light quits flashing which is usually 10 minutes and then restart the car. I was told by a chevrolet dealership mechanic that the problem was the ignition cylinder which cost around $180. Why is there not a recall for this.
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.
Since 2010, with car only being 5 years old, the key began hardly working in the ignition. We had to keep jiggling and re-trying until would work. The recall only covered notifying owners not to put extra keys on their key chain but would not cover the fact that the ignition lock cylinder was faulty. Continued to live with this problem, then the theft deterrant light started going on because of the necessary jiggling -- where the car won't start and you have to turn to acc and wait 10 minutes. Once again, dealer refused to cover. Stationary problem, but for my elderly father, not good for the key not to work for a while, or will not start for at least 10 minutes due to theft system being activiated
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu classic. While stationary, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The contact stated that the anti-theft security indicator illuminated without warning. The vehicle was repaired three times by an unknown independent mechanic where the ignition was replaced, the anti-theft system was reprogrammed, and the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred after each repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet malibu classic. After inserting the key into the ignition, the vehicle would not start. In addition, the turn signals and hazard lights would randomly not operate. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Malibu Classic won't start
Which Chevrolet Malibu Classic years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (22 complaints), 2005 (12 complaints) and 2003 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $400 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet Malibu Classic?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history