Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal traveled to the floorboard and failed to retract. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v528000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.
2003 Chevrolet Malibu: sudden unintended acceleration
15 of the 569 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
- 20191
- 20182
- 20171
- 20162
- 20153
- 20142
- 20133
- 20124
- 20119
- 20102
- 20092
- 20082
- 20073
- 20062
- 20043
- 200315
- 20021
- 20013
- 20002
- 19992
- 19982
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently and the engine stalled. The problem occurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH with the brake pedal engaged, the vehicle suddenly accelerated causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crashed into a building. The contact suffered head and neck injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed during the incident. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact had to shift into neutral and then the park position in order to maneuver and stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact pulled over and shifted the vehicle into park and the vehicle had high revs while idling. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or local mechanic. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floor and the contact was unable to release the accelerator pedal. When the brake pedal was depressed the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a pole. The contact placed the gear in reverse; however, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into several parked vehicles, before coming to a stop. The contacts shoulder was bruised. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 104,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 10 MPH, she noticed that the vehicle became difficult to stop. The rpms increased excessively to 2000 when she depressed the brake pedal. Within a few minutes, as she drove the vehicle to the dealer, she noticed an odor in the brakes which was heat accumulated after she tried to stop the vehicle. She also inspected the vehicle and noticed that the floor mat was not under the accelerator pedal and was not the cause of the sudden acceleration. The dealer stated that the accelerator assembly system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired when the complaint was filed. When the contact called the manufacturer who stated that the vehicle was not included in recall 04v528000 (vehicle speed control accelerator pedal) and offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 101,000.
2003 chevrolet malibu. Consumer states unintended acceleration. *tgw the consumer stated his primarily drove the vehicle. In june 2007, the consumers wife experienced sudden acceleration and continued until the vehicle was repaired in july 2008 via a recall over a one year later. The consumer stated he was charged $189.05 in june 2007 for what turned out to be a recall issue. Again in august 2008 the consumer reported the problem and was charged again. So, for over a year, the vehicle would race and safety was a hazard. Also, the power windows would not operate properly. The consumer stated the power windows have failed twice. Even though the consumer was charged twice for different part replacements, he continues to experience problems with the power windows at times.
Took the car to the service station for maintenance. When I pull into the drive way of the service station the car accelerated by itself. I ran into the door and the building. I turned the ignition off and inspected the damage to the car and the building. The car had some scratches and damage to the front bumper. The building damage was superficial. The service station did the maintenance and repaired the faulty acceleration cable. I remembered later that there was a recall service that was done in 2005 on this vehicle. This also happen again, I had it repaired again. I am concerned that the car is unsafe.
While pulling inside of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated uncontrollably. The consumer put both feet on the brake pedal and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The accelerator pedal was stuck to the floor. This caused the consumer's vehicle to hit another vehicle. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. No injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. *ak the vehicle was taken to the service dealer on four occasions. This problem remained the same. Gm would not take responsibility. *sc
While vehicle was parked, and consumer's foot was on the brakes vehicle surged forward. Vehicle's front end collided with a cement pole, dividing the parking lot. There were no injuries involved nor did the police arrive. The next day the same thing occurred, but applying the brakes prevented another collision. *ak
While driving and after coming to a complete stop vehicle accelerated on its own.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
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
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
15 of 569 owner complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu (3%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
Won't start 84Stalling 59Fuel pump 34Check engine light 23No 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
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