The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact discovered that while driving at various speeds, the key could be removed from the ignition while the engine was still running. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service, and the vehicle was returned in less than 30 minutes. The contact was suspicious about the work that was performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that soon after the recall repair, the key remained stuck in accessory mode while attempting to turn off the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact was forced to remove the key from the ignition while the engine was running and used pliers to unhook the battery to turn off the vehicle. Additionally, while driving 20 MPH over a bump in the road, the key was knocked out of the ignition, causing the vehicle to abruptly shut off. The contact lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle veered off into the grass before coming to a complete stop. Despite the failure, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. The contact alerted the dealer of the failure and that the recall was not properly serviced. The contact was given an estimate for a diagnostic test, and the contact refused to pay for the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that a representative would give a follow-up call. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
The worst 2003 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical289
- Engine88
- Acceleration85
- Brakes63
- Fuel system42
- Lights28
- Airbags27
- Suspension23
- Steering21
- Transmission13
- Body9
- Locks4
- Tires4
- Visibility4
- Driver assistance3
- Seat belts3
- Wheels3
- Seats2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
Won't start 84Stalling 59Fuel pump 34Check engine light 23Sudden acceleration 15No deployment 14Loss of power 12Brake failure 10Grinding brakes 9Adaptive cruise 8ABS 7Airbag light 7Engine failure 7Headlights 7Power steering loss 7Fire or smoke 5Fuel gauge 5Hesitation 5Overheating 5
Recalls 2
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
Recall number 14V400000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Failure to return to idle could result in a vehicle crash.
- 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.
Recall number 04V528000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu 409
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- Electrical system
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
2003 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
What 2003 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Unknown
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.
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.
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
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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
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.
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.
Car won't start key switch sets off anti theft always leaving us stranded
Compare the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
Malibu vs Honda AccordMalibu vs Ford FusionMalibu vs Toyota CamryMalibu vs Hyundai SonataMalibu vs Nissan AltimaMalibu vs Volkswagen PassatMalibu vs Kia OptimaMalibu vs Subaru Legacy
Other model years
19971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Owners have filed 569 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, fewer than a typical Malibu model year.
What is the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu year score?
The 2003 Chevrolet Malibu scores 78 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
Electrical system, with 289 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is engine (88).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and vehicle speed control.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V400000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most electrical complaints are 2013 (376 complaints), 2009 (368 complaints) and 2010 (295 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.1L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 26 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history